PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samin Ax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger comes into the arena with Can't Be Touched. blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kruger
vs
Ax

190 cm
18
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

176 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jesse Kruger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samin Ax!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Eliza Hachem and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ax shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ax missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ax looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kruger with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ax is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kruger doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ax.
Ax throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ax missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ax wants to advance to full mount but Kruger doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ax.
Ax postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kruger trying to keep a closed guard but Ax is proving a slippery customer.
Ax working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ax missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kruger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kruger is really struggling to control Ax but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kruger really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ax with a flurry of punches that miss.

We're going to have a standup here because Jesse Kruger wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ax takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Ax feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kruger lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ax!
Kruger is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ax is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Kruger breaks from Ax's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kruger knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ax on the ground.
Ax regains half guard.
Kruger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ax is pressing down on Kruger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kruger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ax 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.
Ax throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Kruger throws an elbow that misses. Ax uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kruger's guard. Nice move by Ax!
Ax trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ax not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ax landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ax connects with a couple of short punches.
Ax missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ax lands a couple of elbows.
Ax stands up over Kruger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ax trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Ax working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kruger's head.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ax scoring with some ground and pound.
Ax is pushing down on Kruger's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kruger is fighting to maintain full guard but Ax has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samin Ax dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kruger doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ax counters with a stiff right hand.

Ax changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kruger looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Samin Ax has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kruger tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Ax looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ax trying to control the position but Kruger is working away.
An elbow from Ax crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger manages to get back to half guard.
Ax is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ax missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ax has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ax not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ax thows a huge punch but Kruger dodges it nicely.

Ax is looking for a kimura here.
Kruger trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ax scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Kruger is defending against the submission attempts here by Ax.
Kruger is trying to maintain the position but Ax is very close to passing his half guard.

Ax seems to be working for a kimura but Kruger defends the submission attempt.
Ax thows a huge punch but Kruger dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ax seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ax is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ax passes to full mount!

Ax goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kruger is on top in guard.
Kruger will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ax manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kruger manages to get himself to full guard.
Ax cracks Kruger with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ax working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ax trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kruger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ax pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kruger is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kruger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ax doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ax manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kruger working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samin Ax showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ax fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kruger to the ground. Ax is now in Kruger's guard.
Kruger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ax throws a big right hand that misses.
Kruger is trying to control the position but Ax postures up.
Ax passes Kruger's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ax looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ax missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ax.

Ax is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kruger has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ax lands a nice short elbow.
Kruger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ax.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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. Ax connects with a nice short shot to Kruger's temple.
Ax winds up and cracks Kruger with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ax missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Ax wants to work for an arm triangle but Kruger is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ax seems to be working for a kimura but Kruger defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ax.
Ax working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ax forces his way into half guard.
Ax is keen to just control but Kruger is a slippery customer.
Kruger wants to get back to full guard.

Ax maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Kruger could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Ax has cracked it and Kruger is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Ax!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Samin Ax!