PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Staph Aureus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krzysztof Kothciushco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aureus
vs
Kothciushco

192 cm
29
275 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

200 cm
24
250 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Staph Aureus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Krzysztof Kothciushco!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aureus lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kothciushco slaps away a takedown attempt from Aureus, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aureus takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've been hearing reports that Aureus has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kothciushco thows a body kick. Aureus tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Aureus moves into the clinch.

Aureus has hold of one of Kothciushco's legs. Kothciushco is fighting the takedown attempt but Aureus gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aureus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kothciushco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aureus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aureus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aureus throwing strikes but missing.
Aureus looking to pass the guard.
Kothciushco wants to stand but Aureus is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kothciushco is on top in guard.
Kothciushco passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Kothciushco is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aureus knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Aureus manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aureus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kothciushco pulls his head out easily.
Kothciushco stops Aureus from getting back to his feet.
Aureus 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.

Aureus actively working from the bottom here.

Kothciushco is trying to work for a kimura but Aureus is defending well.
Kothciushco missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aureus is defending against the submission attempts here by Kothciushco.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Aureus works his way to full guard. Good work.

Aureus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kothciushco is aware though and is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Aureus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kothciushco is aware though and is defending well.
Kothciushco postures up in Aureus's guard and throws a big left but Aureus blocks it.

Aureus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kothciushco is aware though and is defending well.
Aureus striking off his back but it's not causing Kothciushco any problems.

Aureus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Aureus is breathing heavily.
Kothciushco trying to control the position from guard on top but Aureus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aureus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kothciushco is aware though and is defending well.
Kothciushco advances to half guard.
Kothciushco missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kothciushco missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kothciushco thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kothciushco is looking for a kimura here.

Aureus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kothciushco pulls his head out easily.
Kothciushco trying to control the pace.

Kothciushco is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Aureus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kothciushco.

Kothciushco is trying to work for a kimura but Aureus is defending well.

Kothciushco is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've been informed that Kothciushco has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aureus looking for submissions off his back.

Aureus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kothciushco pulls his head out easily.
Aureus works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aureus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kothciushco works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kothciushco not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Aureus avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kothciushco.
Aureus is looking to improve his position.

Kothciushco wants to work for an arm triangle but Aureus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Aureus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kothciushco pulls his head out easily.

Kothciushco is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Aureus defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Staph Aureus will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kothciushco lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aureus circles away quickly and effectively.
Kothciushco lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Aureus looks for a takedown but Kothciushco sprawls well.
Aureus takes one to the chin there.
Kothciushco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aureus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kothciushco circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aureus shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kothciushco manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kothciushco working a defensive guard here.
Kothciushco wants to stand and escape but Aureus is having none of it.
Aureus throwing strikes from guard but Kothciushco blocks nicely.
Aureus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Aureus cracks Kothciushco with a solid left hand.
Kothciushco is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Aureus postures up in Kothciushco's guard and throws a big left but Kothciushco blocks it.

Kothciushco wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kothciushco connects with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kothciushco connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Staph Aureus has been cut.
A jab lands there for Kothciushco.

Aureus closes the distance and clinches.
Aureus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Aureus is trying to trip Kothciushco. He has hold of a leg but Kothciushco is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Aureus persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kothciushco wants to stand up but Aureus is controlling him.
Kothciushco is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kothciushco is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aureus is staying active underneath Kothciushco, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aureus is looking for a sweep. Kothciushco is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Aureus looking for submissions off his back.

Aureus looking for submissions off his back.
Aureus regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aureus keeping moving, preventing Kothciushco from controlling successfully.
Kothciushco trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Aureus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kothciushco can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Staph Aureus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kothciushco stopping the sweep attempt from Aureus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kothciushco throwing strikes from guard but Aureus blocks nicely.

Kothciushco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aureus keeping moving, preventing Kothciushco from controlling successfully.

Kothciushco avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Aureus looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kothciushco trying to control the position from guard on top but Aureus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aureus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Aureus wants to free his trapped foot but Kothciushco is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Krzysztof Kothciushco will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Staph Aureus's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kothciushco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aureus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aureus is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kothciushco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Aureus fails with a takedown attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kothciushco.
Kothciushco ducks under a wild hook from Aureus.
Aureus lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aureus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Aureus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kothciushco slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nice body kick there by Kothciushco.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kothciushco uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aureus.
Kothciushco lands a body shot.
Krzysztof Kothciushco seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch lands to the side of Aureus 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kothciushco lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Kothciushco rushes Aureus and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Kothciushco's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kothciushco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Aureus avoids it.
Aureus tries for a takedown but Kothciushco manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Staph Aureus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aureus tries for a takedown. No joy.

Kothciushco breaks the clinch.

A jab-cross combination lands for Kothciushco and sends Aureus crashing to the mat! Kothciushco follows him down to the mat - Aureus regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Aureus is rocked!
Aureus tries to roll over but Kothciushco keeps him under control.
Oh Aureus is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Kothciushco is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Aureus seems to have got his legs back now.
Aureus keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Aureus is refusing to be controlled, as Kothciushco sits in half guard.

Kothciushco is working for a submission of some sort.

Kothciushco is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Aureus is just riding it out for now. Kothciushco eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aureus is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Aureus is trying to get back to full guard.
Kothciushco missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kothciushco is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Aureus defends it well.
Aureus tries to get to full guard but Kothciushco has control of the leg.

Kothciushco is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Aureus has managed to free his arm - good work.
Aureus tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aureus works his way to full guard. Good work.

Aureus is looking for a triangle but Kothciushco pushes his legs off easily.
Aureus has a closed guard, preventing Kothciushco from standing up.
Kothciushco forces his way into half guard.

Kothciushco is looking for a kimura but Aureus is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kothciushco to get the leverage.
Aureus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kothciushco is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Aureus sees it coming and defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Aureus has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Kothciushco. Oh but Aureus has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Kothciushco goes limp - he's gone! Aureus jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Staph Aureus!
Post fight, Staph Aureus took to the microphone: 'Iam not going to say much except " I told you so ". His first win was a fluke and now I have proved who the better fighter is. J.Breaker Iam gonna getcha old man !'.