PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Willem Kriel (ranked 1167 p4p, 3681 weight class) and Conor OShea (ranked 169 p4p, 448 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kriel might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Jack Parow & Freshlyground - Army Of One. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kriel
vs
OShea

178 cm
43
183
18 - 22 - 0

210 cm
37
180
12 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Willem Kriel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor OShea!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OShea with a body punch. A glancing blow.
OShea has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Kriel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kriel throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by OShea.
Kriel blocks a jab.
OShea is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kriel tries to score with a low kick but OShea moves his leg out of the way.
OShea avoids the body shot from Kriel.
Kriel throws a poor cross that misses
and OShea cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
OShea digs a good hook to Kriel's body.
OShea lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kriel circles away quickly and effectively.

OShea looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

OShea is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
OShea wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kriel keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea wants to pass the guard but Kriel is defending well.

OShea is looking for a kimura here.
Kriel trying to hold on to OShea's head to control him but OShea postures up.
OShea stalling away here and it's allowed Kriel to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
OShea pushing down on Kriel's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
OShea works his way into full mount!
OShea misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
OShea fails to take his opponent's back.
Kriel might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

OShea stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
OShea lands a really nice looking cross but Kriel seems unphased.
Willem Kriel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
OShea throws a body shot but no joy.
OShea is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kriel throws the left hand but OShea avoids the punch easily.

OShea decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OShea is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kriel is just riding it out for now. OShea eventually gives up the hold.
OShea seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kriel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kriel preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
OShea prevents Kriel from improving his position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

OShea stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
OShea throws a nice looking combination but Kriel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kriel just misses with a punch to the body.
As Kriel backs off OShea throws a huge counter combo but Kriel manages to avoid it all.
Kriel avoids the body shot from OShea.
OShea fails with a takedown attempt.
OShea connects with a body shot that sends Kriel's belly button to the back.
Kriel misses with a looping left.
OShea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
OShea throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kriel.
OShea's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kriel under the eye.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Conor OShea dominated that round.
That's time! Kriel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

OShea fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kriel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kriel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from OShea.
Kriel avoids the head kick by OShea.
Kriel appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kriel misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
OShea misses with a body shot.
OShea avoids the head kick by Kriel.
OShea is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kriel rather than just go for the knockout.
Kriel misses with a hook.
Conor OShea seems to be getting the better of the standup.
OShea shoots in for a takedown but Kriel shows good takedown defense.
Kriel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kriel throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Kriel.
OShea throws a jab when Kriel was well out of range.
Kriel is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OShea gets cracked there but stands up to it.
OShea swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from OShea does no damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kriel scores with a nice head shot.
Kriel throws an overhand right that lands on OShea's shoulder, as OShea tries to avoid the shot.
Kriel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
OShea takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Conor OShea is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
OShea tries to bum rush Kriel with a series of wild strikes but Kriel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kriel looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kriel with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kriel misses the shot to the body.
OShea swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kriel.
OShea misses with a body shot.
OShea scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kriel in his tracks.
Nice defenses there by OShea.
No joy there for OShea, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
OShea throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
OShea has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kriel throws a leg kick but OShea sees it coming and checks it nicely.
OShea is looking for the big counter here.
Kriel slips a straight right by OShea.
Kriel lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
OShea tries to bum rush Kriel with a series of wild strikes but Kriel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kriel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kriel throws a jab when OShea was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriel scores with a decent looking hook.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick and Kriel moves out of range easily.
OShea is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kriel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
OShea throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
An attempted straight right counter from Kriel misses the target.
A head kick misses from OShea.
Conor OShea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OShea is breathing heavily.
Kriel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
OShea looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
OShea misses with a two punch combination.
Kriel throws a lazy right hand but OShea sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kriel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on OShea. That did some damage!
OShea takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kriel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from OShea.
OShea throws a counter combo.
OShea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kriel lands a body shot.
OShea tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
OShea lands an overhand right.
Kriel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but OShea moves away.
OShea thuds his right hand into Kriel's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kriel tests OShea's chin there with a solid looking shot.
OShea ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kriel takes a swing at OShea's ribcage but misses.
A good leg kick by Kriel.
A good leg kick by Kriel.
OShea on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
No joy there for OShea, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
OShea throws a hook but Kriel blocks it.
OShea blocks a low kick nicely.
OShea is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kriel.
OShea moves out of range of the body kick from Kriel.
OShea swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kriel.
OShea has his takedown stuffed
and Kriel counters with a right hand to the body.
Willem Kriel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.
Kriel lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
A big left from Kriel misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kriel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
OShea misses with a head kick.
Kriel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
OShea throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As OShea looks to move away, Kriel throws a big counter combo but OShea just gets out of the way.
A low kick lands for Kriel.
Kriel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
OShea swings for the body but Kriel moves out of range.
Kriel throws a body shot but no joy.
OShea's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kriel scores with a punch to the head.
OShea misses with a double jab.

OShea scores with a takedown into Kriel's guard.
OShea trying to control but Kriel is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OShea throws an elbow that misses. Kriel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in OShea's guard. Nice move by Kriel!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Willem Kriel will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

OShea connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kriel momentarily.
Kriel throws the left hand but OShea avoids the punch easily.
OShea wants to counter with a clinch but Kriel pushes him away.
Kriel jabs at OShea's body.
Kriel throws a lazy right hand but OShea sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
OShea throws out a counter right but Kriel avoids it with no problem.
Kriel takes a swing at OShea's ribcage but misses.
Kriel on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kriel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kriel enables OShea to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kriel manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kriel is trying to keep OShea in close.
Kriel keeping moving, preventing OShea from controlling successfully.
Kriel keeping full guard, as OShea tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea passes into half guard.
Kriel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. OShea is working away from the top position though.
OShea takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
OShea is looking to advance position but Kriel won't allow it.
Kriel wants to improve his position but OShea is controlling well.

OShea seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
OShea trying to pass the guard but Kriel defending well.
OShea trying to control from half guard but Kriel is working away.
Conor OShea has got the better of the ground game so far.
OShea trying to advance position but Kriel counters by regaining guard.
Kriel managing to control the position.
OShea throws an elbow that misses. Kriel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in OShea's guard. Nice move by Kriel!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OShea working for submissions but it's allowed Kriel to get to half guard.
OShea is looking to improve his position.
Kriel sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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.
OShea tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kriel has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Kriel controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Conor OShea.
Well OShea 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor OShea!
Conor OShea made sure to mention his sponsor, Brooklyn Apothecary in his post fight interview.