PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 692 p4p, 1004 weight class) and Chris Pauschi (ranked 87 p4p, 131 weight class). Krisko Kurtev had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kurtev
vs
Pauschi

189 cm
38
193
33 - 35 - 1

182 cm
28
200
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS

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 33 - 35 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Chris Pauschi!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev closes the distance and clinches up with Pauschi, looking for a takedown. Kurtev pushes Pauschi against the cage but Pauschi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kurtev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pauschi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kurtev defending well as Pauschi loads up on a big left hand.
Pauschi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kurtev on the side of the head.
Kurtev shoots in but Pauschi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kurtev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kurtev blocking some punches.
Pauschi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kurtev is working for takedown but Pauschi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pauschi throws an elbow but it misses.

Kurtev has picked Pauschi up - he's going for a ride! Kurtev dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
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!
Kurtev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kurtev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pauschi keeps working.

Kurtev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Pauschi is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev working the head and body with strikes.
Kurtev throwing shots but Pauschi is blocking nicely.
Kurtev prevents Pauschi from improving his position.
Kurtev throwing shots but Pauschi is blocking nicely.
Kurtev thows a huge punch but Pauschi dodges it nicely.
Pauschi tries to roll over but Kurtev keeps him under control.
Pauschi is refusing to be controlled, as Kurtev sits in half guard.
Pauschi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kurtev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pauschi is not content to let Kurtev control the position.
Pauschi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pauschi wants to control but Kurtev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurtev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kurtev trying to mount his opponent but Pauschi defends it.
Pauschi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kurtev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pauschi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kurtev is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pauschi is pressing down on Kurtev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pauschi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kurtev controls the pace.
Pauschi wants to sweep but no luck.
Kurtev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kurtev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pauschi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kurtev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pauschi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pauschi has momentary wrist control but Kurtev slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurtev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kurtev chips away with some ground and pound.
Pauschi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurtev is one step ahead there.
Kurtev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pauschi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
Kurtev stays in close to Pauschi's body and controls the position.
Kurtev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurtev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pauschi's head.
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Pauschi blocks nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Krisko Kurtev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kurtev clinches with his opponent.
Pauschi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Kurtev tries for a takedown but Pauschi manages to get underhooks.
Kurtev blocks an elbow strike from Pauschi.
Pauschi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kurtev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pauschi walks away with a smile on his face. Kurtev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pauschi lands the left hand.

Pauschi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pauschi misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pauschi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pauschi as he jumps to the side.
Kurtev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Kurtev clinches.
Pauschi crunches a lovely knee into Kurtev's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Pauschi misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kurtev wants the takedown. Pauschi is fighting it off but Kurtev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Pauschi's guard against the cage.
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.
Pauschi pulls Kurtev in close to prevent any damage.
Kurtev stops Pauschi from standing up.
Pauschi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kurtev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pauschi is controlling Kurtev's posture.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kurtev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pauschi keeping full guard, as Kurtev tries to pass.
Pauschi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurtev is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurtev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pauschi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pauschi keeping moving, preventing Kurtev from controlling successfully.
Kurtev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Pauschi blocks nicely.
Pauschi wants to control the position but Kurtev says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Pauschi wants to improve his position but Kurtev is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pauschi is still trying to improve position.
Pauschi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kurtev.
Kurtev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurtev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pauschi trying to control but Kurtev postures up.
Ground and pound from Kurtev.
Kurtev lands with a punch from half guard.
Pauschi gets back to full guard.
Kurtev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev trying to control the position from guard on top but Pauschi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pauschi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pauschi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
Kurtev distracts Pauschi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kurtev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pauschi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurtev throws a big elbow that misses.
Kurtev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kurtev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pauschi can do to turn this around?
Kurtev postures up in Pauschi's guard and throws a big left but Pauschi blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurtev won't allow Pauschi to sweep him here.
Kurtev wants to control from the top but Pauschi keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Krisko Kurtev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kurtev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pauschi!
Pauschi prevents Kurtev from improving position.
Kurtev in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kurtev cracks Pauschi with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Pauschi wants to control but Kurtev postures up.
Pauschi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pauschi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kurtev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pauschi sees it coming and defends easily.
Pauschi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pauschi defending well though.
Kurtev slips a nice elbow through Pauschi's hands, connecting with Pauschi's forehead.
Kurtev working Pauschi over with strikes.

Kurtev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pauschi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kurtev.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Chris Pauschi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kurtev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pauschi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pauschi is trying to maintain the position but Kurtev is very close to passing his half guard.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurtev slips a nice elbow through Pauschi's hands, connecting with Pauschi's forehead.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kurtev connects with a nice short shot to Pauschi's temple.
Kurtev trying to control from half guard but Pauschi is working away.
Kurtev throwing shots but Pauschi is blocking nicely.
Krisko Kurtev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pauschi has hold of Kurtev's hands but Kurtev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pauschi wants to get back to full guard.
Kurtev slows the pace down in half guard.
Kurtev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kurtev throwing shots but Pauschi is blocking nicely.
Pauschi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kurtev trying to control the position from guard on top but Pauschi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Kurtev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Krisko Kurtev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kurtev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pauschi for as long as he can get away with.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Pauschi is pulling down on Kurtev's head. It's preventing any offense from Kurtev, at least for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pauschi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurtev sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Kurtev darts in and clinches Pauschi up against the cage.
Pauschi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pauschi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pauschi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kurtev avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krisko Kurtev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kurtev, 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... 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.