PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 1057 p4p, 826 weight class) and Dean Howard (ranked 151 p4p, 122 weight class). Dean Howard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kurtev
vs
Howard

189 cm
37
193
28 - 32 - 1

185 cm
32
192
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 28 - 32 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dean Howard!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev wants to clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Kurtev has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Krisko Kurtev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Howard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kurtev is trying to defend but Howard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Howard is keen to just control but Kurtev is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev landing rabbit punches to the side of Howard's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Kurtev trying to hold on to Howard's head to control him but Howard postures up.
Kurtev landing a few short strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard wants to control but Kurtev is keeping him busy.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Howard is looking for a kimura but Kurtev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Howard to get the leverage.
Kurtev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Kurtev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Howard pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurtev is looking for a sweep. Howard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kurtev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kurtev is trying to maintain the position but Howard is very close to passing his half guard.
Kurtev scores with a few weak punches.
Kurtev striking from the bottom.
Kurtev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kurtev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Howard lands strikes from half guard.
Kurtev won't allow Howard to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Howard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Howard's back!
Kurtev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kurtev punishes Howard with strikes from the back mount.
Kurtev loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Howard hold on?
Kurtev has the hooks in. Howard is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Howard manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kurtev's guard. Nice work there by Howard.
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!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kurtev striking from the bottom.
Kurtev throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Howard trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howard looking to pass the guard.

Kurtev pushes a forearm under Howard's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Howard is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Krisko Kurtev!
Our winner, Krisko Kurtev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.