PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Strugalsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackie Can (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strugalsky's entrance music is Underbiz- Nakalyaet. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Can's choice of entrance music: Don't cross his path when he's drunk!. 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.

Strugalsky
vs
Can

180 cm
26
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roman Strugalsky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jackie Can!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Can scores with a crisp jab that stopped Strugalsky in his tracks.
Strugalsky checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Can throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Strugalsky darts in trying to clinch
and Can counters with a good low kick that Strugalsky was not able to check.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up
and Can counters with a leg kick.
Strugalsky moves to clinch but Can breaks away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Can scores with a leg kick.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up
and Can counters with a leg kick.
A combination from Can does no damage.
Roman Strugalsky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strugalsky moves to clinch but Can breaks away
and Can counters with a good low kick that Strugalsky was not able to check.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but Can moves out of range.
Can will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Can misses with a wild combination.

Strugalsky moves into range and clinches up with Can.
Can tries to pull guard but Strugalsky forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Can tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Strugalsky just stands there and leans against the cage.
Can tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Roman Strugalsky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackie Can.
Can is trying to break free.
Can is trying to pull guard but Strugalsky turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Can avoiding damage as Strugalsky throws knees to the body.
Strugalsky gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Strugalsky tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Can avoids it.
Can avoids the elbow strike from Strugalsky, against the cage.
Strugalsky tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Can avoids it.
Strugalsky creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Can's defenses.
Can takes an elbow to the temple.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow strike.
Strugalsky lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Strugalsky tries to land knees in the clinch but Can avoids the damage to the body.
Can blocks an elbow strike from Strugalsky.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Can on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Strugalsky misses with a short punch on the inside.
Strugalsky prevents Can from breaking the clinch.
Can tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strugalsky smiles and moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Can circles away from the clinch attempt.

Strugalsky has closed the distance and engaged Can in a clinch.
Strugalsky throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Strugalsky throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Can avoiding damage as Strugalsky throws knees to the body.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside.
Can has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Can tries to pull guard but Strugalsky won't allow it.
Strugalsky pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Can tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Strugalsky avoids it.
Strugalsky lands a nice elbow.
Can wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Can is trying to pull guard but Strugalsky turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Can jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strugalsky walks away with a smile on his face. Can gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Strugalsky fails with an attempt to clinch.
Can circles away from the clinch attempt
and Can counters with a head kick.
Strugalsky doesn't manage to clinch there - Can circles away.
Can tries to score with a low kick but Strugalsky moves his leg out of the way.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Can counters with an outside leg kick.
Can scores with a head kick.
Can wants to slow Strugalsky down by chopping away at his legs.

Strugalsky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Can, pushing him back against the cage.
Can has had enough of the clinch but Strugalsky keeps him there for the moment.
Strugalsky is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Can is defending well for now.
Strugalsky creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Strugalsky throws an elbow that misses.
Can wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Can dodges an elbow strike from Strugalsky.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Can tries to pull guard but Strugalsky forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Can tries to pull guard but Strugalsky won't allow it.
Can dodges an elbow strike from Strugalsky.
Can jumps guard but Strugalsky stands there with Can around his waist. Can gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Can fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Can avoiding damage as Strugalsky throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Strugalsky just misses with a elbow thrown towards Can's brow.
Can blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Can managing to block the knees to the body from Strugalsky.
Can working hard to break the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Strugalsky just misses with a elbow thrown towards Can's brow.
Can jumps guard but Strugalsky turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Strugalsky missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strugalsky pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Can avoids a wild elbow strike from Strugalsky.
Can is trying to break the clinch but Strugalsky is controlling him.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside that Can shrugs off.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roman Strugalsky will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Can throws a chopping leg kick but Strugalsky manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Can misses with a leg kick.
Strugalsky closes the distance but Can moves to the side
and Can counters with a series of strikes. Strugalsky will be more careful next time no doubt.
Strugalsky checks the leg kick nicely there.
Can throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Can in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Strugalsky is looking to clinch but Can is avoiding it.
Can keeps the fight on the outside.
Can avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Strugalsky closes the distance looking to clinch
and Can counters with a thumping low kick.
Jackie Can seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Can will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Strugalsky is looking to clinch but Can is avoiding it.
Strugalsky fails with an attempt to clinch.
Strugalsky tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Can paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Strugalsky is looking to clinch but Can is avoiding it.
Strugalsky tries to close the distance and clinch up but Can swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Can swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up
and Can counters with an inside leg kick.
Strugalsky is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Strugalsky doesn't manage to clinch there - Can circles away.
Can will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Strugalsky darts in trying to clinch
and Can counters with a slapping leg kick.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but Can moves out of range.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Can manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Can finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Can.
Strugalsky is looking to clinch but Can is avoiding it.
Strugalsky fails in his attempt to clinch.

