PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kendo Yanar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger comes to the cage accompanied by Tnt. John Kruger had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kruger
vs
Yanar

187 cm
31
197 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

174 cm
24
193 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Meet the Future

Perkele!
Hellraiser FightGear

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 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Kruger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kendo Yanar!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yanar throws a jab when Kruger was well out of range.
Kruger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Yanar has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kruger throws a head kick but Yanar moves out of range.
Yanar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Yanar throws the left hand but Kruger avoids the punch easily.
Kruger throws a right and a left that both miss.
John Kruger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kruger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Yanar.
Yanar walks into a straight right hand from Kruger.
Yanar checks a low kick from Kruger.
A big right from Kruger misses.
Yanar avoids a punch combination nicely.
Yanar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Yanar throws a hook but Kruger avoids it easily.
Yanar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kruger avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Yanar misses with a left hand
and Kruger counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Yanar moves out of range of the strikes.
Yanar just misses with a punch to the body.
Yanar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kruger's waist but Kruger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yanar off to one side.
John Kruger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendo Yanar.

Yanar moves into the clinch.
Yanar blocks a body shot from Kruger.
Yanar working aggressively here.
Kruger lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Yanar is trying to break free.
Yanar has Kruger pressed against the cage, preventing Kruger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Yanar working hard to break the clinch.
Yanar tries to break the clinch but Kruger is controlling the position.
Kruger can't find room to land a body shot as Yanar controls the action.
Yanar can't break the clinch.
Kruger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yanar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kruger changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Good leg kick by Kruger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruger connects with the punch.
Yanar missing with a left hand there. Kruger was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Yanar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kruger was well out of range. Poor timing from Yanar.
Yanar blocks a leg kick.
Yanar tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yanar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kruger.
Kruger takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Yanar catches Kruger with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Yanar takes one to the chin there.
Kruger is looking to slow Yanar down with leg kicks.
Kruger is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yanar.
Kruger tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yanar is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yanar looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kruger!
Kruger is trying to get back to half guard.
Kruger is working hard here to advance position.
Yanar tries to advance to mount but Kruger denies him.
Kruger is looking for a sweep.
Yanar looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kruger is avoiding damage well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruger is not content to let Yanar control the position.
Kruger sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kruger manages to get to full guard.
Kruger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Yanar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Yanar preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kruger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yanar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yanar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
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 John Kruger will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kruger waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Yanar.
Kruger stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A big right from Kruger misses.
A punch lands to the side of Yanar 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kruger 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.
Yanar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kruger manages to avoid it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kruger.
Kruger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kruger throws a jab when Yanar was well out of range.
The fighters circling - Yanar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kruger stuns Yanar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yanar slips under a jab from Kruger.
Yanar throws a jab when Kruger was well out of range.
John Kruger is winning the standup battle so far.

