PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mario Curran (ranked 850 p4p, 89 weight class) and Josh Cook (ranked 1884 p4p, 191 weight class). Curran kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Shoshone Flag Song. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Curran
vs
Cook

169 cm
35
154 lbs
15 - 8 - 1

173 cm
28
154 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mario Curran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Cook!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Curran throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cook stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Curran lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Curran defending well as Cook loads up on a big left hand.
Curran connects with a right hand. Cook shakes it off.

Curran gets a clinch.
Cook tries to throw a body punch but Curran avoids it by throwing Cook back against the cage.
I was talking to Curran's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Cook breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Curran connects with a leg kick. Cook looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cook fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Curran manages to avoid it.
Cook avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cook now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Cook misses with an uppercut.

Cook gets caught flat footed, as Curran shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Curran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cook is trying to keep Curran in close.
Curran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Curran trying to control the position from guard on top but Cook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cook is trying to keep Curran in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cook swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Curran trying to control the position from guard on top but Cook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Curran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Curran is working hard here to advance position.

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

Cook tries to sprawl but Curran drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Curran passes the guard and advances to mount!

Curran is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Cook is surviving well by controlling Curran's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cook is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Curran wants to take Cook's back here but Cook is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Cook wants to hold on but Curran pushes him away.
Curran is looking to take Cook's back but instead Cook gets back to half guard. Nice work.

Curran is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Curran is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook trying to control but Curran postures up.
Curran is looking to advance position but Cook won't allow it.
Cook is looking to control Curran's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cook avoid being mounted?
Cook is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Curran's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Curran's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran tries to escape the position.

Curran is trying to roll into a better position but Cook has get a rear naked choke and Curran is forced to tap out! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Josh Cook!
A victorious Josh Cook thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.