PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leo Cristophe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Krukiov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leo Cristophe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cristophe
vs
Krukiov

193 cm
23
245 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

192 cm
24
247 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

White Gorilla Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Leo Cristophe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vlad Krukiov!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krukiov misses with a looping left.
Krukiov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cristophe shoots in and drives through. Krukiov sprawls well.
Krukiov misses with a double jab.
Krukiov throws a big shot that misses.
Cristophe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cristophe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Krukiov counters with a nice uppercut.
Cristophe shoots in for a double leg but Krukiov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cristophe throws a series of punches but Krukiov moves out of range.
Krukiov misses with a hook.
Krukiov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Krukiov looks to land a right hand but Cristophe moved out of range.
Vlad Krukiov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cristophe ducks under a wild hook from Krukiov.
Cristophe with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Krukiov to score with a decent uppercut.

Krukiov scores with a takedown into Cristophe's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristophe is trying to control the position but Krukiov postures up.
Krukiov controlling from the top position.

Cristophe is looking for a triangle but Krukiov pushes his legs off easily.

Cristophe had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Krukiov is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Cristophe Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Krukiov's back instead.
Krukiov manages to reverse the position and now he's in Cristophe's guard. Nice work there by Krukiov.
Krukiov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
I looks like Krukiov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Cristophe 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.
Krukiov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Krukiov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cristophe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cristophe looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Krukiov passes into half guard.
Cristophe is breathing heavily.
Cristophe is trying to maintain the position but Krukiov is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Krukiov tries to pass to full mount but Cristophe defends it.
Krukiov is controlling the pace.
Cristophe is refusing to be controlled, as Krukiov sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krukiov content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Krukiov passes to full mount!

Krukiov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Krukiov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cristophe is looking to escape.

Krukiov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Cristophe regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Krukiov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Krukiov dodges the punch combination from Cristophe.
Cristophe throws a series of punches but Krukiov moves out of range.
A big right from Krukiov misses.
Krukiov throws the left hand but Cristophe avoids the punch easily.
Cristophe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Krukiov throws a head kick but Cristophe moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krukiov throws a sloppy head kick and Cristophe moves out of range easily.
Krukiov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Krukiov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krukiov tests Cristophe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cristophe tries for a takedown but Krukiov circles away easily
and Krukiov counters with a straight right hand.

Cristophe is rocked!
Cristophe takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Oh Cristophe is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Krukiov misses the jab.

Krukiov scores with a takedown into Cristophe's guard.
Krukiov trying to control but Cristophe is working from the bottom.
Cristophe seems to have got his legs back now.

Cristophe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cristophe is looking for a triangle but Krukiov pushes his legs off easily.
Krukiov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cristophe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Krukiov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cristophe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Krukiov manages to get himself to full guard.
Krukiov 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.
Krukiov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Cristophe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Krukiov dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cristophe has his foot on Krukiov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Krukiov works his way back into a safe position though.
Krukiov passes Cristophe's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Cristophe actively working from the bottom here.
Krukiov is taking a breather. Cristophe says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Cristophe tries to roll over but Krukiov keeps him under control.
Still in half guard, Krukiov seems content to control.
Cristophe is trying to get back to full guard.
Krukiov moves into full mount! Cristophe won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cristophe taking shots to the head.
Krukiov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Krukiov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
A nice elbow there by Krukiov.
Krukiov lands a big shot there that rocks Cristophe but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Krukiov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cristophe is wriggling around trying to escape.
Krukiov trying to control but Cristophe is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Krukiov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cristophe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Krukiov with a jab.
Cristophe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cristophe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Krukiov.
Cristophe fails with the takedown
and Krukiov counters with a nice body shot.
Krukiov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Krukiov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cristophe needs to keep his hands up - Krukiov had a free shot at his head there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cristophe misses with a takedown

and Krukiov counters with a big uppercut that knocks Cristophe off his feet! Krukiov dives into side control looking to finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristophe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cristophe trying to control but Krukiov flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

Krukiov looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Cristophe taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vlad Krukiov!
Vlad Krukiov is the new heavyweight champion!