PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Krabis Kropelis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Curran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Krabis Kropelis could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mario Curran's chin.

Kropelis
vs
Curran

174 cm
19
145 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

169 cm
19
144 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Machine Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Krabis Kropelis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Curran!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kropelis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kropelis misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Curran manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kropelis not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kropelis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Curran defending well though.
Kropelis not doing much here.
Curran is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropelis content to control rather than advance.
Curran looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kropelis looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kropelis trying to control the action but Curran is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kropelis controlling the action here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Curran throws a shot from downtown. Kropelis moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Curran throws a series of strikes that have Kropelis backpedaling.

It looks like Krabis Kropelis has been cut.
Curran lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kropelis at a distance.
Kropelis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kropelis tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Curran counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kropelis is rocked!
Curran tries to clinch but Kropelis moves out of range.
Curran fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Curran throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kropelis tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Curran to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curran misses with the combination.
Kropelis looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kropelis avoids the body shot from Curran.
Kropelis drops down looking for a counter takedown but Curran sprawls and moves away.

Kropelis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Kropelis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kropelis throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kropelis working away.
Kropelis tries to move into full mount but can't pass Curran's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kropelis is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Curran is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kropelis working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kropelis trying to control the action but Curran is working from the bottom.
Kropelis in the domination position with Curran hanging on.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kropelis tries to move to mount but Curran blocks the move with his legs.
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 Krabis Kropelis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Krabis Kropelis's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slapping body kick lands there for Curran.
Curran looks to throw the jab but Kropelis is out of range.
Curran is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kropelis.
Curran blocks a head kick by Kropelis.
Some bone on bone action there as Curran checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A little jabbing left from Curran on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mario Curran seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Curran bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kropelis's head backwards.
Curran scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropelis fails with the takedown
and Curran counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Curran scores with a leg kick.
Kropelis doesn't manage to clinch there - Curran circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran misses with a left hand

and Kropelis counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Curran is trying to control the position but Kropelis postures up.
Kropelis trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
Kropelis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Curran can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kropelis controls the pace.
Kropelis postures up.
Kropelis sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kropelis trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
Curran is trying to control the position but Kropelis postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Curran is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Curran looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kropelis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Curran as he jumps to the side.
Kropelis throws a poor cross that misses
and Curran counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Curran defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kropelis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krabis Kropelis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Curran keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Curran looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kropelis closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Curran tests Kropelis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oh Kropelis is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Curran scores with a leg kick.
Kropelis seems to have got his legs back now.
Curran swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kropelis shoots in for a takedown but Curran shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kropelis dives in and grabs Curran's left leg, looking for a takedown. Curran pushes down on Kropelis's head and hops out.
Curran looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kropelis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Curran has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kropelis tries to move into range but Curran moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kropelis fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kropelis tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Curran swivels and escapes.
Curran looks to land a combination. Kropelis sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Curran cracks Kropelis on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Kropelis falls backwards against the cage. Curran follows up with more strikes that drop Kropelis to his knees. Curran keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Kropelis! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mario Curran!
Mario Curran seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.