PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Cramer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dario Brkic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brkic has chosen Dubioza kolektiv - Kažu as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Cramer
vs
Brkic

187 cm
24
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eddie Cramer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dario Brkic!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brkic shoots in looking for a takedown. Cramer tries to sprawl out of it but Brkic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cramer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Cramer dives in and scores a takedown into Brkic's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cramer postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Cramer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Cramer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cramer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Cramer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cramer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Cramer drops back, looking for a kneebar! Brkic looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Brkic looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Brkic!
Cramer is looking to reverse the position.
Brkic scoring with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cramer can't do much from the bottom here.
Cramer is looking to regain half guard here but Brkic keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cramer manages to work his way to half guard, despite Brkic's best efforts.
Brkic tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Brkic working over Cramer with some ground and pound. Cramer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Brkic wants to pass to mount but Cramer is defending the position.
Brkic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cramer throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Brkic not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cramer moves into full guard.

Cramer looking for subs off his back but Brkic has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brkic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Cramer actively working from the bottom here.
Cramer on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cramer tries to get out of the position.
Cramer gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cramer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Brkic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Brkic throwing strikes from guard but Cramer blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brkic landing with the ground and pound.
Cramer wants to sweep but no luck.

Cramer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Brkic is aware though and is defending well.
Cramer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brkic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cramer 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.

Cramer looking for a guillotine here but Brkic defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cramer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brkic is one step ahead there.
Brkic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Brkic postures up in Cramer's guard and throws a big left but Cramer blocks it.
Brkic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Brkic throws an elbow that misses. Cramer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Brkic's guard. Nice move by Cramer!
Brkic looks winded!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cramer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Cramer postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Brkic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cramer, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Brkic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Brkic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cramer prevents it.
Brkic is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cramer to keep the fight standing.
Brkic misses with an elbow strike.
Cramer will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Brkic up against the cage.
Brkic throws an elbow that misses.

Cramer has Brkic pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cramer pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Brkic tumbling to the mat - Cramer dives into Brkic's guard.

Cramer got a little sloppy there for a moment and Brkic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cramer has managed to get both his arms back between Brkic's legs - danger averted.
Brkic is breathing heavily.

Cramer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cramer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cramer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cramer wants to control from the top but Brkic keeps moving.
Cramer pushing down on Brkic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Cramer is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Brkic defends it well.

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

Cramer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Eddie Cramer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Brkic is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cramer pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Brkic is defending against the submission attempts here by Cramer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cramer is looking for a kimura here.
Brkic is in trouble now - Cramer has advanced to mount!

Cramer working for a submission but Brkic is keeping him at bay.
Brkic is trying desperately to improve position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cramer punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cramer with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Cramer looking to secure an arm triangle but Brkic defends it well.
Brkic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Brkic is looking to improve his position but Cramer isn't that keen on the idea.
Cramer breaks from Brkic's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Cramer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Brkic is looking to escape.

Cramer looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Cramer is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Brkic is surviving well by controlling Cramer's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cramer jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Brkic manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cramer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cramer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Cramer thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Cramer is trying to get an arm triangle but Brkic is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brkic takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Cramer dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Cramer fails with the takedown.
Brkic fails with the takedown.
Brkic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cramer as he jumps to the side.
Brkic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cramer avoids it really well and circles away.
Eddie Cramer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dario Brkic.

Cramer drives through with a takedown into guard.

Cramer drops back looking for a leg! Brkic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Brkic manages to kick Cramer off! Cramer jumps back into Brkic's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cramer scoring with some ground and pound.
Brkic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cramer pushing down on Brkic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cramer uses his free foot to push down on Brkic's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Brkic.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cramer wants to finish this one by submission but Brkic is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cramer.
Cramer is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Brkic is in a horrible position here. Cramer smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Cramer is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Brkic is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Brkic flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Cramer anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Brkic and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Cramer slips an arm under Brkic chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Cramer has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Cramer is squeezing on Brkic like an anaconda would it's prey. Brkic fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Eddie Cramer!
A less than humble Eddie Cramer misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.