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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kurtis Couturier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Ridgway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couturier comes to the cage accompanied by Forever Angel. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 176 cm
29
186 lbs
17 - 6 - 4 |
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169 cm
29
175 lbs
12 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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
17 - 6 - 4, fighting out of New York, Kurtis Couturier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gary Ridgway!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Ridgway. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ridgway.
Nice shot by Ridgway.
A jab lands there for Couturier.
Couturier lands with an uppercut that bounces Ridgway off the cage and back into range.
Ridgway lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Couturier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ridgway manages to avoid it.
Couturier avoids a kick to the body.
Couturier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ridgway tries a quick counter leg kick but Couturier is wise to it.
Couturier has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ridgway scores with a hook to the body. Couturier takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ridgway showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Couturier.
Ridgway closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Couturier quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ridgway moves nicely into side control.
Ridgway working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ridgway scores with punches from side control.
Ridgway landing a few strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgway is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Couturier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Couturier can't do much from the bottom here.
Couturier is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ridgway tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Couturier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Couturier takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Couturier can't do much from the bottom here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgway tries for a kimura but Couturier is defending well.
Ridgway working away.
Ridgway scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Couturier to see if he's OK.
Ridgway working away.
Ridgway working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ridgway fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Couturier is not content to let Ridgway control the position.
Couturier is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ridgway asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ridgway is trying to get an arm triangle but Couturier is defending well.
Ridgway trying to control the position but Couturier is working away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgway fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ridgway landing a few strikes.
Ridgway lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ridgway is looking to take a break and control but Couturier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ridgway is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Ridgway looks up at the clock and then as Couturier takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Ridgway smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Ridgway is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Couturier is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ground and pound from Ridgway seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgway tries for a kimura but Couturier is defending well.
Couturier wants to control but Ridgway postures up.
Couturier is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ridgway working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Couturier takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Couturier is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ridgway off and has taken his back!
Couturier throwing sloppy strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couturier lands with a hammerfist to the side of Ridgway's head.
Ridgway is in bad spot here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gary Ridgway dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Ridgway takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ridgway misses with a hook. Couturier ducked under it nicely.
Kurtis Couturier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ridgway throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couturier sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Couturier fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ridgway.
Gary Ridgway seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Couturier misses with a two punch combination.
Ridgway thinks about the counter body kick.
Kurtis Couturier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A solid leg kick lands there for Couturier.
Ridgway throws a hook to the side of Couturier's head but Couturier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Couturier with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Couturier.
Ridgway has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Good leg kick by Couturier there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Couturier lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ridgway circles away quickly and effectively.
Couturier throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Couturier misses with a straight right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ridgway has a takedown stuffed.
Ridgway uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couturier.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgway misses with a hook. Couturier ducked under it nicely.
Ridgway throws a head kick but Couturier moves out of range.
Couturier throws a front kick aimed at Ridgway's knee but Ridgway avoids it well.
Ridgway throws a push kick but Couturier slaps the foot to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Couturier misses the target.
Couturier throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgway's shoulder, as Ridgway tries to avoid the shot.
Ridgway has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ridgway there as he acknowledges the shot.
Couturier's corner calls for a 1-2. Couturier obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Couturier is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ridgway moves away from the strike by Couturier.
Couturier scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ridgway takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ridgway swings for the body but Couturier moves out of range.
Couturier digs a good hook to Ridgway's body.
Couturier scores with a jab to the head.
Couturier lands with a cross.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couturier circles away from the clinch attempt.
Couturier works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Couturier throws a front kick that sends Ridgway stumbling back into the cage.
Couturier lands a nice looking body shot.
Couturier changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ridgway ducks right into an uppercut from Couturier.
Ridgway scores with a leg kick.
Couturier with a hook.
Ridgway pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Couturier throwing a counter right hand but Ridgway manages to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Couturier.
Ridgway tries for a takedown but Couturier sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Couturier throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ridgway.
Ridgway scores with a punch to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ridgway. That's going to slow Couturier down.
Couturier scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ridgway in his tracks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couturier misses with a wild body shot.
