PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diogo Moraes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akuku Kukula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akuku Kukula is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Moraes
vs
Kukula

183 cm
25
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diogo Moraes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akuku Kukula!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukula fails to land the takedown.

Moraes moves into the clinch.
Moraes wants to take the fight to the mat but Kukula manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Moraes jumps guard but Kukula turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Kukula manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Moraes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moraes is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Moraes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Diogo Moraes wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Moraes closes the distance and pushes Kukula back into the cage.
Moraes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kukula pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diogo Moraes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moraes scores with a jab to the jaw.

Kukula drives through and clinches with Moraes against the cage.
Moraes struggles to land a body shot inside as Kukula controls his hands.
Moraes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kukula pulls guard effortlessly.

Kukula uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Moraes gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moraes throws a punch but it's blocked by Kukula.
Moraes tries to pull guard but Kukula won't allow it.
Moraes tries to break the clinch but Kukula is controlling the position.
Moraes goes for a takedown attempt but Kukula pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kukula moves into the clinch.
Moraes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Moraes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Moraes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kukula is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Moraes jumps guard but Kukula stands there with Moraes around his waist. Moraes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kukula.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukula blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kukula pulls guard effortlessly.
Kukula looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Moraes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kukula is proving hard to escape from.
Moraes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Kukula manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moraes scores with a nice right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Moraes. Those never looked like landing.

Moraes rushes Kukula and presses him up against the cage.
Moraes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kukula stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
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!
Moraes tries to break free but Kukula pushes him back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moraes misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diogo Moraes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Moraes misses with a series of wild punches.
Moraes misses with a right hand
and Kukula counters with a two punch combo.
A big right from Moraes misses.
Moraes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Moraes throws an overhand right that drops Kukula like a sack of potatoes! Moraes dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Diogo Moraes!