PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Murray Garland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miroslav Klose (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garland comes to the cage accompanied by Muzzy on the Dancefloor. Miroslav Klose has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Garland
vs
Klose

188 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Murray Garland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miroslav Klose!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Klose closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Garland managing to block the knees to the body from Klose.

Garland turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Garland manages to end up in side control.
Garland moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Garland really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Garland stands up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Klose.

Garland throws Klose to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Klose putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Garland in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Our sources have told us that Garland has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.

Garland breaks from the clinch.

Garland shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Klose is doing well to control the position and prevent Garland from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garland controlling the action here.
Klose is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Garland scores with a couple of nice shots.
Garland is taking a breather. Klose says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Garland seems to be looking for submissions.
Garland is controlling the pace.
Klose pushes Garland off looking to stand but Garland dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Garland content to control rather than advance.

Garland is working for a kimura but Klose is defending it quite comfortably.
Klose wants to improve his position but Garland is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Garland there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klose wants to get back to full guard.
Garland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Garland is controlling the pace.
Klose is trying to stand.

Garland is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Klose has managed to free his arm - good work.
Garland content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Garland wants to stand up but Klose is controlling the position.

That's four 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.
Klose is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Garland lands with a punch from half guard.
Garland content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Garland tries to stand but can't do so whilst Klose controls his leg.
Klose trying to hold on to Garland's head to control him but Garland postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Garland gets a double leg takedown into Klose's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Klose wants to stand up but Garland is controlling him.
Garland trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Garland controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Klose is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Garland is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's six 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.

Klose is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Garland shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Klose's guard.

Garland stands and steps away. Klose gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Garland closes the distance and clinches.

Garland is fighting off a takedown attempt but Klose is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Garland to the mat. Garland regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Garland working for a triangle but Klose defends it easily.
My spies in CT + BJJ & Wrestling & Boxing & MT SPARRING GYM inform me that Klose has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Garland looking for a sweep. Not yet Garland, not yet.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Garland is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Klose trying to control but Garland is working from the bottom.
Klose throws a big right hand that misses.
Garland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Klose manages to get himself to full guard.

Garland looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Klose wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Garland manages to pass to side control.
Garland controlling the action here.
Klose is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Garland's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Garland's back!

Klose is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Garland knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Garland for a finish.

Klose patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Klose looks winded!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Garland rolls, trying to escape but Klose keeps control of the position.
Klose is not going to allow Garland to sit and survive in this position.
Garland really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Klose's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
Garland is trying to get back to his feet but Klose has full control of the position and if anything, Garland has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Garland wants to escape the position.

Klose looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Garland trying to control the action but Klose just sinks the hooks in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murray Garland dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Klose fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Garland has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Klose misses with a left hand

and Garland counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Garland.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Klose trying to control the position but instead, Garland has worked for underhooks and has pushed Klose into the cage.
Garland controlling the action here for a moment.
Klose is trying to push Garland away but Garland has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Garland is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Klose to keep the fight standing.

Garland jumps into guard, dragging Klose to the mat.
Klose must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garland seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Garland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Klose manages to get himself to full guard.

Garland postures up and lands a big shot to Klose's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klose working a defensive guard here.
Klose wants to sweep but no luck.
Garland's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Garland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Klose is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Garland is controlling him.

Klose looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Garland has picked Klose up and slammed him! Klose can't keep hold of the triangle and Garland manages to pass to side control!
Klose is breathing heavily.
Garland is chipping away with strikes.

That's two 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.
Garland working away.
Garland controlling the position.
Murray Garland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Garland lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Garland is trying to get an arm triangle but Klose is defending well.
Klose tries to escape but Garland is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garland works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Klose is looking for a sweep.

Garland decides to stand up, so the ref orders Klose to his feet.
Garland takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Garland shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Garland is standing up over Klose. Klose looks to escape but Garland dives into side control.

Klose takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Klose taking a bit of punishment here - Garland scoring with strikes.
Garland controlling from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klose is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Garland is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Klose will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Garland has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Klose shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Garland napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Garland is looking for a sweep.
Klose prevents Garland from escaping the position.
Garland is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Garland manages to get to full guard.
Garland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Klose can do to turn this around?

Klose postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Garland is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Klose, into his guard.

Garland with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Garland content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Garland controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Klose thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Garland is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Garland wants to stand but Klose is controlling his posture from full guard.
Garland advances to half guard.
Garland not doing much here.
Klose trying to hold on to Garland's head to control him but Garland postures up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Garland is looking to advance position but Klose won't allow it.
Klose is trying to stand up here but Garland is controlling him well.
Well, if Garland is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Garland stops Klose from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Klose throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Garland moves into the clinch.

Garland gets control of Klose's arms and successfully pulls guard. Garland will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Garland escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Klose gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Garland bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Klose's guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Garland slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Garland postures up.
Garland is in close to Klose's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Garland avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Klose controls Garland momentarily but Garland frees himself.

Garland stands up from Klose's guard - Garland perhaps looking for a knockout.
Klose scores with a nice body kick.

Klose closes the distance and clinches.

Garland works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Klose pushes Garland off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Garland gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murray Garland dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Klose throws a head kick but Garland moves out of range.
Klose throws a body punch but Garland moves out of range.
Klose throws a solid leg kick but Garland takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Klose.

Garland clinches with his opponent.

Garland gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Garland is stalling in the full guard.
Garland working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garland lands a couple of elbows.
Garland 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.
Klose takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Klose wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garland decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Klose, up you get!
Garland misses with a head kick.

Garland moves into the clinch.
Garland blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Garland has Klose pushed against the cage.

Garland has picked Klose up - he's going for a ride! Garland dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Garland decides to stand up.

Garland closes the distance and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Garland.

Garland gets control of Klose's arms and successfully pulls guard. Garland will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Klose trying to control but Garland is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klose throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Garland works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Garland is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Klose has his hands clasped together but Garland extends and breaks Klose's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Garland.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Murray Garland!
Murray Garland tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.