PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Rebenta (ranked 971 p4p, 1193 weight class) and Topher Curtis (ranked 27 p4p, 34 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rebenta
vs
Curtis

175 cm
29
185
10 - 9 - 0

183 cm
29
184
18 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Rebenta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Topher Curtis!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Curtis.
Rebenta shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Curtis as he avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Curtis on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Curtis fails in his attempt to clinch.

Curtis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rebenta tries for a takedown but Curtis manages to get underhooks.
Rebenta blocks a body shot from Curtis.
Curtis tries to throw a body punch but Rebenta avoids it by throwing Curtis back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Curtis.

Rebenta turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rebenta manages to end up in side control.
Rebenta is looking to take a break and control but Curtis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Curtis pushes Rebenta away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rebenta gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Rebenta is trying to get an arm triangle but Curtis is defending well.

Rebenta looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Curtis managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rebenta.
Curtis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Curtis is trying to buck Rebenta off.
We've been hearing that Rebenta has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Rebenta thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rebenta landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rebenta wants to control but Curtis is keeping him busy.
Curtis wants to get back to his feet but Rebenta drags him back down.
Curtis is letting Rebenta control him for a moment.
Rebenta lands some shots froms side control.
Rebenta is looking to take a break and control but Curtis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rebenta is chipping away with strikes.

Rebenta thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Curtis is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rebenta slows the pace down.

Curtis explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curtis leaves Rebenta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Rebenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A low kick lands for Curtis.
Topher Curtis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Curtis scoring well with a low kick there.
Curtis misses with a wild combination.
Rebenta attempts a counter takedown but Curtis avoids it well and moves away.
Rebenta tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Curtis swivels and escapes.
Curtis throws out a counter right but Rebenta avoids it with no problem.
Rebenta checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rebenta shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Curtis but Curtis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Curtis throws the left hand but Rebenta avoids the punch easily.
Rebenta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rebenta or perhaps it was just good defense by Curtis, which made it look bad.
Good leg kick by Curtis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Curtis, right into the meat of the thigh.
Curtis misses with a hook.
Rebenta keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Curtis throws a shot from downtown. Rebenta moves away and avoids it.
Curtis misses with a looping left.
Rebenta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Curtis tries to avoid it but Rebenta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Curtis to the ground. Curtis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rebenta misses with a takedown
and Curtis counters with a nice uppercut.
Curtis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rebenta. That did some damage!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rebenta shoots in for a takedown but Curtis shows good takedown defense.
Curtis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rebenta crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Curtis - the referee stops the clock and Rebenta gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Curtis. Rebenta manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Curtis stuns Rebenta with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rebenta checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A leg kick checked by Rebenta.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Curtis fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rebenta or perhaps it was just good defense by Curtis, which made it look bad.
Curtis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Curtis leaves Rebenta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Curtis dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Curtis is looking to clinch.
Rebenta shoots in for a double leg but Curtis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Rebenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Curtis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rebenta.
Curtis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curtis connects with an inside leg kick.
A jab from Curtis finds it's way through Rebenta's defenses.
Rebenta takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Curtis stuffs the takedown.
Rebenta is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Curtis works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rebenta on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Curtis. Curtis obviously looking to wear him down.
Curtis throws a leg kick but Rebenta sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rebenta moves away from the strike by Curtis.
Curtis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ricardo Rebenta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Curtis stuffs the takedown attempt from Rebenta. Rebenta gets slowly back to his feet.
Rebenta has a takedown stuffed.
Curtis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Curtis moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Curtis's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rebenta under the eye.
Rebenta with a lazy takedown attempt
and Curtis counters with a nice uppercut.
Curtis scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Rebenta throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Curtis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rebenta is in Curtis's guard.
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!

Curtis pushes Rebenta off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curtis lands with a right hand.
Curtis looks to land a right hand but Rebenta moved out of range.
Rebenta shoots for a double leg takedown but Curtis sprawls well. He's pushed Rebenta's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Curtis connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rebenta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Curtis lands a nice shot to the body.
Curtis looks to land a left hand but Rebenta moved out of range nicely.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Curtis.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A big left from Curtis misses.
Rebenta drops his hands momentarily and Curtis takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Curtis feints and then cracks Rebenta's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rebenta down.

Rebenta shoots in and gets a takedown into Curtis's guard.

Curtis kicks Rebenta off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curtis throws out a loose jab but Rebenta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Curtis turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Curtis stuffs the takedown attempt from Rebenta. Rebenta gets slowly back to his feet.

Curtis takes the fight into the clinch.
Curtis lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rebenta backwards.

Curtis breaks from the clinch.
Rebenta throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Curtis's waist but Curtis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rebenta off to one side.

Curtis rushes Rebenta and presses him up against the cage.

Curtis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Curtis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rebenta takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Curtis looks to throw the jab but Rebenta is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtis punishes Rebenta's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Curtis scores with a jab to the jaw.
A low kick from Curtis misses

so Rebenta counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rebenta won't allow Curtis to get back to his feet.
Rebenta stays in close to Curtis's body and controls the position.
Rebenta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rebenta cracks Curtis with a solid left hand.
Curtis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rebenta has gone for a leg lock! Curtis slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rebenta's guard.

Curtis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Curtis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Curtis wants it to stay on the feet.
Rebenta 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Topher Curtis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Curtis takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rebenta 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.
Curtis misses with a wild combination.
Rebenta tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Curtis clinches up with Rebenta and pushes him back against the cage.
Curtis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Curtis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Curtis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curtis stops a takedown attempt from Rebenta.
Curtis lands with a left to the head.
Curtis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Curtis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rebenta's elbow.
Rebenta changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Curtis fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rebenta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Curtis pinned against the cage. Curtis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Rebenta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Curtis is looking to slow Rebenta down with leg kicks.
Rebenta takes one to the side of the head.
Rebenta swats away the attempt to clinch by Curtis.
Curtis scores with a three punch combo!
Curtis misses with a straight right.
Curtis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rebenta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice leg kick from Curtis, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curtis lands with an overhand left.
Nice defenses there by Rebenta.
Curtis connects with a right hand. Rebenta shakes it off.

Curtis has Rebenta up against the cage in a clinch.
Curtis tries to work over Rebenta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rebenta prevents a body shot from Curtis.
Rebenta wants to take the fight to the mat but Curtis manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Curtis misses with a hook to the ribs.
Curtis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Curtis misses with a punch to the body.
Rebenta is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Curtis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rebenta prevents a body shot from Curtis.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Curtis.

Curtis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rebenta fails with a takedown attempt.
Curtis appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rebenta moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Curtis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rebenta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Curtis tries to work over Rebenta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Curtis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rebenta changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Curtis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Curtis scores with the left hand. Rebenta knows he should have avoided that one.
Rebenta uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Curtis.
Rebenta darts in looking for a takedown but Curtis gets double underhooks and turns Rebenta into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtis lands with a short shot to the head.
Curtis tries to throw a body punch but Rebenta avoids it by throwing Curtis back against the cage.

Rebenta lands a takedown into guard.
Curtis wants to stand up but Rebenta is controlling him.
Rebenta is standing up over Curtis. Curtis looks to escape but Rebenta dives into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Curtis pushes Rebenta away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rebenta gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Rebenta is trying to get an arm triangle but Curtis is defending well.
Topher Curtis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Curtis is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Topher Curtis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Curtis winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Topher Curtis!
Topher Curtis thanked the fans post fight for their support.