PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ardian Kurniawan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Von Ketler has chosen Raunchy and Sonic Syndicate Clayman-Mix as his entrance music. Ardian Kurniawan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kurniawan
vs
Von Ketler

170 cm
24
135 lbs
4 - 9 - 0

167 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Sun-Tzu
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ardian Kurniawan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eksem Von Ketler!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Ketler stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Kurniawan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Von Ketler did well to prevent Kurniawan getting side control.

Kurniawan is looking for a kimura but Von Ketler is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kurniawan to get the leverage.

Von Ketler is defending against the submission attempts here by Kurniawan.
Von Ketler is controlling Kurniawan's trapped leg to prevent Kurniawan from advancing to side control.

Kurniawan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Von Ketler wants to control but Kurniawan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kurniawan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Von Ketler moves into full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kurniawan shoots in but no luck this time.
A left and a right from Von Ketler both land. Nice combination.
Kurniawan stuffs the takedown.
Kurniawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Von Ketler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurniawan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ardian Kurniawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Ketler connects with a body shot that sends Kurniawan's belly button to the back.
Nice uppercut there from Von Ketler.
Kurniawan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kurniawan wants it to stay on the feet.
Von Ketler misses with a hook.
Von Ketler looks to land a right hand but Kurniawan moved out of range.
Kurniawan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Von Ketler pinned against the cage. Von Ketler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kurniawan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.
Von Ketler stuffs the takedown attempt from Kurniawan. Kurniawan gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurniawan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kurniawan shoots for a double leg takedown but Von Ketler sprawls well. He's pushed Kurniawan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kurniawan shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Von Ketler's guard.
Von Ketler has control of Kurniawan's left arm, preventing Kurniawan from doing any damage.
Von Ketler keeping moving, preventing Kurniawan from controlling successfully.

Kurniawan is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kurniawan trying to control the position from guard on top but Von Ketler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kurniawan trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Von Ketler manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Von Ketler trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurniawan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurniawan wants to sweep here but Von Ketler controlling him for the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Kurniawan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Von Ketler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kurniawan swivels and escapes.
Von Ketler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kurniawan gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kurniawan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Kurniawan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Von Ketler is looking for a sweep. Kurniawan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Von Ketler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kurniawan seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kurniawan is looking for a kimura here.
Von Ketler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kurniawan is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eksem Von Ketler dominated that round.
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.

Von Ketler throws a hook to the side of Kurniawan's head but Kurniawan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kurniawan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Von Ketler throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Von Ketler.
A punch lands to the side of Kurniawan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Eksem Von Ketler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.
Von Ketler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kurniawan in his tracks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurniawan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Von Ketler somewhat.
Kurniawan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Von Ketler.
A little feinted left hand from Kurniawan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Von Ketler drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Von Ketler trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurniawan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Von Ketler postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kurniawan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Von Ketler, into his guard.
Kurniawan tries to free his leg and advance position but Von Ketler is retaining full guard.
Kurniawan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Von Ketler 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.
Kurniawan works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurniawan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Von Ketler defends it well.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kurniawan is pressing down on Von Ketler's thigh, looking to free his foot. Von Ketler is holding on for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Von Ketler as he connects with a hook.
A punch combination from Von Ketler misses.

Kurniawan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kurniawan lands in his opponent's guard.

Kurniawan content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Von Ketler has locked up a guillotine! Von Ketler's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Kurniawan is holding on here and Von Ketler must be using up a lot of energy. Kurniawan has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Von Ketler gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Eksem Von Ketler!
Eksem Von Ketler spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.