PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ovid Julios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nelli Kuukeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Julios
vs
Kuukeri

190 cm
29
279 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

193 cm
26
280 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Damnfield clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ovid Julios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nelli Kuukeri!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuukeri shoots in looking for a takedown but Julios manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kuukeri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Julios avoids the head kick by Kuukeri.
Julios misses with a head kick.
Ovid Julios seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Julios moves in looking to clinch but Kuukeri pushes him off.

Kuukeri decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kuukeri prevents Julios from improving his position.

Julios looking for submissions off his back.
Julios has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kuukeri is working away from the top position though.
Julios tries to roll over but Kuukeri keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Julios is staying active underneath Kuukeri, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Julios wants to get back to full guard.
Kuukeri tries to pass to full mount but Julios defends it.
Kuukeri landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuukeri scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kuukeri is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Julios blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuukeri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Julios is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Julios actively working from the bottom here.
Kuukeri keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kuukeri trying to pass the guard but Julios defending well.
Kuukeri perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kuukeri is thwarting Julios's attempts to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Julios manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kuukeri slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Julios wants to get back to full guard but Kuukeri has mounted him!
Kuukeri controlling his opponent.
Kuukeri with the ground and pound from mount.
Kuukeri lands a couple of good shots and Julios has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
You can see the frustration on Julios's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Julios prevents Kuukeri from getting a body triangle.
You can see the frustration on Julios's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kuukeri has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Julios staying busy and making it hard for Kuukeri to control.

Kuukeri is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Julios wants to escape the position.
Julios trying to get back to his feet but Kuukeri is in full control for now.
Kuukeri trying to control momentarily.
Julios rolls, trying to escape but Kuukeri keeps control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuukeri is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Kuukeri tries to keep control of the position but Julios is staying busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nelli Kuukeri dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Julios tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kuukeri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Julios is looking to clinch.
Julios takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

It looks like Ovid Julios has been cut.
Kuukeri throws a sloppy head kick and Julios moves out of range easily.
Julios doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuukeri circles away.
Kuukeri shoots for a takedown but Julios saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuukeri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuukeri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ovid Julios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelli Kuukeri.
Kuukeri fails to land the takedown.
Julios throws a sloppy head kick and Kuukeri moves out of range easily.
Julios throws a head kick but Kuukeri moves out of range.

Kuukeri rushes Julios and presses him up against the cage.
Julios missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuukeri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Julios tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Julios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuukeri.
Julios lands a nice knee to the body.
Kuukeri is breathing heavily.
Julios is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuukeri is defending well for now.
Kuukeri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Julios smiles and moves away.

Kuukeri gets a clinch.
Julios lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Nelli Kuukeri has been cut.
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!
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Kuukeri takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuukeri avoiding damage as Julios throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Julios connects with a knee to the head.
Julios crunches a lovely knee into Kuukeri's ribcage.
Julios landing knees to the body.
Julios landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees to the body from Julios.
Julios trying to land knees to the body.
Julios throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kuukeri blocks it with crossed arms.
Julios tries a knee to the head but Kuukeri blocks it.
Ovid Julios has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Julios trying to land knees to the body.

Kuukeri successfully pulls guard.
Kuukeri is trying to keep Julios in close.
Julios trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Julios wants to control from the top but Kuukeri keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Kuukeri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Julios gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuukeri is controlling Julios's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuukeri is trying to keep Julios in close.

Kuukeri has his foot on Julios's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Julios works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Julios wants to get up but he can't break Kuukeri's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kuukeri controls Julios momentarily but Julios frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuukeri tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Julios swivels and escapes.
Julios tries to clinch there but Kuukeri circles away.
Julios closes the distance but Kuukeri moves to the side
and Kuukeri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ovid Julios is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Julios tries to clinch up.
Julios tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kuukeri cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Julios tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuukeri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Julios wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ovid Julios dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuukeri shoots in and drives through. Julios sprawls well.
Julios tries to clinch up but Kuukeri circles away and keeps his distance.

Kuukeri moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Julios obliges.
Julios lands a knee to the head.
Julios landing knees to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Julios using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Julios unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kuukeri lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Julios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuukeri.
Kuukeri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Julios tries to land a knee to the head but Kuukeri blocks with his arms.
Julios tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Julios crunches a lovely knee into Kuukeri's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Julios throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuukeri avoiding damage as Julios throws knees to the body.
Julios keeps control of Kuukeri as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Julios tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuukeri managing to block the knees to the body from Julios.
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Kuukeri tries to pull guard but Julios holds him up against the cage and eventually Kuukeri drops back down to his feet.
Julios with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Julios obliges.
Julios is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuukeri is defending well for now.
Julios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuukeri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuukeri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ovid Julios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelli Kuukeri.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Julios misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuukeri.
Kuukeri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Julios after a bit of a struggle.
Kuukeri is trying to break free.
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Julios crunches a lovely knee into Kuukeri's ribcage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Julios working Kuukeri over with knees to the body.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuukeri takes a knee right on the jaw!
Julios tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuukeri avoids it.
Julios crunches a lovely knee into Kuukeri's ribcage.
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Kuukeri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuukeri pulls guard successfully.
Julios is looking to stand up but Kuukeri won't let him.
Kuukeri wants to sweep but no luck.
Julios won't allow Kuukeri to get back to his feet.
Julios stopping the sweep attempt from Kuukeri.
Kuukeri working a defensive guard here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nelli Kuukeri wasn't active enough on the ground.

Julios darts in and clinches Kuukeri up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuukeri has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Julios is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Julios using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Julios lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuukeri avoiding damage as Julios throws knees to the body.
Julios tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuukeri avoids the damage to the body.
Julios tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuukeri is looking to break free of the clinch but Julios has double underhooks.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuukeri managing to block the knees to the body from Julios.
Kuukeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Julios trying to land knees to the body.

Kuukeri gets control of Julios's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kuukeri will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Julios looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ovid Julios showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Julios 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ovid Julios!
During a confident post fight interview, Ovid Julios thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.