PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bardia Farrokhzad (ranked 176 p4p, 808 weight class) and Harti Kraus (ranked 13 p4p, 48 weight class). Farrokhzad's entrance music is Iranian Baloch - This Is A Catch. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kraus's choice of entrance music: New World Symphony 4th Movement. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Farrokhzad
vs
Kraus

170 cm
25
148
14 - 4 - 0

164 cm
22
137
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Core Combat

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bardia Farrokhzad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Harti Kraus!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Farrokhzad on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Farrokhzad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Farrokhzad lands a slapping body shot.

Kraus throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Farrokhzad was covering up waiting for the punch and Kraus finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kraus works over Farrokhzad with some ground and pound from guard.
Kraus trying to control but Farrokhzad is working from the bottom.
Kraus looking to sit in guard and control but Farrokhzad gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Farrokhzad is working Kraus over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kraus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Farrokhzad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!
Farrokhzad working some strikes from top position.
Farrokhzad lands a couple of digs.

Kraus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Farrokhzad working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Farrokhzad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Farrokhzad lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Farrokhzad throwing strikes but missing.

Kraus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Farrokhzad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kraus's head.

Kraus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Farrokhzad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Farrokhzad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Farrokhzad got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kraus has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Farrokhzad has managed to get both his arms back between Kraus's legs - danger averted.

Kraus looking for a guillotine here but Farrokhzad defends easily.
Farrokhzad lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Farrokhzad chips away with some ground and pound.

Kraus is rocked!

Kraus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kraus is still in real trouble! Can Farrokhzad finish him?
Farrokhzad with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kraus seems to have recovered his senses.

Farrokhzad avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Farrokhzad 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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Farrokhzad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Farrokhzad lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kraus looking for a guillotine here but Farrokhzad defends easily.
Farrokhzad is working Kraus over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Farrokhzad working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Kraus has his foot on Farrokhzad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Farrokhzad works his way back into a safe position though.
Farrokhzad landing some decent shots from guard.
Farrokhzad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kraus's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Farrokhzad works over Kraus with some ground and pound from guard.
Farrokhzad stopping the sweep attempt from Kraus.

Kraus looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kraus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Farrokhzad gets to his feet and stands over Kraus, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Kraus felt that one! Farrokhzad unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Kraus from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bardia Farrokhzad!
Bardia Farrokhzad retains his bantamweight title!
A victorious Bardia Farrokhzad thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Harti Kraus spoke after the fight, saying 'Congratulations to Bardia. He's a good champion. Wasn't my night tonight. No excuses to be had, he was better. We will meet again though, make no mistake about it. This isn't the last you've seen of me.'.