PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keith Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avery McCurnin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hunt
vs
McCurnin

174 cm
24
140 lbs
5 - 18 - 0

161 cm
22
142 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Keith Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Avery McCurnin!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Hunt.
McCurnin misses with a double jab.

McCurnin instigates a clinch.
Hunt is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables McCurnin to keep the fight standing.

McCurnin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

McCurnin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hunt, pushing him back against the cage.
Hunt tries to pull guard but McCurnin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

McCurnin manages to break the clinch.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown but McCurnin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hunt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McCurnin sprawls well. McCurnin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hunt gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCurnin shoots in but no luck this time.
Hunt tries to clinch there but McCurnin circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCurnin closes the distance and clinches.
McCurnin scores with a hook to the body.
McCurnin lands a knee to the body.
McCurnin working Hunt over with knees to the body.
McCurnin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McCurnin lands a right hand.
Knees in the clinch landing for McCurnin.

McCurnin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCurnin tries for a takedown but Hunt sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hunt walks into a left hand.

McCurnin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McCurnin lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McCurnin manages to break the clinch.
McCurnin scores with a nice right hand.
Hunt misses with a low kick.
Hunt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCurnin swivels and escapes.
McCurnin lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Keith Hunt has been cut.

McCurnin has managed to clinch.
McCurnin lands a nice uppercut.
Hunt dodges an elbow strike from McCurnin.
McCurnin lands a left hand.

McCurnin breaks the clinch.
Hunt fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCurnin counters with a body kick.
Hunt fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCurnin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hunt.

Hunt gets tackled into the cage by McCurnin. McCurnin maintains the clinch.
McCurnin tries to score a body lock takedown but Hunt shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

McCurnin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCurnin lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

McCurnin gets a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McCurnin as Hunt tries to tie him up.
McCurnin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nice body punch from McCurnin - that landed with a thud.
McCurnin has Hunt pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt stops a takedown attempt from McCurnin.
McCurnin pressing his opponent against the cage.

McCurnin gets control of Hunt's arms and successfully pulls guard. McCurnin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
McCurnin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hunt stops McCurnin from standing up.
McCurnin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCurnin prevents Hunt from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avery McCurnin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Keith Hunt's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hunt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McCurnin tries to avoid it but Hunt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McCurnin to the ground. McCurnin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hunt tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCurnin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunt somewhat.
Hunt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

McCurnin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McCurnin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCurnin lands a left hand.
The referee is keeping an eye on McCurnin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McCurnin lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCurnin breaks from the clinch.

McCurnin has taken the fight to the clinch.
McCurnin prevents Hunt from breaking the clinch.
Nice elbow from McCurnin.
McCurnin holding his opponent close, against the cage.

McCurnin breaks from the clinch.

McCurnin closes the distance and clinches.

McCurnin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hunt shoots and misses
and McCurnin counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hunt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hunt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCurnin pinned against the cage. McCurnin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McCurnin misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCurnin shoots in looking for a takedown but Hunt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCurnin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McCurnin is breathing heavily.
McCurnin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hunt goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hunt shoots in but McCurnin avoids the takedown attempt easily.

McCurnin gets a clinch.
McCurnin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCurnin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

McCurnin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McCurnin pushes off an throws an elbow but Hunt leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McCurnin is stalling here.
Hunt tries a body shot but McCurnin blocks it.
McCurnin is trying to drag Hunt to the mat but Hunt just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

McCurnin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCurnin sizes up Hunt with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Avery McCurnin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCurnin throws a hook to the side of Hunt's head but Hunt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCurnin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hunt tries to pull guard but McCurnin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hunt tries to pull guard but McCurnin holds him up against the cage and eventually Hunt drops back down to his feet.
A nice left hand lands by McCurnin.

McCurnin breaks from the clinch.

McCurnin clinches.
Hunt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

McCurnin breaks the clinch.
Keith Hunt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

McCurnin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCurnin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avery McCurnin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Keith Hunt's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hunt tries to score a power double leg takedown but McCurnin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunt somewhat.
McCurnin now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hunt is defended easily by McCurnin.
Hunt tries to clinch but McCurnin moves out of range.

McCurnin moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCurnin scores with a shoulder strike.
McCurnin lands a body punch.

McCurnin breaks the clinch.
McCurnin throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCurnin is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hunt fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCurnin avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCurnin swings for the body but Hunt moves out of range.
Hunt seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hunt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCurnin as he jumps to the side.

McCurnin closes the distance and pushes Hunt back into the cage.
Hunt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McCurnin fights it off and pushes away nicely.

McCurnin pushes Hunt up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McCurnin is keeping busy.
Hunt gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McCurnin.

McCurnin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McCurnin throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCurnin with a hook.
McCurnin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hunt fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McCurnin momentarily.
McCurnin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCurnin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hunt tries to clinch there but McCurnin circles away.
The crowd cheers as McCurnin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hunt doesn't seem phased though.
Hunt moves in looking to clinch but McCurnin pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hunt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCurnin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hunt is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

McCurnin breaks the clinch.

McCurnin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

McCurnin breaks the clinch.
McCurnin throws a sloppy body shot
and Hunt counters with a left and a right that stings McCurnin.
McCurnin misses with a double jab.
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!
Hunt is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McCurnin.

McCurnin clinches up with Hunt and pushes him back against the cage.

McCurnin drags the fight down to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCurnin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McCurnin wants to control the position but Hunt says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Hunt is keen to just control but McCurnin is a slippery customer.
Keith Hunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Avery McCurnin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hunt throwing shots but McCurnin is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avery McCurnin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McCurnin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avery McCurnin!