PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ionut Iordache (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roma Kucherov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roma Kucherov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Iordache
vs
Kucherov

187 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
26
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ionut Iordache!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roma Kucherov!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iordache lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Iordache is looking to clinch but Kucherov is avoiding it.
Iordache misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Iordache tries to clinch but Kucherov is having none of it.
Iordache doesn't manage to clinch there - Kucherov circles away.
A head kick misses from Iordache.
Iordache closes the distance but Kucherov moves to the side

and Kucherov counters with a single leg into guard. Iordache didn't expect that.
Kucherov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Iordache knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kucherov on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kucherov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kucherov is looking to work some ground and pound but Iordache has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kucherov lands a couple of digs.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Kucherov has eaten all the pies!
Kucherov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
It looks like Kucherov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iordache trying to remain calm as Kucherov controls from the top position.
Kucherov is working Iordache over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iordache prevents Kucherov from moving into mount.
Check out the look on Kucherov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kucherov controls the position.
Iordache taking a bit of punishment here - Kucherov scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kucherov is putting a hurting on Iordache here, landing some big shots from side control.
Iordache takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Iordache is breathing heavily.
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!
Kucherov cracks Iordache with a big elbow.
Kucherov takes a little break here. Iordache wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Iordache tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roma Kucherov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Iordache misses with a head kick.
Iordache is looking to clinch but Kucherov is avoiding it.
Iordache throws a head kick that misses.
Iordache tries to clinch there but Kucherov circles away.
Kucherov swats away the attempt to clinch by Iordache.
Iordache tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kucherov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ionut Iordache seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iordache tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Iordache scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Iordache wants to clinch up but Kucherov keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iordache tries to clinch up.
Iordache misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Iordache throws a head kick that half lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Iordache misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Iordache closes the distance but Kucherov moves to the side

and Kucherov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Iordache on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kucherov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kucherov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Iordache is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kucherov scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kucherov moves nicely into side control.
Iordache taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kucherov controls the position.
Iordache is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kucherov connects with a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Roma Kucherov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kucherov landing punches.
Kucherov cracks Iordache with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Kucherov is landing with some decent strikes but Iordache is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kucherov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Iordache takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roma Kucherov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Iordache's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kucherov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Iordache's guard.
Kucherov advances to half guard.
Iordache pushes Kucherov off looking to stand but Kucherov dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kucherov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kucherov content just to control the position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kucherov punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kucherov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov scoring with strikes but Iordache is staying in there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kucherov controlling the pace for now.
Kucherov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Iordache takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kucherov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov punishing his opponent with strikes.

Iordache is rocked!
Kucherov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kucherov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kucherov cracks Iordache with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Roma Kucherov!