PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juice Williams (ranked 2820 p4p, 327 weight class) and Krisko Kurtev (ranked 1879 p4p, 230 weight class). Williams comes to the cage accompanied by Super Freak. 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.

Williams
vs
Kurtev

188 cm
19
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

189 cm
23
211 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juice Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Williams gets a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kurtev manages to get to full guard.
Kurtev throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kurtev lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Kurtev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kurtev with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Williams can't handle though.
Kurtev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kurtev throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Kurtev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kurtev's guard.
Kurtev told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Kurtev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kurtev trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Kurtev has his foot on Williams's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Williams works his way back into a safe position though.
Kurtev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kurtev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Williams is one step ahead there.
Williams tries to stand but Kurtev is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kurtev darts in looking for a takedown but Williams gets double underhooks and turns Kurtev into the cage.
Kurtev tries for a takedown but Williams sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kurtev enables Williams to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kurtev manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Kurtev has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Williams is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kurtev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Williams gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Juice Williams has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisko Kurtev.

Williams pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kurtev shoots in but no luck this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurtev goes for a double leg but Williams avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Williams continues to drive forward.
Kurtev fails with the takedown.
Kurtev misses with a takedown attempt - Williams sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Williams throws a head kick but Kurtev moves out of range.
Williams throws a head kick but Kurtev moves out of range.

Kurtev feints and as Williams raises his hands in defense, Kurtev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kurtev trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.
Williams wants to get back to his feet but Kurtev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Williams blocks nicely.
Williams working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurtev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Williams works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurtev lands a couple of digs.
Kurtev postures up in Williams's guard and throws a big left but Williams blocks it.
Kurtev trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.
Kurtev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Williams knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kurtev on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throwing strikes but missing.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurtev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Williams bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kurtev's guard.

Williams is looking to stand up but Kurtev won't let him.
Kurtev has control of Williams's left arm, preventing Williams from doing any damage.

Kurtev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Kurtev.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kurtev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Williams wants to get up but he can't break Kurtev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kurtev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Juice Williams will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Williams throws a sloppy head kick and Kurtev moves out of range easily.
Kurtev dives in for a single leg takedown but Williams sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Williams as Kurtev shoots in.
Some wild striking there from Williams.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kurtev.
Kurtev working the head and body with strikes.
Williams tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams is trying to control Kurtev's posture but Kurtev avoids it.
Kurtev in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams is trying to get back to half guard.
Kurtev prevents Williams from escaping the position.
Williams tries to improve position but can't.
Kurtev scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Williams to see if he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

It looks like Juice Williams has been cut.
Williams is trying to improve his position.
Kurtev scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Williams is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Kurtev can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Krisko Kurtev!
A victorious Krisko Kurtev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.