PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tnt. Alexander Anderson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Anderson
vs
Kruger

176 cm
20
200 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

187 cm
27
197 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Al's Supplements - 160 Q for $150
CEC Nutrition Q160

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Anderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Kruger!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Anderson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kruger somewhat.
Anderson misses with a looping right.
Anderson shoots for a takedown but Kruger saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kruger throws out the jab.

Kruger shoots in and bounces Anderson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kruger postures up.
Anderson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kruger is pushing down on Anderson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Anderson is fighting to maintain full guard but Kruger has managed to sneak the leg through.
Anderson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kruger wants to control but Anderson is keeping him busy.
Kruger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kruger is nestled in close to Anderson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger prevents Anderson from improving his position.
Anderson is trying to maintain the position but Kruger is very close to passing his half guard.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Kruger is taking a breather. Anderson 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.
Kruger not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Anderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Anderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Anderson tries to get out of the position.
Kruger wants to pass the guard but Anderson is defending well.
Anderson is not content to let Kruger control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
Kruger slips a nice elbow through Anderson's hands, connecting with Anderson's forehead.
Kruger wants to take a breather but Anderson is having none of it.
Kruger might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Anderson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruger not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kruger wants to free his trapped foot but Anderson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kruger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Kruger is pressing down on Anderson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Anderson is holding on for now.
Kruger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Anderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger stands up over Anderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kruger passes Anderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kruger is looking to take a break and control but Anderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kruger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Anderson gets full guard.
Kruger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Anderson is trying to keep Kruger in close.

Kruger thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kruger stopping the sweep attempt from Anderson.
Kruger passes Anderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kruger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is trying to maintain the position but Kruger is very close to passing his half guard.
Anderson works his way to full guard. Good work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruger is looking to work some ground and pound but Anderson has wrist control.
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Kruger is proving a slippery customer.
Anderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kruger trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Anderson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kruger's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Anderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kruger trying to keep a closed guard but Anderson is proving a slippery customer.
Anderson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kruger 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.

Kruger staying out of range there.
Alexander Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kruger waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Anderson.
Kruger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Anderson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Anderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kruger uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anderson.
No luck for Anderson with that takedown attempt.
Anderson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kruger as he avoids it easily.
Anderson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Anderson.
Kruger swings for the body but Anderson moves out of range.
Kruger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Anderson is fending him off so far but Kruger persists. Nope, Anderson circles away and we're back to standing.
Anderson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Anderson misses with a body shot.
Kruger missing with a left hand there. Anderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kruger misses with a shot to the body
and Anderson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anderson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kruger manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kruger working a defensive guard here.
Anderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kruger 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.

Kruger working for a triangle but Anderson defends it easily.
Kruger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anderson is one step ahead there.
Anderson is in close to Kruger's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Anderson postures up in Kruger's guard and throws a big left but Kruger blocks it.
Kruger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kruger is looking for a triangle but Anderson pushes his legs off easily.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Kruger keeps moving.
Kruger seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kruger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
John Kruger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Anderson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kruger's guard.
Kruger is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anderson is looking for a kimura but Kruger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Anderson to get the leverage.
Kruger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Anderson thows a huge punch but Kruger dodges it nicely.
Anderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Anderson wants to pass the guard but Kruger is defending well.
Kruger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Anderson.
Kruger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Anderson is working away from the top position though.
Kruger is pressing down on Anderson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Anderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Anderson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kruger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Anderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Anderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kruger is keeping the position for now.
Anderson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Kruger keeps moving.
Kruger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anderson is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Anderson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kruger clinches up against the cage.

Kruger turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kruger manages to end up in side control.
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.
Anderson tries to bench press Kruger off him but Kruger keeps the position.
Kruger landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Anderson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kruger's best efforts.
Kruger trying to mount his opponent but Anderson defends it.
Kruger thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Anderson is trying to control but can't.
Anderson wants to control the action here but instead Kruger manages to pass to full mount!
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!
Anderson is looking to get to half guard.
Kruger landing strikes from the mount and Anderson is in trouble!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is looking to improve his position but Kruger isn't that keen on the idea.
Kruger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Anderson is looking to escape.
Kruger in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Anderson is looking to improve his position but Kruger isn't that keen on the idea.
Kruger trying to control but Anderson is having none of it.

Kruger is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Anderson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Anderson wants to control but Kruger is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kruger lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anderson is working to get back to half guard.
Kruger lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kruger in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Kruger is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Anderson is trying desperately to improve position.
Anderson regains half guard.
Anderson trying to control from the bottom.
Kruger trying to control from half guard but Anderson is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kruger looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kruger lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kruger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Anderson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Anderson is trying to control but can't.
Anderson manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Kruger is proving a slippery customer.
Anderson pulls Kruger in close to prevent any damage.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kruger wants to pass the guard but Anderson is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Anderson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alexander Anderson just wasn't active enough.
Kruger throws a hook but Anderson avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Anderson lands a leg kick that knocks Kruger off balance momentarily.
Kruger misses with a hook.
Kruger cracks Anderson with a good jab.

Anderson shoots in and bounces Kruger off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Anderson postures up.
Anderson won't allow Kruger to sweep him here.
Anderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kruger is on top in guard.
Anderson 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.
Kruger trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kruger throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson pulls Kruger in to control the position.
Kruger postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kruger trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Kruger won't allow Anderson to sweep him here.
Kruger connects with a couple of short punches.
Kruger preventing the sweep.
Kruger postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.
Anderson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kruger postures up and lands a big shot to Anderson's brow.
Kruger is pushing down on Anderson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Anderson is fighting to maintain full guard but Kruger has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kruger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kruger lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kruger is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kruger working Anderson over with strikes.
Anderson is trying to control but can't.
Kruger tries to pass to full mount but Anderson defends it.
Anderson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kruger passes into half guard.
Anderson trying to control from the bottom.

Kruger wants to work for an arm triangle but Anderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kruger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kruger looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Anderson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Anderson landing rabbit punches to the side of Kruger's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Anderson has hold of Kruger's hands but Kruger slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kruger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but Kruger has control of the leg.
Kruger is trying to control. Anderson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Anderson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kruger wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Anderson has his hands on Kruger's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruger postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.
Anderson pulls Kruger in to control the position.

Anderson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kruger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kruger trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Kruger is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kruger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kruger tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.
Anderson pulls Kruger in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kruger dominated that fourth 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. And we move into the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kruger.
Kruger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anderson but Anderson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Anderson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kruger. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
That kick from Anderson tenderised Kruger's leg. Kruger is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kruger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Anderson at a distance.
Kruger doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kruger. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Anderson avoids the body shot from Kruger.
Kruger shoots for a takedown but Anderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alexander Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Kruger.

Kruger looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kruger is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson looking for a sweep. Not yet Anderson, not yet.
Anderson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kruger gets back to full guard.

Kruger looking for a guillotine here but Anderson defends easily.
Anderson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kruger looking for a sweep. Not yet Kruger, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kruger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Anderson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Anderson trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
Kruger wants to sweep here but Anderson controlling him for the moment.
Anderson lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger keeping moving, preventing Anderson from controlling successfully.
Anderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kruger is keeping the position for now.
Anderson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kruger looking to control.
Anderson working some strikes from top position.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kruger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Anderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kruger looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson chips away with some ground and pound.
John Kruger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kruger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kruger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Anderson's guard.
Anderson pulls Kruger in close to his closed guard and prevents Kruger from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Anderson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kruger has passed into half guard!
Kruger works his way into full mount!
Anderson regains half guard.
Alexander Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson wants to control but Kruger is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kruger has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Kruger!
John Kruger is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking John Kruger thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.