PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dustin Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tank Shamrock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Enter The Spingbok Ninja. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kruger
vs
Shamrock

193 cm
22
243 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
255 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

M.O. Fight Wear
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dustin Kruger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tank Shamrock!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Shamrock.
Shamrock moves out of range of the body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shamrock! But no joy.
Kruger swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamrock.
Kruger throwing a counter right hand but Shamrock manages to avoid it.
Kruger throws a head kick but Shamrock moves out of range.
Shamrock doesn't manage to clinch there - Kruger circles away.
Shamrock will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shamrock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kruger.
Kruger feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kruger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tank Shamrock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kruger staying out of range there.
Kruger throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Shamrock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kruger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Shamrock crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kruger - the referee stops the clock and Shamrock gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kruger. Shamrock manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kruger.
Kruger has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Zoo in the buildup to the fight.
A lazy body kick from Kruger
letting Shamrock counter with a right hand.
Shamrock swings for the body but Kruger moves out of range.
Shamrock is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger lands with a nice body kick.
Shamrock wants to clinch.
Shamrock misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kruger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shamrock fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamrock clinches with his opponent.
Shamrock blocks a body shot from Kruger.
Kruger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

It looks like Tank Shamrock has been cut.
Shamrock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shamrock on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kruger has a couple of punches blocked by Shamrock.
Kruger throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamrock.
Shamrock tries to throw a body punch but Kruger avoids it by throwing Shamrock back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kruger.

Kruger manages to pull guard.

Kruger looking for subs off his back but Shamrock has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kruger with the active half guard here but Shamrock passes nicely into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kruger wants to control but Shamrock postures up.
Kruger manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kruger is keen to just control but Shamrock is a slippery customer.

Kruger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shamrock is just riding it out for now. Kruger eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger trying to pass the guard but Shamrock defending well.
Kruger looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kruger throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Shamrock to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kruger throws a big elbow that misses.
Shamrock looking for a sweep. Not yet Shamrock, not yet.
Kruger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kruger trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kruger sitting in guard here, content to control.
Shamrock wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Kruger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tank Shamrock's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kruger tries to keep at a distance but Shamrock has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kruger misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shamrock is leaning against Kruger and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Kruger manages to break the clinch.
Kruger is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shamrock can do to turn this around?
Kruger throws a head kick but Shamrock moves out of range.

Shamrock has managed to clinch.
Shamrock working aggressively here.
Kruger lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shamrock.
Kruger lands a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Kruger.
Kruger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good body shot from Kruger.
Kruger tries to work over Shamrock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shamrock is breathing heavily.
A short right from Kruger.
Kruger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamrock letting Kruger take a breather here.
Shamrock misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shamrock backwards.
We've been informed that Shamrock has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kruger.
Kruger misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kruger prevents a body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock tries to work over Kruger's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kruger misses with a body punch.
Shamrock misses with a punch to the body.
Shamrock tries to work over Kruger's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Kruger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shamrock wants to clinch
enabling Kruger to counter with a crisp jab.
Shamrock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That kick from Kruger tenderised Shamrock's leg. Shamrock is trying to keep his angry face on.
Shamrock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kruger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kruger misses with the combination.
Shamrock now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger throws a jab but it's blocked by Shamrock.
Kruger slips under a jab.
Kruger digs a good hook to Shamrock's body.
Kruger tries a head kick but it misses.
Shamrock appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Shamrock fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamrock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
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!
Kruger throws a head kick but Shamrock moves out of range.
Shamrock checks a leg kick nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shamrock! But no joy.
Kruger moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kruger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamrock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kruger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kruger throwing a counter right hand but Shamrock manages to avoid it.
Kruger throws the kick towards the body but Shamrock avoids it.
Kruger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Kruger.
Kruger swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamrock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock tries to close the distance and clinch but Kruger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kruger misses with an attempted mid kick.

Shamrock moves into the clinch successfully.
A hook to the body from Shamrock.
Shamrock's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kruger working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kruger looking to slow down the pace here.
A left hand lands to the body for Shamrock.
Kruger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kruger lands a hook that snaps the head of Shamrock backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Kruger.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike.
Kruger lands a nice uppercut.
Shamrock working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kruger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamrock blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamrock has a couple of punches blocked by Kruger.
Shamrock swings wildly with an uppercut but Kruger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The referee calls for Kruger to work.
Kruger stalling in the clinch.
Kruger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Shamrock lands a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kruger has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shamrock can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kruger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shamrock is one step ahead there.
Kruger seems keen to control Shamrock's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dustin Kruger dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tank Shamrock's cut.
That's time! Kruger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shamrock lands a lovely overhand right.
Shamrock tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kruger manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamrock misses with a body shot
and Kruger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shamrock takes a kick to the side of the head.
Shamrock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kruger.

