PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mirkko Krajc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Durham is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mac Miller - Knock Knock. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Krajc
vs
Durham

172 cm
22
142 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

170 cm
22
144 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Rivers Edge Nutrition(Disciples of Pain)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mirkko Krajc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Durham!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krajc uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Durham.
Krajc is looking to clinch.
Durham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Durham is looking to clinch.
Krajc wants to clinch but Durham slips to the side
and Durham counters with a three punch combo that has Krajc backing up. Krajc nods at Durham to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice uppercut lands for Durham. That snapped Krajc's head back.
Durham sizes up Krajc with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Durham is looking to clinch.
Durham shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Krajc but Krajc pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Krajc tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Durham manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Krajc tries to clinch there but Durham circles away.
Krajc is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Durham fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Krajc manages to avoid it.
Krajc fails in his attempt to clinch.
Krajc does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Krajc is looking to clinch but Durham is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham misses with a left hand

and Krajc holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Krajc gets underhooks to prevent Durham's takedown attempt.
A short left from Krajc.
Durham tries for a takedown but Krajc manages to get underhooks.
Mirkko Krajc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Durham.
Durham drops down looking for an ankle pick but Krajc pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mirkko Krajc is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Krajc throws a nice inside leg kick.
Krajc on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Durham keeps the fight on the outside.
Durham swats away the attempt to clinch by Krajc.
Durham pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Krajc back to the cage. Durham follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Durham doesn't manage to clinch there - Krajc circles away.
Krajc is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krajc avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Krajc tries to close the distance and clinch but Durham swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Krajc forces Durham back against the cage and clinches.
Krajc lands a nice uppercut.
Krajc with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Durham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Krajc avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Krajc wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Krajc tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Durham managing to block the knees to the body from Krajc.
Durham is trying to drag Krajc to the mat but Krajc just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Krajc misses with a knee to the head.
Krajc taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nice body punch from Krajc.
Krajc throws a knee to the head but misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A knee to the head by Krajc.
Durham takes a knee to the side of the body.
Durham is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Krajc gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Durham drops down looking for an ankle pick but Krajc pulls his leg out and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Krajc looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Krajc wants to clinch but Durham slips to the side
and Durham counters with a left and a right that stings Krajc.
Krajc stuffs the takedown attempt from Durham. Durham gets slowly back to his feet.
Krajc lands with an overhand left.
The fight stays on the outside here - Durham looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durham keeps the fight on the outside.
Krajc uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Durham.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durham connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Krajc tries to clinch but Durham is having none of it.

Krajc fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Durham, pushing him back against the cage.
Krajc gets underhooks to prevent Durham's takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirkko Krajc dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Durham avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Krajc is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Krajc tries to close the distance and clinch up but Durham swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Krajc uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Durham.
Krajc fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mirkko Krajc is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Durham fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Krajc as Durham shoots in.
Mike Durham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Durham rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Krajc moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Durham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Krajc counters by clinching up.
Krajc tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Krajc throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Durham blocks it with crossed arms.
Krajc throws a knee to the head but misses.
Durham has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Krajc is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Krajc with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Krajc.
Krajc connects with a knee to the head.
Krajc is stalling here.
Krajc lands a knee to the head.
Mirkko Krajc has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Krajc misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Durham.
Durham goes for a takedown in the clinch but Krajc prevents it.
Mirkko Krajc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Durham.
Durham has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Krajc avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Krajc breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Krajc lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Durham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Durham throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham connects with a right hand. Krajc shakes it off.

Krajc moves into the clinch.
Krajc lands a hook to the side of the head.
Krajc is trying to maintain a safe position but Durham gets an underhook and turns Krajc into the cage.
Krajc looking to throw knees to the head but Durham is blocking nicely.
Krajc stalling.
Krajc is trying to force a seperation but Durham has the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krajc with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Durham changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Krajc fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Krajc displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Durham tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Krajc paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jab by Durham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham thows a left - swing and a miss!
Durham throws a lazy uppercut

and Krajc counters by moving into the clinch.
Krajc throws a knee to the head but misses.
Krajc misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Durham.
Durham has Krajc pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Krajc manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Krajc tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Durham avoids it.

Durham gets a trip takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Durham missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Durham missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Krajc is concentrating on defense, preventing Durham from advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durham looks to land a strike but Krajc avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Durham with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Durham working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Durham controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durham landing some decent shots from guard.
Durham throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Krajc working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Durham.
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 Mirkko Krajc will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Durham with a lazy takedown attempt
and Krajc counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Durham lands the left hand.

Krajc forces Durham back against the cage and clinches.
Krajc scores with a nice hook to the head.
Krajc misses with a knee strike.
Durham goes for a takedown in the clinch but Krajc prevents it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Krajc - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Krajc landing knees to the head.
Durham blocks the elbow strike.
Durham goes for a takedown attempt but Krajc pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mirkko Krajc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Durham.
Krajc tries to clinch there but Durham circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Durham misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Krajc is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Durham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Durham tries for a takedown but Krajc manages to get underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Krajc - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Durham can't get the takedown.
Krajc stops a takedown attempt from Durham.
Durham has Krajc pressed against the cage, preventing Krajc from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Krajc with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Krajc breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham shoots for a double leg takedown but Krajc sprawls well. He's pushed Durham's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Durham misses the target.

Krajc clinches.
Krajc prevents a takedown attempt there.
Krajc manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Durham has Krajc pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Krajc manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Krajc working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Krajc - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Krajc trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krajc landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Krajc scores with a knee to the head.
Krajc landing knees to the head.
Krajc lands a nice knee to the body.
Krajc putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Durham in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Krajc tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Krajc creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Krajc looking to throw knees to the head but Durham is blocking nicely.
Krajc effectively controlling the action here.
Durham wants a takedown.
Krajc throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Durham blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Krajc.
Krajc throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Durham blocks it with crossed arms.
Durham changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Krajc fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Krajc is looking to clinch but Durham is avoiding it.
Krajc is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Durham misses with a wild body shot.
Durham connects with a body shot that sends Krajc's belly button to the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Krajc tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Durham drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mike Durham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mirkko Krajc is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Krajc looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirkko Krajc showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Krajc, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirkko Krajc!