PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Petyr Kruchevski (ranked 3870 p4p, 372 weight class) and Caspian Tennessen (ranked 5864 p4p, 466 weight class). Kruchevski kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is My Way by Limp Bizkit. Tennessen has chosen Manowar - Warriors of the World as his entrance music. Petyr Kruchevski had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Caspian Tennessen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kruchevski
vs
Tennessen

174 cm
25
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petyr Kruchevski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Caspian Tennessen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tennessen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kruchevski on his heels. He'll look to pass Kruchevski's guard now, I'm sure.
Tennessen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kruchevski can't keep his opponent in guard - Tennessen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tennessen content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kruchevski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tennessen is pushing down on Kruchevski's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kruchevski is fighting to maintain full guard but Tennessen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kruchevski could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennessen not doing much here.
Kruchevski trying to control but Tennessen postures up.
Tennessen stops Kruchevski from getting back to his feet.
Tennessen stalling.
It looks like Tennessen might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Tennessen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kruchevski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two 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.
Tennessen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Tennessen trying to mount his opponent but Kruchevski defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tennessen content to control rather than advance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tennessen shoots in looking for a takedown but Kruchevski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tennessen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kruchevski or perhaps it was just good defense by Tennessen, which made it look bad.
Tennessen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kruchevski defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tennessen fails with a takedown attempt.

Tennessen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kruchevski to the ground. Tennessen is now in Kruchevski's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caspian Tennessen dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tennessen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kruchevski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tennessen somewhat.
Kruchevski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tennessen.
Kruchevski shoots in looking for a takedown. Tennessen tries to sprawl out of it but Kruchevski keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tennessen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kruchevski manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tennessen on his heels. He'll look to pass Tennessen's guard now, I'm sure.
Tennessen is looking to stand back up but Kruchevski counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Tennessen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kruchevski wants to control but Tennessen is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennessen is looking for a sweep. Kruchevski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tennessen is trying to maintain the position but Kruchevski is very close to passing his half guard.
Kruchevski is looking to take a break and control but Tennessen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tennessen tries to kick Kruchevski off but Kruchevski keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kruchevski throwing shots but Tennessen is blocking nicely.
Tennessen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kruchevski works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kruchevski not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tennessen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kruchevski is pushing down on Tennessen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tennessen is fighting to maintain full guard but Kruchevski has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kruchevski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tennessen's head.
Kruchevski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tennessen's head.
Kruchevski trying to control the action but Tennessen is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kruchevski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kruchevski wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Tennessen uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petyr Kruchevski dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tennessen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kruchevski is looking to counter the offense by Tennessen and move into the clinch.
Tennessen shoots for a double leg takedown but Kruchevski sprawls well. He's pushed Tennessen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As Tennessen looks to move away, Kruchevski throws a big counter combo but Tennessen just gets out of the way.
Kruchevski throws a jab when Tennessen was well out of range.

Tennessen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kruchevski!
Tennessen is looking to take a break and control but Kruchevski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tennessen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kruchevski has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tennessen but great work by Kruchevski.
Tennessen is trying to control Kruchevski's posture but Kruchevski avoids it.
Tennessen is looking to regain half guard here but Kruchevski keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tennessen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tennessen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tennessen is controlling Kruchevski's trapped leg to prevent Kruchevski from advancing to side control.
Kruchevski passes to side control.
Kruchevski is looking to take a break and control but Tennessen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tennessen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two 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.
Tennessen is not content to let Kruchevski control the position.
Tennessen moves into full guard.

Kruchevski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tennessen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kruchevski has managed to get both his arms back between Tennessen's legs - danger averted.
Tennessen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tennessen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Petyr Kruchevski showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kruchevski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petyr Kruchevski!
After the fight, Petyr Kruchevski 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.