PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Lizard (ranked 4070 p4p, 404 weight class) and Denis Kurlaev (ranked 2689 p4p, 306 weight class). Denis Kurlaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lizard
vs
Kurlaev

188 cm
21
210 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
3 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Samuel Lizard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Kurlaev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lizard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kurlaev.
Lizard swinging wildly here.
Kurlaev darts in looking for a takedown but Lizard gets double underhooks and turns Kurlaev into the cage.
Kurlaev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lizard throws out the jab.
Kurlaev tries to counter with a clinch but Lizard shakes him off and moves away.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown but Lizard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lizard scores with a body shot.
Kurlaev ducks under a wild hook from Lizard.
Lizard lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lizard misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kurlaev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kurlaev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lizard wants to get back to full guard.
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!
Kurlaev stops Lizard from getting back to his feet.
Kurlaev lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lizard is looking to escape.
Kurlaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lizard tries to roll over but Kurlaev keeps him under control.
Lizard is looking to escape.
Lizard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kurlaev.
Lizard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kurlaev.
Lizard pushes Kurlaev off looking to stand but Kurlaev dives back in and keeps control.
Kurlaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lizard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurlaev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kurlaev throwing shots but Lizard is blocking nicely.
Kurlaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lizard looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lizard looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lizard preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kurlaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lizard's head.
Kurlaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lizard on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lizard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lizard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurlaev is one step ahead there.
Kurlaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lizard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lizard wants to get back to his feet but Kurlaev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kurlaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lizard trying to control the position here.
Kurlaev throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev preventing the sweep.
Lizard wants to stand up but Kurlaev is controlling him.
Lizard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Lizard wants to stand but Kurlaev is controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lizard stuffs the takedown.
Samuel Lizard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Kurlaev.
Lizard cracks Kurlaev with a good jab.

Kurlaev looking to score a takedown here. Lizard is defending well but Kurlaev drives through and ends up in Lizard's guard.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from getting back to his feet.
Kurlaev is fighting to break Lizard's control of his arms but Lizard is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Lizard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lizard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev landing some decent shots from guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lizard holds on and takes a little breather.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from getting back to his feet.
Kurlaev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kurlaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lizard trying to keep a closed guard but Kurlaev is proving a slippery customer.
Lizard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurlaev.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurlaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lizard looking for a sweep. Not yet Lizard, not yet.
Kurlaev postures up in Lizard's guard and throws a big left but Lizard blocks it.
Lizard is looking to stand up but Kurlaev isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Samuel Lizard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lizard throws an overhand right that lands on Kurlaev's shoulder, as Kurlaev tries to avoid the shot.
Kurlaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lizard defends it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lizard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurlaev.
Nice takedown defense from Lizard. No joy for Kurlaev on that attempt.
Lizard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kurlaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lizard defends it well.
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 Samuel Lizard will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kurlaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Lizard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kurlaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Kurlaev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Lizard is looking to escape.
Kurlaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lizard's head.
Lizard is staying active underneath Kurlaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kurlaev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurlaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurlaev working over Lizard with some ground and pound. Lizard looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lizard is trying to stand.
Kurlaev thows a huge punch but Lizard dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lizard is trying to stand back up but Kurlaev is controlling him
Lizard controlling the position well.
Lizard is looking to get back to full guard here but Kurlaev has managed to pass to side control instead.
Lizard is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kurlaev is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizard is looking to reverse the position.
Lizard defending against the ground and pound.
Kurlaev throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lizard is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Lizard manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Lizard escapes and gets back to his feet.
Kurlaev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lizard.
Lizard works Kurlaev's body with a nice hook.

Kurlaev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kurlaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Lizard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurlaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lizard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurlaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kurlaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lizard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kurlaev is controlling him.
Lizard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from getting back to his feet.
Lizard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lizard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kurlaev is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lizard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
Lizard wants to control but Kurlaev postures up.
Kurlaev throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kurlaev throws a strike aimed at the side of Lizard's head but Lizard avoids it well.
Lizard struggling a bit here.
Lizard is trying to buck Kurlaev off.
Kurlaev looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Lizard is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Lizard is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kurlaev in side control, throwing shots but Lizard defends.
Kurlaev misses with the ground and pound.
Lizard is looking to reverse the position.
Lizard is trying to control Kurlaev's posture but Kurlaev avoids it.
Lizard parries the strikes from Kurlaev easily there. Kurlaev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lizard to escape.
Lizard is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kurlaev asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lizard is trying to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Kurlaev.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from escaping the position.
Kurlaev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Lizard is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The ground and pound from Kurlaev seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Denis Kurlaev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lizard is trying to get back to half guard.
Kurlaev throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lizard is looking for a sweep.
Lizard struggling a bit here.
Kurlaev throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kurlaev throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kurlaev working the ground and pound from side control.
Lizard wants to get back to his feet but Kurlaev is dominant here and he's now got Lizard's back!
Kurlaev lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Lizard wants to control his opponent's hands but Kurlaev gets his hands free.
Kurlaev is punishing Lizard with strikes - can he finish him?!
Will Kurlaev go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Lizard trying to get back to his feet but Kurlaev is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Kurlaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kurlaev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kurlaev lands a nice short elbow.
Lizard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lizard taking some punishment here, with Kurlaev in his half guard.
Kurlaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lizard pushes Kurlaev off looking to stand but Kurlaev dives back in and keeps control.
Kurlaev throwing shots but Lizard is blocking nicely.
Kurlaev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lizard is controlling Kurlaev's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurlaev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lizard defending well though.
Kurlaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lizard is looking for a sweep. Kurlaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lizard has hold of Kurlaev's hands but Kurlaev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lizard wants to get back to his feet.
Lizard is trying to escape back to his feet but Kurlaev uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from escaping the position.
Lizard is looking for a sweep.
Kurlaev throws an elbow but Lizard slips to the side and avoids it well.
Lizard defending against the ground and pound.
Kurlaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lizard is trying to buck Kurlaev off.
Kurlaev throws an elbow but Lizard slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kurlaev fails to land a wild elbow strike.
You can see the frustration on Lizard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lizard parries the strikes from Kurlaev easily there. Kurlaev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lizard to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev trying to control the position but Lizard is working away.
Kurlaev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Lizard manages to get back to half guard.
Kurlaev thows a huge punch but Lizard dodges it nicely.
Lizard trying to hold on to Kurlaev's head to control him but Kurlaev postures up.
Kurlaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lizard is looking to control Kurlaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lizard avoid being mounted?
Lizard looks like he's trying to stand up.

Lizard kicks off Kurlaev and gets to his feet.
Samuel Lizard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurlaev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kurlaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lizard.
Lizard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Kurlaev.
Lizard misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Lizard misses.

Kurlaev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kurlaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lizard has his hands on Kurlaev's head, controlling the position.
Lizard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kurlaev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lizard looking for a sweep. Not yet Lizard, not yet.
Lizard seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lizard looking to control.
Kurlaev stops Lizard from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lizard throws a lazy uppercut

and Kurlaev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurlaev prevents Lizard from standing back up.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lizard looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kurlaev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lizard trying to control from the bottom.
Kurlaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lizard is trying to stand back up but Kurlaev is controlling him
Kurlaev throwing shots but Lizard is blocking nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurlaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Kurlaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kurlaev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denis Kurlaev!
A relieved looking Denis Kurlaev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.