PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rainbow Hero (ranked 722 p4p, 88 weight class) and Matt Kroblur (ranked 680 p4p, 87 weight class). Hero comes to the cage accompanied by Пачка сигар. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hero
vs
Kroblur

179 cm
37
203 lbs
25 - 17 - 6

186 cm
33
196 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 6, fighting out of London, Rainbow Hero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Kroblur!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kroblur tries to bum rush Hero with a series of wild strikes but Hero uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hero throwing a counter right hand but Kroblur manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Kroblur, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hero swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Hero misses with a low kick.
Kroblur clobbers Hero with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hero throws a hook to the side of Kroblur's head but Kroblur sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hero misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hero takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hero lunges at Kroblur with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kroblur's hand.
Hero takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hero throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kroblur sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kroblur works the jab nicely.
Hero takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kroblur lands a high kick!
Hero throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kroblur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hero half committed to a counter leg kick.
Hero throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hero blocks a jab.
Rainbow Hero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kroblur gets tackled into the cage by Hero. Hero maintains the clinch.
Come on Hero - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Kroblur breaks from the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hero.
Kroblur changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hero gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hero takes a swing at Kroblur's ribcage but misses.
Hero pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hero misses with the combination.
Hero takes a swing at Kroblur's ribcage but misses.
Hero swings for the body but Kroblur moves out of range.
Hero throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kroblur misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero throws out a loose jab but Kroblur uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kroblur swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hero looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A low kick from Hero is predictable there
and Kroblur counters with a nice body shot.
Kroblur has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Kroblur changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hero looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hero gets back to half guard.
Kroblur working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kroblur prevents Hero from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kroblur connects with a nice short shot to Hero's temple.
Hero gets back to full guard.
Kroblur stands up over Hero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Hero throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kroblur postures up in Hero's guard and throws a big left but Hero blocks it.
Kroblur stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kroblur's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Hero is looking for a triangle but Kroblur pushes his legs off easily.
Kroblur with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kroblur 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.
Kroblur works over Hero with some ground and pound from guard.
Kroblur content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hero is pulling down on Kroblur's head to control his posture.
Kroblur works over Hero with some ground and pound from guard.
Kroblur postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kroblur wants to control from the top but Hero keeps moving.
Hero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kroblur.
Hero wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kroblur controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kroblur trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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.

Matt Kroblur dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kroblur swats away the attempt to clinch by Hero.
Rainbow Hero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Kroblur.
Kroblur has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kroblur has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hero finds it's way round the side to connect with Kroblur's head.
Hero throws a leg kick but Kroblur sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Kroblur on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hero looks to throw the jab but Kroblur is out of range.
Hero misses with a body kick.
A combination from Kroblur does no damage.
Hero pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kroblur back to the cage. Hero follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hero.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kroblur keeps the fight on the outside.
Kroblur throws a counter combo.
Hero with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hero lands an overhand right.
Kroblur works over Hero's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kroblur changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hero looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hero is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kroblur off and has taken his back!

Kroblur is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Hero trying to control.
Hero controlling well, preventing Kroblur from escaping the position.

Hero is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Kroblur tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kroblur's corner are yelling at him, telling him to just focus on controlling Hero's hands.
Kroblur wants to escape the position.

Kroblur showing good submission defense here.
Hero gets his hands free as Kroblur looks to control.
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!

Hero looking for the RNC.
Kroblur looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kroblur tries to escape but Hero has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hero is not going to allow Kroblur to sit and survive in this position.
Hero wants to control but Kroblur is keeping busy.

Hero looking for the choke but no joy.

Kroblur defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Kroblur is working Hero over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kroblur accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kroblur postures up.
Kroblur lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hero looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kroblur is one step ahead there.
Kroblur slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Kroblur tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kroblur has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hero is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rainbow Hero will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hero tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kroblur counters with a stiff right hand.
Kroblur checks the leg kick.
Kroblur gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hero.
Kroblur has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hero avoids a punch combination nicely.

Kroblur closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kroblur lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kroblur throwing strikes but missing.

Hero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kroblur can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroblur is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kroblur won't allow Hero to sweep him here.
Kroblur is looking to pass into half guard but Hero pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hero is in guard.

Hero throws a big right hand that misses.
Kroblur tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kroblur trying to keep a closed guard but Hero is proving a slippery customer.
Hero trying to control the position from guard on top but Kroblur is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kroblur looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hero wants to pass the guard but Kroblur is keeping the position.
Hero wants to control from the top but Kroblur keeps moving.
Hero is pushing down on Kroblur's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kroblur is fighting to maintain full guard but Hero has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hero is pressing down on Kroblur's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kroblur is holding on for now.
Kroblur is looking for a sweep. Hero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kroblur doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hero.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Hero is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kroblur is looking to improve his position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kroblur takes one on the button.
Hero misses with an uppercut. Kroblur saw that one coming.
Kroblur is looking for the big counter here.
Kroblur misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hero misses with a hook.
Matt Kroblur is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kroblur throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hero.
No joy there for Kroblur, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hero thows a leg kick but Kroblur checks it
and Kroblur counters with a three punch combo that has Hero backing up. Hero nods at Kroblur to acknowledge the strikes.
Kroblur takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hero tries to clinch up.
Hero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hero misses with a hook.
Kroblur appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Matt Kroblur seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hero lands a jab to the nose.
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!
Hero scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kroblur throws a nice looking combination but Hero bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hero.
Hero lands with a straight right. Kroblur didn't see that one coming.

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 Rainbow Hero.
I think Hero 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

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