PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abel Hug (ranked 865 p4p, 1424 weight class) and Destin Craven (ranked 82 p4p, 136 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hug
vs
Craven

173 cm
28
158
10 - 8 - 0

172 cm
35
141
28 - 28 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abel Hug!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Destin Craven!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craven tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hug was well out of range. Poor timing from Craven.
Craven connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hug. Hug circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Craven misses with a head kick.
Hug is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hug tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Craven was well out of range. Poor timing from Hug.
Craven throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Craven just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromHug.
Left hook, right uppercut from Craven.
Good exchange - Craven coming out on top.

Craven gets a double leg takedown into Hug's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Craven engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Craven won't allow Hug to sweep him here.
Craven trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hug controlling the position.
Craven looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hug preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hug keeping moving, preventing Craven from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hug holds on and takes a little breather.
Craven looking to pass the guard.
Hug is pulling down on Craven's head. It's preventing any offense from Craven, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hug throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Craven slips a jab from Hug.
Hug cracks Craven with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Craven lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hug misses with a hook. Craven ducked under it nicely.
Craven pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Craven has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hug chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Craven can pounce on him.
Craven shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hug as he avoids it easily.

Craven gets a takedown into half guard.
Hug trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Craven is looking to advance position but Hug won't allow it.
Craven winds up and cracks Hug with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
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!
Craven sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hug defending well though.
Craven wants to control but Hug is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hug is pressing down on Craven's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Craven throwing strikes but missing.
Hug keeping full guard, as Craven tries to pass.
Craven throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Craven controls from within his opponent's guard.
Craven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hug swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Craven wants to control from the top but Hug keeps moving.
Craven postures up in Hug's guard and throws a big left but Hug blocks it.

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.
Hug seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hug keeping full guard, as Craven tries to pass.
Hug wants to sweep here but Craven controlling him for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Craven uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hug.
Craven's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hug under the eye.
A shot to the liver by Hug. Beautiful body shot.
Craven falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Hug to counter with a crisp jab.
Craven digs a good hook to Hug's body.
Hug throws a hook but Craven blocks it.
Hug lands with an uppercut that bounces Craven off the cage and back into range.
Craven fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Craven throws a series of punches but Hug moves out of range.
Craven shoots in for a takedown but Hug shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Craven with a nice cross.
Hug dodges the punch combination from Craven.
Hug throwing a counter right hand but Craven manages to avoid it.
Craven tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Craven buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Craven on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Craven throws a hook to the side of Hug's head but Hug sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hug misses with a body kick.
Hug ducks under a wild hook from Craven.
Destin Craven seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Craven throws a head kick that misses.
Craven attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Destin Craven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Craven throws a hook to the side of Hug's head but Hug sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little feinted left hand from Hug on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hug digs a good hook to Craven's body.
Hug avoids the head kick by Craven.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Craven shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hug wants to improve his position but Craven is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hug holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hug gets full guard.
Craven postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hug lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hug 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.
Craven bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hug's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven throwing strikes from guard but Hug blocks nicely.
Craven throws an elbow that misses. Hug uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Craven's guard. Nice move by Hug!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Craven is on top in guard.

Craven won't allow Hug to sweep him here.
Hug working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Craven.
Hug manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Craven manages to get himself to full guard.

Hug tries to free his leg and advance position but Craven is retaining full guard.
Craven is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hug is controlling him.
Hug preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven is looking to stand up but Hug isn't so interested in that idea.
Craven lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Craven throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hug works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Craven throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Craven with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hug preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hug has control of Craven's left arm, preventing Craven from doing any damage.

Craven drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hug looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hug looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hug!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craven tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hug wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Craven wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
You can see the frustration on Craven's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hug controls the position.
Craven regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hug in particular looking to stall.

Craven looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Destin Craven will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Craven misses with a double jab
and Hug counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Craven swinging wildly here.
Hug throws a hook but Craven blocks it.
Hug blocks a head kick by Craven.
Destin Craven is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Craven throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Hug to counter with a crisp jab.
Craven moves away from the strike by Hug.
Craven takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A combination from Craven does no damage.
Craven throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Craven misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hug pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hug is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hug scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Craven uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hug.
Hug thows a left - swing and a miss!
Craven dives in for a single leg takedown but Hug sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hug jabs at Craven's body.
Craven moves out of range as Hug strikes.
Hug tests Craven's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hug just misses with a punch to the body.
Hug displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Craven.
Craven fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Abel Hug has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Destin Craven.
Hug throws a wild body kick that Craven sees coming a mile off.
Hug checks a low kick from Craven.
Craven lands a right hook to the body.
Jab, jab by Hug - just one landing.
Hug throws an overhand right that lands on Craven's shoulder, as Craven tries to avoid the shot.
Abel Hug is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Craven moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Craven swinging wildly here.
Hug swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hug throws a body kick that misses.
Abel Hug has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven scores with a head kick.
Hug uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Craven.
Craven rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Hug to counter with a crisp jab.
Hug misses with a head kick.
Craven looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hug just misses with a punch to the body.
Craven slips under a jab from Hug.
Craven misses with a two punch combination.
Craven cracks Hug with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hug swings for the body but Craven moves out of range.
Craven jabs Hug right on the nose. Hug blinks but takes it well.
Hug looks to land a right hand but Craven moved out of range.
Craven throws a good cross that connects.
Hug slips a jab from Craven.
Hug misses with a hook.
Craven cracks Hug with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hug with a nice calf kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven connects with a looping right hand.
Hug tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Craven was well out of range. Poor timing from Hug.
Craven keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Craven misses.
Hug avoids the head kick by Craven.
Craven throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Craven throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Craven on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Craven takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Craven pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Craven tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hug was well out of range. Poor timing from Craven.
Craven throws a sloppy head kick and Hug moves out of range easily.
Hug looks to land a left hand but Craven moved out of range nicely.
Craven throws a poor cross that misses
and Craven takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Craven tries a head kick but it misses.
Craven looks to throw the jab but Hug is out of range.
Hug was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hug scores with a hook.
Destin Craven is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Craven is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Craven cracks Hug with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Craven is still on wobbly legs! Can Hug finish him?
Hug looks to land a right hand but Craven moved out of range.
Craven looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Craven shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hug as he jumps to the side.
Craven seems to have recovered his senses.
Craven defending well as Hug loads up on a big left hand.
Craven looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hug tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Craven was well out of range. Poor timing from Hug.
Hug checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hug on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Craven fails to land with a series of punches.
Craven walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Craven fails with a takedown attempt.
Hug moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Craven misses with a takedown attempt - Hug sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

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 Abel Hug.
Well Craven 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Destin Craven!
After the fight, Destin Craven was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.