PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Schroeder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schroeder comes into the arena with Enter Sandman blaring out of the sound system. On his way into the cage it seems that Franklin Schroeder has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Franklin Schroeder seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Schroeder
vs
Van Kirkland

198 cm
27
282 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

194 cm
31
285 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Schroeder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Eddie Farnsworth and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Schroeder misses its intended target.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

It looks like Mikhail Van Kirkland has been cut.
Van Kirkland moves out of range of the strikes.
Schroeder swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Schroeder misses the jab.
Van Kirkland will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Van Kirkland thuds a left hand into Schroeder's body.
Van Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Van Kirkland slips a straight right by Schroeder.
Schroeder checks a low kick from Van Kirkland.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Van Kirkland.
Schroeder swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Van Kirkland throws a chopping leg kick but Schroeder manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Schroeder works Van Kirkland's body with a nice hook.
Schroeder misses with the combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Schroeder waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van Kirkland.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Schroeder.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Schroeder checks a leg kick.
Van Kirkland dodges the punch combination from Schroeder.
Schroeder throws a body punch but Van Kirkland moves out of range.
Schroeder lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Van Kirkland at a distance.
Schroeder misses with a hook. Van Kirkland ducked under it nicely.
Schroeder scores with a jab.
Schroeder throws a hook to the side of Van Kirkland's head but Van Kirkland sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Schroeder throws a lazy right hand but Van Kirkland sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Van Kirkland is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Van Kirkland scores with a head kick. Schroeder tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Schroeder keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Schroeder throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Van Kirkland counters with a right hand that sends Schroeder tumbling to the canvas! Can Van Kirkland finish him? He dives into Schroeder's guard looking to do just that!

Schroeder is rocked!
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!
Van Kirkland throws a big elbow that misses.
Schroeder keeping full guard, as Van Kirkland tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland trying to control but Schroeder is working from the bottom.
Van Kirkland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Van Kirkland not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Van Kirkland throws an elbow that misses. Schroeder uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Van Kirkland's guard. Nice move by Schroeder!

Schroeder won't allow Van Kirkland to sweep him here.
Van Kirkland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schroeder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland wants to control but Schroeder is keeping him busy.
Schroeder trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Kirkland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Van Kirkland is trying to control. Schroeder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Van Kirkland throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Schroeder to regain full guard.
Van Kirkland chips away with some ground and pound.
Schroeder 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.
Schroeder has his hands on Van Kirkland's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Van Kirkland loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Van Kirkland throws a strike but Schroeder rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Schroeder looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Schroeder stopping the sweep attempt from Van Kirkland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mikhail Van Kirkland will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Van Kirkland throws a sloppy body shot
and Schroeder counters with a stiff right hand.
Schroeder checks the leg kick.
Schroeder throws a jab but it's blocked by Van Kirkland.
Schroeder misses with an uppercut. Van Kirkland saw that one coming.
Van Kirkland unleashes a big counter combination but Schroeder bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Van Kirkland slips a jab and a cross from Schroeder.
Schroeder blocks a head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a front kick that sends Schroeder stumbling back into the cage.
Mikhail Van Kirkland seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Schroeder stalks Van Kirkland and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Van Kirkland's face. Van Kirkland staggers backwards, shaken.
Schroeder looks to throw the jab but Van Kirkland is out of range.
Van Kirkland has a takedown stuffed.
Schroeder appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Schroeder takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Schroeder loads up on a big right hand but Van Kirkland slips the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Schroeder counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Franklin Schroeder seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schroeder connects with a single shot there.

That has opened up Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut even more.
Schroeder displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Van Kirkland.
Franklin Schroeder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Van Kirkland.
Jab, jab by Schroeder - just one landing.

Schroeder lands a big right hand that sends Van Kirkland crashing to the mat! Schroeder stays standing though and waves Van Kirkland back to his feet!
Schroeder misses with a lunging right hand
and Van Kirkland counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schroeder jabs Van Kirkland to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Van Kirkland throws a body shot but no joy.
Van Kirkland lands with a good body shot.
Van Kirkland misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Kirkland. Schroeder does a little dance to reset his feet.

Van Kirkland fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Schroeder sprawls well initially but Van Kirkland persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Schroeder keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schroeder has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Van Kirkland is working away from the top position though.
Van Kirkland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Van Kirkland prevents Schroeder from improving his position.
Schroeder blocking the ground and pound attempt from Van Kirkland.
Schroeder is trying to maintain the position but Van Kirkland is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schroeder blocking the ground and pound attempt from Van Kirkland.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A punch combination from Van Kirkland misses.
Franklin Schroeder is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schroeder lands a nice looking body shot.
Schroeder lands with a straight right. Van Kirkland didn't see that one coming.
Schroeder stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schroeder wants it to stay on the feet.
Van Kirkland looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Van Kirkland closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Van Kirkland misses with an elbow over the top.
Schroeder scores with a shot to the side of Van Kirkland's head.

The cut above Mikhail Van Kirkland's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Van Kirkland landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Schroeder softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Schroeder lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position but instead, Schroeder has worked for underhooks and has pushed Van Kirkland into the cage.
Schroeder doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Kirkland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Schroeders head.

Van Kirkland turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Van Kirkland is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Schroeder has escaped the position, nice work there.
Mikhail Van Kirkland has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van Kirkland throws an elbow but Schroeder slips to the side and avoids it well.
Van Kirkland is looking to take a break and control but Schroeder is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Schroeder gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Schroeder dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Schroeder misses the jab.
Schroeder walks into a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Schroeder. That snapped Van Kirkland's head back.
Van Kirkland fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Van Kirkland slips under a jab from Schroeder.
Schroeder misses with an uppercut.
Van Kirkland scores with a leg kick.

Schroeder gets caught flat footed, as Van Kirkland shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Van Kirkland lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Van Kirkland throwing strikes from guard but Schroeder blocks nicely.

Van Kirkland drops back, looking for a kneebar! Schroeder looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Schroeder looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Schroeder!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland tries to get back to half guard but can't.
I wouldn't like to be where Van Kirkland is right now.
Schroeder controls the position from side control.
Van Kirkland struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Van Kirkland tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Schroeder wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Kirkland can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here as Schroeder stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland tries to improve position but can't.
Schroeder tries to advance to mount but Van Kirkland denies him.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Van Kirkland wants to control but Schroeder postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Van Kirkland with a lazy takedown attempt
and Schroeder counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Schroeder connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Schroeder.
Van Kirkland fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Franklin Schroeder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Van Kirkland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Schroeder swivels and escapes.
Van Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schroeder lands a body shot.
Van Kirkland closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Schroeder takes a swing at Van Kirkland's ribcage but misses.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Schroeder moves out of range.
Van Kirkland takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Kirkland tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Schroeder manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Schroeder.
Van Kirkland takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Schroeder showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Schroeder has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklin Schroeder!
A very excited looking Franklin Schroeder made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.