PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Kurtz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valery Popenchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurtz kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dont fear the reaper. Valery Popenchenko is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kurtz
vs
Popenchenko

210 cm
21
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

El Zoido's Feeble Fightwear *** ROUPA DOS BROTHER*

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Niko Kurtz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Valery Popenchenko!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popenchenko lands with an overhand left.
Valery Popenchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Popenchenko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kurtz on the side of the head.
Popenchenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Kurtz should have avoided that one.
Popenchenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kurtz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Popenchenko scores with a hook to the body. Kurtz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Popenchenko lands a nice hook to Kurtz's body. Kurtz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Popenchenko cracks a nice hook into Kurtz's ribs.
Good standup being displayed there by Popenchenko as he connects with a hook.
Popenchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kurtz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Popenchenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Popenchenko stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Popenchenko digs a good body shot into Kurtz's ribs.
Kurtz has a takedown stuffed.
Kurtz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Popenchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kurtz tries to clinch up.
Popenchenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popenchenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Kurtz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Popenchenko manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kurtz is breathing heavily.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kurtz postures up in Popenchenko's guard and throws a big left but Popenchenko blocks it.
Kurtz trying to control but Popenchenko is working from the bottom.
Kurtz stays in close to Popenchenko's body and controls the position.
Kurtz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Popenchenko is proving hard to escape from.
Popenchenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kurtz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Niko Kurtz.
Popenchenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Popenchenko is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kurtz had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kurtz takes one to the side of the head.
No joy there for Kurtz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A lazy left from Popenchenko finds it's target.
Kurtz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice shot by Popenchenko.
Kurtz tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Popenchenko cracks Kurtz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kurtz is looking to clinch.
Popenchenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kurtz at a distance.
Popenchenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Popenchenko lands a head shot.
Popenchenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kurtz takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Kurtz should have avoided that one.
Kurtz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Popenchenko lands a head shot.
Popenchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Popenchenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Popenchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Popenchenko scores with a nice head shot.
Popenchenko scores with a shot to the body.
Popenchenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Popenchenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Popenchenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Popenchenko lands a jab to the nose.
Popenchenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kurtz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Popenchenko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kurtz has time to react.
Popenchenko lands a jab to the nose.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Popenchenko - just one landing.
Good shot there by Popenchenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Popenchenko digs a good hook to Kurtz's body.
Kurtz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Popenchenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Popenchenko lands a slapping body shot.
Popenchenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kurtz doesn't seem bothered though.
Jab, jab by Popenchenko - just one landing.
Popenchenko lands a nice shot that snaps Kurtz's head back.
Kurtz takes one on the button.
Popenchenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A decent looking cross lands there for Popenchenko.
Popenchenko cracks Kurtz with a good jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Popenchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Popenchenko scores with a hook to the body. Kurtz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Popenchenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kurtz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valery Popenchenko dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Good shot there by Popenchenko.
Popenchenko punishes Kurtz's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice shot by Popenchenko.
Popenchenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kurtz.
Popenchenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Popenchenko, as that shot connected.
Donk. Popenchenko catches Kurtz right on the button with a cross.
Popenchenko lands with a nice body punch.
Kurtz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Popenchenko is fending him off so far but Kurtz persists. Nope, Popenchenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Kurtz shoots for a double leg takedown but Popenchenko sprawls well. He's pushed Kurtz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Kurtz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Popenchenko with a hook.
Popenchenko connects with a body shot that sends Kurtz's belly button to the back.
Popenchenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kurtz's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurtz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Popenchenko thuds his right hand into Kurtz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popenchenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Popenchenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Popenchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Popenchenko scores with a shot to the body.
Popenchenko lunges at Kurtz with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kurtz's hand.
Good shot there by Popenchenko.
Valery Popenchenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popenchenko with a hook.
Kurtz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kurtz tries to move into range but Popenchenko moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kurtz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Popenchenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kurtz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kurtz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kurtz takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Popenchenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kurtz at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Popenchenko there.
Kurtz takes one on the button.
Popenchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Popenchenko lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurtz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Popenchenko cracks Kurtz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Popenchenko lands a lovely overhand right.
Popenchenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Popenchenko connects with a body shot.
Kurtz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kurtz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kurtz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kurtz there as he acknowledges the shot.
Popenchenko tests Kurtz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Valery Popenchenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popenchenko scores with a jab. Kurtz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko digs a good hook to Kurtz's body.
Popenchenko scores with a jab to the body.
Popenchenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Popenchenko clobbers Kurtz with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Popenchenko with a hook.
Popenchenko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kurtz drops his hands momentarily and Popenchenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Popenchenko cracks Kurtz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Popenchenko lands with a nice body punch.
Kurtz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kurtz has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kurtz there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice shot lands for Popenchenko.
Popenchenko lands with a straight right. Kurtz didn't see that one coming.
Kurtz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kurtz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko lands a jab to the head.
Kurtz walks into a left hand.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Popenchenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Popenchenko lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurtz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Popenchenko jabs Kurtz right on the nose. Kurtz blinks but takes it well.
Popenchenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kurtz's head backwards.
Kurtz takes one to the chin there.
Popenchenko jabs Kurtz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Popenchenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurtz takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Popenchenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Popenchenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kurtz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valery Popenchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Popenchenko throws a shot to the body.
Popenchenko lands a jab to the head.
Kurtz shoots for a double leg takedown but Popenchenko sprawls well. He's pushed Kurtz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Popenchenko throws out a powerful jab.
Kurtz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Popenchenko lands a jab.
Nice shot by Popenchenko.
Kurtz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kurtz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Popenchenko scores with a jab to the head.
Popenchenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Popenchenko lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurtz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A jab from Popenchenko does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtz walks into a jab.
Popenchenko scores with a nice strike.
Kurtz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurtz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Popenchenko jabs Kurtz right on the nose. Kurtz blinks but takes it well.
Popenchenko lands with an uppercut that bounces Kurtz off the cage and back into range.
Popenchenko jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kurtz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kurtz walks into a jab.
Kurtz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kurtz takes a jab right on the kisser.
Popenchenko cracks Kurtz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kurtz takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Popenchenko lands a body shot.
Popenchenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko with a nice cross.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kurtz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kurtz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Niko Kurtz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popenchenko connects with a jab.
Popenchenko lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurtz ducks right into an uppercut from Popenchenko.
Kurtz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A lazy left from Popenchenko finds it's target.
Kurtz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kurtz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Popenchenko lands a glancing blow to the side of Kurtz's head.
Nice uppercut lands for Popenchenko. That snapped Kurtz's head back.
Popenchenko scores with a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Popenchenko scores with a hook.
Popenchenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kurtz takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kurtz walks into a jab.
Popenchenko with a nice cross.
Popenchenko scores with the left hand. Kurtz knows he should have avoided that one.
Popenchenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Popenchenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Popenchenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Popenchenko thuds his right hand into Kurtz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Popenchenko connects with the punch.
Kurtz gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popenchenko sizes up Kurtz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Popenchenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Popenchenko wants it to stay on the feet.
Popenchenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurtz moves forwards but Popenchenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Popenchenko scores with a body shot.
Kurtz on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kurtz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popenchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kurtz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Popenchenko connects with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurtz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kurtz takes one on the button.
Popenchenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Niko Kurtz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Popenchenko lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valery Popenchenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Popenchenko 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valery Popenchenko!