PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hans Krueger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toma Takahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hans Krueger had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.8lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Toma Takahara has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Hans Krueger's chin.

Krueger
vs
Takahara

183 cm
31
203 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

200 cm
33
190 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hans Krueger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Toma Takahara!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krueger avoids the head kick by Takahara.
Takahara blocks a head kick by Krueger.
Takahara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Krueger checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Takahara with a jab.
Krueger throws a sloppy head kick and Takahara moves out of range easily.
Krueger swinging wildly here.
Krueger has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Takahara tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Krueger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Krueger is defended easily by Takahara.
Takahara throws a body punch but Krueger moves out of range.
Krueger just misses with a punch to the body.
Krueger slaps away a takedown attempt from Takahara, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A shot to the liver by Krueger. Beautiful body shot.
Takahara chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahara tries a head kick but it misses.
Takahara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Krueger was well out of range. Poor timing from Takahara.
Krueger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Krueger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takahara manages to avoid it.
Takahara pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takahara lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Takahara connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Takahara lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Hans Krueger has been cut.
Krueger walks into a jab.
Krueger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Takahara throws a push kick but Krueger slaps the foot to one side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Takahara rushes Krueger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Krueger has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Takahara regains guard immediately.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Krueger is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Takahara is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Takahara has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takahara looking to pass the guard.
Takahara wants to control from the top but Krueger keeps moving.
Takahara controls from within his opponent's guard.
Takahara trying to control but Krueger is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Toma Takahara wasn't active enough on the ground.

Krueger shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Krueger showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Krueger.
Krueger is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Krueger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Krueger looks to land a strike but Takahara avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Takahara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Krueger with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Krueger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Takahara working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Krueger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Krueger drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Takahara manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Krueger has Takahara in his guard.
Krueger has his hands on Takahara's head, controlling the position.
Krueger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahara seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
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!
Takahara tries to free his leg and advance position but Krueger is retaining full guard.

Krueger is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Takahara is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Takahara controlling from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Krueger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toma Takahara dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hans Krueger's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Takahara lands with a hook. Krueger tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Krueger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Krueger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Takahara moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Takahara throws a nice outside leg kick.

Takahara rushes Krueger and presses him up against the cage.
Takahara pushes Krueger back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Takahara tries a body shot but Krueger blocks it.
Takahara tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Krueger is trying to break the clinch but Takahara has him pressed against the cage.
Krueger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Takahara tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Takahara using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Krueger lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Krueger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Krueger looking to slow down the pace here.
Takahara misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krueger takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Takahara trying to land knees to the body.
Takahara tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Krueger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Takahara is defending well for now.
Krueger scores a nice knee to the body.
Takahara is looking to take this one to the mat.
Krueger tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Takahara avoids it.
Takahara lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Krueger backwards.
Takahara misses with a knee to the head.

Krueger gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Takahara trying to control but Krueger postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Krueger landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Takahara is looking for a sweep. Krueger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Krueger seems to be working for a kimura but Takahara defends the submission attempt.

Takahara actively working from the bottom here.
Takahara tries to get to full guard but Krueger has control of the leg.
Krueger scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Krueger not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Krueger is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Takahara sees it coming and defends easily.

Krueger is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Takahara as he works his way to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krueger throws a big elbow that misses.
Krueger preventing the sweep.
Krueger keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Takahara's head.
Krueger throws a big elbow that misses.
Takahara wants to sweep but no luck.
Krueger postures up in Takahara's guard and throws a big left but Takahara blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Krueger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Takahara is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Krueger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Takahara has Krueger pulled in close to control his posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Takahara is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Krueger is staying active underneath Takahara, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahara frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Takahara is looking to work his way around to Krueger's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Takahara tries to control but Krueger wriggling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takahara controlling the pace for now.
Krueger tries to lock up and control but Takahara gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Krueger stops Takahara from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Takahara looking to control but Krueger is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toma Takahara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hans Krueger's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Takahara lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Krueger has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Krueger and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Krueger moves out of range of the body kick.

Krueger has closed the distance and engaged Takahara in a clinch.
Krueger is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Takahara to keep the fight standing.
Takahara blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Takahara with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Krueger is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Takahara has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Takahara lands an uppercut.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Takahara obliges.
Takahara managing to block the knees to the body from Krueger.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Takahara missing with knees to the body.
Takahara missing with knees to the body.
Toma Takahara seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Takahara throws a punch but it's blocked by Krueger.
Takahara is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takahara misses with a knee to the head.
Krueger trying to control the position but instead, Takahara has worked for underhooks and has pushed Krueger into the cage.
Takahara can't find room to land a body shot as Krueger controls the action.
Takahara lands a nice shot to the body.
Krueger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Takahara is keeping busy.
Takahara tries to land a knee to the head but Krueger blocks with his arms.
Takahara looking to throw knees to the head but Krueger is blocking nicely.
Krueger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Knees to the body from Takahara.
Takahara can't find room to land a body shot as Krueger controls the action.
Krueger prevents a body shot from Takahara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Takahara.
Takahara controlling the action here for a moment.
Takahara lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Takahara is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Krueger lands a knee to the body.
Takahara with a knee to the head.
Takahara lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Krueger manages to break the clinch.
Krueger misses with a straight left.
Takahara slaps away a takedown attempt from Krueger, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krueger takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Takahara is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Takahara.
A jab from Krueger misses.
Takahara dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Krueger. That did some damage!
Takahara moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Krueger is rocked!
Takahara tries to land a front kick but Krueger steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Oh Krueger is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Krueger misses with a wild combination.
Krueger throws a head kick but Takahara moves out of range.
Krueger doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Krueger seems to have got his legs back now.
Toma Takahara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takahara thuds a left hand into Krueger's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krueger misses with a combination
and Takahara connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takahara connects with a body shot.
Takahara shoots for a double leg takedown but Krueger sprawls well. He's pushed Takahara's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Takahara tries to keep at a distance but Krueger has taken the fight into the clinch.
Krueger scores with a shoulder strike.
A bit of stalling here from Takahara.
Hans Krueger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Krueger avoiding damage as Takahara throws knees to the body.
Takahara using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Krueger managing to block the knees to the body from Takahara.
Krueger is working for takedown but Takahara is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Krueger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Krueger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Takahara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Takahara.
Takahara utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toma Takahara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Takahara winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toma Takahara!
Our winner, Toma Takahara, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.