Strugalsky moves into the clinch.
Strugalsky looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Strugalsky just misses with a elbow thrown towards Can's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strugalsky lands a damaging elbow.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow strike.
Strugalsky trying to land knees to the body.
Strugalsky throws an elbow but it misses.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow over the top.
Strugalsky has Can pressed against the cage, preventing Can from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow over the top.
Can managing to block the knees to the body from Strugalsky.
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!
Strugalsky creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Can's defenses.
Can tries to circle away but Strugalsky has him pinned against the cage.
Strugalsky trying to land knees to the body.
Strugalsky managing to block the knees to the body from Can.
Can avoids the elbow strike from Strugalsky, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Strugalsky.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside.
Can fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Strugalsky throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Can jumps guard but Strugalsky turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Strugalsky lands an elbow that stopped Can in his tracks for a moment.
Can dodges an elbow strike from Strugalsky.
Strugalsky creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Can's defenses.
Can tries to pull guard but Strugalsky holds him up against the cage and eventually Can drops back down to his feet.
Roman Strugalsky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackie Can.

Can gets control of Strugalsky's arms and successfully pulls guard. Can will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Can is trying to control the position but Strugalsky postures up.
Strugalsky preventing the sweep.
Can has a closed guard, preventing Strugalsky from standing up.
Can manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strugalsky manages to get himself to full guard.
Can is standing up over Strugalsky. Strugalsky looks to escape but Can dives into side control.

Can is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Strugalsky knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Can stands up.

Strugalsky clinches with his opponent.
Roman Strugalsky has scored more points in the clinch so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strugalsky throws an elbow that misses.
Strugalsky tries to land knees in the clinch but Can avoids the damage to the body.
Can trying to land knees to the body.
Can wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside that Can shrugs off.

It looks like Jackie Can has been cut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Can is trying to pull guard but Strugalsky has him pressed against the cage.
Strugalsky creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Can's defenses.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow over the top.
Can avoids the elbow strike from Strugalsky, against the cage.
Strugalsky creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Can's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Roman Strugalsky will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jackie Can'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!

Strugalsky tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Can swats away the attempt to clinch by Strugalsky.

Strugalsky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Can, pushing him back against the cage.
Strugalsky misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Can.
Strugalsky missing with knees to the body.
Strugalsky throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Strugalsky is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Can is defending well for now.

Can pulls guard effortlessly.
Strugalsky wants to get up but he can't break Can's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Can is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Strugalsky wants to get back to his feet.
Can throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Strugalsky looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Can sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Strugalsky defending well though.
Strugalsky avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Can is looking for a kimura but Strugalsky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Can to get the leverage.
Strugalsky wants to get back to his feet.
Strugalsky is staying active underneath Can, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Can stands up out of the half guard.
Can avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Strugalsky avoids a punch combination nicely.
Can misses with a low kick.
Can misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Can tries to land a leg kick but Strugalsky saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Can keeps the fight on the outside.
Strugalsky moves in looking to clinch but Can pushes him off.
Roman Strugalsky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strugalsky tries to close the distance and clinch but Can swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Can misses with a low kick.

Strugalsky has taken the fight to the clinch.
Can blocks an elbow strike from Strugalsky.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Strugalsky.
Strugalsky tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Can avoids it.
Can jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strugalsky walks away with a smile on his face. Can gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strugalsky fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strugalsky tries to clinch there but Can circles away.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but Can moves out of range.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but Can moves out of range.
Strugalsky tries to clinch but Can is having none of it.

Strugalsky takes the fight into the clinch.
Can jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strugalsky walks away with a smile on his face. Can gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strugalsky tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Can manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strugalsky wants to clinch.
Strugalsky is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Strugalsky tries to close the distance and clinch up but Can swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Can throws out a leg kick but Strugalsky moves out of range and Can only half commits.
Strugalsky wants to clinch.

Strugalsky has taken the fight to the clinch.
Strugalsky trying to land knees to the body.
Can fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Roman Strugalsky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackie Can.
Strugalsky misses with an elbow strike.
Strugalsky throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Strugalsky lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Can decides to pull guard.
Can seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Strugalsky wants to stand but Can has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Can looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strugalsky is one step ahead there.
Can seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jackie Can has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roman Strugalsky is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jackie Can.
Strugalsky closes the distance but Can moves to the side
and Can counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Strugalsky is lucky that one didn't land flush.

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 Roman Strugalsky.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Strugalsky, 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Strugalsky!