PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Eldridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Krook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Krook has chosen Courage as his entrance music. 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.

Eldridge
vs
Krook

188 cm
31
220 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

188 cm
28
209 lbs
14 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Eldridge!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Kalle Krook!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krook walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Eldridge checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Krook takes a swing at Eldridge's ribcage but misses.
Krook connects with a leg kick. Eldridge looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Eldridge lands with a good body shot.
Eldridge pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kalle Krook seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Krook digs a good body shot into Eldridge's ribs.
That kick from Krook tenderised Eldridge's leg. Eldridge is trying to keep his angry face on.
Eldridge looks to land a left hand but Krook moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Krook is defended easily by Eldridge.
Eldridge works Krook's body with a nice hook.
Eldridge pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Krook takes one on the button.
Nice takedown defense from Eldridge. No joy for Krook on that attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Krook throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Eldridge misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krook takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Eldridge scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Krook lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Eldridge at a distance.
Michael Eldridge is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Krook pushes Eldridge away with a front kick.
Krook fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Eldridge on the side of the head.
Eldridge throws the left hand but Krook avoids the punch easily.
Eldridge scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Krook doesn't seem bothered though.
Eldridge on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Krook lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Eldridge takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Krook fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Eldridge stuffs the takedown attempt from Krook. Krook gets slowly back to his feet.
Michael Eldridge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Krook.
Krook scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eldridge takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Krook throws a head kick but Eldridge moves out of range.
Krook looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Eldridge throws a push kick but Krook slaps the foot to one side.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Krook.
Eldridge is breathing heavily.
Eldridge sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Krook is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Eldridge rather than just go for the knockout.
Krook thumps Eldridge with a low kick.
Krook throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Eldridge takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Good standup being displayed there by Krook as he connects with a hook.

It looks like Michael Eldridge has been cut.
Krook looks to land a body kick but Eldridge moved away.
Krook misses with a body shot.
Krook's corner calls for a 1-2. Krook obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Eldridge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Krook, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krook avoiding damage.
Krook misses with a punch to the body.

Krook manages to break the clinch.
Krook lands a slapping body shot.

Krook shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Eldridge is trying to defend but Krook finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Krook working the head and body with strikes.
Krook prevents Eldridge from improving his position.
Krook winds up and cracks Eldridge with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Eldridge knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Krook on the ground.
Krook thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Eldridge's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krook is nestled in close to Eldridge, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eldridge avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Krook.
Eldridge is trying to stand up here but Krook is controlling him well.
Eldridge regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Krook.
Krook has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Eldridge preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Krook advances position into side control!
Eldridge is not content to let Krook control the position.
Eldridge takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Krook lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Eldridge is not content to let Krook control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalle Krook dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Eldridge's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Eldridge fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Krook is out of range.
Kalle Krook seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good leg kick by Krook there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A head kick misses from Eldridge.
Krook throws out a powerful jab.
Krook misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Eldridge.
Krook turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Krook pushes Eldridge away with a front kick.
Eldridge throws a body punch but Krook moves out of range.
Eldridge throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Krook lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Krook looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eldridge gets full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krook's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Krook working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Krook content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Krook landing with the ground and pound.
Krook wants to control from the top but Eldridge keeps moving.
Krook throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eldridge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Eldridge not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Krook throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eldridge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Krook with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Krook scoring with punches to the head and body.
Krook controlling from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Krook wants to pass the guard but Eldridge is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krook controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Krook stops Eldridge from standing up.
Krook is pushing down on Eldridge's leg trying to pass to half guard. Eldridge is fighting to maintain full guard but Krook has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krook trying to control from half guard but Eldridge is working away.
Krook throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
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. Krook connects with a nice short shot to Eldridge's temple.
Krook scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Krook is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Eldridge blocking the ground and pound attempt from Krook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krook lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Krook is pressing down on Eldridge's thigh, looking to free his foot. Eldridge is holding on for now.
Krook slips a nice elbow through Eldridge's hands, connecting with Eldridge's forehead.
Krook thows a huge punch but Eldridge dodges it nicely.
Eldridge is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Krook's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Krook's back!
Krook tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Krook slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Krook looking for submissions off his back.
Krook gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eldridge wants to control from the top but Krook keeps moving.
Eldridge stays in close to Krook's body and controls the position.
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!

Krook is looking for a triangle here but Eldridge uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Krook is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Eldridge's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Eldridge trying to control from half guard but Krook is working away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Krook wants to get back to full guard.
Eldridge not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalle Krook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Eldridge's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Krook scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Krook.
Eldridge gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Krook.

Michael Eldridge's cut is getting worse.
Eldridge on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Krook scores with a punch to the head.
Eldridge avoids a kick to the body.
Eldridge is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Eldridge thows a body shot but no joy.
Krook avoids the body shot from Eldridge.

Krook gets the takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krook tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Krook is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Eldridge is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Eldridge on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krook landing strikes.
Kalle Krook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Krook misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Krook landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Krook working the ground and pound from side control.
Krook cracks Eldridge with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Krook working the head with strikes.
Eldridge taking a bit of punishment here - Krook scoring with strikes.

Eldridge is rocked!
Eldridge is being controlled here.
Oh Eldridge is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Krook in side control lands a decent elbow.
Krook cracks Eldridge with a big right hand but Eldridge just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
A big shot lands for Krook! That's hurt Eldridge! Will he recover? Krook fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kalle Krook! Kalle Krook retains his light heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Kalle Krook made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.