PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Black
vs
Couture

195 cm
22
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Randy Couture!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black slips a straight right by Couture.
Couture ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Couture fails with the takedown.
A nice combination there by Couture.

It looks like Jon Black has been cut.
Black keeps the fight on the outside.
Couture shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Black pinned against the cage. Black gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Black tries for a takedown but Couture circles away easily

and Couture counters with a shoot takedown. Black fights it but they end up in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Black is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Couture defends well.

Couture gets to his feet - Black follows without any prompting.
Couture fails with the takedown

and Black decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Couture's guard.
Jon Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Couture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Black trying to move into half guard but instead Couture has managed to sweep!

Black has his foot on Couture's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Couture works his way back into a safe position though.
Black is breathing heavily.

Couture got a little sloppy there for a moment and Black has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Couture has managed to get both his arms back between Black's legs - danger averted.
Black keeping moving, preventing Couture from controlling successfully.
Black has a closed guard, preventing Couture from standing up.
Black manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Black goes for an armbar but Couture turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Couture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black keeping moving, preventing Couture from controlling successfully.
Couture wants to get up but he can't break Black's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Black tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Couture wants to stand but Black is controlling his posture from full guard.
Couture stopping the sweep attempt from Black.

Couture stands up from Black's guard - Couture perhaps looking for a knockout.
Couture with a poor takedown

and Black counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Black tries to advance to mount but Couture denies him.
Black advances to mount.

Black jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Couture is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Couture and Black has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Black thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Black working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Black tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Black tries for a kimura but Couture is defending well.
Couture is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Black is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black trying to pass the guard but Couture defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randy Couture will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jon Black's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Couture ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Black has his takedown stuffed

and Couture counters with a nice double leg into side control. Black won't be happy with that.
Black is looking for a sweep.

Couture stands up and beckons Black to his feet.
Couture shoots in for a takedown but Black shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Couture is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couture is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Black counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture can't keep his opponent in guard - Black advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Couture wants to improve his position but Black is controlling well.
Jon Black overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Couture is defending against the submission attempts here by Black.
Couture is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black passes to side control.

Black thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Couture manages to work his way to half guard, despite Black's best efforts.

Couture is defending against the submission attempts here by Black.
Black wants to pass the guard but Couture is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black is looking to pass Couture's guard but actually Couture recovers to full guard.
Couture manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Black really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Black is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Couture trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Black is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Black is in a horrible position here. Couture smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Couture cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Couture wants to control the pace but Black is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Randy Couture will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jon Black's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Couture tries to clinch up.
Black circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couture tries to clinch there but Black circles away.

Couture is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Black's half guard.
Couture is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Black looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Couture stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Couture is defended easily by Black.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black shoots in but Couture avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Randy Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couture tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Black shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Black is looking to pass Couture's guard but actually Couture recovers to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black wants to pass the guard but Couture is keeping the position.
Black passes Couture's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Black tries to pass to full mount but Couture defends it.

Black looking for a submission but Couture manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Couture lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Black!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black working to try and regain half guard.
Couture working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Black is working to get back to half guard.
Couture trying to control but Black is having none of it.
Black is looking to get to half guard.
Couture looking to control but Black is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Black is looking to improve his position but Couture isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jon Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Couture connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Randy Couture is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Couture controlling the pace for now.
Couture wants to control the pace but Black is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Black tries to reverse the position but Couture maintains control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randy Couture comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Couture winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Randy Couture!