PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stevo Kuljusha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DEAN RUSSO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kuljusha
vs
RUSSO

197 cm
22
246 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stevo Kuljusha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, DEAN RUSSO!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuljusha gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuljusha keeping full guard, as RUSSO tries to pass.
Kuljusha is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
RUSSO slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

RUSSO is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kuljusha is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kuljusha is trying to control RUSSO's posture but RUSSO avoids it.
RUSSO really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuljusha. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
RUSSO tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

RUSSO goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kuljusha has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for RUSSO but great work by Kuljusha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
RUSSO tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on RUSSO's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
RUSSO tries to improve position but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
RUSSO shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuljusha pinned against the cage. Kuljusha gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
RUSSO looks gassed!

RUSSO scores with a takedown into Kuljusha's guard.
RUSSO postures up.
Kuljusha looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuljusha, not yet.
Kuljusha controls RUSSO momentarily but RUSSO frees himself.
RUSSO trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kuljusha has his feet on RUSSO's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO has a takedown stuffed.

Kuljusha has RUSSO up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuljusha gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from RUSSO.
Stevo Kuljusha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DEAN RUSSO.
RUSSO leaning against his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Kuljusha as the two fighters clinch.

Kuljusha pulls RUSSO into guard.
RUSSO trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

RUSSO is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
RUSSO wants to pass the guard but Kuljusha is keeping the position.

RUSSO drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and RUSSO jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
RUSSO forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuljusha has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. RUSSO is working away from the top position though.

Kuljusha is defending against the submission attempts here by RUSSO.

RUSSO is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
RUSSO wants to control but Kuljusha is keeping him busy.
Kuljusha moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kuljusha manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kuljusha trying to control but RUSSO is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuljusha landing shots from mount.
RUSSO is trying to escape the mount.
RUSSO is trying to stand.
RUSSO is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but DEAN RUSSO will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

RUSSO closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kuljusha to the mat! Kuljusha manages to get full guard.
RUSSO wants to control from the top but Kuljusha keeps moving.
RUSSO wants to pass the guard but Kuljusha is keeping the position.
RUSSO passes into half guard.
RUSSO throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
RUSSO is looking to advance position but Kuljusha won't allow it.

RUSSO is working for a submission of some sort.
RUSSO prevents Kuljusha from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

RUSSO is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuljusha is just riding it out for now. RUSSO eventually gives up the hold.
Kuljusha is controlling RUSSO's trapped leg to prevent RUSSO from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

RUSSO is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
RUSSO stops Kuljusha from getting back to his feet.
RUSSO is keen to just control but Kuljusha is a slippery customer.

RUSSO seems to be working for a kimura but Kuljusha defends the submission attempt.
RUSSO trying to pass the guard but Kuljusha defending well.
Kuljusha is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

RUSSO is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuljusha is just riding it out for now. RUSSO eventually gives up the hold.
RUSSO wants to pass to mount but Kuljusha is defending the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
RUSSO blocks a head kick by Kuljusha.
DEAN RUSSO seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
RUSSO tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuljusha swivels and escapes.
RUSSO fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kuljusha clinches.
Kuljusha stops a takedown attempt from RUSSO.
Stevo Kuljusha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DEAN RUSSO.
Kuljusha drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuljusha looking to stall.

RUSSO turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuljusha struggling a bit here.

RUSSO tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no RUSSO has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
RUSSO lands an elbow.

RUSSO is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuljusha has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuljusha is pushing RUSSO's head away, looking to escape. RUSSO manages to hold on to the position though.
RUSSO trying to control the action but Kuljusha is working from the bottom.
RUSSO tries to advance to mount but Kuljusha denies him.

RUSSO is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kuljusha is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

RUSSO wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuljusha, who protects the arm well.

RUSSO is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuljusha knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
RUSSO has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kuljusha!
Kuljusha is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, RUSSO has taken his back.
Kuljusha grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Kuljusha trying to control the hands but RUSSO breaks the grip.
Kuljusha manages to reverse the position and now he's in RUSSO's guard. Nice work there by Kuljusha.
Kuljusha stopping the sweep attempt from RUSSO.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DEAN RUSSO showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

RUSSO tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuljusha swivels and escapes.
RUSSO tries for a takedown but Kuljusha sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kuljusha shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Kuljusha lands a big shot there that rocks RUSSO but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
RUSSO can't escape the position.
RUSSO is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
RUSSO gets back to half guard.
Kuljusha wants to control but RUSSO is keeping him busy.

RUSSO looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

RUSSO is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kuljusha pulls his head out easily.
RUSSO is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuljusha uses his free foot to push down on RUSSO's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for RUSSO.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kuljusha cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The referee warns RUSSO that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
RUSSO is looking to improve his position but Kuljusha isn't that keen on the idea.
Kuljusha controlling the pace for now.
RUSSO can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
RUSSO is really stuck here.
Kuljusha is trying to stick to RUSSO's back but RUSSO is turning into Kuljusha. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kuljusha's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by RUSSO.
RUSSO trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kuljusha shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in RUSSO's guard.
RUSSO wants to sweep here but Kuljusha controlling him for the moment.
DEAN RUSSO has got the better of the ground game so far.

RUSSO working for a triangle but Kuljusha defends it easily.
Kuljusha pushing down on RUSSO's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
RUSSO is trying to get back to full guard.
RUSSO has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kuljusha is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO wants to sweep but Kuljusha has passed to side control!
RUSSO is looking for a sweep.

Kuljusha is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, RUSSO has escaped the position, nice work there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
RUSSO is looking to clinch.
Kuljusha tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
RUSSO misses with a takedown

and Kuljusha counters by clinching up.
Stevo Kuljusha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DEAN RUSSO.
RUSSO jumps guard but Kuljusha stands there with RUSSO around his waist. RUSSO gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
RUSSO wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
RUSSO tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kuljusha drags the fight down to the ground.

RUSSO is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kuljusha throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

RUSSO gets to his feet - Kuljusha follows without any prompting.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
RUSSO jumps guard but Kuljusha stands there with RUSSO around his waist. RUSSO gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuljusha wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but RUSSO has him pressed against the cage.
RUSSO tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuljusha wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but RUSSO has him pressed against the cage.
RUSSO goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuljusha jumps guard but RUSSO stands there with Kuljusha around his waist. Kuljusha gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
RUSSO jumps guard but Kuljusha stands there with RUSSO around his waist. RUSSO gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stevo Kuljusha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kuljusha decides to pull guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stevo Kuljusha showed his dominance in that final round.
I think RUSSO has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DEAN RUSSO!