PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Janusz Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kegg Kurks (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.

Nowak
vs
Kurks

188 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Janusz Nowak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kegg Kurks!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kurks closes the distance and pushes Nowak back into the cage.
Kurks lands with a left to the head.

Nowak manages to break the clinch.

Kurks closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kurks lands in his opponent's guard.
Nowak 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.
Kurks passes Nowak's left leg - he's now in half guard.

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

Kurks is working for a kimura but Nowak is defending it quite comfortably.
Nowak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kurks is working for a kimura but Nowak is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurks is working for a kimura but Nowak is defending it quite comfortably.
Well, if Kurks is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Kurks seems to be looking for submissions.
Kurks wants to control but Nowak is keeping him busy.
Kurks passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurks trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowak wants to control but Kurks is having none of it.

Kurks swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Nowak is now in Kurks's guard. A big mistake from Kurks there, giving up the dominant position!
Kurks has his hands on Nowak's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nowak.
Nowak looking to pass the guard.
Kurks 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.

Kurks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nowak gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nowak throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kurks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nowak defends well.
Nowak lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nowak slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Kurks is looking for a triangle but Nowak pushes his legs off easily.
Nowak distracts Kurks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nowak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kurks working for submissions but it's allowed Nowak to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Nowak there.
Kurks wants to get back to full guard.
Kurks trying to control but Nowak postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurks tries to get to full guard but Nowak has control of the leg.
Kurks looks winded!
Nowak working Kurks over with strikes.
Kurks is looking to improve his position.
Nowak trying to mount his opponent but Kurks defends it.

Nowak is working for a kimura but Kurks is defending it quite comfortably.
Kurks is looking for a sweep. Nowak is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurks slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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

Kurks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nowak is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jab from Nowak.
Kurks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nowak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Janusz Nowak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kurks tries to clinch
and Nowak counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kurks tries to clinch but Nowak is having none of it.
Nowak is looking for a counter combo.
Kurks wants to clinch.
Kurks is looking to clinch.
Nowak attempts a counter takedown but Kurks avoids it well and moves away.
Kurks is looking to clinch but Nowak is avoiding it.
Nowak went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nowak circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurks slips a jab and a cross from Nowak.
Kurks is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kurks tries to clinch but Nowak moves out of range.
Nowak swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kurks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurks instigates a clinch.
Kurks tries to pull guard but Nowak won't allow it.
A short left from Nowak.
Nowak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nowak misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Nowak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nowak throws a nice looking combination but Kurks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kurks shoots in but no luck this time.

Nowak gets a takedown into half guard.
Nowak passes to side control.
Kurks wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nowak is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kurks has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurks is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nowak cracks Kurks with a big right hand but Kurks just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kurks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kurks is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nowak off and has taken his back!

Kurks is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Nowak knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Nowak for a finish.
Kurks is breathing heavily.
Kurks doesn't have the hooks in and Nowak manages to turn into his guard.
Nowak wants to control from the top but Kurks keeps moving.

Kurks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nowak gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurks trying to keep a closed guard but Nowak is proving a slippery customer.
Nowak preventing the sweep.
Janusz Nowak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nowak is pushing down on Kurks's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kurks is fighting to maintain full guard but Nowak has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kurks regains full guard. Nicely done.

Kurks looking for a guillotine here but Nowak defends easily.
Kurks wants to sweep here but Nowak controlling him for the moment.
Nowak trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nowak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kurks can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kurks wants to sweep but no luck.
Kurks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nowak manages to get himself to full guard.

Kurks drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nowak dives on top into guard.

Nowak showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nowak connects with a couple of short punches.
Nowak controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nowak tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurks is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Janusz Nowak dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Nowak finds it's way through Kurks's defenses.

Nowak closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kurks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kurks is holding on to half guard well.
Kurks wants to improve his position but Nowak is controlling well.
Kurks trying to hold on to Nowak's head to control him but Nowak postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kurks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nowak is working away from the top position though.

Nowak is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kurks sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurks wants to control but Nowak is keeping busy.
Kurks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kurks is looking for a sweep. Nowak is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nowak uses his free foot to push down on Kurks's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kurks.
Kurks manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kurks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nowak is working away from the top position though.
Nowak passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kurks!
Nowak lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kurks is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nowak wants to control the pace but Kurks is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurks sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Nowak scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurks tries to get to full guard but Nowak has control of the leg.
Kurks is refusing to be controlled, as Nowak sits in half guard.
Kurks tries to roll over but Nowak keeps him under control.
Kurks is still trying to improve position.
Nowak is trying to control. Kurks wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Nowak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kurks is just riding it out for now. Nowak eventually gives up the hold.

Nowak seems to be working for a kimura but Kurks defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kurks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nowak controlling the action here.

Kurks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nowak works his way into full mount!
Nowak lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kurks is trying to escape the mount.
Kurks taking shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nowak tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Nowak jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kurks manages to avoid the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Janusz Nowak showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nowak 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Janusz Nowak!