PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Kraft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jhonny Ippo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ippo comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Rocky Theme kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kraft
vs
Ippo

190 cm
21
230 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

192 cm
23
270 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Kraft!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jhonny Ippo!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ippo cracks Kraft with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

It looks like Thomas Kraft has been cut.
Ippo tries to bum rush Kraft with a series of wild strikes but Kraft uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kraft misses with a wild combination.
Kraft throws a head kick that misses.
Kraft misses with a double jab.
Kraft moves in looking to clinch but Ippo pushes him off.
Kraft will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kraft throws a head kick but Ippo moves out of range.
Kraft misses with a double jab

and Ippo counters with a series of strikes that sends Kraft to the canvas! Ippo follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ippo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ippo postures up in Kraft's guard and throws a big left but Kraft blocks it.
Ippo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ippo throwing strikes from guard but Kraft blocks nicely.
Ippo prevents Kraft from getting back to his feet.
Ippo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kraft on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kraft tries to get out of the position.
Ippo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kraft's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraft is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ippo is controlling him.
Kraft working a defensive guard here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kraft avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kraft has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A right-left combo lands from Kraft.

It looks like Jhonny Ippo has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kraft wants to clinch
and Ippo counters with a series of strikes. Kraft will be more careful next time no doubt.

Kraft is rocked!
Kraft misses with a combination
enabling Ippo to counter with a crisp jab.
Oh Kraft is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ippo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kraft.
Kraft seems to have got his legs back now.
Ippo misses with a double jab.
Kraft dodges the punch combination from Ippo.
Kraft lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ippo looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ippo stalks Kraft and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kraft's face. Kraft staggers backwards, shaken.
Kraft misses with a head kick.
Ippo keeps the fight on the outside.
Kraft with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ippo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
No joy there for Kraft, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kraft throws a series of punches but Ippo moves out of range.
Ippo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kraft shoots in for a double leg but Ippo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Kraft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kraft takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ippo lands a lovely overhand right.
Ippo takes a swing at Kraft's ribcage but misses.
Kraft dives in and grabs Ippo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ippo pushes down on Kraft's head and hops out.
Ippo scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ippo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ippo scores with a three punch combo!

Kraft drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kraft's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jhonny Ippo dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Kraft's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ippo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Thomas Kraft is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ippo swinging wildly here.
Kraft staying out of range there.
Ippo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kraft swings for the body but Ippo moves out of range.
Thomas Kraft seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kraft will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ippo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ippo slaps away a takedown attempt from Kraft, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Kraft bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ippo tries to escape but Kraft is in control.

Kraft stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Jhonny Ippo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big right from Ippo misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ippo walks into a jab.
Kraft throws a series of strikes that have Ippo backpedaling.
Kraft tries for a takedown but Ippo circles away easily
and Ippo counters with a two punch combo.
Kraft fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Kraft.
Ippo throws a series of punches but Kraft avoids them all with ease.
Kraft pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kraft lands a two punch combo.
Kraft shoots in for a takedown but Ippo shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Kraft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kraft throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ippo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Kraft closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ippo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Kraft, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ippo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraft misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ippo counters with a three punch combo that has Kraft backing up. Kraft nods at Ippo to acknowledge the strikes.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kraft!

Kraft has closed the distance and engaged Ippo in a clinch.
Kraft looking to slow down the pace here.

Ippo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kraft lands a nice looking body shot.
Ippo dodges the punch combination from Kraft.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kraft.
Kraft wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A left and a right from Kraft both land. Nice combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ippo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jhonny Ippo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kraft slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ippo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kraft connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Kraft dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Kraft has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ippo can't break the clinch.
Ippo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ippo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kraft misses with a hook to the body
and Ippo counters with a series of strikes. Kraft will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kraft misses with a series of wild punches.
Kraft tries to clinch
and Ippo counters with a series of strikes. Kraft will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kraft lands a really nice looking cross but Ippo seems unphased.
Kraft shoots in for a double leg but Ippo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kraft is looking to wear down Ippo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ippo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kraft fails to land the takedown.
Kraft shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Kraft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ippo lunges at Kraft with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kraft's hand.
Ippo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kraft counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kraft fails with the takedown
and Ippo counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ippo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ippo scores with a nice strike.
Kraft shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ippo defends it nicely.
Kraft takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ippo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kraft slips a jab and a cross from Ippo.
Ippo slaps away a takedown attempt from Kraft, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ippo throws a shot from downtown. Kraft moves away and avoids it.
Kraft is looking to clinch.
Kraft scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Kraft moves into the clinch successfully.
Kraft tries to break the clinch but Ippo is controlling the position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kraft.
Kraft fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kraft is looking to clinch but Ippo is avoiding it.
Kraft misses with a head kick.
Kraft lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kraft throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kraft lands with a nice body punch.
Kraft steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ippo.
Kraft moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kraft misses with a leg kick.
Kraft doesn't manage to clinch there - Ippo circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kraft throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ippo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kraft swinging wildly here.
Donk. Ippo catches Kraft right on the button with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jhonny Ippo just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kraft throws a combination that misses
and Ippo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kraft thinking.
A telegraphed right hand from Kraft misses the target.
A left and a right from Ippo both land. Nice combination.
Ippo misses with a body shot.
Kraft fails to land the takedown.
Kraft rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ippo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kraft throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kraft is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ippo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kraft moves away.
Kraft throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Ippo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A left and a right from Kraft both land. Nice combination.
Kraft misses with a body shot
and Ippo counters with a nice uppercut.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ippo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kraft circles away quickly and effectively.
Ippo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kraft circles away quickly and effectively.
Kraft avoids the body shot from Ippo.
Kraft looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kraft thuds a left hand into Ippo's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraft closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ippo circles away.
Kraft tries to close the distance and clinch but Ippo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kraft shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ippo as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Kraft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kraft ducks right into an uppercut from Ippo.
Ippo lands with a straight right. Kraft didn't see that one coming.
Kraft misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ippo counters with a series of strikes. Kraft will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ippo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kraft.

Kraft drives through and clinches with Ippo against the ropes.
Kraft taking a breather.
Kraft wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kraft breaks the clinch.
Kraft doesn't manage to clinch there - Ippo circles away.
Ippo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kraft lands a glancing blow to the side of Ippo's head.
Kraft throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ippo slips a jab and a cross from Kraft.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kraft!
Ippo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kraft circles away quickly and effectively.
Kraft shoots in but Ippo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kraft defending well as Ippo loads up on a big left hand.
Ippo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kraft counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kraft stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kraft misses with a combination
and Ippo counters with a stiff right hand.
Ippo moves away from the strike by Kraft.
Ippo fails to land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kraft misses with a head kick.
Kraft fails with the takedown.
Kraft tries to close the distance and clinch but Ippo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Kraft had his way with Jhonny Ippo in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kraft lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Kraft gets a takedown into half guard.
Kraft trying to control the pace.
Kraft stops Ippo from getting back to his feet.
Kraft moves into full mount! Ippo won't be happy about that!
Kraft fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ippo is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraft throws some wild stikes that Ippo manages to avoid easily.
Kraft throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kraft landing shots from mount.
Kraft looking to control but Ippo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kraft throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

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.
Ippo is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Kraft has taken his back.

Kraft is working for a rear naked choke. Ippo is not defending it well and Kraft has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Ippo refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Ippo's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Thomas Kraft!