PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bo Duran (ranked 459 p4p, 547 weight class) and Rudi Kardi (ranked 72 p4p, 85 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Duran
vs
Kardi

190 cm
24
210
7 - 2 - 0

200 cm
24
213
7 - 1 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bo Duran!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 2, fighting out of London, Rudi Kardi!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duran throws a poor cross that misses

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

Kardi seems to be looking for submissions.
Duran trying to hold on to Kardi's head to control him but Kardi postures up.

Kardi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Duran sees it coming and defends easily.
Kardi is pressing down on Duran's thigh, looking to free his foot. Duran is holding on for now.
Kardi with the ground and pound but Duran uses the opportunity to regain guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kardi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Duran manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kardi has Duran in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kardi keeps working.
Kardi is trying to improve his position.
Kardi prevents Duran from moving into mount.
Duran is looking to take a break and control but Kardi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kardi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kardi looking for a sweep but Duran has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kardi manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kardi is trying to get back to full guard.
Duran content to control rather than advance.
Kardi is trying to get back to full guard.

Kardi looking for subs from the bottom but Duran mounts him!
Kardi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kardi tries to improve his position but instead Duran has taken his back!
Kardi is in bad spot here.
Kardi staying busy and making it hard for Duran to control.
Kardi tries to escape the position.
Duran doesn't have the hooks in and Kardi manages to turn into his guard.
Duran is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kardi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kardi looking to pass the guard.
Duran pulls Kardi in close to his closed guard and prevents Kardi from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kardi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kardi throwing strikes but missing.
Kardi looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kardi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Duran dives on top into guard.

Kardi wants to hit a sweep here but Duran passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kardi there!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bo Duran will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Duran pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Duran scores with a hook to the body. Kardi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've been told by Duran's head coaches at FIGHT FOUNDERS (CA) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Duran lands a jab to Kardi's midsection.

Kardi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Duran is defending against the submission attempts here by Kardi.
Rudi Kardi has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duran keeps control of the position for the meantime.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kardi.
Kardi drops an elbow to the side of Duran's head.

Kardi is working for a kimura but Duran is defending it quite comfortably.
Kardi tries to pass to full mount but Duran defends it.
Kardi thows a huge punch but Duran dodges it nicely.

That's two 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.
Duran manages to get to full guard.
Duran is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kardi wants to pass the guard but Duran is keeping the position.
Duran avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kardi being controlled here momentarily.
Duran wants to sweep but no luck.
Kardi throws an elbow that misses. Duran uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kardi's guard. Nice move by Duran!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardi wants to sweep here but Duran controlling him for the moment.

Kardi has his foot on Duran's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Duran works his way back into a safe position though.

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

Kardi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Duran defends it easily.
Duran is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kardi has his foot on Duran's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Duran works his way back into a safe position though.
Kardi wants to sweep here but Duran controlling him for the moment.

Kardi throws his legs up looking for a submission but Duran uses it to pass to side control.
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.
Kardi tries to bench press Duran off him but Duran keeps the position.
Kardi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Duran is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

A close second round but Rudi Kardi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Duran takes a swing at Kardi's ribcage but misses.
Duran keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duran misses with a straight left.
Duran misses the shot to the body.
Duran takes a swing at Kardi's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duran works Kardi's body with a nice hook.
Kardi misses with a takedown attempt - Duran sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Duran misses.
Kardi tries a quick counter leg kick but Duran is wise to it.
Kardi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bo Duran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Duran stuffs the takedown attempt from Kardi. Kardi gets slowly back to his feet.
Duran throws a sloppy body shot

and Kardi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kardi trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Duran manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Duran pushes down on Kardi's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kardi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Duran pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kardi is keeping the position for now.

Kardi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kardi is looking for a triangle but Duran pushes his legs off easily.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Duran advances to half guard.
Kardi is looking for a sweep. Duran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.
Kardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardi is looking to get back to full guard here but Duran has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kardi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Duran wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kardi is still trying to improve position.
Kardi is being controlled here.
Kardi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Duran wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kardi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Duran's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Duran not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Duran is taking a breather. Kardi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kardi tries to get to full guard but Duran has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bo Duran clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Duran leaves Kardi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It appears Duran was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kardi moves in looking to clinch but Duran pushes him off.
Duran is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kardi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Duran cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Rudi Kardi has been cut.
Kardi shoots and misses
and Duran counters with a straight right hand.
Bo Duran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Good leg kick by Duran.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duran misses with a hook. Kardi ducked under it nicely.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kardi or perhaps it was just good defense by Duran, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran misses with an uppercut.
Kardi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Duran throws a right hand that misses

and Kardi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Duran is positioning himself well to prevent Kardi advancing to mount.

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

Kardi is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duran moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kardi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kardi is looking to work some ground and pound but Duran has wrist control.
Kardi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Duran swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Duran holds on and takes a little breather.
Duran continues to stall.
Kardi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duran is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kardi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Duran swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kardi is looking to work some ground and pound but Duran has wrist control.
Kardi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kardi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kardi works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Kardi tries for a kimura but Duran is defending well.

Kardi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kardi swings around for an armbar but Duran sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kardi's guard.

Kardi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Duran has picked Kardi up and slammed him! Kardi can't keep hold of the triangle and Duran manages to pass to side control!
Kardi looking for a sweep but Duran has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Kardi is desperately trying to improve his position but Duran has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Duran looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kardi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bo Duran will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rudi Kardi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kardi fails with the takedown.
Duran misses with a double jab.
Duran just misses with a punch to the body.
Kardi moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kardi ducks under a wild hook from Duran.
Duran sets himself, and Kardi steps forward looking for the clinch! Duran avoids it this time.
Duran misses with a body shot.
Kardi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Duran.
Duran misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi fails with the takedown.
Duran throws a quick counter kick to the body but Kardi avoids it.
Kardi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Duran sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kardi somewhat.
Bo Duran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rudi Kardi.
Kardi shoots in for a takedown but Duran shows good takedown defense.
Duran misses with a left hand

and Kardi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kardi tries to pull guard but Duran won't allow it.

Duran's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Duran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kardi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Duran defends it nicely.
Bo Duran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Duran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kardi wants to counter the offense by Duran and move into the clinch position.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Duran throws a hook but Kardi blocks it.
Kardi misses with a takedown
and Duran counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Duran, right into the meat of the thigh.

Duran darts in and clinches Kardi up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Duran.
Kardi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Duran is defending well.
Kardi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Duran gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Duran softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Duran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kardi can do to turn this around?
Duran lands with a right to the head.
Kardi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Duran is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kardi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Duran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kardi backwards.
Duran pushes Kardi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Duran working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duran is pressed up against the cage. Kardi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Duran down to the mat. Duran avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Duran looks to throw the jab but Kardi is out of range.
Kardi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Duran throws out a loose jab but Kardi uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Duran. Kardi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kardi with the counter takedown but Duran avoids it easily.
Duran just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kardi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kardi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bo Duran showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Duran has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:45
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bo Duran!
Bo Duran retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Bo Duran thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.