PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marko Tropoje (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sowes Duklan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marko Tropoje has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tropoje
vs
Duklan

191 cm
16
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

208 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Prefers standup

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 Amsterdam, Marko Tropoje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sowes Duklan !
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duklan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duklan unleashes a big counter combination but Tropoje bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Tropoje shoots in for a double leg but Duklan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Duklan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tropoje shoots in looking for a takedown. Duklan tries to sprawl out of it but Tropoje keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Duklan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Tropoje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tropoje fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Duklan avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duklan stuffs the takedown.
Tropoje shoots in looking for a takedown. Duklan tries to sprawl out of it but Tropoje keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Duklan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropoje tries for a takedown but Duklan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Duklan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown but Duklan shows good takedown defense.

Tropoje shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Duklan 's guard.
Duklan looking to control.
Tropoje tries to free his leg and advance position but Duklan is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tropoje looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tropoje wants to pass the guard but Duklan is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje 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.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tropoje or perhaps it was just good defense by Duklan , which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje goes for a double leg but Duklan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Duklan continues to drive forward.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tropoje is defended easily by Duklan .

Duklan gets caught napping as Tropoje dives in and scores a takedown. Duklan manages to retain guard.
Tropoje looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje is stalling in the full guard.
Tropoje seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Duklan for as long as he can get away with.
Duklan keeping full guard, as Tropoje tries to pass.
Tropoje slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Duklan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tropoje wants to pass the guard but Duklan is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Tropoje dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tropoje shoots in for a takedown but Duklan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tropoje fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tropoje throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Duklan 's waist but Duklan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tropoje off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Tropoje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown but Duklan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sowes Duklan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Duklan slaps away a takedown attempt from Tropoje, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Duklan as he jumps to the side.
Despite the aggression on Duklan 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tropoje tries for a takedown but Duklan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Duklan . No joy for Tropoje on that attempt.
Tropoje shoots in and drives through. Duklan sprawls well.
Duklan unleashes a big counter combination but Tropoje bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tropoje has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Duklan . No joy for Tropoje on that attempt.
Tropoje tries to score a power double leg takedown but Duklan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tropoje somewhat.
Duklan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Tropoje has a takedown stuffed.
Duklan is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Duklan throws a counter combo.
Tropoje fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Duklan avoids it really well and circles away.
Tropoje shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Duklan pinned against the cage. Duklan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Duklan unleashes a big counter combination but Tropoje bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Tropoje fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Duklan pinned against the cage. Duklan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Despite the aggression on Duklan 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sowes Duklan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tropoje fails with a takedown attempt.
As Tropoje backs off Duklan throws a huge counter combo but Tropoje manages to avoid it all.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tropoje is defended easily by Duklan .
Duklan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tropoje tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Duklan defends well and Tropoje ends up having to push Duklan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Marko Tropoje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Duklan but Duklan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tropoje darts in looking for a takedown but Duklan gets double underhooks and turns Tropoje into the cage.
Tropoje fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Duklan avoids it really well and circles away.
Duklan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No luck for Tropoje with that takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Duklan 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sowes Duklan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Duklan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tropoje.
Tropoje looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Duklan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Duklan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tropoje.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Tropoje. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tropoje tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Duklan defends well and Tropoje ends up having to push Duklan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Duklan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tropoje is defended easily by Duklan .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropoje closes this distance looking for a takedown but Duklan circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropoje fails with the takedown
and Duklan counters with a three punch combo that has Tropoje backing up. Tropoje nods at Duklan to acknowledge the strikes.
Tropoje fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tropoje shoots in but no luck this time.
Duklan throws a counter combo.
Duklan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Duklan wants it to stay on the feet.
As Tropoje backs off Duklan throws a huge counter combo but Tropoje manages to avoid it all.
Tropoje shoots in but Duklan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tropoje has his takedown stuffed
and Duklan counters with a three punch combo that has Tropoje backing up. Tropoje nods at Duklan to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown but Duklan shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tropoje.
Tropoje closes the distance and clinches up with Duklan , looking for a takedown. Tropoje pushes Duklan against the cage but Duklan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sowes Duklan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Duklan stuffs the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tropoje.
Duklan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tropoje.
Duklan throws a counter combo.
Tropoje closes this distance looking for a takedown but Duklan circles away.
Despite the aggression on Duklan 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropoje darts in looking for a takedown but Duklan gets double underhooks and turns Tropoje into the cage.
Tropoje shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Duklan sprawls well. Duklan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tropoje gets slowly back to his feet.
Duklan throws a counter combo.
Duklan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Duklan wants it to stay on the feet.
Tropoje closes the distance and clinches up with Duklan , looking for a takedown. Tropoje pushes Duklan against the cage but Duklan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tropoje changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Duklan tries to avoid it but Tropoje manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Duklan to the ground. Duklan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Duklan is looking for the big counter here.

Tropoje drives through with a takedown into Duklan 's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Duklan trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duklan is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Duklan 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.
Tropoje content to stall in guard here.
Duklan 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sowes Duklan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Duklan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sowes Duklan !