PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daizen Kuroda (ranked 1450 p4p, 2918 weight class) and Aron Gray (ranked 216 p4p, 425 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kuroda
vs
Gray

182 cm
20
156
4 - 4 - 0

177 cm
24
160
3 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daizen Kuroda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aron Gray !
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuroda fails with the takedown

and Gray counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gray .
We've been hearing reports that Kuroda has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kuroda wants to break the clinch but can't.

Gray manages to break the clinch.
Kuroda misses with a hook

and Gray counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Gray is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuroda is just riding it out for now. Gray eventually gives up the hold.
Kuroda is refusing to be controlled, as Gray sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gray is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kuroda doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gray .

Kuroda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gray pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuroda looking for submissions off his back.

Gray is looking for a kimura but Kuroda is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gray to get the leverage.
Kuroda wants to control but Gray is keeping busy.
Kuroda is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gray is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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

Kuroda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gray pulls his head out easily.

Gray is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuroda is just riding it out for now. Gray eventually gives up the hold.
Kuroda is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kuroda is looking to control Gray 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuroda avoid being mounted?
Gray controlling the action here.

Gray is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuroda has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kuroda is staying active underneath Gray , who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kuroda has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gray is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda tries to get to full guard but Gray has control of the leg.

Kuroda is defending against the submission attempts here by Gray .
Kuroda trying to control here.
Kuroda tries to roll over but Gray keeps him under control.
Gray is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Gray is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuroda defends it well.

Gray is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four 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.

Gray is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Kuroda as he works his way to full guard.

Gray 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.
Gray trying to control but Kuroda is working from the bottom.
Kuroda wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kuroda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kuroda working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gray doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gray manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aron Gray dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A big right from Kuroda misses.
Gray tries to counter with a clinch but Kuroda shakes him off and moves away.
Kuroda throws out a loose jab but Gray uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gray tries to counter with a clinch but Kuroda shakes him off and moves away.
Kuroda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gray is fending him off so far but Kuroda persists. Nope, Gray circles away and we're back to standing.
Gray displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kuroda.
And Gray tries to counter it with a takedown but Kuroda pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kuroda throws a jab when Gray was well out of range.
Gray tries to counter with a clinch but Kuroda shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuroda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gray as he avoids it easily.
Gray swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daizen Kuroda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kuroda shoots in and bounces Gray off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Gray throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gray escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuroda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuroda advances to half guard.
Gray wants to get back to full guard.

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

Kuroda is working for a submission of some sort.
Gray is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kuroda seems to be working for a kimura but Gray defends the submission attempt.

Gray looking for submissions off his back.

Kuroda wants to work for an arm triangle but Gray is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gray regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kuroda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gray is keeping the position for now.

Gray has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kuroda is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gray .
Kuroda tries to move to mount but Gray blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Kuroda is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gray has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kuroda trying to control the position but Gray is working away.

Kuroda is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gray has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gray is looking to regain half guard here but Kuroda keeps moving and retains side control.

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.
Gray struggling a bit here.

Kuroda looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gray gets back to half guard.
Gray is staying active underneath Kuroda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kuroda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gray sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gray wants to get back to his feet.

Gray is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuroda pulls his head out easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Daizen Kuroda dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kuroda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gray as he avoids it easily.
Daizen Kuroda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gray slips under a jab.
Kuroda throws an overhand right that lands on Gray 's shoulder, as Gray tries to avoid the shot.
Kuroda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kuroda scores with the left hand. Gray knows he should have avoided that one.

Kuroda darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gray looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kuroda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Gray looking for submissions off his back.

Kuroda is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gray is not content to let Kuroda control the position.
Gray wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kuroda is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gray defends it well.

Gray is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuroda.

Gray is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuroda pulls his head out easily.
Gray is trying to get back to full guard.
Gray makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gray .
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gray is keeping the position for now.
Kuroda trying to control the position from guard on top but Gray is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gray has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at EFC Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Kuroda 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.
Gray controls Kuroda momentarily but Kuroda frees himself.
Kuroda is pushing down on Gray 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gray is fighting to maintain full guard but Kuroda has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gray tries to kick Kuroda off but Kuroda keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gray is not content to let Kuroda control the position.
Kuroda not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gray looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gray tries to roll over but Kuroda keeps him under control.

Gray actively working from the bottom here.
Gray tries to roll over but Kuroda keeps him under control.

Kuroda is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gray defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gray wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Daizen Kuroda clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuroda shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gray pinned against the cage. Gray gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuroda dives in for a single leg takedown but Gray sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gray wants to counter with a clinch but Kuroda pushes him away.

Gray 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuroda throws a big shot that misses.
Gray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuroda darts in looking for a takedown but Gray gets double underhooks and turns Kuroda into the cage.
Gray with the counter takedown but Kuroda avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daizen Kuroda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gray breaks from the clinch.
Kuroda loads up on a big right hand but Gray slips the punch.
Gray looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuroda throws a shot from downtown. Gray moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda darts in looking for a takedown but Gray gets double underhooks and turns Kuroda into the cage.
Kuroda sets himself, and Gray steps forward looking for the clinch! Kuroda avoids it this time.
Gray blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuroda tries to pull guard but Gray won't allow it.

Gray drags the fight down to the ground.
Kuroda trying to control but Gray is working from the bottom.

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

Gray throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kuroda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gray has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuroda has managed to get both his arms back between Gray 's legs - danger averted.
Kuroda trying to control the position from guard on top but Gray is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda stands and throws Gray 's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Gray is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kuroda's leg. Oh but that's left an opportunity for Kuroda! He's got an arm triangle... it looks tight! He's rotating and Gray has tapped! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Daizen Kuroda!
Daizen Kuroda retains his middleweight title!
Daizen Kuroda very nearly forgot to thank EFC Threads amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.