PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between George StPierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaka Kuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

StPierre
vs
Kuka

180 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George StPierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jaka Kuka!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
StPierre will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kuka shoots in for a double leg but StPierre sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A looping hook to the body misses from StPierre. Kuka does a little dance to reset his feet.
StPierre displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kuka.
Horrible takedown by Kuka or perhaps it was just good defense by StPierre which made him look bad.
George StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaka Kuka.
Kuka closes the distance and clinches up with StPierre, looking for a takedown. Kuka pushes StPierre against the cage but StPierre circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kuka shoots in and drives through. StPierre sprawls well.
Kuka fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Kuka or perhaps it was just good defense by StPierre which made him look bad.
StPierre throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck for Kuka with that takedown attempt.
Jaka Kuka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuka shoots in looking for a takedown. StPierre tries to sprawl out of it but Kuka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. StPierre manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from StPierre.

StPierre drives through and clinches with Kuka against the cage.
Kuka goes for a takedown in the clinch but StPierre prevents it.

StPierre breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Kuka as StPierre shoots in.
StPierre misses with a body kick.
No luck for Kuka with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuka throws a series of punches but StPierre moves out of range.
Kuka shoots in looking for a takedown. StPierre tries to sprawl out of it but Kuka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. StPierre manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuka looks winded!
Kuka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kuka wants to clinch.
StPierre misses with a few strikes there.
Kuka tries for a takedown but StPierre sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
StPierre thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuka changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. StPierre tries to avoid it but Kuka manages to keep hold of a leg and drag StPierre to the ground. StPierre escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kuka dives in and grabs StPierre's left leg, looking for a takedown. StPierre pushes down on Kuka's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuka defends well against a solid takedown attempt from StPierre.
Horrible takedown by Kuka or perhaps it was just good defense by StPierre which made him look bad.
StPierre throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

StPierre shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
StPierre engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
StPierre works over Kuka with some ground and pound from guard.
StPierre lands a couple of elbows.
Kuka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
StPierre postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StPierre wants to stand but Kuka is controlling his posture from full guard.
StPierre might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
StPierre advances to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
StPierre works his way into full mount!
StPierre landing strikes from the mount and Kuka is in trouble!
StPierre controlling his opponent.
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 round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice takedown defense from StPierre. No joy for Kuka on that attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from StPierre misses the target.
StPierre leaves Kuka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kuka tries to score a power double leg takedown but StPierre sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuka somewhat.
George StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaka Kuka.
Kuka checks a leg kick nicely.
Kuka shoots in for a takedown but StPierre shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuka shoots for a takedown but StPierre saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

StPierre tries to sprawl but Kuka drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kuka is breathing heavily.
StPierre controlling the position well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
StPierre manages to get to full guard.
Kuka trying to control but StPierre is working from the bottom.
StPierre seems keen to control Kuka's posture.

Kuka drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but StPierre manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kuka has StPierre in his guard.
StPierre controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuka trying to control the position.
StPierre trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kuka's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
StPierre misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kuka lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
No luck for Kuka with that takedown attempt.
StPierre is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuka shoots in and drives through. StPierre sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StPierre pulls out of a head kick attempt.
George StPierre is winning the standup battle so far.
StPierre throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A leg kick checked by Kuka.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuka.
Kuka misses with a takedown attempt - StPierre sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kuka slaps away a takedown attempt from StPierre, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuka throws a body kick that misses.
Kuka shoots in but no luck this time.
StPierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
StPierre shoots in for a takedown but Kuka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StPierre shoots for a double leg takedown but Kuka sprawls well. He's pushed StPierre's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for StPierre with that takedown attempt.
Kuka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but StPierre avoids it really well and circles away.
Kuka tries to bum rush StPierre with a series of wild strikes but StPierre uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
StPierre has a takedown stuffed.
StPierre missing with a left hand there. Kuka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
StPierre shoots in for a takedown but Kuka shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Kuka closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
StPierre gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that George StPierre will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

StPierre looks to land a right hand but Kuka moved out of range.
StPierre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kuka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
StPierre leaves Kuka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
StPierre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuka.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting StPierre here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
StPierre tries to clinch but Kuka is having none of it.
George StPierre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says StPierre as he avoids it easily.
StPierre stuffs the takedown.
George StPierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaka Kuka.
Kuka shoots in for a double leg but StPierre sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
StPierre is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kuka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
StPierre misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuka wants it to stay on the feet.
Kuka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuka shoots in for a takedown but StPierre shows good takedown defense.
Kuka dodges the punch combination from StPierre.
Kuka fails with a takedown attempt.
StPierre fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuka avoids it really well and circles away.
StPierre shoots in but no luck this time.
Kuka staying out of range there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuka is defended easily by StPierre.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for StPierre with that takedown attempt.

StPierre has taken the fight to the clinch.
StPierre is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kuka has StPierre pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. StPierre manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

StPierre pulls guard.
Kuka throwing strikes but missing.
StPierre thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kuka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. StPierre is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StPierre is looking to stand up but Kuka isn't so interested in that idea.

StPierre working for a triangle but Kuka defends it easily.
StPierre throws a couple of heel strikes.
StPierre is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
StPierre is taking a breather. Kuka says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuka is trying to maintain the position but StPierre is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

StPierre is working for a kimura but Kuka is defending it quite comfortably.
StPierre looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kuka tries to get to full guard but StPierre has control of the leg.
StPierre frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kuka is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuka taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
George StPierre showed his dominance in that final round.
Well StPierre has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for George StPierre!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for George StPierre!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for George StPierre!

George StPierre wins by unanimous decision!