PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Odin Markkanen (ranked 27 p4p, 78 weight class) and Jorgen Kruth (ranked 3 p4p, 7 weight class). Kruth has chosen Black Hole Sun- Soundgarden as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Markkanen
vs
Kruth

170 cm
35
150
19 - 2 - 0

176 cm
28
148
16 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Fast

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorgen Kruth!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruth doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Markkanen counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Jorgen Kruth has been cut.
Jab, jab by Kruth - just one landing.
Kruth tries for a takedown but Markkanen circles away easily
and Markkanen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jorgen Kruth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kruth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Markkanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kruth somewhat.
As Kruth looks to move away, Markkanen throws a big counter combo but Kruth just gets out of the way.
Odin Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorgen Kruth.
Kruth fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kruth tries for a takedown but Markkanen circles away easily
and Markkanen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kruth's knee momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruth doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Markkanen counters with a straight right hand.
Markkanen wants to land a leg kick but Kruth is out of range.
Kruth will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Markkanen tried to counter with a leg kick but Kruth avoided it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruth looks for a takedown but Markkanen sprawls well.

Markkanen gets caught flat footed, as Kruth shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kruth wants to control from the top but Markkanen keeps moving.
Markkanen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kruth controls the pace.
Markkanen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kruth's guard.

Kruth working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Markkanen has passed into half guard!
Kruth is staying active underneath Markkanen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruth trying to control from the bottom.
Kruth might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Markkanen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Markkanen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kruth is looking for a sweep. Markkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kruth trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kruth working to try and regain half guard.
Markkanen lands a couple of good shots and Kruth has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Markkanen is trying to stick to Kruth's back but Kruth is turning into Markkanen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Markkanen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kruth.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Markkanen keeping moving, preventing Kruth from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruth passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Kruth tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kruth is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Markkanen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kruth wants to lay and pray for a moment but Markkanen keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jorgen Kruth's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kruth uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Markkanen.
Kruth shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Markkanen as he avoids it easily.
Markkanen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kruth.
Kruth lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kruth on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kruth has his takedown stuffed
letting Markkanen counter with a right hand.
Odin Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorgen Kruth.
Kruth looks for a takedown but Markkanen sprawls well.

Markkanen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen has a couple of punches blocked by Kruth.
Markkanen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kruth changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Markkanen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kruth can do to turn this around?
Kruth will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Markkanen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Odin Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Kruth misses with a takedown attempt
and Markkanen counters with a low kick, right behind Kruth 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen throws out a loose jab but Kruth uses good head movement to avoid it.

Kruth shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Markkanen napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Kruth swings around for an armbar but Markkanen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kruth's guard.
Kruth is breathing heavily.
Markkanen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kruth looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markkanen is one step ahead there.
Kruth preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kruth wants to control but Markkanen passes easily into half guard.
Kruth tries to get to full guard but Markkanen has control of the leg.
Markkanen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruth trying to control here.
Markkanen is looking to take a break and control but Kruth is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kruth gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markkanen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kruth's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruth is trying to keep Markkanen in close.

Kruth throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Markkanen escapes and throws Kruth's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Markkanen scores with punches from side control.
Kruth takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kruth struggling a bit here.
Kruth manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruth is just content to waste time from the top position. Markkanen takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Markkanen is on top in guard.

Markkanen is working Kruth over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kruth not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kruth is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Markkanen is aware though and is defending well.
Markkanen trying to control but Kruth is working from the bottom.
Our spies down at at Catch Wrestling L.A. inform us that Kruth has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jorgen Kruth's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Markkanen thumps Kruth with a low kick.

Kruth shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Markkanen's guard.
Kruth stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Markkanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Markkanen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Markkanen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruth wants to pass the guard but Markkanen is keeping the position.
Kruth looking to sit in guard and control but Markkanen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen wants to pass the guard but Kruth is keeping the position.

Kruth escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Markkanen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kruth is trying to hold Markkanen in close to prevent damage but Markkanen has managed to pass into half guard.
Kruth is looking to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Markkanen is thwarting Kruth's attempts to control the position.
Markkanen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Kruth is trying to control but Markkanen manages to pass to mount!
Markkanen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kruth looks a forlorn figure.
Markkanen prevents Kruth from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen looking to finish Kruth with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kruth!
Kruth takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kruth is looking to improve his position but Markkanen isn't that keen on the idea.
Kruth tries to hold on but Markkanen postures up.
Odin Markkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markkanen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kruth is looking to escape.
Kruth sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruth trying to control but Markkanen postures up.
Kruth is looking for a sweep. Markkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Markkanen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Markkanen trying to pass the guard but Kruth defending well.
Kruth wants to get back to full guard but Markkanen has passed into side control.
Markkanen scoring with punches and elbows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kruth is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jorgen Kruth's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Markkanen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kruth trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markkanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Markkanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Markkanen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kruth defends well.
Markkanen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruth is refusing to be controlled, as Markkanen sits in half guard.
Kruth is looking to improve his position.
Markkanen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kruth is looking to improve his position.
Markkanen thows a huge punch but Kruth dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kruth is looking to control Markkanen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kruth avoid being mounted?
Markkanen lands strikes from half guard.
Kruth wants to control but Markkanen is keeping busy.
Markkanen lands with a punch from half guard.
Kruth is staying active underneath Markkanen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kruth has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Markkanen is working away from the top position though.
Kruth is trying to control but Markkanen manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruth tries to hold on but Markkanen pushes him away.
Markkanen putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kruth gets back to half guard.
Markkanen throws a strike but Kruth avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Markkanen stays in close to Kruth's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kruth is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Markkanen lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kruth holds on and takes a little breather.
Markkanen 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.
Kruth trying to control the position here.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Kruth keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen had his way with Jorgen Kruth in that round.
The cut man is working on Jorgen Kruth'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. This is the final round!

Kruth goes for a double leg but Markkanen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Markkanen continues to drive forward.
Kruth shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Markkanen but Markkanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Markkanen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kruth darts in looking for a takedown but Markkanen gets double underhooks and turns Kruth into the cage.
As Kruth backs away, Markkanen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Odin Markkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorgen Kruth.
Kruth fails with the takedown
and Markkanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kruth shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Markkanen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Markkanen scores with a jab. Kruth acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kruth on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruth with a poor takedown
and Markkanen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markkanen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kruth is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kruth misses with a takedown attempt
and Markkanen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kruth thinking.
Markkanen jabs at Kruth's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen misses with a few strikes there.
Markkanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kruth shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Markkanen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markkanen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Markkanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kruth.

Markkanen moves into the clinch successfully.
Markkanen lands a right hand.
Markkanen prevents the takedown attempt.
Markkanen cracks Kruth with a nice body shot.
Kruth's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Markkanen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Markkanen scores with a shot to the side of Kruth's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kruth can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Markkanen.

Markkanen manages to break the clinch.
Kruth gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Markkanen counters with a crisp one two that drops Kruth! Markkanen thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Kruth to his feet! Kruth is in big trouble!

Kruth is rocked!
Kruth has his takedown stuffed
and Markkanen counters with a huge left! Kruth is in big trouble! He's backing up but Markkanen isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Kruth from any more damage. A dominating finish by Markkanen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Odin Markkanen!
A less than humble Odin Markkanen misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.