PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Liam McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katurian Tupolski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tupolski has chosen Mobb Deep - Shook Ones part II as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McRae
vs
Tupolski

185 cm
26
180 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

175 cm
35
182 lbs
21 - 11 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Liam McRae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 2, fighting out of London, Katurian Tupolski!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tupolski goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tupolski throws out a leg kick but McRae moves out of range and Tupolski only half commits.
McRae throws a hook but Tupolski avoids it easily.
McRae throws a head kick that misses.
Tupolski connects with an inside leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McRae lands a really nice looking cross but Tupolski seems unphased.
McRae blocks the body kick.
McRae throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tupolski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McRae moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromTupolski.
McRae throws the left hand but Tupolski avoids the punch easily.
A solid body kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski throws a big shot that misses.
A big right from Tupolski misses.
Tupolski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
McRae stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski dips to his left and cracks McRae with an uppercut!
A clash of legs there as McRae blocks the low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Tupolski misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McRae misses with a lunging right hand
letting Tupolski counter with a right hand.
Tupolski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McRae tries to bum rush Tupolski with a series of wild strikes but Tupolski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McRae takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tupolski throws a shot from downtown. McRae moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tupolski misses with a leg kick.
A big right from McRae misses.
Tupolski throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Tupolski connects with an inside leg kick.
Tupolski bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tupolski throws a front kick that sends McRae stumbling back into the cage.
McRae throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McRae takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tupolski feints and then cracks McRae's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McRae down.
Tupolski connects with an inside leg kick.
Tupolski tries a head kick but it misses.
Tupolski misses with a body shot.
Katurian Tupolski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tupolski checks a low kick from McRae.
Tupolski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tupolski blocks a head kick by McRae.
A lazy left from McRae finds it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McRae throws a right hand that Tupolski ducks under and follows up with a left that Tupolski also avoids with ease.
McRae walks into a jab.
McRae tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tupolski has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Tupolski throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae throws a head kick that misses.
We've been told by McRae's head coaches at Brimstone Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tupolski tries to clinch but McRae moves out of range.
McRae jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tupolski lands a nice looking body kick.
McRae swings for the body but Tupolski moves out of range.
Tupolski lands a body shot.
McRae throws a jab but it's blocked by Tupolski.
A big right from McRae misses.
McRae swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab from Tupolski.
Tupolski pushes McRae away with a front kick.
Tupolski stuns McRae with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from McRae misses the target.
McRae checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tupolski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tupolski 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.
Tupolski misses with a straight right.
McRae takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A decent looking cross lands there for McRae.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
McRae moves out of range of the body kick.
McRae moves out of range of the body kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski lands a really nice looking cross but McRae seems unphased.
Tupolski lands a nice looking body kick.
Tupolski slips a straight right by McRae.
A telegraphed right hand from McRae misses the target.
Tupolski finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tupolski on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A bone on bone clash there as McRae blocks the leg kick.
Tupolski ducks under a wild hook from McRae.
Tupolski throws a half hearted mid kick.
McRae on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tupolski. Tupolski obviously looking to wear him down.
Tupolski slips under a jab from McRae.
McRae misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McRae is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tupolski lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McRae stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski misses with a hook.
Tupolski throws a sloppy head kick and McRae moves out of range easily.
Tupolski throws out a leg kick but McRae moves out of range and Tupolski only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tupolski tries to clinch up but McRae circles away and keeps his distance.
Tupolski throws a sloppy head kick and McRae moves out of range easily.
McRae lands a nice looking body shot.
McRae will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tupolski looks to score with a jab to the body but McRae is just out of range.
McRae throws a leg kick which misses Tupolski's front leg but catches the back leg as Tupolski tries to avoid it.
McRae jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And Tupolski responds with a good body kick, but McRae manages to step out the way in time.
McRae tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tupolski was well out of range. Poor timing from McRae.
Tupolski catches McRae with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
McRae with a body punch. A glancing blow.
McRae lands a body shot.
McRae is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tupolski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McRae.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tupolski checks a leg kick.
Tupolski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tupolski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McRae fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tupolski manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McRae is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tupolski.
Tupolski throws out a leg kick but McRae moves out of range and Tupolski only half commits.
Tupolski misses with a straight right.
McRae throws a big shot that misses.
McRae moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Katurian Tupolski 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.

