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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arkady Balagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurtis Couturier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couturier has chosen Forever Angel as his entrance music. Arkady Balagan could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kurtis Couturier's chin.
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| 182 cm
22
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0 |
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176 cm
22
189 lbs
5 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arkady Balagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kurtis Couturier!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balagan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Balagan prevents Couturier from improving his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Couturier can do anything to dispel that myth.
Couturier blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balagan.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balagan misses with a head shot. Couturier uses the momentum to regain guard.
Balagan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balagan is fighting to break Couturier's control of his arms but Couturier is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Couturier working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balagan.
Couturier is trying to keep Balagan in close.
Couturier has his foot on Balagan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balagan works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balagan passes Couturier's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Balagan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Couturier's head.
Couturier tries to get to full guard but Balagan has control of the leg.
Couturier is looking to control Balagan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Couturier avoid being mounted?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balagan blocks the strikes from Couturier.
Balagan winds up and cracks Couturier with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Balagan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Couturier is looking to control Balagan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Couturier avoid being mounted?
Couturier tries to get to full guard but Balagan has control of the leg.
Couturier trying to control but Balagan postures up.
Balagan working over Couturier with some ground and pound. Couturier looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Balagan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Couturier's head.
Couturier is looking to improve his position.
Balagan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Couturier defends it well.
Balagan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Couturier defends it well.
Balagan wants to control but Couturier is keeping him busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Couturier keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Balagan is stalling here. Couturier is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Balagan seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Couturier has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Balagan gets back to half guard.
Balagan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Couturier's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Couturier's back!
Couturier is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Couturier is in bad spot here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couturier just trying to survive but Balagan is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Couturier is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Balagan off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Balagan scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Balagan is landing with strikes. Couturier can't take much more of this.
Couturier tries to escape the position.
Balagan looking for the RNC.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balagan avoiding Couturier 's attempts to control his hands.
Balagan looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Balagan is looking for the choke from the back position but Couturier is controlling his hands well.
Balagan is trying to stick to Couturier's back but Couturier is turning into Balagan. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Balagan's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Couturier.
Balagan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Balagan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balagan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Balagan is looking to sweep but instead, Couturier has passed into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balagan trying to control but Couturier postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Arkady Balagan dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Couturier tries to clinch up but Balagan circles away and keeps his distance.
Balagan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Couturier sprawls well initially but Balagan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Couturier blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balagan.
Couturier is trying to maintain the position but Balagan is very close to passing his half guard.
Balagan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Couturier defending well though.
Couturier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Balagan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Balagan moves into full mount! Couturier won't be happy about that!
Balagan lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Balagan pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couturier is in all sorts of trouble here.
Balagan is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Balagan wants to control the pace but Couturier is squirming around nicely.
Couturier is looking to improve his position but Balagan isn't that keen on the idea.
Balagan landing shots from mount.
Balagan wants to finish this one by submission but Couturier is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Balagan.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balagan raining down shots from the mount!
Couturier manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Balagan is trying to control the action in half guard but Couturier is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Couturier holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Balagan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balagan wants to take a breather but Couturier is having none of it.
Balagan is trying to work for a kimura but Couturier is defending well.
Balagan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Couturier's head.
Couturier wants to control but Balagan is keeping busy.
Couturier moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couturier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balagan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Balagan landing with the ground and pound.
Balagan throwing strikes but missing.
Balagan postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Balagan works over Couturier with some ground and pound from guard.
Couturier not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balagan works over Couturier with some ground and pound from guard.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Couturier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balagan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Balagan cracks Couturier with a solid left hand.
Balagan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balagan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Couturier is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Balagan throwing strikes but missing.
Couturier preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Arkady Balagan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Balagan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Balagan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Balagan working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Balagan trying to control the action but Couturier is working from the bottom.
Couturier felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Balagan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Couturier can't do much from the bottom here.
Couturier taking punishment in the form of punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balagan scoring with punches from side control.
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!
Couturier wants to get back to his feet but Balagan drags him back down.
Couturier is working to avoid the ground and pound but Balagan connects with a decent elbow.
Balagan working the head with strikes.
Balagan tries to score with some ground and pound. Couturier controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Couturier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Balagan looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Couturier is avoiding damage well.
Balagan scores with punches from side control.
Balagan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Couturier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Balagan lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Couturier down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Couturier wants to control but Balagan postures up.
Couturier tries to buck Balagan off but Balagan is having none of it.
Balagan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Couturier knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Arkady Balagan dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Couturier pushes Balagan up against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Couturier.
Couturier lands with a left to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Good body shot from Couturier.
Couturier lands a right hand.
Couturier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horrible takedown by Balagan or perhaps it was just good defense by Couturier which made him look bad.
Couturier throws a hook to the side of Balagan's head but Balagan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balagan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Couturier's waist but Couturier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balagan off to one side.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Balagan is defended easily by Couturier.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arkady Balagan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couturier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kurtis Couturier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Couturier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Couturier looks to land a combination but Balagan avoids it well.
Couturier connects with a right hand. Balagan shakes it off.
Balagan shoots in but no luck this time.
Couturier avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Balagan shoots in but Couturier avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Balagan thows a body shot but no joy.
Balagan moves out of range of the strikes.
Couturier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Balagan.
Kurtis Couturier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Couturier as Balagan shoots in.
Couturier wants to clinch up but Balagan keeps it at a distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couturier throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Balagan tries for a takedown but Couturier sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Couturier throws a series of punches but Balagan moves out of range.
Couturier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A swing and a miss from Couturier.
A jab from Couturier does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balagan fails with a takedown attempt.
Balagan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Couturier circles away.
Couturier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balagan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Couturier leaves Balagan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Couturier, as that shot connected.
Balagan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Balagan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Couturier's guard.
Couturier trying to control the position.
Balagan content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balagan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balagan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Balagan trying to control but Couturier is working from the bottom.
Couturier working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balagan.
Balagan is looking to work some ground and pound but Couturier has wrist control.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Couturier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couturier is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couturier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couturier keeping full guard, as Balagan tries to pass.
Couturier is pulling down on Balagan's head. It's preventing any offense from Balagan, at least for the moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Couturier trying to keep a closed guard but Balagan is proving a slippery customer.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kurtis Couturier.
Horrible takedown by Balagan or perhaps it was just good defense by Couturier which made him look bad.
Couturier connects with a right hand. Balagan shakes it off.
Arkady Balagan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balagan gets a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balagan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Couturier's head.
Couturier is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Balagan pulls his head out easily.
Balagan lands strikes from half guard.
Balagan controlling the action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Couturier manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couturier trying to control the position.
Kurtis Couturier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Couturier working for a triangle but Balagan defends it easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kurtis Couturier.
I think Balagan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arkady Balagan!
Our winner, Arkady Balagan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
97% |
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