PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Turo Naama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fred Kruger is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Naama
vs
Kruger

200 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Turo Naama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fred Kruger!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Naama. No joy for Kruger on that attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Kruger misses the target.
Fred Kruger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Naama looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kruger looks like he's trying to stand up.
Naama wants to take a breather but Kruger is having none of it.
Naama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kruger trying to hold on to Naama's head to control him but Naama postures up.
Kruger is controlling Naama's trapped leg to prevent Naama from advancing to side control.
Kruger is looking to control Naama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kruger avoid being mounted?
Naama wants to control but Kruger is keeping him busy.
Naama knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kruger on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naama wants to advance to full mount but Kruger doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kruger tries to land a front kick but Naama steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Naama misses with a takedown attempt

and Kruger counters with a nice double leg into side control. Naama won't be happy with that.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Kruger is trying to get an arm triangle but Naama is defending well.
Kruger looks gassed!
Kruger has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kruger is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Naama can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Naama is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Kruger working for a submission but Naama is keeping him at bay.
Kruger looking to control but Naama is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naama sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Naama is trying to get back to full guard.
Naama keeping hold of Kruger's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naama trying to control here.
Naama wants to improve his position but Kruger is controlling well.
Naama trying to control but Kruger postures up.
Naama is looking to improve his position.
Kruger controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kruger seems to be working for a kimura but Naama defends the submission attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Naama lands a nice looking body shot.

Naama changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kruger looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Naama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kruger knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Naama trying to control the action but Kruger is working from the bottom.
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 Turo Naama will probably get the nod.
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.

Naama swats away the attempt to clinch by Kruger.
Kruger just misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger misses with a few strikes there.

Naama drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Naama remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
You can see the frustration on Kruger's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kruger is not content to let Naama control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger can't do much from the bottom here.
Naama is looking to take a break and control but Kruger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Naama tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kruger has his takedown stuffed

and Naama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Naama.
Naama looking to pass the guard.
Naama will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kruger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Naama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kruger is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Naama has gone for a leg lock! Kruger slips out almost immediately though and dives into Naama's guard.
Kruger would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kruger prevents Naama from getting back to his feet.
Kruger trying to control but Naama is working from the bottom.
Naama working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Naama wants to stand but Kruger is controlling the position.
Kruger preventing the sweep.
Naama being controlled here, momentarily.
Kruger trying to control the position from guard on top but Naama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Naama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Naama dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Naama stuffs the takedown attempt from Kruger. Kruger gets slowly back to his feet.
Naama has his takedown stuffed

and Kruger decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Naama's guard.
Naama keeping moving, preventing Kruger from controlling successfully.
Kruger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Naama is proving hard to escape from.
Kruger trying to control but Naama is working from the bottom.
Naama working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kruger trying to control the position from guard on top but Naama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger being controlled here momentarily.
Naama wants to stand up but Kruger is controlling him.
Kruger postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Naama avoids a kick to the body.
Kruger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Naama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Naama ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Naama no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Naama 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.
Naama is trying to control the position but Kruger postures up.
Naama wants to sweep here but Kruger controlling him for the moment.
Naama is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kruger preventing the sweep.
Naama working a defensive guard but Kruger manages to pass into side control anyway.
Naama is letting Kruger control him for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger trying to control the position but Naama is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Naama has his takedown stuffed

and Kruger counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kruger.
Naama wants to stand but Kruger is controlling the position.
Naama trying to keep a closed guard but Kruger is proving a slippery customer.
Kruger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kruger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naama 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.
Fred Kruger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kruger lands a couple of elbows.
Fred Kruger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Naama looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Naama takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Turo Naama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kruger dips to his left and cracks Naama with an uppercut!

And that's the end of the fight!
Fred Kruger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Naama 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!