PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Von Rickenhausen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ljubisa Kurcubic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ljubisa Kurcubic is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Rickenhausen
vs
Kurcubic

186 cm
19
270 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

225 cm
19
283 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Von Rickenhausen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ljubisa Kurcubic!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurcubic throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rickenhausen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rickenhausen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kurcubic avoids it really well and circles away.

Kurcubic rushes Rickenhausen and presses him up against the cage.
Rickenhausen is trying to drag Kurcubic to the mat but Kurcubic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kurcubic misses with an elbow over the top.
Rickenhausen avoids a wild elbow strike from Kurcubic.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kurcubic.
Kurcubic misses with a knee strike.
Rickenhausen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kurcubic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rickenhausen is breathing heavily.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurcubic lands with a light punch inside.
Kurcubic scores with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic is stalling here.

Kurcubic has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Rickenhausen regains guard immediately.
Kurcubic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurcubic distracts Rickenhausen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rickenhausen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rickenhausen keeping moving, preventing Kurcubic from controlling successfully.
Kurcubic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rickenhausen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rickenhausen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurcubic is one step ahead there.
Kurcubic throwing strikes from guard but Rickenhausen blocks nicely.
Rickenhausen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rickenhausen tries to get out of the position.
Rickenhausen keeping moving, preventing Kurcubic from controlling successfully.
Kurcubic lands a couple of decent looking shots.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rickenhausen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurcubic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rickenhausen somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Rickenhausen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurcubic scores with a kick to the body.

Kurcubic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rickenhausen, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kurcubic.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kurcubic obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A knee to the head by Kurcubic.
Kurcubic connects with a knee to the head.
Rickenhausen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kurcubic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rickenhausen backwards.
Kurcubic lands a knee to the body.
Kurcubic connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rickenhausen's face.
Kurcubic misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kurcubic.
Kurcubic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kurcubic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kurcubic missing with knees to the body.
Kurcubic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kurcubic tries to pull guard but Rickenhausen won't allow it.
Kurcubic looking to throw knees to the head but Rickenhausen is blocking nicely.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rickenhausen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kurcubic prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic crunches a lovely knee into Rickenhausen's ribcage.
Kurcubic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rickenhausen looking for a takedown.
Rickenhausen tries for a takedown but Kurcubic manages to get underhooks.
Kurcubic with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Kurcubic.
Kurcubic landing knees to the body.
Kurcubic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rickenhausen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kurcubic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kurcubic with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rickenhausen tries for a takedown but Kurcubic manages to get underhooks.
Kurcubic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kurcubic throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rickenhausen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kurcubic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rickenhausen's face.
Kurcubic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kurcubic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kurcubic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kurcubic throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Kurcubic - that landed with a thud.
Rickenhausen is working for takedown but Kurcubic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kurcubic connects with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kurcubic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Kurcubic ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kurcubic no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rickenhausen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kurcubic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kurcubic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rickenhausen is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ljubisa Kurcubic dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kurcubic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kurcubic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kurcubic pushes off an throws an elbow but Rickenhausen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kurcubic misses with an elbow over the top.

Kurcubic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rickenhausen uses from the top position.
Kurcubic throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Kurcubic has momentary wrist control but Rickenhausen slips an elbow through the middle.
Kurcubic is looking to stand back up but Rickenhausen counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kurcubic.
Rickenhausen passes to full mount!
Kurcubic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A nice elbow there by Rickenhausen.
Kurcubic is looking to improve his position but Rickenhausen isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurcubic throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Kurcubic gets back to half guard.
Rickenhausen moves nicely into side control.
Kurcubic is looking to reverse the position.
Kurcubic takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kurcubic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kurcubic landing strikes from the bottom.
Rickenhausen passes to full mount!
Kurcubic gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Kurcubic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rickenhausen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kurcubic's head.
Kurcubic has Rickenhausen pulled in close to control his posture.

Kurcubic pushes Rickenhausen off and gets back to his feet.
Kurcubic connects with a high kick.
Kurcubic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rickenhausen.

