PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Israel Kirzner (ranked 2354 p4p, 2497 weight class) and Curtis Rome (ranked 280 p4p, 293 weight class). The key to victory for Israel Kirzner has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kirzner
vs
Rome

170 cm
25
158
6 - 7 - 0

170 cm
25
155
8 - 10 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Israel Kirzner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Curtis Rome!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirzner tries a head kick but it misses.
Kirzner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kirzner misses the shot to the body.
Kirzner scores with a nice body kick.
Kirzner misses with a series of wild punches.
Israel Kirzner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirzner cracks Rome with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rome misses with a takedown attempt
and Kirzner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kirzner missing with a left hand there. Rome was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rome tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kirzner defends well and Rome ends up having to push Kirzner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rome.
Israel Kirzner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Rome.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Kirzner is predictable there

and Rome counters with a shoot takedown. Kirzner fights it but they end up in guard.
Rome is stalling in the full guard.
Rome stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kirzner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rome trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirzner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rome wants to pass the guard but Kirzner is keeping the position.
Rome trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirzner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner is trying to keep Rome in close.
Rome tries to free his leg and advance position but Kirzner is retaining full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rome wants to control from the top but Kirzner keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kirzner just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirzner throws a head kick that misses.
Sloppy strikes from Kirzner. Those never looked like landing.
Kirzner missing with a left hand there. Rome was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kirzner missing with a left hand there. Rome was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rome uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirzner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner takes a swing at Rome's ribcage but misses.
Rome gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kirzner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Israel Kirzner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirzner leaves Rome with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Kirzner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kirzner misses with a hook. Rome ducked under it nicely.
Donk. Kirzner catches Rome right on the button with a cross.
Kirzner misses with a looping left.
Kirzner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rome.
Kirzner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rome slips a straight right by Kirzner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kirzner circles away.
Kirzner is looking to counter punch.
A left and a right from Kirzner both land. Nice combination.
Kirzner is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rome shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kirzner as he jumps to the side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kirzner. Rome does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kirzner moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRome.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rome shoots for a takedown but Kirzner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kirzner cracks Rome with an open hand slap.

Rome looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rome working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kirzner's thigh. Kirzner counters though and makes it back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Kirzner dominated that round.
That's time! Kirzner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rome looks for a takedown but Kirzner sprawls well.
Kirzner misses the jab.
Rome shoots in looking for a takedown but Kirzner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rome's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've been told by Kirzner's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Israel Kirzner is winning the standup battle so far.
Rome bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rome misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Israel Kirzner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Rome.
Kirzner throws a right hand that Rome ducks under and follows up with a left that Rome also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rome will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rome moves away from the strike by Kirzner.
Kirzner misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Kirzner misses.
Kirzner misses with an uppercut.
Kirzner tries to work over Rome's front leg with a kick but Rome checks it.
Kirzner lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kirzner lands a lovely overhand right.
Kirzner leaves Rome with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kirzner throws a sloppy head kick and Rome moves out of range easily.
The fighters circling - Kirzner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rome shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner throws a hook but Rome blocks it.

Rome throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kirzner was covering up waiting for the punch and Rome finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rome pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kirzner is keeping the position for now.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kirzner holds on and takes a little breather.
Rome trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rome trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirzner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rome passes into half guard.
Rome tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kirzner knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rome wants to control but Kirzner is keeping him busy.

Rome seems to be looking for submissions.
Kirzner won't allow Rome to pass to mount.

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.
Rome keeps trying to improve his position.
Rome is controlling the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rome is pressing down on Kirzner's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kirzner is holding on for now.

Rome is looking for a kimura but Kirzner is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rome to get the leverage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rome has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rome tries to control but Kirzner wriggling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Israel Kirzner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kirzner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kirzner throws out a powerful jab.

Rome forces Kirzner back against the cage and clinches.

Kirzner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kirzner throws a series of punches but Rome avoids them all with ease.
Kirzner lunges at Rome with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rome's hand.
Rome fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirzner looks to land a right hand but Rome moved out of range.
Kirzner lunges at Rome with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rome's hand.
A big left from Kirzner misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirzner tries to work over Rome's front leg with a kick but Rome checks it.
Kirzner with a jab.
Rome shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kirzner as he avoids it easily.
Rome shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kirzner as he avoids it easily.
Israel Kirzner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Rome.
Rome fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kirzner scores with a nice strike.
Kirzner looks to land a combination. Rome sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Kirzner tries to keep at a distance but Rome has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rome tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rome can't get the takedown.
Rome wants to take the fight to the mat but Kirzner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kirzner struggles to land a body shot inside as Rome controls his hands.

Kirzner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rome has his takedown stuffed
and Kirzner counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirzner throws a leg kick
and Rome counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kirzner tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rome steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kirzner.
Rome is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kirzner tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome ducks under a wild hook from Kirzner.
Rome slips under a jab from Kirzner.
Rome closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kirzner circles away.
Rome bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kirzner cracks Rome with an open hand slap.
Rome will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rome tries for a takedown but Kirzner circles away easily
and Kirzner counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kirzner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rome moves away.
Kirzner works Rome's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner throws a body punch but Rome moves out of range.
Rome is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Rome has his takedown stuffed
and Kirzner counters with a nice uppercut.
Rome fails with the takedown.
Rome shoots in but no luck this time.
Kirzner went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kirzner misses with a double jab.
Kirzner misses with a lunging right hand
and Rome counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rome avoids the body shot from Kirzner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Israel Kirzner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kirzner, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Israel Kirzner!