PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Keven Finley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurt Kurt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keven Finley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Finley
vs
Kurt

152 cm
24
193 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

200 cm
21
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keven Finley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kurt Kurt!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Finley feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kurt is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kurt has Finley pulled in close to control his posture.
Finley is looking to stand up but Kurt won't let him.
Kurt is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Finley really is a fat lump.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Keven Finley just wasn't active enough.

Finley drives through and clinches with Kurt against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finley lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kurt tries to roll over but Finley keeps him under control.
Kurt is positioning himself well to prevent Finley advancing to mount.
Kurt manages to get to full guard.
Finley won't allow Kurt to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurt trying to control the position here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Finley throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kurt tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Finley is in Kurt's guard.
Kurt looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurt looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Finley drives through with a takedown into guard.
Finley is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurt has wrist control.
Finley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kurt working a defensive guard here.
Kurt is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kurt escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Finley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Finley postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kurt is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Finley, into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kurt drops back looking for a leg! Finley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Finley manages to kick Kurt off! Kurt jumps back into Finley's guard.
Kurt is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
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 Keven Finley will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Finley scores with a takedown into Kurt's guard.
Finley lands a couple of digs.
Finley keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kurt's head.
Kurt is trying to keep Finley in close.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kurt holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finley throws an elbow that misses. Kurt uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Finley's guard. Nice move by Kurt!
Kurt stands and throws Finley's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Finley's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Finley pushes Kurt away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kurt gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Kurt looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kurt wants to control but Finley is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finley is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kurt's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Still in half guard, Kurt seems content to control.

Kurt looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Finley is trying to stand.

Kurt is looking for a kimura but Finley is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kurt to get the leverage.
Finley controlling the position well.
Kurt Kurt has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurt wants to take a breather but Finley is having none of it.

Kurt is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kurt is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Finley has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finley is trying to stand up here but Kurt is controlling him well.
Kurt is trying to control. Finley wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Finley trying to control but Kurt postures up.

Kurt is working for a submission of some sort.
Kurt is breathing heavily.
Finley is staying active underneath Kurt, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Finley knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kurt on the ground.

Kurt is looking for a kimura but Finley is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kurt to get the leverage.
Finley wants to control but Kurt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Finley is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurt wants to pass to mount but Finley is defending the position.

Kurt seems to be looking for submissions.
Kurt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Finley keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finley is trying to control but can't.
Finley tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Kurt seems to be looking for submissions.
Kurt is keen to just control but Finley is a slippery customer.
Finley wants to get back to his feet.

Kurt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Finley is just riding it out for now. Kurt eventually gives up the hold.
Finley is trying to stand up here but Kurt is controlling him well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Kurt seems to be looking for submissions.

Kurt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurt Kurt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Finley shoots in and gets a takedown into Kurt's guard.
Kurt is trying to keep Finley in close.
Finley postures up in Kurt's guard and throws a big left but Kurt blocks it.
Kurt wants to sweep here but Finley controlling him for the moment.
Kurt controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Keven Finley wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Finley feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Finley with a flurry of punches that miss.
Finley is in close to Kurt's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kurt trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kurt Kurt.
Finley tries to clinch but Kurt is having none of it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kurt enables Finley to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kurt manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kurt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kurt pulls Finley in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Finley shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kurt napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kurt gets back to half guard.
Kurt blocking the ground and pound attempt from Finley.
Kurt wants to control but Finley is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Finley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kurt defending well though.

Finley looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kurt has his hands clasped together around Finley's back. He's all about the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keven Finley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Finley has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Keven Finley!