PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zartan Zatarain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Kurmotus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zatarain
vs
Kurmotus

178 cm
24
184 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

190 cm
25
181 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zartan Zatarain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taisto Kurmotus!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurmotus throws a series of punches but Zatarain moves out of range.

Zatarain gets a double leg takedown into Kurmotus's guard.
Zatarain throwing strikes but missing.
Zatarain throws a big right hand that misses.
Kurmotus pulls Zatarain in close to prevent any damage.
Kurmotus working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Taisto Kurmotus hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kurmotus.
Kurmotus avoids the head kick by Zatarain.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zatarain moves in looking to clinch but Kurmotus pushes him off.
Kurmotus on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurmotus misses the shot to the body.
Kurmotus thows a body shot but no joy.

Zatarain throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kurmotus was covering up waiting for the punch and Zatarain finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kurmotus avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zatarain makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kurmotus controlling the position.
Zatarain postures up in Kurmotus's guard and throws a big left but Kurmotus blocks it.
Zatarain working some strikes from top position.
Kurmotus keeping full guard, as Zatarain tries to pass.
Zatarain postures up in Kurmotus's guard and throws a big left but Kurmotus blocks it.
Zatarain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kurmotus wants to stand but Zatarain is controlling the position.
Zatarain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurmotus keeping moving, preventing Zatarain from controlling successfully.
Kurmotus is trying to hold Zatarain in close to prevent damage but Zatarain has managed to pass into half guard.
Nice strikes from Zatarain there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zatarain prevents Kurmotus from improving his position.
Kurmotus is trying to maintain the position but Zatarain is very close to passing his half guard.
Zatarain throwing shots but Kurmotus is blocking nicely.
Kurmotus works his way to full guard. Good work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurmotus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zatarain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurmotus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zatarain distracts Kurmotus with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zatarain won't allow Kurmotus to sweep him here.
Zatarain lands a couple of elbows.
Zatarain throwing strikes but missing.
Zatarain working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kurmotus seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zatarain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zatarain missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kurmotus looking to control.
Zatarain throws a strike but Kurmotus rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kurmotus wants to stand but Zatarain has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kurmotus wants to stand and escape but instead Zatarain has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zatarain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zatarain tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurmotus is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus looking to control.
Zatarain tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurmotus is retaining full guard.
Kurmotus wants to stand and escape but Zatarain is having none of it.
Zatarain throwing strikes but missing.
Zatarain is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurmotus has wrist control.
Kurmotus not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zatarain is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurmotus has wrist control.
Zatarain trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurmotus is trying to control the position from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Taisto Kurmotus hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Zatarain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kurmotus manages to avoid it.
Zatarain looks to land a combination but Kurmotus avoids it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zatarain tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kurmotus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zatarain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taisto Kurmotus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurmotus swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taisto Kurmotus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurmotus throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zatarain scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zartan Zatarain dominated that round.
That's time! Zatarain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kurmotus avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

It looks like Taisto Kurmotus has been cut.
Kurmotus lands a head kick. Zatarain smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kurmotus looks to land a left hand but Zatarain moved out of range nicely.
Zatarain moves away from the strike by Kurmotus.

Zatarain drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Kurmotus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kurmotus keeps Zatarain under control for a moment.
Kurmotus wants to control but Zatarain postures up.
Zatarain lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
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!
Zatarain is trying to ground and pound but Kurmotus uses the momentary lack of control by Zatarain to regain half guard.
Zatarain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kurmotus is trying to control but can't.
Zatarain wants to pass the guard but Kurmotus is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Zatarain there.
Kurmotus is trying to maintain the position but Zatarain is very close to passing his half guard.
Zatarain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kurmotus defending well though.
Zatarain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurmotus won't allow Zatarain to pass to mount.
Zatarain is thwarting Kurmotus's attempts to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zatarain not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kurmotus is looking for a sweep. Zatarain is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zatarain seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zatarain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kurmotus's head.
Zatarain slips a nice elbow through Kurmotus's hands, connecting with Kurmotus's forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zatarain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zatarain.
Kurmotus moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kurmotus trying to keep a closed guard but Zatarain is proving a slippery customer.
Zatarain preventing the sweep.
Zatarain stands and throws Kurmotus's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kurmotus avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zatarain.
Zatarain taking a break here but Kurmotus is having none of it and regains half guard.
Kurmotus is trying to control but can't.
Kurmotus keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurmotus on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zatarain thows a huge punch but Kurmotus dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus is looking for a sweep. Zatarain is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zatarain lands strikes from half guard.
Kurmotus is looking to control Zatarain's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kurmotus avoid being mounted?
Zatarain takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zatarain prevents Kurmotus from improving his position.
Zatarain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kurmotus defending well though.
Zatarain throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zatarain working the head and body with strikes.
Kurmotus wants to control but Zatarain is keeping busy.
Zatarain is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kurmotus trying to control from the bottom.
Zatarain not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus tries to get to full guard but Zatarain has control of the leg.
Kurmotus avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zatarain.
Kurmotus manages to get to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zatarain scoring with punches to the head and body.
Zatarain with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zatarain works over Kurmotus with some ground and pound from guard.
Zatarain might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kurmotus is trying to keep Zatarain in close.
Zatarain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Kurmotus is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zatarain goes for a takedown attempt but Kurmotus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zatarain has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zartan Zatarain dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Taisto Kurmotus's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zatarain moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zatarain will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kurmotus connects with a high kick.
Zatarain looks to throw the jab but Kurmotus is out of range.
Zatarain takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zatarain lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kurmotus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zatarain tries to clinch up but Kurmotus circles away and keeps his distance.
Kurmotus misses with a two punch combination.
Kurmotus lands a jab.
Zatarain blocks the body kick.
Kurmotus goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kurmotus stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Zatarain throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zatarain bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zatarain tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
You can see the frustration on Kurmotus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kurmotus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zatarain lands a few punches from side control.
Zatarain landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kurmotus is trying to control Zatarain's posture but Zatarain avoids it.
Kurmotus regains half guard.
Zatarain working over Kurmotus with some ground and pound. Kurmotus looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zatarain scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurmotus is staying active underneath Zatarain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zatarain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurmotus taking some punishment here, with Zatarain in his half guard.

Kurmotus is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus is looking to control Zatarain's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kurmotus avoid being mounted?
Kurmotus is still in real trouble! Can Zatarain finish him?
Zatarain working Kurmotus over with strikes.
Zatarain lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Kurmotus! More strikes land and this one is all over! Zatarain jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zartan Zatarain!