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 has chosen Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Curtis Payne has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuraba
vs
Payne

180 cm
29
166 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

165 cm
26
164 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Payne!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Payne motions for Kuraba to come forward. Payne throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Payne misses with an uppercut.
Payne misses with a body shot
and Kuraba counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kuraba misses the shot to the body.
Payne throws a body punch but Kuraba moves out of range.

Kuraba gets caught napping as Payne dives in and scores a takedown. Kuraba manages to retain guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Payne prevents Kuraba from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Payne passes into half guard.
Payne wants to free his trapped foot but Kuraba is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kuraba wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Payne tries to pass to full mount but Kuraba defends it.
Kuraba is trying to stand up here but Payne is controlling him well.

Payne is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuraba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Payne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba is trying to stand up here but Payne is controlling him well.

Payne is looking for a kimura here.
Payne wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuraba keeps working.
Payne throwing shots but Kuraba is blocking nicely.
Payne sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuraba defending well though.
Kuraba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Payne.
Payne is pressing down on Kuraba's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kuraba is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Kuraba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Payne.
Payne missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kuraba is looking to escape.
Payne thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Payne thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Payne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kuraba tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Payne manages to move to mount!
Payne dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Payne working Kuraba over with strikes here.
Payne landing strikes, looking to finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuraba is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Payne cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Payne raining down hammerfists from mount.
Payne connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Kuraba is rocked!
Kuraba really wants to buck Payne off and get back to his feet.
Payne postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kuraba looks a forlorn figure.
Oh Kuraba is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Payne lands a big shot to the head and Kuraba winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Curtis Payne!
A relieved looking Curtis Payne thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.