PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Goban Declan (ranked 2882 p4p, 350 weight class) and Carlos Kruschewsky (ranked 3933 p4p, 439 weight class). Kruschewsky has chosen Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In a Sentimental Mood as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Declan
vs
Kruschewsky

187 cm
30
190 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

174 cm
28
189 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Goban Declan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlos Kruschewsky!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Declan throws a low kick, looking for Kruschewsky's leg but Kruschewsky calmly moves out of range.
Declan avoids the body shot from Kruschewsky.
Kruschewsky avoids the head kick by Declan.
Kruschewsky jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Declan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kruschewsky has time to react.
Kruschewsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Declan moves away.
Kruschewsky slips under a jab from Declan.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kruschewsky crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Declan - the referee stops the clock and Kruschewsky gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Declan. Kruschewsky manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Declan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kruschewsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Declan tries to sprawl out of it but Kruschewsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Declan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Declan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kruschewsky's hands.
Declan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kruschewsky throws a shot from downtown. Declan moves away and avoids it.
Declan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Declan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kruschewsky's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Declan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kruschewsky scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Declan connects with a solid leg kick.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Kruschewsky is just out of range.
Kruschewsky throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Declan. Kruschewsky does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kruschewsky takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Kruschewsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kruschewsky throwing shots but Declan is blocking nicely.
Kruschewsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Declan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kruschewsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kruschewsky throwing shots but Declan is blocking nicely.
Kruschewsky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kruschewsky lands a nice short elbow.
Kruschewsky is looking to advance position but Declan won't allow it.
Kruschewsky is stalling here. Declan is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Kruschewsky seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Declan has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Declan tries to score with some ground and pound. Kruschewsky controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kruschewsky gets back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Declan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Declan 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.
Kruschewsky is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Declan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Declan's back!
Kruschewsky throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Kruschewsky thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Declan covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan trying to control the action but Kruschewsky just sinks the hooks in.
Kruschewsky lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Declan.
Kruschewsky softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Declan tries to escape the position.
Declan covering up well under a series of strikes from Kruschewsky.
Kruschewsky controlling well, preventing Declan from escaping the position.
Declan trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Kruschewsky has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kruschewsky keeps control of the position as Declan tries to break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Declan breaks Kruschewsky's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Declan's guard.

Declan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kruschewsky escapes and throws Declan's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kruschewsky lands a decent elbow from side control.
Kruschewsky throwing strikes but Declan manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruschewsky looks to move to half guard but instead Declan has passed into mount! Damn!
Declan lands a couple of good shots and Kruschewsky has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Declan not allowing Kruschewsky to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goban Declan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kruschewsky throws out a loose jab but Declan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruschewsky swings for the body but Declan moves out of range.
Declan misses with an uppercut. Kruschewsky saw that one coming.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Kruschewsky is just out of range.
Declan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Declan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kruschewsky.
Kruschewsky uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Declan.
Declan lands a nice shot to the body.
Kruschewsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Declan.
Declan tests Kruschewsky's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Declan lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice straight punches there by Kruschewsky. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kruschewsky.
Declan throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Declan throws a wild body kick that Kruschewsky sees coming a mile off.
Declan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Declan takes a swing at Kruschewsky's ribcage but misses.
Kruschewsky moves into range and connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kruschewsky. Declan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kruschewsky throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Declan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Declan finds it's target.
Declan misses with an uppercut. Kruschewsky saw that one coming.
Kruschewsky throws a hook but Declan blocks it.
Declan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruschewsky scores with a nice head shot.
Declan misses with a body shot.
Kruschewsky throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Declan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Declan throws a shot from downtown. Kruschewsky moves away and avoids it.
Declan moves out of range as Kruschewsky strikes.
Declan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Declan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kruschewsky can do to turn this around?

Kruschewsky darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Declan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruschewsky.
Kruschewsky working over Declan with some ground and pound. Declan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've been hearing good reports from Declan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Declan trying to hold on to Kruschewsky's head to control him but Kruschewsky postures up.
Declan has hold of Kruschewsky's hands but Kruschewsky slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Declan works his way to full guard. Good work.
Carlos Kruschewsky has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Declan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Declan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Declan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruschewsky missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kruschewsky throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Declan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kruschewsky manages to get himself to full guard.

