PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joeseph Michael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Knut Kroger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knut Kroger will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Michael
vs
Kroger

180 cm
22
209 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joeseph Michael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Knut Kroger!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kroger tries to clinch there but Michael circles away.
Kroger lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kroger tries to clinch there but Michael circles away.
Michael looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No joy there for Kroger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A left and a right from Kroger both land. Nice combination.
Kroger lands a nice shot that snaps Michael's head back.
Kroger tries to clinch up.
Kroger doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Michael counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kroger thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Michael has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kroger trying to strike off his back.
Michael stops Kroger from standing up.
Kroger trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Kroger pushes Michael off and gets back to his feet.

Kroger scores a takedown into full mount!
Kroger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kroger looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michael flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Michael slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kroger wants to free his trapped foot but Michael is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michael blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kroger.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kroger prevents Michael from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kroger lands a nice short elbow.

Kroger decides to stand and escape the position.
Kroger wants to clinch but Michael slips to the side
and Michael counters with a right hand to the body.
Michael looks for a takedown but Kroger sprawls well.
Kroger closes the distance but Michael moves to the side

and Michael counters with a takedown into side control.
Michael creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kroger sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Michael scoring with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Check out the look on Michael's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Michael lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kroger down.

Kroger is rocked!
Michael creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kroger is still in real trouble! Can Michael finish him?
Michael advances nicely into full mount.
Michael lands a heavy elbow.
Michael pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The referee warns Kroger that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kroger can do anything to dispel that myth.
Michael is landing with some decent strikes but Kroger is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Michael fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kroger taking shots to the head.
Michael landing strikes from the mount and Kroger is in trouble!
Michael scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kroger manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Michael looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kroger wants to get back to his feet.
Michael prevents Kroger from improving his position.
Kroger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Michael is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kroger manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Michael stopping the sweep attempt from Kroger.
Kroger seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kroger wants to stand up but Michael is controlling him.
Kroger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Michael is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Some wild striking there from Kroger.

Kroger shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Michael wants to sweep here but Kroger controlling him for the moment.
Kroger working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Michael looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Michael throwing short punches from the bottom.
Kroger throwing strikes but missing.
Kroger scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kroger stands up over Michael, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michael wants to sweep here but Kroger controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Michael is on top in guard.
Michael stops Kroger from standing up.
Michael throwing strikes from guard but Kroger blocks nicely.
Michael makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kroger pushes Michael off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Michael closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kroger circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joeseph Michael. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kroger tries to close the distance and clinch but Michael swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Michael tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kroger swivels and escapes.
Michael avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Michael circles away from the clinch attempt

and Michael counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kroger's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joeseph Michael dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kroger doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Michael counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Michael.
Michael postures up and lands a big shot to Kroger's brow.
Kroger wants to sweep but no luck.

Kroger has his feet on Michael's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Michael will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Knut Kroger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kroger tries to clinch up
and Michael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kroger lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice sprawl there from Kroger as Michael shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Michael misses with a wild body shot.
Michael bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kroger's head.
Michael has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joeseph Michael. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michael shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kroger's guard.

Kroger pushes Michael off and gets back to his feet.

Michael shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Michael showed some decent athleticism there.
Michael is nestled in close to Kroger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kroger tries to get to full guard but Michael has control of the leg.

Kroger has one foot on Michael's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Michael tries for a takedown but Kroger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Michael fails with the takedown
and Kroger counters with a stiff right hand.

Michael closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michael works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kroger is desperately trying to improve his position but Michael has a good base and remains in mount.
Michael with shots to the head and body - Kroger looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kroger manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kroger wants to get back to his feet.
Michael seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kroger is trying to get back to full guard.
Michael trying to pass the guard but Kroger defending well.
Michael throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Joeseph Michael overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kroger wants to get back to his feet.

Kroger kicks off Michael and gets to his feet.
Michael shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kroger counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kroger. That did some damage!
Kroger tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Michael counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kroger is trying to keep Michael in close.
Michael lands a couple of digs.
Kroger keeping full guard, as Michael tries to pass.
Michael connects with a couple of short punches.

Michael gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Michael works the jab nicely.

Michael feints and as Kroger raises his hands in defense, Michael changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Michael is working Kroger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Michael is working Kroger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kroger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Michael working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kroger's head.
Michael prevents Kroger from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michael passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kroger is looking for a sweep.
Kroger throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Kroger is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kroger wants to get back to his feet but Michael drags him back down.
Kroger is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Michael working over Kroger with some ground and pound. Kroger looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kroger tries to kick Michael off but Michael keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Michael is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Michael drops an elbow to the side of Kroger's head.
Michael scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Michael prevents Kroger from standing back up.
Kroger is looking to improve his position.
Michael winds up and cracks Kroger with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kroger wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joeseph Michael dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kroger tries to close the distance and clinch but Michael swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kroger takes a swing at Michael's ribcage but misses.
Michael fails with the takedown.
Michael misses with a takedown
and Kroger counters with a stiff right hand.
Michael closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kroger closes the distance and clinches up with Michael, looking for a takedown. Kroger pushes Michael against the cage but Michael circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kroger closes the distance looking to clinch

and Michael counters with a shoot takedown. Kroger fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kroger uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Michael scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Michael shoots for a double leg takedown but Kroger sprawls well. He's pushed Michael's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joeseph Michael. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kroger tries to clinch

and Michael counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Michael prevents Kroger from standing back up.
Michael not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kroger tries to kick Michael off but Michael keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ground and pound from Michael.
Kroger is trying to stand up here but Michael is controlling him well.
Michael landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kroger is looking for a sweep. Michael is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kroger works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kroger 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.
Michael lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kroger is on top in guard.
Kroger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kroger won't allow Michael to get back to his feet.
Michael doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Michael has a closed guard, preventing Kroger from standing up.

Michael is working an open guard so Kroger takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Michael misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michael tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kroger swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kroger scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kroger tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Michael.
Michael makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Michael.
Michael looking for a sweep. Not yet Michael, not yet.

Kroger stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Michael looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kroger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michael swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kroger tries to close the distance and clinch but Michael swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kroger.

It looks like Joeseph Michael has been cut.
Kroger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Michael counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kroger is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michael passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kroger on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Kroger sneaks out the side door and pushes Michael away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Michael misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kroger is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kroger with a poor takedown

and Michael counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kroger!
Michael won't let Kroger get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Kroger bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Michael looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Michael trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Kroger decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Michael, up you get!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Kroger tries to clinch

so Michael counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kroger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Michael.
Michael working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kroger is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Michael is controlling him.
Kroger is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kroger lands strikes from half guard.
Michael missing with punches from the bottom.
Kroger lands strikes from half guard.
Michael on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kroger looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Michael with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Kroger stands up out of the half guard.
Kroger tries to clinch up

and Michael counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kroger!
Michael lands a big elbow.
Kroger squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Michael looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Kroger can't escape the position.
Knut Kroger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice elbow there by Michael.
Michael is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kroger can do to turn this around?
Michael landing shots from mount.
Michael postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kroger looks a forlorn figure.
Kroger flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
BOOM! Michael connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joeseph Michael showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Michael, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joeseph Michael!