PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mariusz Linke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Crumbie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karl Crumbie will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Linke
vs
Crumbie

185 cm
25
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mariusz Linke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Karl Crumbie!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crumbie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Linke's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Linke looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Linke actively working from the bottom here.

Linke actively working from the bottom here.
Crumbie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Linke defending well though.
Crumbie really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Linke. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Linke avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Crumbie.

Linke looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Crumbie working Linke over with strikes.
Linke avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Crumbie.
Linke is pressing down on Crumbie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Crumbie wants to stand but Linke is controlling his posture from full guard.

Linke is looking for a triangle but Crumbie pushes his legs off easily.
Linke is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crumbie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Linke's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crumbie throws a big right hand that misses.

Linke working for a triangle but Crumbie defends it easily.
Crumbie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Linke is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Crumbie is aware though and is defending well.
Crumbie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Linke is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Crumbie defends well.
Crumbie postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Linke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Crumbie.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Crumbie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Linke keeping full guard, as Crumbie tries to pass.
Crumbie trying to control the position from guard on top but Linke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!

Linke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Crumbie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linke utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Crumbie wants to control from the top but Linke keeps moving.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Crumbie working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Crumbie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Crumbie's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Crumbie trying to control the position from guard on top but Linke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Karl Crumbie wasn't active enough on the ground.
Crumbie pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Linke back to the cage. Crumbie follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Crumbie tries to clinch up.
Crumbie tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crumbie drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Crumbie trying to control the position from guard on top but Linke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Linke pushes a forearm under Crumbie's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Crumbie is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mariusz Linke!