PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 2410 p4p, 2301 weight class) and Krisko Kurtev (ranked 268 p4p, 256 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hedegaard
vs
Kurtev

208 cm
33
195
33 - 20 - 0

189 cm
40
193
35 - 40 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 40 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev looks for a takedown but Hedegaard sprawls well.

Hedegaard gets a takedown into half guard.
Hedegaard trying to control from half guard but Kurtev is working away.
Hedegaard looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kurtev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kurtev missing with punches from the bottom.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kurtev keeping control of the position.
Hedegaard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice strikes from Hedegaard there.
Hedegaard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hedegaard is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kurtev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kurtev.
Kurtev looking for a sweep. Not yet Kurtev, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hedegaard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kurtev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hedegaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hedegaard scoring with some ground and pound.
Hedegaard in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hedegaard lands a couple of digs.
Hedegaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hedegaard passes Kurtev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've been hearing that Hedegaard has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Kurtev actively working from the bottom here.
Kurtev flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Kurtev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hedegaard pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Hedegaard trying to control but Kurtev is having none of it.
Kurtev is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Kurtev is looking to improve his position but Hedegaard isn't that keen on the idea.
Kurtev throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hedegaard. What's that going to do exactly?
Hedegaard raining down hammerfists from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hedegaard lands with some strikes.

Hedegaard is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kurtev has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kurtev!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurtev is looking to work some ground and pound but Hedegaard has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedegaard pushes a forearm under Kurtev's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Kurtev is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Simon Hedegaard!
Simon Hedegaard really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Altitude Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.