PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between No Chance (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shefki Kuqi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chance
vs
Kuqi

170 cm
23
167 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

172 cm
22
185 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, No Chance!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shefki Kuqi!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuqi throws a right and a left that Chance avoids nicely.

Kuqi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Chance pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Kuqi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chance has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuqi has managed to get both his arms back between Chance's legs - danger averted.
Kuqi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kuqi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chance is trying to keep Kuqi in close.
Kuqi with a nice head shot there.
Kuqi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chance works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chance is trying to control the position but Kuqi postures up.
Kuqi wants to control from the top but Chance keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuqi stands up over Chance, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Chance is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuqi defends well.
Chance being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuqi trying to control but Chance is working from the bottom.

Kuqi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chance has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuqi has managed to get both his arms back between Chance's legs - danger averted.
Chance wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kuqi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kuqi stopping the sweep attempt from Chance.

Chance is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kuqi wants to control from the top but Chance keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chance avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuqi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chance works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuqi looking to pass the guard.

Chance looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Chance had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuqi defends it easily.
Kuqi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kuqi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kuqi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuqi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuqi preventing the sweep.

Chance is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kuqi lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chance works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuqi stopping the sweep attempt from Chance.
Kuqi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kuqi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chance's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuqi stays in close to Chance's body and controls the position.
Chance avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuqi is in close to Chance's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kuqi chips away with some ground and pound.
Chance wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuqi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kuqi wants to control from the top but Chance keeps moving.
Chance keeping full guard, as Kuqi tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chance escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuqi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chance preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuqi chips away with some ground and pound.

Chance has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuqi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuqi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Chance working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Chance working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuqi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuqi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Chance has momentary wrist control but Kuqi slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shefki Kuqi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Chance scores with a head kick.
Chance changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kuqi tries to avoid it but Chance manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kuqi to the ground. Kuqi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kuqi scores with a jab.
No luck for Chance with that takedown attempt.
Chance throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuqi.
Kuqi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chance moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Chance moves out of range as Kuqi strikes.

Kuqi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Chance is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuqi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuqi's back!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kuqi fending off the submission attempt from Chance.
Kuqi is trying to get back to his feet but Chance has full control of the position and if anything, Kuqi has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chance looking to break Kuqi's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kuqi remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Chance will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kuqi is trying to get back to his feet but Chance has full control of the position and if anything, Kuqi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Kuqi covers up after that shot from Chance.

Kuqi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kuqi is trying to stand back up.

Chance is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kuqi defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Chance working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Kuqi fending off the submission attempt from Chance.

Chance is persistently looking for the submission but Kuqi is defending it well.

Chance has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Kuqi looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chance has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Kuqi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kuqi has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Chance is looking for the choke from the back position but Kuqi is controlling his hands well.
Kuqi is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Chance off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chance is looking for the choke from the back position but Kuqi is controlling his hands well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuqi controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Chance working for a choke but Kuqi is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuqi wants to get back to his feet.

Kuqi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Chance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kuqi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

No Chance dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kuqi moves into the clinch.

Kuqi lands a takedown into guard.
No Chance overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Chance has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuqi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuqi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Chance looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chance is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kuqi is trying to stand.
Kuqi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Chance.
Kuqi is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chance is looking for a kimura but Kuqi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Chance to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Chance is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kuqi pushes Chance off looking to stand but Chance dives back in and keeps control.

Chance is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kuqi is trying to stand.
Chance is stalling here. Kuqi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Chance seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kuqi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Chance manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kuqi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kuqi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kuqi winds up and cracks Chance with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Kuqi there.
Kuqi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Chance with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chance is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuqi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Chance is trying to control but can't.
Kuqi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Chance misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Kuqi lands strikes from half guard.
Kuqi is thwarting Chance's attempts to control the position.
Kuqi wants to take a breather but Chance is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chance is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuqi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuqi's back!

Chance working for a choke but Kuqi is defending well.

Kuqi defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Chance is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kuqi defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kuqi is trying to stand back up.

Chance is looking for the choke from the back position but Kuqi is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Chance has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Kuqi has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Chance looking for the choke but no joy.
Kuqi has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to No Chance.
I think Chance has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!