PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Asu Kuren (ranked 4480 p4p, 534 weight class) and Sausage McGriddle (ranked 2949 p4p, 399 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kuren
vs
McGriddle

178 cm
27
179 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

179 cm
27
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Asu Kuren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sausage McGriddle!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuren forces McGriddle back against the ropes and clinches.

Kuren tightens his grip and picks McGriddle up, before dumping him to the ground. McGriddle manages to land in guard.

Kuren avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kuren wants to pass the guard but McGriddle is keeping the position.
McGriddle 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.

Kuren avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

McGriddle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGriddle is trying to control the position but Kuren postures up.
Kuren has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuren stays in close to McGriddle's body and controls the position.

McGriddle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kuren avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kuren won't allow McGriddle to sweep him here.

McGriddle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuren defends well.
Kuren trying to control but McGriddle is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McGriddle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McGriddle throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McGriddle wants to control the position but Kuren says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Kuren seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McGriddle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kuren prevents McGriddle from improving his position.
Kuren is taking a breather. McGriddle says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McGriddle tries to roll over but Kuren keeps him under control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kuren wants to lay and pray for a moment but McGriddle keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGriddle has his takedown stuffed

and Kuren counters with a single leg into guard. McGriddle didn't expect that.
Kuren distracts McGriddle with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

McGriddle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kuren got a little sloppy there for a moment and McGriddle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuren has managed to get both his arms back between McGriddle's legs - danger averted.
Kuren makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kuren pushes down on McGriddle's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kuren trying to control the action but McGriddle is working from the bottom.
Kuren is really struggling to control McGriddle but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGriddle actively working from the bottom here.
McGriddle trying to hold on to Kuren's head to control him but Kuren postures up.
We've been hearing that Kuren has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
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. Kuren connects with a nice short shot to McGriddle's temple.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McGriddle trying to hold on to Kuren's head to control him but Kuren postures up.
Kuren lands with a punch from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asu Kuren dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGriddle shoots in for a takedown but Kuren shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuren attempts a counter takedown but McGriddle avoids it well and moves away.

Kuren throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McGriddle tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kuren is in McGriddle's guard.
Kuren working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McGriddle's head.
Kuren preventing the sweep.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kuren trying to control but McGriddle is working from the bottom.
McGriddle lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGriddle won't allow Kuren to sweep him here.
Asu Kuren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGriddle distracts Kuren with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McGriddle working some strikes from top position.
McGriddle wants to pass the guard but Kuren is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGriddle pushes down on Kuren's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McGriddle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuren keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
McGriddle throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

McGriddle is trying to work for a kimura but Kuren is defending well.
Kuren is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuren is looking to escape.
Kuren is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McGriddle can do to turn this around?
Kuren blocking the ground and pound attempt from McGriddle.
McGriddle prevents Kuren from standing back up.
McGriddle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuren defending well though.
McGriddle takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kuren has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McGriddle is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McGriddle closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kuren circles away.
McGriddle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kuren sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuren attempts a counter takedown but McGriddle avoids it well and moves away.
Asu Kuren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sausage McGriddle.

Kuren closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McGriddle quickly recovers to half guard.
Kuren is trying to control. McGriddle wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McGriddle is looking for a sweep. Kuren is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McGriddle is looking to control Kuren's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McGriddle avoid being mounted?
McGriddle regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuren lands a couple of elbows.

Kuren got a little sloppy there for a moment and McGriddle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuren has managed to get both his arms back between McGriddle's legs - danger averted.
Kuren is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
McGriddle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

McGriddle thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuren's head.
McGriddle winds up and cracks Kuren with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kuren is pressing down on McGriddle's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGriddle trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuren controls McGriddle momentarily but McGriddle frees himself.
Kuren lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McGriddle working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGriddle throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Asu Kuren will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McGriddle shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuren pinned against the ropes. Kuren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McGriddle fails to land the takedown.
McGriddle shoots in for a double leg but Kuren sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asu Kuren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sausage McGriddle.
McGriddle shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuren pinned against the ropes. Kuren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McGriddle misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGriddle shoots for a takedown but Kuren saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuren attempts a counter takedown but McGriddle avoids it well and moves away.

Kuren closes the distance and clinches.
McGriddle is trying to break free.
Kuren keeps control of McGriddle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGriddle tries to score a body lock takedown but Kuren shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McGriddle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuren has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed McGriddle clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
McGriddle tries to break free.
Kuren trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure McGriddle doesn't escape.
Can McGriddle hold on?! Kuren is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Kuren is riding his opponent, not letting McGriddle buck him off.
Kuren connects with a big shot to the side of McGriddle's head.
McGriddle is in bad spot here.
Kuren connects with a big shot to the side of McGriddle's head.
Kuren is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at McGriddle. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGriddle is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kuren.
Kuren lands strikes to the head.
A lull in the action here.
Kuren controlling the position well here. McGriddle rolled but Kuren kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
McGriddle tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kuren putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kuren landing punches.
McGriddle gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGriddle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McGriddle is not content to let Kuren control the position.
Kuren takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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. Kuren connects with a nice short shot to McGriddle's temple.
McGriddle is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuren lands with a punch from half guard.
McGriddle is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuren's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuren's back!
McGriddle has the hooks in. Kuren is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
McGriddle is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuren tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
McGriddle tries to push Kuren's head away but Kuren is holding on tight.
Kuren in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kuren is working to get back to half guard.
McGriddle unloads with some shots from mount but Kuren bucks and avoids them well.
McGriddle throwing strikes here but Kuren is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kuren tries to hold on but McGriddle postures up.
Kuren sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Asu Kuren showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuren has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Asu Kuren!
A less than humble Asu Kuren misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.