PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Brian Torres (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Kourdakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kourdakov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Sonata Arctica - San Sebastian kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Brian Torres could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Sergei Kourdakov's chin.

Torres
vs
Kourdakov

170 cm
21
144 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

165 cm
23
141 lbs
9 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brian Torres!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Kourdakov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Torres looks to throw the jab but Kourdakov is out of range.
Torres looks to throw the jab but Kourdakov is out of range.
Kourdakov fails with the takedown.
Torres scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kourdakov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Torres circles away.
Kourdakov moves forwards but Torres connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Torres misses the shot to the body.
Kourdakov fails with a takedown attempt.
Brian Torres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kourdakov.
Kourdakov tries to clinch but Torres moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kourdakov looks for a takedown but Torres sprawls well.
Torres doesn't manage to clinch there - Kourdakov circles away.
Torres connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kourdakov shoots in looking for a takedown. Torres tries to sprawl out of it but Kourdakov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Torres manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Brian Torres seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kourdakov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Torres.
Torres goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Kourdakov moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Torres.
Kourdakov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Torres pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kourdakov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Torres gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kourdakov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Torres pulls his leg out and moves away.
Torres scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Torres tries to clinch up

and Kourdakov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Torres!
Torres is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kourdakov controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torres tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Torres wants to get back to his feet.
Kourdakov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Torres bucks Kourdakov off and manages to get back to his feet!

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.
Kourdakov shoots in but Torres avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Torres waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kourdakov.
Torres fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kourdakov on the side of the head.
Torres misses with an uppercut. Kourdakov saw that one coming.

Kourdakov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kourdakov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Torres fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kourdakov shoots in for a takedown but Torres shows good takedown defense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Torres dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kourdakov closes the distance but Torres moves to the side
and Torres counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kourdakov doesn't manage to clinch there - Torres circles away.
Kourdakov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Torres.
Torres pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown attempt
and Torres counters with a right hand to the body.
Kourdakov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Torres counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Torres.

Kourdakov lands a takedown into guard.
Kourdakov trying to control but Torres is working from the bottom.
Kourdakov is breathing heavily.

Torres kicks Kourdakov off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kourdakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Torres to counter with a crisp jab.
Brian Torres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kourdakov.
Nice shot lands for Torres.
Torres tries to clinch up

and Kourdakov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kourdakov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Torres looking to slow down the pace here.
Torres misses with a punch on the inside.

Kourdakov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Torres is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres trying to control here.
Kourdakov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Torres defending well though.
Torres is trying to get back to full guard.
Kourdakov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torres tries to kick Kourdakov off but Kourdakov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kourdakov moves into full mount! Torres won't be happy about that!
Torres is looking to get to half guard.
Kourdakov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

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.
Torres regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kourdakov trying to control the pace.
Torres blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kourdakov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Torres dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kourdakov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kourdakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Torres is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown attempt
and Torres counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kourdakov tries for a takedown but Torres circles away easily
and Kourdakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Brian Torres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kourdakov.
Torres lands a lovely overhand right.
Kourdakov takes a swing at Torres's ribcage but misses.
Torres scores with a jab. Kourdakov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kourdakov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kourdakov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Torres counters with a stiff right hand.
Kourdakov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kourdakov throws a hook but Torres blocks it.
Torres misses the jab.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown

Kourdakov is rocked!
Kourdakov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Torres tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kourdakov was well out of range. Poor timing from Torres.
Kourdakov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Torres makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kourdakov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Torres finds it's way through Kourdakov's defenses.

Torres rushes Kourdakov and presses him up against the cage.
Kourdakov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Torres pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Torres is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kourdakov.
Torres scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Torres cracks Kourdakov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A big left from Torres misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kourdakov fails with the takedown
and Torres counters with a nice uppercut.
Kourdakov shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Torres throws a looping overhand right but Kourdakov ducks down to avoid it.
Brian Torres is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Torres tests Kourdakov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Torres slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Torres misses the target.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown
enabling Torres to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kourdakov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kourdakov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Torres.
Torres works over Kourdakov's head and body with a nice combination.
Brian Torres is winning the standup battle so far.
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!
Torres throws a head kick that misses.
Torres throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Torres misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Torres misses with a two punch combination.
Kourdakov with a poor takedown
and Torres counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Torres clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kourdakov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Torres counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kourdakov has his takedown stuffed

and Torres counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Torres.
Torres dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Torres lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kourdakov wants a takedown but no success here.
Brian Torres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kourdakov.
Kourdakov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Torres breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kourdakov fails with the takedown
and Torres counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Torres rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kourdakov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Torres works the jab nicely.
Torres is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kourdakov can do to turn this around?
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Torres misses its intended target.
Torres throws a jab but it's blocked by Kourdakov.
Kourdakov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Torres to counter with a crisp jab.
Kourdakov has his takedown stuffed
and Torres counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Torres connects with a nice looking jab.
Torres throws a series of punches but Kourdakov avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres throws a looping overhand right but Kourdakov ducks down to avoid it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Torres!
Torres avoids the body shot from Kourdakov.
Kourdakov ducks under a wild hook from Torres.
Kourdakov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Torres holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Torres displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kourdakov up against the cage.
Kourdakov has Torres pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Torres manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Torres's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kourdakov keeps control of Torres as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A body shot lands from Torres.
Torres lands a body punch in the clinch.
Torres lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torres working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kourdakov working aggressively here.

Torres pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Torres looks to land a left hand but Kourdakov moved out of range nicely.
Kourdakov misses with a takedown
and Torres counters with a series of strikes. Kourdakov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Torres moves into range and connects with a jab.
Torres scores with a jab.
Torres throws out a loose jab but Kourdakov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kourdakov shoots and misses
and Torres counters with a straight right hand.
Torres tries to clinch up

and Kourdakov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kourdakov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kourdakov wants to control from the top but Torres keeps moving.
Torres is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Torres had his way with Sergei Kourdakov in 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. This is the final round!

Kourdakov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Torres counters with a straight right hand.
Kourdakov fails with the takedown
and Torres counters with a right hand to the body.
Torres tries to clinch but Kourdakov moves out of range.
Torres doesn't manage to clinch there - Kourdakov circles away.
Kourdakov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brian Torres is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kourdakov has his takedown stuffed
and Torres counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torres just misses with a punch to the body.
Kourdakov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Torres waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kourdakov.
Kourdakov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kourdakov fails with the takedown

and Torres counters with a crisp one two that drops Kourdakov! Torres thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Kourdakov to his feet! Kourdakov is in big trouble!
Kourdakov is still on wobbly legs! Can Torres finish him?
Brian Torres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kourdakov.
Kourdakov with a poor takedown
and Kourdakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kourdakov seems to have recovered his senses.

Torres lands a big head kick that sends Kourdakov tumbling to the mat! Torres takes a step backwards and waves Kourdakov back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Kourdakov tries for a takedown but Torres circles away easily
and Torres counters with a crisp right that sends Kourdakov to the canvas! Torres follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:03 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brian Torres!
Brian Torres is the new bantamweight champion!