That kick from Couturier tenderised Ridgway's leg. Ridgway is trying to keep his angry face on.
Couturier sizes up Ridgway with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Couturier steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ridgway.
Couturier fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ridgway is out of range.
Kurtis Couturier is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Couturier lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Couturier throws a leg kick which misses Ridgway's front leg but catches the back leg as Ridgway tries to avoid it.
Couturier lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
It looks like Gary Ridgway has been cut.
Donk. Ridgway catches Couturier right on the button with a cross.
Ridgway misses with a looping left.
Ridgway misses with a looping right.
Couturier fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As Couturier backs off Ridgway throws a huge counter combo but Couturier manages to avoid it all.
Couturier turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Couturier, right into the meat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgway thows a leg kick but Couturier checks it
and Couturier counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ridgway's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Couturier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ridgway was well out of range. Poor timing from Couturier.
Despite the aggression on Ridgway's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Couturier takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ridgway scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ridgway misses with a kick to the body.
Couturier is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ridgway.
Couturier connects with a crisp jab.
Couturier throws a chopping leg kick but Ridgway manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ridgway staying out of range there.
Couturier tries to work over Ridgway's front leg with a kick but Ridgway checks it.
Couturier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ridgway fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Couturier misses with a wild body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Ridgway finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Couturier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kurtis Couturier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gary Ridgway's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Couturier throws an overhand right that lands on Ridgway's shoulder, as Ridgway tries to avoid the shot.
Couturier connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ridgway's hands.
Couturier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ridgway.
Couturier is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ridgway.
Ridgway uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Couturier.
Couturier digs a good body shot into Ridgway's ribs.
Couturier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Couturier punishes Ridgway's body with a nice straight punch.
Couturier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Couturier takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Couturier moves out of range as Ridgway throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couturier throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ridgway on the side of the head.
Couturier does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A countering left hand to the body from Ridgway misses.
Ridgway swings for the body but Couturier moves out of range.
Ridgway throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Couturier falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ridgway counters with a thumping low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ridgway misses with a kick to the body
and Couturier counters with a left to the body.
Ridgway misses with a body shot.
Couturier takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ridgway misses with a hook
and Couturier counters with a right hand to the body.
Some wild striking there from Couturier.
Couturier throws a front kick aimed at Ridgway's knee but Ridgway avoids it well.
Couturier loads up on a big right hand but Ridgway slips the punch.
Ridgway now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Couturier's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Couturier duly obliges.
Couturier avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Couturier comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Couturier moves out of range as Ridgway strikes.
Ridgway throws a head kick but Couturier moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couturier avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
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 connects with a right hand. Ridgway shakes it off.
Ridgway takes one on the button.
Couturier shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A little jabbing left from Ridgway on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ridgway delivers a nice body kick.
Couturier misses with a double jab
and Ridgway counters with a straight right hand.
Ridgway shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Couturier is trying to defend but Ridgway finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Couturier is refusing to be controlled, as Ridgway sits in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ridgway connects with a nice short shot to Couturier's temple.
Ridgway trying to mount his opponent but Couturier defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgway prevents Couturier from improving his position.
Ridgway is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ridgway is thwarting Couturier's attempts to control the position.
Couturier is controlling Ridgway's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Ridgway wants to lay and pray for a moment but Couturier keeps working.
Couturier wants to get back to his feet.
Ridgway trying to control the action but Couturier is working from the bottom.
Ridgway working Couturier over with strikes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ridgway working over Couturier with some ground and pound. Couturier looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ridgway missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ridgway is nestled in close to Couturier, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ridgway is looking for a kimura but Couturier is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ridgway to get the leverage.
Couturier keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ridgway looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ridgway is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Couturier is just riding it out for now. Ridgway eventually gives up the hold.
Ridgway seems to be working for a kimura but Couturier defends the submission attempt.
Ridgway takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Couturier is trying to get back to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gary Ridgway.
I think Ridgway 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kurtis Couturier!
Kurtis Couturier seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
62% |
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