PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Krouse (ranked 4317 p4p, 380 weight class) and Artur Barushki (ranked 7505 p4p, 517 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Krouse
vs
Barushki

175 cm
24
149 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

171 cm
23
146 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, David Krouse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Artur Barushki !
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krouse fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Barushki leaves Krouse with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Krouse shoots in but Barushki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Krouse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krouse shoots in looking for a takedown. Barushki tries to sprawl out of it but Krouse keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barushki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Krouse misses with a wild combination.
Barushki avoids the head kick by Krouse.
Krouse misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krouse shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barushki defends it nicely.
Krouse looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Barushki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Barushki fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Krouse to the ground. Barushki is now in Krouse's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Krouse manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Krouse is fighting off a takedown attempt but Barushki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Krouse to the mat. Krouse regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Barushki controlling from the top position.
Barushki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Barushki looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Barushki tries to pass to full mount but Krouse defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krouse wants to get back to his feet.
Barushki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Krouse looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Barushki looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Barushki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Barushki is looking for a kimura but Krouse is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barushki to get the leverage.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Barushki might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Krouse wants to get back to full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krouse gets back to full guard.

Krouse is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barushki defends well.

Barushki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Krouse has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Barushki has managed to get both his arms back between Krouse's legs - danger averted.
Barushki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Krouse is defended easily by Barushki .
Barushki looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Krouse fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Krouse is breathing heavily.

Barushki closes the distance and clinches.

Barushki breaks from the clinch.
Barushki keeps the fight on the outside.

Barushki has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Krouse is trying to force a seperation but Barushki has the dominant position.
Krouse tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barushki just stands there and leans against the cage.

Barushki drags the fight down to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Barushki 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.

Krouse changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barushki tries to avoid it but Krouse manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barushki to the ground. Barushki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
David Krouse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Barushki . No joy for Krouse on that attempt.
Barushki lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Krouse shoots in for a double leg but Barushki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Krouse. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barushki shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Barushki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Krouse trying to keep a closed guard but Barushki is proving a slippery customer.
Barushki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barushki stopping the sweep attempt from Krouse.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barushki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barushki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Barushki gets to his feet - Krouse follows without any prompting.
Krouse fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Krouse shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Krouse.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Barushki clinches up with Krouse and pushes him back against the cage.
Krouse has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Barushki after a bit of a struggle.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barushki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Krouse's brow.

Barushki lands a takedown into guard.
Barushki won't allow Krouse to sweep him here.

Krouse had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barushki defends it easily.
Krouse 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barushki gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Krouse gets caught flat footed, as Barushki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barushki 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.
Barushki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barushki chips away with some ground and pound.
Barushki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krouse trying to keep a closed guard but Barushki is proving a slippery customer.
Barushki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Krouse gets tackled into the cage by Barushki . Barushki maintains the clinch.

Barushki ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Barushki no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Barushki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Krouse is one step ahead there.
Barushki is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Barushki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Barushki throws a body shot but no joy.
Krouse attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Barushki tries to counter by closing the distance.

Barushki darts in and clinches Krouse up against the cage.

Barushki pulls guard effortlessly.
Krouse looking to pass the guard.

Barushki manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Barushki has Krouse pressed against the cage, preventing Krouse from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Come on Barushki - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krouse tries to score a body lock takedown but Barushki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Barushki manages to break the clinch.
Krouse avoids the body shot from Barushki .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krouse misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barushki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Krouse shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Barushki sprawls well. Barushki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Krouse gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Krouse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krouse misses with a takedown attempt

and Barushki counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Barushki ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Barushki no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Barushki has his hands on Krouse's head, controlling the position.

Krouse avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Krouse preventing the sweep.
Artur Barushki has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barushki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Barushki works his way into full mount!
Krouse really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barushki controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krouse wants to hold on but Barushki pushes him away.
Krouse is trying to escape the mount.
Barushki thowing shots but they're missing.

Barushki jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Krouse manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Barushki working the strikes but Krouse uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's four 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.
Barushki slips a nice elbow through Krouse's hands, connecting with Krouse's forehead.
Krouse is trying to stand back up but Barushki is controlling him
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Barushki working his ground and pound in the gym.
Krouse is trying to maintain the position but Barushki is very close to passing his half guard.
Barushki not doing much here.
Krouse is looking to control Barushki 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Krouse avoid being mounted?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Krouse has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Barushki escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Barushki !

And that's the end of the fight!
Artur Barushki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Barushki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artur Barushki !
In defeat, David Krouse stepped up to the mic, saying 'oof'.