Shamrock rushes Kruger and presses him up against the cage.
Kruger misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamrock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kruger blocks a body shot from Shamrock.
A head punch on the inside from Kruger fails to land.
Nice body punch from Shamrock - that landed with a thud.
Shamrock lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kruger backwards.
Kruger lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamrock.
Kruger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Shamrock.
Kruger lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shamrock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kruger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shamrock letting Kruger take a breather here.
Shamrock scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Kruger as the two fighters clinch.
Kruger misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kruger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamrock scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kruger throws a head punch that misses.
Kruger can't find room to land a body shot as Shamrock controls the action.
Shamrock lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Shamrock fails to land.
Kruger misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kruger.

Kruger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shamrock wants to clinch.
Kruger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shamrock. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamrock. Kruger does a little dance to reset his feet.

Shamrock fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kruger, pushing him back against the cage.
Shamrock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kruger tries to work over Shamrock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Kruger on the inside.
Kruger works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kruger working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Kruger.

That has opened up Tank Shamrock's cut even more.
Nice body punch from Kruger.

Kruger pulls guard effortlessly.
Kruger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kruger controlling the position.

Kruger looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shamrock passes into side control.
Kruger is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruger manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shamrock's best efforts.
Kruger wants to control but Shamrock is keeping busy.
Kruger tries to roll over but Shamrock keeps him under control.
Kruger controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dustin Kruger did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Tank Shamrock's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kruger misses with a low kick.
Kruger takes one to the chin there.
Shamrock checks a leg kick.
Dustin Kruger is winning the standup battle so far.
Shamrock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kruger on the side of the head.
Kruger misses with a body kick.
Shamrock misses with a straight left.
Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kruger moves away.
Shamrock is looking to clinch.
Kruger is looking to clinch.
Shamrock tries to clinch but Kruger moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kruger.
Shamrock throws out a loose jab but Kruger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good shot there by Kruger.
Kruger lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger misses with a wild body shot.
Shamrock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shamrock connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shamrock swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shamrock just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKruger.
Shamrock takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamrock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kruger throws a quick counter kick to the body but Shamrock avoids it.
Shamrock misses with an uppercut.
Shamrock with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kruger uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shamrock has time to react.
Kruger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shamrock.
Shamrock moves in looking to clinch but Kruger pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamrock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shamrock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shamrock tries to clinch there but Kruger circles away.
Shamrock takes one on the button.
Kruger swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamrock.
Shamrock lands a body shot.
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!
Kruger lands a head kick. Shamrock smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Shamrock tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Kruger counter with a right hand.
Kruger swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamrock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kruger on the side of the head.
Shamrock fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shamrock scores with a nice right hand.

Shamrock instigates a clinch.
Shamrock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kruger lands a hook to the side of the head.

The cut above Tank Shamrock's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Kruger is trying to maintain a safe position but Shamrock gets an underhook and turns Kruger into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Shamrock scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kruger makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kruger misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kruger avoiding damage.
Shamrock tries a body shot but Kruger blocks it.
Shamrock struggles to land a body shot inside as Kruger controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock has a couple of punches blocked by Kruger.
Shamrock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kruger lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamrock tries to work over Kruger's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kruger digs a right hand underneath Shamrock's ribcage. Shamrock let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kruger misses with the head strike.
Kruger misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dustin Kruger has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kruger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shamrock stuns Kruger with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kruger looks for the body kick but Shamrock saw that one coming.
Shamrock takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Shamrock has managed to clinch.
Kruger tries to throw a body punch but Shamrock avoids it by throwing Kruger back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamrock.
Kruger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tank Shamrock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tank Shamrock's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kruger lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kruger attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kruger misses with a right hand
and Shamrock connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Shamrock has managed to clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shamrock tries to throw a body punch but Kruger avoids it by throwing Shamrock back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Kruger.
Kruger misses with the head strike.
Shamrock prevents a body shot from Kruger.
Kruger lands with a left to the head.
Shamrock misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kruger jumps guard and drags Shamrock to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Kruger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shamrock really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kruger. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kruger working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kruger looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shamrock passes into side control.
Shamrock trying to control the position but Kruger is working away.
Tank Shamrock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dustin Kruger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kruger struggling a bit here.
Shamrock wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kruger keeps working.
Kruger regains half guard.

Kruger looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kruger gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger working a defensive guard but Shamrock passes into half guard.
Kruger is trying to get back to full guard.
Kruger gets back to full guard.
Shamrock looking to pass the guard.

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.
Kruger keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Kruger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shamrock defends it easily.
Shamrock stopping the sweep attempt from Kruger.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kruger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shamrock.
Dustin Kruger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kruger gets tackled into the cage by Shamrock. Shamrock maintains the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dustin Kruger.
Well Kruger has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tank Shamrock!
Tank Shamrock is the new heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Tank Shamrock thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.