PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nuclear Power (ranked 6482 p4p, 3710 weight class) and Gatis Krutainis (ranked 179 p4p, 132 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Power
vs
Krutainis

206 cm
19
270
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
290
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nuclear Power!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gatis Krutainis!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Power drives through and clinches with Krutainis against the cage.

Krutainis turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Krutainis works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Power is trying to work for a sweep but Krutainis has mounted him!
Krutainis prevents Power from getting the reversal.
Power manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Krutainis thows a huge punch but Power dodges it nicely.
Power wants to improve his position but Krutainis is controlling well.
Power gets full guard.
Krutainis advances to half guard.
Power tries to roll over but Krutainis keeps him under control.
Power moves into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Krutainis wants to pass the guard but Power is keeping the position.
Power keeping moving, preventing Krutainis from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power is trying to keep Krutainis in close.
Power keeping moving, preventing Krutainis from controlling successfully.
Power is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Power working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Krutainis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Krutainis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Krutainis got a little sloppy there for a moment and Power has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Krutainis has managed to get both his arms back between Power's legs - danger averted.
Power trying to keep a closed guard but Krutainis is proving a slippery customer.
Power wants to sweep here but Krutainis controlling him for the moment.
Power will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Power throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Power is looking to sweep but instead, Krutainis has passed into half guard.
Power gets back to full guard.

Krutainis drops back, looking for a kneebar! Power looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Power looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Power!

Power definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Power in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Krutainis explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Power has managed to clinch.
Power wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Krutainis has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Power uses from the top position.
Krutainis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Power forces his way into half guard.
Power thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Krutainis trying to control here.
Krutainis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Power.
Krutainis controlling the position well.
Power thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Power thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Krutainis's head.

Power is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Krutainis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Power throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis is trying to control but can't.

Krutainis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Krutainis is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Power's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Power's back!
Power tries to roll but Krutainis sticks to his back.
Power is working hard here to advance position.
Power manages to reverse the position and now he's in Krutainis's guard. Nice work there by Power.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Power throwing strikes but missing.
Power postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Power missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Power in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nuclear Power will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Power rushes Krutainis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Power has picked Krutainis up - he's going for a ride! Power dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Krutainis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Power.
Power thows a huge punch but Krutainis dodges it nicely.
Power not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Power thows a huge punch but Krutainis dodges it nicely.
Power sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Power thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Power 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.
Power seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Krutainis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Power missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Power missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Power missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nuclear Power overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Power sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Krutainis defending well though.
Krutainis misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krutainis wants to get back to full guard.
Power throwing shots but Krutainis is blocking nicely.
Krutainis trying to control but Power postures up.

Krutainis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Krutainis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Power.

Power is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Krutainis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Power throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Krutainis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Power is controlling him.
Krutainis controls Power momentarily but Power frees himself.
Krutainis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Our spies down at at Canucks Combat Club inform us that Krutainis has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Power throws a big elbow that misses.
Krutainis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Power throws a big right hand that misses.
Power throwing strikes but missing.
Power throws a big right hand that misses.
Krutainis trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Power is looking to take a break and control but Krutainis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Power creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Krutainis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Power sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Krutainis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Power tries to score with some ground and pound. Krutainis controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Krutainis wants to control but Power postures up.
Power sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Krutainis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Power throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Power.
Krutainis parries the strikes from Power easily there. Power is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Krutainis to escape.
Power misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Power looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Krutainis is avoiding damage well.
Power looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Krutainis is avoiding damage well.
Power fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Krutainis manages to get back to half guard.
Power missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Krutainis won't allow Power to pass to mount.
Power throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Power tries to pass to full mount but Krutainis defends it.
Krutainis trying to control but Power postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Power is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Krutainis sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nuclear Power dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Krutainis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Power.
Nice uppercut lands for Krutainis. That snapped Power's head back.

Krutainis looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Power is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Power is staying active underneath Krutainis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Power tries to get to full guard but Krutainis has control of the leg.

Krutainis stands up out of the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Power darts in and clinches Krutainis up against the cage.

Krutainis turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Krutainis manages to end up in side control.
Power manages to get back to half guard.
Power wants to improve his position but Krutainis is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Krutainis connects with a nice short shot to Power's temple.
Power wants to improve his position but Krutainis is controlling well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Krutainis connects with a nice short shot to Power's temple.
Krutainis drops an elbow to the side of Power's head.
Krutainis prevents Power from improving his position.
Power is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Krutainis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Krutainis's back!
Krutainis is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Even with his hooks in, Power manages to miss with strikes from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Power manages to miss with strikes from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Power keeps control of the position as Krutainis tries to break free.

Power has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Krutainis has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Power.
Krutainis covering up well and avoiding damage.
Power misses with a punch to the head.

Power working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Krutainis wants to control his opponent's hands but Power gets his hands free.
Krutainis is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power misses with an elbow to the head.
Power throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Krutainis looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Krutainis breaks Power's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Krutainis trying to control but Power is working from the bottom.
Power bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Krutainis's guard.

Power throwing strikes but missing.
Krutainis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Power cracks Krutainis with a solid left hand.
Power throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis keeping moving, preventing Power from controlling successfully.
Power throws a big elbow that misses.
Krutainis lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Power has his foot on Krutainis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Krutainis works his way back into a safe position though.
Krutainis won't allow Power to sweep him here.

Krutainis gets to his feet - Power follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Power gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Krutainis gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Power is on top in guard.

Power stopping the sweep attempt from Krutainis.
Gatis Krutainis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nuclear Power is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Krutainis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Power defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nuclear Power.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Power, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!