Kruschewsky 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.
Declan looking to sit in guard and control but Kruschewsky gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Declan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kruschewsky postures up in Declan's guard and throws a big left but Declan blocks it.
Kruschewsky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kruschewsky throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Declan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kruschewsky passes into half guard.
Declan holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kruschewsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Declan gets back to full guard.
Kruschewsky cracks Declan with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky is looking to work some ground and pound but Declan has wrist control.
Kruschewsky in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kruschewsky makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kruschewsky makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Declan managing to control the position.
Kruschewsky won't allow Declan to sweep him here.
Kruschewsky postures up in Declan's guard and throws a big left but Declan blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kruschewsky misses with a straight left.
Goban Declan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kruschewsky instigates a clinch.
Declan tries to stall but Kruschewsky uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Declan misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kruschewsky breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Declan thumps Kruschewsky with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carlos Kruschewsky will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Declan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kruschewsky cracks Declan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Declan throws a hook but Kruschewsky blocks it.
Kruschewsky keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kruschewsky looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Declan is fending him off so far but Kruschewsky persists. Nope, Declan circles away and we're back to standing.

Kruschewsky clinches up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Declan.

Kruschewsky escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Declan tries to bum rush Kruschewsky with a series of wild strikes but Kruschewsky uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Declan misses with a low kick.
Kruschewsky misses with a body shot.
Good work by Kruschewsky as he checks the leg kick.
Declan delivers a nice body kick.
Declan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruschewsky blocks a head kick by Declan.
Declan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kruschewsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Declan.
Kruschewsky scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kruschewsky scores with a hook.
Kruschewsky tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Kruschewsky misses.
Kruschewsky misses the shot to the body.
Declan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Declan throws a looping overhand right but Kruschewsky ducks down to avoid it.
Kruschewsky misses with a wild body shot.
Declan cracks the inside of Kruschewsky's front leg.
Declan throws a leg kick but Kruschewsky sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Declan scores with a jab to the jaw.

Declan gets caught napping as Kruschewsky dives in and scores a takedown. Declan manages to retain guard.
Kruschewsky content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kruschewsky postures up in Declan's guard and throws a big left but Declan blocks it.
Declan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Declan managing to control the position.
Kruschewsky postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Declan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruschewsky throwing strikes but missing.
Kruschewsky trying to control but Declan is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kruschewsky swings for the body but Declan moves out of range.
Declan doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Declan.
Kruschewsky lands a nice looking body shot.
Kruschewsky lands a jab to the nose.
Kruschewsky fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Declan manages to avoid it.
Kruschewsky connects with a jab.
Declan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kruschewsky.
Declan cracks Kruschewsky with a good jab.
Kruschewsky misses with an uppercut. Declan saw that one coming.
Declan throws a shot from downtown. Kruschewsky moves away and avoids it.
Kruschewsky misses with a looping left.
Declan tries to land a front kick but Kruschewsky steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kruschewsky misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Declan.
Declan is looking to counter punch.
Declan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kruschewsky's sensitive parts.
Kruschewsky looks to land a left hand but Declan moved out of range nicely.
Declan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Declan slips a straight right by Kruschewsky.
An inside leg kick lands from Declan.
Kruschewsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Declan moves away.
Kruschewsky throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Declan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Declan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kruschewsky was well out of range. Poor timing from Declan.
Kruschewsky throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Declan connects with a solid leg kick.
Kruschewsky takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

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!
Declan lands a slapping body shot.
Declan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kruschewsky misses the jab.
Kruschewsky throws a looping overhand right but Declan ducks down to avoid it.
Kruschewsky takes a swing at Declan's ribcage but misses.
Declan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kruschewsky loads up on a big right hand but Declan slips the punch.
Kruschewsky takes a swing at Declan's ribcage but misses.
Kruschewsky moves away from the strike by Declan.
A telegraphed right hand from Declan misses the target.
Kruschewsky walks into a left hand.
Declan throws a jab but it's blocked by Kruschewsky.
Declan slips a straight right by Kruschewsky.
Declan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kruschewsky paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kruschewsky just misses with a punch to the body.
Declan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kruschewsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Declan moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Declan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Declan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

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 Goban Declan.
I think Declan 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Goban Declan!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Carlos Kruschewsky!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Goban Declan!

Goban Declan wins by split decision!
Goban Declan very nearly forgot to thank King of Fists amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.