PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Curtis Payne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Payne comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuraba
vs
Payne

180 cm
29
166 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

165 cm
26
164 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Kuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Payne!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Payne throws out the jab.
Kuraba throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Curtis Payne has been cut.

Payne has closed the distance and engaged Kuraba in a clinch.
Kuraba prevents a body shot from Payne.
Payne scores with a hook to the body.

Payne manages to break the clinch.
Payne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuraba lands a jab to the nose.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Payne moves away from the strike by Kuraba.
Payne throws a lazy right hand but Kuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Payne misses with a wild body shot.
Kuraba jabs at Payne's body.
A swing and a miss from Kuraba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Kuraba does no damage.
Payne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuraba.
Payne bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kuraba's head backwards.
Kuraba lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Payne backs up against the cage.
Payne misses with a looping right.
Kuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kuraba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kuraba throws a hook but Payne blocks it.
Payne throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Kuraba to counter with a crisp jab.
Payne lands with a nice body punch.
Kenji Kuraba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Kuraba finds it's way through Payne's defenses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payne takes a swing at Kuraba's ribcage but misses.
Kuraba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Payne circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuraba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Payne. Payne obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuraba takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body punch from Payne.
Payne shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuraba as he avoids it easily.
Payne slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nice body punch from Kuraba.
Kuraba lunges at Payne with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Payne's hand.
Payne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuraba.
Payne lands a right hook to the body.
Kuraba throws an off balance right hand
and Payne connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Payne slips under a jab from Kuraba.
Kuraba tries to move into range but Payne moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kuraba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Payne just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuraba throws a lazy right hand but Payne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Payne is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuraba rather than just go for the knockout.
Kuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Payne tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Payne takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Payne lands a nice looking body shot.
Payne fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuraba manages to avoid it.
Kuraba misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuraba connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Payne's hands.
Kuraba throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuraba throws a hook to the side of Payne's head but Payne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuraba throws a series of punches but Payne avoids them all with ease.
Payne misses with a hook. Kuraba ducked under it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Payne throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuraba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Payne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Payne.
Payne slips under a jab from Kuraba.
Kuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuraba lands with a cross.
Kuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Payne cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Payne keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuraba misses with the combination.
Payne throws a shot from downtown. Kuraba moves away and avoids it.
Kuraba's jab looks to have found its range, popping Payne under the eye.
Payne scores with a jab to the body.
Payne misses with a wild body shot.
Kuraba thuds a left hand into Payne's body.
Payne scores with a nice strike.
Payne throws a body punch but Kuraba moves out of range.
Payne gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kuraba.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Payne ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuraba moves away.
Kuraba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Payne.
A looping hook to the body misses from Payne. Kuraba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuraba is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kuraba lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuraba throws a jab but it's blocked by Payne.
Payne throws a hook but Kuraba blocks it.
Kuraba smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kuraba throws a series of punches but Payne moves out of range.
Kuraba missing with a left hand there. Payne was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Payne moves out of range as Kuraba strikes.
Kuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuraba is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Decent striking displayed by Payne there.
Kuraba looks to score with a jab to the body but Payne is just out of range.
Payne walks into a left hand.

Payne rushes Kuraba and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Payne.
Payne misses with a punch on the inside.
Kuraba wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Payne has him pressed against the cage.

Payne breaks the clinch.
Kuraba moves forwards but Payne connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuraba throws a series of punches but Payne avoids them all with ease.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Payne lands a nice hook to Kuraba's body. Kuraba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuraba connects with a body shot.
Kuraba takes a swing at Payne's ribcage but misses.
Kuraba ducks under a wild hook from Payne.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuraba misses with a wild body shot.
Kuraba takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuraba slips a jab from Payne.
Kuraba stalks Payne and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Payne's face. Payne staggers backwards, shaken.
Kuraba misses the shot to the body.
Kuraba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Payne has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Payne there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kuraba misses with a looping left.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Payne slips a jab and a cross from Kuraba.
Kuraba takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Payne.

Payne shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kuraba wants to try and get back to his feet.
Payne is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kuraba can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Payne throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuraba is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Kuraba taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenji Kuraba will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Curtis Payne's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Payne scores with a nice strike.

Kuraba is rocked!
Kuraba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Oh Kuraba is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Payne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Payne.
Kuraba misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Payne walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kuraba seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuraba scores with a body shot.
Payne swings for the body but Kuraba moves out of range.
Kuraba moves out of range as Payne strikes.
Kuraba looks to land a left hand but Payne moved out of range nicely.
Payne moves away from the strike by Kuraba.
Payne tries to clinch but Kuraba moves out of range.
Kuraba lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Payne takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuraba throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Payne counter with a right hand.
Kenji Kuraba is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuraba misses with a hook.
Kuraba stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuraba wants it to stay on the feet.
Kuraba misses with a combination
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Payne counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuraba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Payne misses the shot to the body.
Payne tries to clinch up but Kuraba circles away and keeps his distance.
Payne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Payne lands a nice shot to the body.
Kenji Kuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuraba misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Payne.
Kuraba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Payne shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuraba pinned against the cage. Kuraba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuraba tries to bum rush Payne with a series of wild strikes but Payne uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kuraba lands the left hand.
Payne throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Payne was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuraba.
Payne thows a body shot but no joy.
Payne tries to clinch but Kuraba moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuraba bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Payne's head backwards.
Kuraba darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Payne lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Payne tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuraba is able to avoid easily.
No luck for Payne with that takedown attempt.
Kenji Kuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Payne.
Payne cracks Kuraba with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuraba misses the target.
Kenji Kuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuraba looks to land a combination but Payne avoids it well.
Payne has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuraba is just out of range.
Payne comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuraba throws out a loose jab but Payne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Payne connects with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Payne. Those never looked like landing.
Kuraba misses with a looping right.
Payne jabs Kuraba right on the nose. Kuraba blinks but takes it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Kuraba misses.
Kuraba fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuraba takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Payne.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Payne slips a jab from Kuraba.
Kuraba walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Payne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Payne steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuraba.
Payne slips a jab from Kuraba.
Payne scores with a jab.
Payne misses with a wild body shot.
Payne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuraba.
Payne shoots in looking for a takedown but Kuraba manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Payne's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Payne pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Payne misses with a body shot.
Payne walks into a straight right hand from Kuraba.
Kuraba connects with a single shot there.
Payne defending well as Kuraba loads up on a big left hand.
A jab from Payne does it's job there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Payne thows a body shot but no joy.
Payne fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kuraba throws a jab but it's blocked by Payne.
Kuraba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kuraba lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kuraba.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba misses the shot to the body.
Payne slips under a jab.
Kuraba throws a right hand that misses
and Payne counters with a straight right hand.
Payne cracks Kuraba with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Payne moves away.
Some wild striking there from Payne.
Kuraba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Payne.
Payne misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Kuraba misses.
Kuraba with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Payne to score with a decent uppercut.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Payne.
Kuraba loads up on a big right hand but Payne slips the punch.
Kuraba looks to land a left hand but Payne moved out of range nicely.
Kuraba takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kuraba ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kuraba walks into a straight right hand from Payne.
Payne jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Payne keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Payne moves away from the strike by Kuraba.
Kuraba lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba throws a body punch but Payne moves out of range.
Payne ducks under a wild hook from Kuraba.
Payne scores with the left hand. Kuraba knows he should have avoided that one.
Payne avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Decent striking displayed by Kuraba there.
Payne ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuraba misses the target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Payne manages to avoid it.
Kuraba throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

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 Kenji Kuraba.
I think Kuraba 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Kenji Kuraba!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Curtis Payne!

The fight ends as a draw!