PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samwel Nkruma (ranked 24948 p4p, 24540 weight class) and Ukraine Putin (ranked 575 p4p, 585 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nkruma might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Imperial March - Pegboard Nerds. 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.

Nkruma
vs
Putin

185 cm
20
184
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
21
190
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samwel Nkruma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ukraine Putin!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Putin moves into the clinch.
Putin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nkruma blocks it with crossed arms.
Putin lands with a left to the head.
Nkruma looking to stall.
Putin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Putin landing knees to the head.

It looks like Samwel Nkruma has been cut.
Nkruma struggles to land a body shot inside as Putin controls his hands.
Nkruma trying to land knees to the body.
Putin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Putin tries a body shot but Nkruma blocks it.
Putin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nkruma holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Putin slowing the pace effectively.
Nkruma jumps guard but Putin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nkruma throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Putins head.
Putin blocks a body shot from Nkruma.
Putin with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Putin jumps guard.

Putin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nkruma can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Putin trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nkruma trying to control but Putin is working from the bottom.

Putin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nkruma uses it to pass to side control.
Nkruma trying to control the position but Putin is working away.
Putin is trying to get back to half guard.
Nkruma is looking to take a break and control but Putin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Putin tries to bench press Nkruma off him but Nkruma keeps the position.
Putin told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

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.
Putin is not content to let Nkruma control the position.

Nkruma is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Putin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Putin tries to bench press Nkruma off him but Nkruma keeps the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nkruma is looking to take a break and control but Putin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Putin's face as Nkruma controls the position.
Putin wants to control but Nkruma postures up.
Putin tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nkruma is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Putin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Putin is looking to reverse the position.
Nkruma definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nkruma trying to control the action but Putin is working from the bottom.
Putin is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Putin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nkruma pulls his head out easily.

Nkruma is working for a kimura but Putin is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Putin preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Putin tries to roll over but Nkruma keeps him under control.

Nkruma wants to work for an arm triangle but Putin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nkruma is trying to control the action in half guard but Putin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nkruma is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nkruma is pressing down on Putin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Putin is holding on for now.

Putin actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ukraine Putin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samwel Nkruma's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A cross from Nkruma lands.
Nkruma tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Putin darts in and clinches Nkruma up against the cage.
Nkruma tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Putin connects with a knee to the head.
Putin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nkruma prevents the takedown attempt.
Putin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nkruma blocks it with crossed arms.
Putin looking to stall.

Nkruma jumps guard and drags Putin to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Nkruma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Putin is aware though and is defending well.
Putin tries to free his leg and advance position but Nkruma is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin wants to control from the top but Nkruma keeps moving.
Nkruma looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Nkruma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Putin is pushing down on Nkruma's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nkruma is fighting to maintain full guard but Putin has managed to sneak the leg through.

Nkruma actively working from the bottom here.

Putin seems to be looking for submissions.

Nkruma looking for submissions off his back.
Samwel Nkruma overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Putin is trying to control the action in half guard but Nkruma is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Putin is looking for a kimura but Nkruma is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Putin to get the leverage.
Nkruma wants to improve his position but Putin is controlling well.
Putin trying to control the action but Nkruma is working from the bottom.
Nkruma tries to roll over but Putin keeps him under control.
Putin trying to control the action but Nkruma is working from the bottom.

Putin seems to be looking for submissions.
Putin is trying to control. Nkruma wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nkruma wants to get back to full guard.
Putin wants to take a breather but Nkruma is having none of it.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nkruma is looking for a sweep. Putin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Putin is looking for a kimura here.
Putin wants to take a breather but Nkruma is having none of it.
Nkruma gets full guard.
Putin tries to free his leg and advance position but Nkruma is retaining full guard.

Nkruma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nkruma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Putin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nkruma keeping full guard, as Putin tries to pass.
Putin advances position into side control!
Nkruma is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma manages to get back to half guard.

Putin is looking for a kimura but Nkruma is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Putin to get the leverage.

Putin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nkruma is just riding it out for now. Putin eventually gives up the hold.

Putin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nkruma has managed to free his arm - good work.
Putin is breathing heavily.
Nkruma wants to get back to full guard.

Putin is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nkruma has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Putin is working away from the top position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ukraine Putin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Samwel Nkruma's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Putin blocks the body kick.

Putin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nkruma tries to pull guard but Putin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Putin struggles to land a body shot inside as Nkruma controls his hands.
Nkruma blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nkruma tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Putin smiles and moves away.

Nkruma gets tackled into the cage by Putin. Putin maintains the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Putin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nkruma is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Putin to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samwel Nkruma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nkruma tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Nkruma successfully pulls guard.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Nkruma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nkruma looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nkruma is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Putin is aware though and is defending well.

Nkruma is looking for a triangle but Putin pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Putin pushes down on Nkruma's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Putin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nkruma is just riding it out for now. Putin eventually gives up the hold.
Nkruma gets full guard.

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

Putin drops back looking for a leg! Nkruma is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nkruma manages to kick Putin off! Putin jumps back into Nkruma's guard.
Putin wants to control from the top but Nkruma keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Putin postures up in Nkruma's guard and throws a big left but Nkruma blocks it.
Putin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nkruma is keeping the position for now.

Nkruma escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Putin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Putin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nkruma can't keep his opponent in guard - Putin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Putin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nkruma defends it well.
Putin prevents Nkruma from improving his position.

Putin is working for a kimura but Nkruma is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Putin seems to be looking for submissions.

Nkruma is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Putin pulls his head out easily.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Putin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Putin trying to pass the guard but Nkruma defending well.
Nkruma regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nkruma is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Putin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nkruma has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Putin has managed to get both his arms back between Nkruma's legs - danger averted.
Nkruma keeping moving, preventing Putin from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nkruma working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Putin.
Putin is looking to work some ground and pound but Nkruma has wrist control.
Nkruma is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Putin passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Nkruma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Putin works his foot free and advances to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Putin throws some wild stikes that Nkruma manages to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ukraine Putin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Putin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ukraine Putin!
Ukraine Putin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.