PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Backscratcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tnt. Brian Backscratcher has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kruger
vs
Backscratcher

187 cm
28
197 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
190 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 12 - 4 - 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Backscratcher!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruger checks a leg kick.
Backscratcher throws a nice looking combination but Kruger bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Backscratcher throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kruger counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Backscratcher throws a right and a left that Kruger avoids nicely.
Backscratcher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Backscratcher throws a hook but Kruger blocks it.
Backscratcher lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Backscratcher.
Backscratcher tries to clinch there but Kruger circles away.
Kruger on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Backscratcher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kruger counters with a stiff right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Backscratcher. Those never looked like landing.
Backscratcher is looking to clinch but Kruger is avoiding it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruger keeps the fight on the outside.
Backscratcher is looking to clinch but Kruger is avoiding it.
Backscratcher staying out of range there.
Backscratcher shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Kruger closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Backscratcher quickly recovers to half guard.
Kruger is taking a breather. Backscratcher says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Backscratcher knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kruger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kruger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Backscratcher knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Backscratcher avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
Kruger wants to control but Backscratcher is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kruger is working away from the top position though.
Kruger tries to pass to full mount but Backscratcher defends it.
Kruger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Backscratcher's head.
Kruger prevents Backscratcher from improving his position.

Kruger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Backscratcher is just riding it out for now. Kruger eventually gives up the hold.
Backscratcher won't allow Kruger to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kruger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Backscratcher defending well though.
Backscratcher is looking for a sweep. Kruger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kruger wants to take a breather but Backscratcher is having none of it.
Backscratcher won't allow Kruger to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruger thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kruger looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kruger missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Backscratcher won't allow Kruger to pass to mount.

Kruger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kruger wants to pass the guard but Backscratcher is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Backscratcher avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kruger dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Backscratcher tries to bum rush Kruger with a series of wild strikes but Kruger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Backscratcher is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kruger.
Kruger connects with a solid leg kick.
Backscratcher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Backscratcher misses with a two punch combination.
Backscratcher scores with a three punch combo!
Brian Backscratcher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Backscratcher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kruger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Backscratcher wants to slow Kruger down by chopping away at his legs.
Kruger moves out of range of the body kick.
Backscratcher is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Backscratcher rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kruger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Backscratcher throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kruger counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Backscratcher throws a right and a left that Kruger avoids nicely.

Kruger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Backscratcher's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kruger trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Backscratcher manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Backscratcher's guard.
Kruger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kruger passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kruger tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kruger working the ground and pound but Backscratcher is defending the strikes.
Kruger is putting a hurting on Backscratcher here, landing some big shots from side control.
Kruger trying to control the position but Backscratcher is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger working the ground and pound from side control.
Backscratcher is not content to let Kruger control the position.
Kruger throwing strikes but Backscratcher manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kruger is trying to control Backscratcher's posture but Backscratcher avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruger tries to bench press Backscratcher off him but Backscratcher keeps the position.
Backscratcher misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Backscratcher passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kruger!
Backscratcher prevents Kruger from getting the reversal.
Kruger wants to control but Backscratcher is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Backscratcher is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kruger has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kruger tries to hold on but Backscratcher pushes him away.
Kruger regains half guard.
Kruger tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kruger wants to control but Backscratcher is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kruger tries to get to full guard but Backscratcher has control of the leg.
Kruger makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kruger.
Kruger doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kruger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Backscratcher is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backscratcher wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Kruger's closed guard. He's half up but Kruger has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Kruger pivots and extends the arm, Backscratcher falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Kruger! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Kruger!
John Kruger retains his middleweight title!
A very excited looking John Kruger made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.