PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Konrad Kurze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Griffin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Claw. Konrad Kurze acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Griffin
vs
Kurze

170 cm
31
157 lbs
24 - 12 - 1

150 cm
29
130 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140

Mango Nutrition
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jason Griffin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Konrad Kurze!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurze throws a hook to the side of Griffin's head but Griffin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Kurze dives in and scores a takedown into Griffin's guard.
Griffin controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Griffin is on top in guard.
Griffin stopping the sweep attempt from Kurze.
Griffin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Griffin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Griffin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jason Griffin just wasn't active enough.

Griffin tries to sprawl but Kurze drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kurze throwing shots but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Griffin is trying to maintain the position but Kurze is very close to passing his half guard.
Griffin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kurze.
Kurze throwing shots but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Griffin tries to get to full guard but Kurze has control of the leg.
Kurze lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Griffin is defending against the submission attempts here by Kurze.
Griffin is trying to control but can't.
Griffin tries to roll over but Kurze keeps him under control.
Kurze throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Griffin holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Griffin tries to get to full guard but Kurze has control of the leg.
Griffin wants to control but Kurze is keeping busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Griffin gets full guard.
Kurze won't allow Griffin to sweep him here.
Griffin is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kurze throws a big elbow that misses.
Griffin pulls Kurze in close to prevent any damage.
Kurze loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurze scoring with some ground and pound.
Kurze makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kurze trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurze trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kurze drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Griffin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kurze has Griffin in his guard.
Kurze has Griffin pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurze trying to control the position.
Griffin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kurze being controlled here, momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Konrad Kurze was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Griffin motions for Kurze to come forward. Griffin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Konrad Kurze will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Griffin misses with a low kick.
Griffin misses with an uppercut

and Kurze counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Griffin!
Kurze throws a strike aimed at the side of Griffin's head but Griffin avoids it well.

Kurze is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Griffin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kurze. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kurze cracks Griffin with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Griffin wants to control but Kurze postures up.
Kurze throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kurze working the body and head with strikes.

Kurze looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
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!
Griffin can't do much from the bottom here.
Griffin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurze is trying to work for a kimura but Griffin is defending well.
Kurze thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Griffin's head.

Kurze seems to be working for a kimura but Griffin defends the submission attempt.
Kurze missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Griffin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kurze throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Griffin tries to get to full guard but Kurze has control of the leg.
Kurze thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin is looking to improve his position.
Kurze lands strikes from half guard.
Kurze looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Griffin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Griffin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kurze's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kurze's back!
Griffin trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Griffin controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin has the hooks in. Kurze is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kurze trying to control but not successfully.
Kurze has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Griffin slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kurze wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurze is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Kurze is trying to break free.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jason Griffin just wasn't active enough.
Kurze works Griffin's body with a nice hook.
Kurze loads up on a big right hand but Griffin slips the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurze blocks the body kick.
Griffin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Griffin lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konrad Kurze showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Both fighters circling a little - Griffin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kurze takes a swing at Griffin's ribcage but misses.
Griffin delivers a nice body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Griffin. That snapped Kurze's head back.
Griffin throws a shot from downtown. Kurze moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kurze is defended easily by Griffin.
Griffin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Griffin tries to move into range but Kurze moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Griffin instigates a clinch.
Kurze fails to pull guard.
Kurze can't find room to land a body shot as Griffin controls the action.
Griffin pushes off an throws an elbow but Kurze leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Griffin misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Griffin trying to stall but Kurze improves his position.
A right hook to the body lands for Kurze.
Griffin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kurze is defending well for now.
Griffin lands a right hand.
Kurze is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Griffin to keep the fight standing.
Jason Griffin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Konrad Kurze.
Kurze misses with some punches.
Griffin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kurze blocks it with crossed arms.

Griffin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kurze blocks a head kick by Griffin.
Kurze throws a low kick but Griffin moves out of range easily.
Kurze checks the leg kick.
Kurze scores with a nice head shot.
Griffin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab, jab by Griffin - just one landing.
No luck for Kurze with that takedown attempt.
Konrad Kurze is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurze checks a leg kick.
Griffin tries to move into range but Kurze moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Griffin looks for the body kick but Kurze saw that one coming.
Griffin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Griffin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kurze throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Griffin cracks the inside of Kurze's front leg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurze is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Griffin.
Griffin tries to clinch there but Kurze circles away.
Griffin staying out of range there.
Griffin throws a leg kick

and Kurze decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Griffin's guard.
Konrad Kurze has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kurze controls from within his opponent's guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kurze working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Griffin keeping moving, preventing Kurze from controlling successfully.

Konrad Kurze has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Griffin misses with a low kick.
Kurze avoids the head kick by Griffin.
Griffin throws a leg kick which misses Kurze's front leg but catches the back leg as Kurze tries to avoid it.
Griffin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kurze moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Griffin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Griffin misses with a low kick.
Griffin throws a series of punches but Kurze avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Kurze counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Griffin wants to stand up but Kurze is controlling him.
Griffin trying to control the position here.
Kurze trying to control the position from guard on top but Griffin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurze controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Griffin keeping moving, preventing Kurze from controlling successfully.
Jason Griffin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Konrad Kurze.
Kurze looks to land a left hand but Griffin moved out of range nicely.
Griffin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jason Griffin.
I think Kurze has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Konrad Kurze!
An out of breath and clearly excited Konrad Kurze thanked Mango Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).