McRae scores with a head kick. Tupolski tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Tupolski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tupolski bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
McRae has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
McRae keeps the fight on the outside.
McRae avoids the body shot from Tupolski.
Katurian Tupolski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tupolski looks to land a right hand but McRae moved out of range.
McRae moves out of range of the body kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McRae steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tupolski. That one must have hurt.
McRae throws the kick towards the body but Tupolski avoids it.
McRae misses with an uppercut.
McRae throws a head kick that Tupolski semi-blocks.
McRae misses the jab.
McRae throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McRae throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tupolski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McRae moves away.
Tupolski scores with a nice strike.
Tupolski misses with a low kick.
Tupolski slips a straight right by McRae.
Tupolski moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tupolski.
Tupolski throws a body shot but no joy.
Tupolski throws a nice outside leg kick.
McRae uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tupolski.
Tupolski lands a lovely overhand right.
A clash of legs there as McRae blocks the low kick.
McRae missing with a left hand there. Tupolski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
McRae takes a swing at Tupolski's ribcage but misses.
Tupolski throws a front kick that sends McRae stumbling back into the cage.
Tupolski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McRae was well out of range. Poor timing from Tupolski.
Tupolski avoids the body shot from McRae.
Tupolski lands with an overhand left.
McRae scores with a shot to the body.
Tupolski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Tupolski 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tupolski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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!
Tupolski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McRae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fighters circling - McRae throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tupolski appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tupolski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McRae.
Tupolski throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tupolski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tupolski getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tupolski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slow jab from McRae misses its intended target.
McRae throws a hook but Tupolski avoids it easily.
McRae looks to throw the jab but Tupolski is out of range.
Tupolski has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tupolski there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tupolski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tupolski with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McRae to score with a decent uppercut.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tupolski.
McRae throws a leg kick but Tupolski sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tupolski lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tupolski digs a good body shot into McRae's ribs.
Tupolski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McRae.
Tupolski avoids the head kick by McRae.
Tupolski throws an overhand right that lands on McRae's shoulder, as McRae tries to avoid the shot.
Tupolski moves out of range as McRae strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae with a hook.
McRae waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tupolski.
McRae takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheers as Tupolski lands an impressive looking overhand right. McRae doesn't seem phased though.
Tupolski wants to clinch up but McRae keeps it at a distance.
McRae on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A solid body kick from Tupolski.
Tupolski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tupolski throws a hook but McRae avoids it easily.
Tupolski tries to move into range but McRae moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tupolski misses with a looping right.
Tupolski throws a body kick that misses.
It looked like McRae wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tupolski scores with a crisp jab that stopped McRae in his tracks.
Tupolski scores with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tupolski misses with a straight right.
Tupolski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McRae wants to land a leg kick but Tupolski is out of range.
McRae jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McRae swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tupolski.
McRae swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tupolski throws a front kick aimed at McRae's knee but McRae avoids it well.
A counter left hand to the body from McRae misses its target.
Tupolski lands a body shot.
McRae moves out of range of the body kick from Tupolski.
McRae jabs Tupolski to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tupolski takes one on the button.
McRae throws a head kick but Tupolski moves out of range.
McRae looks to score with a jab to the body but Tupolski is just out of range.
Tupolski throws a push kick but McRae slaps the foot to one side.
Tupolski is looking to land body kicks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McRae.
Tupolski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A slow jab from Tupolski misses its intended target.
Nice defenses there by Tupolski.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McRae misses with a straight left.
Tupolski misses with an uppercut. McRae saw that one coming.
Tupolski chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McRae swings for the body but Tupolski moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Katurian Tupolski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Tupolski misses with a low kick.
Tupolski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McRae jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tupolski misses with a body kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tupolski - that will leave a mark!
McRae drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tupolski connects with an inside leg kick.
McRae looks to land a left hand but Tupolski moved out of range nicely.
Nice defenses there by Tupolski.
McRae throws the left hand but Tupolski avoids the punch easily.
McRae on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tupolski is looking to land body kicks.
McRae misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tupolski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McRae throws a body shot but no joy.
Some bone on bone action there as McRae checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McRae is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McRae is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tupolski.
McRae misses with a low kick.
Tupolski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tupolski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tupolski tries to land a front kick but McRae steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McRae throws a looping overhand right but Tupolski ducks down to avoid it.
McRae moves out of range as Tupolski throws a body kick.
Tupolski delivers a nice body kick.
McRae loads up on a big right hand but Tupolski slips the punch.
McRae digs a good body shot into Tupolski's ribs.
McRae has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tupolski.
McRae fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
McRae looks to land a left hand but Tupolski moved out of range nicely.
Tupolski lands the left hand.
McRae takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tupolski thuds his shin into the meat of McRae's side.
Tupolski thuds a left hand into McRae's body.
McRae swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tupolski takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tupolski lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McRae has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McRae and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A big right from Tupolski misses.
Tupolski swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McRae throws a head kick but Tupolski moves out of range.
Katurian Tupolski 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.
McRae tests Tupolski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McRae throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Tupolski releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Crunch! Tupolski slams his shin into McRae's torso.
McRae throws the left hand but Tupolski avoids the punch easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McRae loads up on a big right hand but Tupolski slips the punch.
Tupolski keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McRae lands a jab to Tupolski's midsection.
Tupolski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
McRae on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McRae misses with a hook.
McRae ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tupolski moves away.
McRae moves out of range of the body kick.
McRae cracks a nice hook into Tupolski's ribs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tupolski, right into the meat.
Tupolski lands a nice shot to the body.
Tupolski throws a hook to the side of McRae's head but McRae sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice jab there from Tupolski.
McRae connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by McRae. Beautiful body shot.
Tupolski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McRae.
Tupolski throws a leg kick but McRae sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tupolski connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McRae scores with a body shot.
Tupolski blocks a head kick by McRae.
McRae uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tupolski.
McRae lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tupolski scores with a jab to the body.
Tupolski swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McRae.
Tupolski loads up on a big right hand but McRae slips the punch.
Tupolski throws a low kick, looking for McRae's leg but McRae calmly moves out of range.
Tupolski throws a quick inside leg kick.
McRae misses with a hook.
Tupolski moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRae shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tupolski! But no joy.
A slow jab from Tupolski misses its intended target.
McRae looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McRae scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tupolski tries to clinch up.
Liam McRae has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tupolski is looking to land body kicks.
Tupolski lands with a kick to the ribs.
McRae misses with an uppercut.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McRae crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tupolski - the referee stops the clock and McRae gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tupolski. McRae manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tupolski turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McRae scores with a jab to the head.
Tupolski is looking to land body kicks.
A punch lands to the side of Tupolski 's head but he takes it in his stride.
McRae takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tupolski bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
McRae cracks Tupolski with an open hand slap.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tupolski checks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tupolski connects with an inside leg kick.
Tupolski moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tupolski takes a swing at McRae's ribcage but misses.
McRae ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Katurian Tupolski.
Well Tupolski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katurian Tupolski!
Katurian Tupolski spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.