PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Eriksson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephan Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Christopher Eriksson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Stephan Kruger's chin.

Eriksson
vs
Kruger

178 cm
18
168 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
164 lbs
3 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Christopher Eriksson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephan Kruger!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kruger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kruger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Eriksson.
Kruger misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Kruger.
Eriksson fails with a takedown attempt.
Kruger looks to score with a jab to the body but Eriksson is just out of range.

Kruger takes the fight into the clinch.

Kruger jumps guard and drags Eriksson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Kruger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Eriksson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kruger's head.
Eriksson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eriksson trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kruger has his foot on Eriksson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Eriksson works his way back into a safe position though.
Eriksson lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.

Kruger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kruger is trying to control the position but Eriksson postures up.

Kruger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Eriksson defends it easily.
Kruger looks winded!
Eriksson with a nice head shot there.
Eriksson scoring with some ground and pound.
Eriksson working some strikes from top position.
Kruger keeping moving, preventing Eriksson from controlling successfully.
Kruger working a defensive guard here.
Eriksson works over Kruger with some ground and pound from guard.
Eriksson scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eriksson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eriksson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kruger looking for a guillotine here but Eriksson defends easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Eriksson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Eriksson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kruger on the ground.
Eriksson with a nice head shot there.

Kruger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Eriksson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kruger keeping moving, preventing Eriksson from controlling successfully.
Eriksson is in close to Kruger's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Eriksson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Eriksson chips away with some ground and pound.
Eriksson lands a couple of elbows.
Eriksson is working Kruger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Eriksson prevents Kruger from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.
Eriksson chips away with some ground and pound.
Kruger trying to control the position.
Eriksson is working Kruger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Eriksson trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Eriksson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eriksson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eriksson landing some decent shots from guard.
Kruger being controlled here, momentarily.
Eriksson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Eriksson 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!
Eriksson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruger manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Eriksson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Poor strikes thrown by Kruger there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Eriksson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Eriksson tries to get out of the position.
Eriksson working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kruger working for a submission but Eriksson is keeping him at bay.
Kruger misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Eriksson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kruger just misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger lands a head kick!

It looks like Christopher Eriksson has been cut.
Eriksson fails with the takedown.
Eriksson shoots in but Kruger avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Kruger rushes Eriksson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kruger has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Eriksson uses from the top position.
Kruger looking to control.
Eriksson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eriksson is in close to Kruger's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Eriksson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Eriksson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Eriksson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kruger has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Eriksson has managed to get both his arms back between Kruger's legs - danger averted.
Eriksson trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Eriksson with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kruger is looking for a triangle but Eriksson pushes his legs off easily.
Eriksson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Eriksson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Eriksson controlling from the top position.
Kruger is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kruger is breathing heavily.
Eriksson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Eriksson stopping the sweep attempt from Kruger.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eriksson is working Kruger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Eriksson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Eriksson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kruger wants to stand and escape but Eriksson is having none of it.
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson connects with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eriksson scoring with punches to the head and body.

Kruger is rocked!
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.
Kruger is still in real trouble! Can Eriksson finish him?
Eriksson trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Christopher Eriksson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kruger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kruger seems to have recovered his senses.
Eriksson scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson is in close to Kruger's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kruger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Eriksson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Eriksson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kruger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Eriksson manages to get himself to full guard.
Eriksson wants to sweep here but Kruger controlling him for the moment.
Eriksson pulls Kruger in close to prevent any damage.
Eriksson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Eriksson is controlling Kruger's posture.
Eriksson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Eriksson 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eriksson working a defensive guard here.
Kruger preventing the sweep.
Kruger landing with the ground and pound.
Eriksson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Eriksson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kruger is one step ahead there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kruger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eriksson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kruger is looking to work some ground and pound but Eriksson has wrist control.
Eriksson keeping moving, preventing Kruger from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eriksson lands some strikes from the bottom.
Eriksson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kruger is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Eriksson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Christopher Eriksson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Eriksson tries to clinch up but Kruger circles away and keeps his distance.
Kruger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Eriksson's head.
Kruger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Eriksson was well out of range. Poor timing from Kruger.

Eriksson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kruger is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Eriksson pulls his head out easily.
Kruger taking some punishment here, with Eriksson in his half guard.
Kruger is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Eriksson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Eriksson's back!
Eriksson trying to control the action but Kruger just sinks the hooks in.

Kruger working for a choke but Eriksson is defending well.
Kruger is trying to stick to Eriksson's back but Eriksson is turning into Kruger. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kruger's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Eriksson.
Kruger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eriksson landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Eriksson is one step ahead there.
Eriksson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kruger 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.
Kruger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kruger striking off his back but it's not causing Eriksson any problems.
Eriksson stands up over Kruger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Eriksson postures up and lands a big shot to Kruger's brow.

Eriksson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Eriksson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Eriksson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eriksson cracks Kruger with a solid left hand.
Kruger has momentary wrist control but Eriksson slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eriksson distracts Kruger with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Eriksson scoring with some ground and pound.
Eriksson landing some decent shots from guard.
Eriksson loads up on a big left hand. Kruger felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Eriksson looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Kruger can't hide his disappointment, as Eriksson celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Christopher Eriksson!
Christopher Eriksson thanked the fans post fight for their support.