PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulus Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kruger might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Tnt. Paulus Herzog has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kruger
vs
Herzog

187 cm
27
197 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

188 cm
21
196 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Go 2 Sleep Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Kruger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paulus Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herzog lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Herzog misses with a body shot.
Kruger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Herzog.
Herzog digs a good hook to Kruger's body.
Herzog is looking to land body kicks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Herzog, as that shot connected.
Kruger avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Herzog feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kruger's calf.

Herzog gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kruger to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kruger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Herzog is keeping the position for now.
Kruger postures up in Herzog's guard and throws a big left but Herzog blocks it.

Herzog is looking for a triangle but Kruger pushes his legs off easily.
Kruger trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Herzog manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog won't allow Kruger to sweep him here.
Kruger doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Herzog wants to pass the guard but Kruger is keeping the position.
Kruger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruger is adopting a defensive guard.
Herzog trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Herzog must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kruger dives in and scores a takedown into Herzog's guard.

Herzog looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kruger has picked Herzog up and slammed him! Herzog can't keep hold of the triangle and Kruger manages to pass to side control!
Kruger is working Herzog over with some ground and pound from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruger tries to move into full mount but can't pass Herzog's legs.
Kruger scoring with punches and elbows.
Kruger tries to move to full mount but Herzog actually manages to regain half guard.
Herzog avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
Kruger landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog is refusing to be controlled, as Kruger sits in half guard.
Kruger wants to pass to mount but Herzog is defending the position.
Herzog trying to get back to full guard but Kruger takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Herzog is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kruger is landing with some decent strikes but Herzog is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kruger lands a big elbow.
Herzog is working to get back to half guard.
Kruger with shots to the head and body - Herzog looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kruger working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You get the feeling that Herzog really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Herzog is in a horrible position here. Kruger smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kruger trying to control but Herzog is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kruger cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kruger looking to finish Herzog with some ground and pound. This is bad for Herzog!

Herzog is rocked!
Kruger postures up and throws a massive shot that knocks Herzog out cold! Two more strikes to his unconscious opponent for good luck and this one is all over! Kruger goes absolutely crazy with his corner! Wow, you can see how much that win means to him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). John Kruger!
John Kruger retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking John Kruger thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.