Kurcubic has managed to clinch.
Kurcubic landing knees to the body.
Ljubisa Kurcubic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rickenhausen blocks it with crossed arms.
Kurcubic throws a punch but it's blocked by Rickenhausen.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kurcubic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kurcubic with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kurcubic tries to pull guard but Rickenhausen won't allow it.
Rickenhausen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kurcubic looking to throw knees to the head but Rickenhausen is blocking nicely.
Rickenhausen tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Rickenhausen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurcubic creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Kurcubic decides to pull guard.
Rickenhausen is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurcubic has wrist control.
Kurcubic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kurcubic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rickenhausen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kurcubic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kurcubic lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kurcubic looking to control but Rickenhausen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rickenhausen tries to reverse the position but Kurcubic maintains control.
The referee warns Rickenhausen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kurcubic with good strikes from the mount here!
Rickenhausen is squirming around, avoiding Kurcubic's attempts to control the action.
Kurcubic prevents Rickenhausen from getting the reversal.
Rickenhausen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurcubic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ljubisa Kurcubic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Kurcubic. No joy for Rickenhausen on that attempt.
Rickenhausen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kurcubic swivels and escapes.
Kurcubic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Kurcubic rushes Rickenhausen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kurcubic pushes off an throws an elbow but Rickenhausen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kurcubic works on Rickenhausen's body with a couple of short punches.
Kurcubic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kurcubic with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kurcubic lands a shoulder strike.
Kurcubic lands a knee to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kurcubic connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rickenhausen's face.
Kurcubic is working for takedown but Rickenhausen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rickenhausen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Rickenhausen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rickenhausen is working for takedown but Kurcubic is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurcubic with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kurcubic landing knees to the body.
Kurcubic missing with knees to the body.
Kurcubic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kurcubic misses with a knee strike.
Kurcubic connects with a knee to the head.
Rickenhausen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rickenhausen has Kurcubic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kurcubic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short left from Kurcubic.
Kurcubic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kurcubic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kurcubic is pressed up against the cage. Rickenhausen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kurcubic down to the mat. Kurcubic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kurcubic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kurcubic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kurcubic unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kurcubic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rickenhausen.

Rickenhausen has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kurcubic is trying to keep an underhook but Rickenhausen manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rickenhausen working over Kurcubic with some ground and pound. Kurcubic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Kurcubic manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Rickenhausen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kurcubic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rickenhausen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kurcubic but Kurcubic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kurcubic gets a clinch.
Rickenhausen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kurcubic throws a head punch that misses.
Kurcubic working Rickenhausen over with knees to the body.
Kurcubic looking to throw knees to the head but Rickenhausen is blocking nicely.
Rickenhausen avoids the elbow strike from Kurcubic, against the cage.
Kurcubic tries a knee to the head but Rickenhausen blocks it.
Rickenhausen prevents the takedown attempt.
Ljubisa Kurcubic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurcubic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A knee to the head by Kurcubic.
Rickenhausen tries to score a body lock takedown but Kurcubic shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kurcubic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kurcubic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kurcubic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kurcubic misses with a knee to the head.
Rickenhausen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kurcubic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kurcubic lands a hook that snaps the head of Rickenhausen backwards.
Kurcubic landing knees to the head.
Kurcubic landing knees to the body.
Kurcubic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kurcubic controlling the action here for a moment.
Kurcubic throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kurcubic tries to pull guard but Rickenhausen holds him up against the cage and eventually Kurcubic drops back down to his feet.
Kurcubic misses with a knee strike.
Kurcubic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rickenhausen.
Kurcubic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rickenhausen prevents it.
Rickenhausen is working for takedown but Kurcubic is calmly controlling the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurcubic connects with a knee to the head.
Kurcubic working Rickenhausen over with knees to the body.
Von Rickenhausen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kurcubic scores with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ljubisa Kurcubic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kurcubic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Ljubisa Kurcubic!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Ljubisa Kurcubic!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ljubisa Kurcubic!

Ljubisa Kurcubic wins by unanimous decision!