PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between JP Cordero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxim Kruglov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Cordero
vs
Kruglov

188 cm
23
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, JP Cordero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maxim Kruglov!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Lou da Vinci and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruglov shoots in but Cordero avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cordero misses with a head kick.
Cordero wants to land a leg kick but Kruglov is out of range.
Kruglov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cordero.
Cordero fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kruglov checks it well.
Cordero misses with a few strikes there.
Cordero lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cordero jabs Kruglov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
JP Cordero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cordero rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kruglov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cordero throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kruglov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cordero goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Maxim Kruglov has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cordero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cordero uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cordero looks to throw a body kick
and Kruglov counters with a left to the body.
Kruglov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cordero sprawls well. Cordero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kruglov gets slowly back to his feet.
Cordero throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kruglov clinches up against the cage.
Kruglov prevents Cordero from breaking the clinch.
Cordero is trying to break free.
Kruglov wants a takedown.
JP Cordero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Kruglov.
Cordero working hard to break the clinch.

Kruglov breaks the clinch.
Kruglov moves out of range as Cordero throws a body kick.
Kruglov avoids a kick to the body.
A nice combination there by Cordero.
Kruglov has a takedown stuffed.
Kruglov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kruglov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kruglov looks winded!

Cordero gets caught flat footed, as Kruglov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kruglov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov stops Cordero from standing up.
Cordero is wriggling around but Kruglov manages to pass to half guard.
Cordero on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cordero tries to get out of the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cordero is trying to escape back to his feet but Kruglov uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordero is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kruglov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cordero tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Cordero squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Kruglov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kruglov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cordero wants to get back to his feet.
Kruglov controlling from mount.
Kruglov lands a big shot there that rocks Cordero but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that JP Cordero will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maxim Kruglov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Danga de danga de dang - Cordero scores with a four punch combination!
Kruglov has a takedown stuffed.
Cordero throws a sloppy head kick and Kruglov moves out of range easily.
Cordero keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cordero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've been informed that Kruglov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cordero fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kruglov looks for a takedown but Cordero sprawls well.
JP Cordero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Kruglov.
Cordero misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kruglov blocks a head kick by Cordero.
Cordero is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kruglov can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cordero scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kruglov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cordero sprawls well. Cordero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kruglov gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick by Cordero misses
and Kruglov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cordero connects with a crisp jab.
Cordero throws a sloppy head kick and Kruglov moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Kruglov.
Cordero fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kruglov manages to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cordero avoids the head kick by Kruglov.
Cordero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fighters circling - Cordero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kruglov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cordero.
Cordero throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kruglov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kruglov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cordero's waist but Cordero gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kruglov off to one side.
Kruglov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cordero.
Kruglov checks a leg kick.
Kruglov keeps Cordero at a distance using the push kick.
Kruglov checks a low kick from Cordero.
Cordero throws a sloppy head kick and Kruglov moves out of range easily.
Kruglov scores with a punch to the head.
JP Cordero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cordero throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cordero throws a right and a left that Kruglov avoids nicely.

Kruglov moves into range and clinches up with Cordero.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kruglov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kruglov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cordero sprawls well. Cordero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kruglov gets slowly back to his feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Kruglov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cordero misses with a double jab.
Cordero walks into a stiff left hand from Kruglov.
Kruglov throws out a loose jab but Cordero uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruglov shoots in for a takedown but Cordero shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A shot to the liver by Cordero. Beautiful body shot.
Kruglov avoids the head kick by Cordero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov tries to clinch up but Cordero circles away and keeps his distance.
Cordero throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kruglov doesn't manage to clinch there - Cordero circles away.
Cordero lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kruglov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cordero tries to land a front kick but Kruglov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Kruglov has closed the distance and engaged Cordero in a clinch.
Kruglov is pushing Cordero up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cordero wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kruglov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cordero wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kruglov has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cordero wants to break free but Kruglov has control.
Cordero has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Kruglov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cordero misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cordero throws a leg kick but Kruglov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kruglov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cordero throws out a powerful jab.
Cordero shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kruglov eats them both and turns towards Cordero to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
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!
Kruglov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cordero avoids it really well and circles away.
JP Cordero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cordero lands a nice shot to the body.
Kruglov dodges the punch combination from Cordero.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JP Cordero dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Maxim Kruglov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kruglov takes a swing at Cordero's ribcage but misses.
Cordero throws a series of punches but Kruglov avoids them all with ease.
A good leg kick by Cordero.
Kruglov dives in and grabs Cordero's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cordero pushes down on Kruglov's head and hops out.
Cordero connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kruglov momentarily.
Cordero throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kruglov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kruglov lands with a straight right. Cordero didn't see that one coming.
Cordero is looking to wear down Kruglov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kruglov shoots in for a double leg but Cordero sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cordero throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Cordero.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruglov doesn't manage to clinch there - Cordero circles away.
Cordero looks to land a body kick but Kruglov moved away.
Cordero throws a leg kick

and Kruglov counters by clinching up.
Cordero is looking to break free of the clinch but Kruglov has double underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cordero wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cordero tries to break the clinch but Kruglov is controlling the position.
Cordero wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cordero is trying to break the clinch but Kruglov has him pressed against the cage.

Kruglov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kruglov has a closed guard, preventing Cordero from standing up.
Kruglov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kruglov is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kruglov has his feet on Cordero's thighs here. He's pushed Cordero off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Cordero screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Maxim Kruglov!