Yanar changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kruger looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yanar wants to control but Kruger is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yanar creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kruger sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Yanar misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Yanar tries to advance to mount but Kruger denies him.
Kruger is looking for a sweep.
Kruger is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Yanar off and has taken his back!
Kruger not allowing Yanar to control his hands.
Kruger really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Yanar.
Yanar wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yanar turns into Kruger and is now in his guard.
Yanar tries to free his leg and advance position but Kruger is retaining full guard.
Kruger looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Yanar puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Well, if Yanar is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Yanar wants to pass the guard but Kruger is defending well.
Kruger is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Nordic Top Team, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Yanar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kruger does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kendo Yanar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kruger is looking for a sweep. Yanar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanar trying to advance position but Kruger counters by regaining guard.
Yanar won't allow Kruger to sweep him here.
Yanar connects with a couple of short punches.
Yanar trying to control but Kruger is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Yanar stands up over Kruger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yanar cracks Kruger with a solid left hand.
Yanar wants to pass the guard but Kruger is keeping the position.
Yanar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yanar wants to pass the guard but Kruger is keeping the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yanar postures up and lands a big shot to Kruger's brow.
Kruger keeping moving, preventing Yanar from controlling successfully.
Yanar throws a big right hand that misses.
Kruger pulls Yanar in close to his closed guard and prevents Yanar from doing any damage or advancing position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yanar throws an elbow that misses. Kruger uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Yanar's guard. Nice move by Kruger!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kendo Yanar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kruger throws an overhand right that lands on Yanar's shoulder, as Yanar tries to avoid the shot.
A shot to the liver by Kruger. Beautiful body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Kruger.
Kruger lands with a nice body punch.
Yanar moves out of range as Kruger strikes.
Nice straight punches there by Yanar. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Yanar.
Yanar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kruger moves away.
Kruger pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kruger looks to land a combination but Yanar avoids it well.
Yanar takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kruger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yanar moves away.
Yanar swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kruger throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger works the jab nicely.
Kruger cracks the inside of Yanar's front leg.
Yanar misses the jab.
Yanar with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Yanar blocks a head kick by Kruger.
A leg kick checked by Yanar.
Yanar looks to throw the jab but Kruger is out of range.
Yanar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kruger but Kruger pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Yanar moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yanar dives in for a single leg takedown but Kruger sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yanar tries for a takedown but Kruger manages to get underhooks.
John Kruger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendo Yanar.
Kruger throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kruger.
Kruger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger misses with a body punch.
Yanar throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kruger blocks it with crossed arms.
Kruger misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kruger.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kruger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Yanar is keeping busy.
Yanar wants a takedown but no success here.
Yanar drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kruger gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Yanar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yanar wants a takedown but no success here.
Kruger content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kruger digs a right hand underneath Yanar's ribcage. Yanar let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kruger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kruger is leaning against Yanar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kruger.

Kruger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yanar on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kruger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanar tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kruger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yanar's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kruger catches Yanar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Yanar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kruger.
Kruger's jab looks to have found its range, popping Yanar under the eye.
Kruger lands with a good body shot.
Yanar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kruger defends it nicely.
Yanar looks to land a right hand but Kruger moved out of range.
Kruger misses with a body kick.
Kruger scores with a nice strike.
Kruger throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanar lands a body shot.
Kruger slips a straight right by Yanar.
Kruger bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Yanar's head backwards.
Yanar just misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger throws an overhand right that lands on Yanar's shoulder, as Yanar tries to avoid the shot.
Kruger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yanar dives in for a single leg takedown but Kruger sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yanar lands a shoulder strike.
Yanar is trying to push Kruger away but Kruger has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kruger misses with a body punch.
Kruger is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kruger has a couple of punches blocked by Yanar.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kruger lands a body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kruger.
John Kruger has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yanar misses with a body punch.
Yanar lands a right hand.
Yanar misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kruger clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yanar throws out a loose jab but Kruger uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Yanar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kruger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Yanar on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kruger.
Kruger lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kruger.
Jab, jab by Kruger - just one landing.
Kruger lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kruger ducks under a wild hook from Yanar.
Kruger throws a looping overhand right but Yanar ducks down to avoid it.
Kruger moves out of range of the strikes.
Kruger throws an overhand right that lands on Yanar's shoulder, as Yanar tries to avoid the shot.
Yanar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kruger. Kruger obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yanar darts in looking for a takedown but Kruger gets double underhooks and turns Yanar into the cage.

Yanar breaks from the clinch.
Yanar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kruger throws out the jab.
Kruger staying out of range there.
Kruger throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yanar gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kruger.
Yanar is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Kruger fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Yanar on the side of the head.
Yanar with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kruger counters with a low kick, right behind Yanar 's knee.
Yanar is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kruger misses with a body kick.
Kruger fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Yanar has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kruger scores with a jab to the head.
Kruger avoids the body shot from Yanar.
John Kruger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kruger uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Yanar has time to react.
Yanar needs to keep his hands up - Kruger had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yanar is looking to clinch but Kruger is avoiding it.
Kruger feints and then cracks Yanar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yanar down.
Yanar throws a lazy right hand but Kruger sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kruger cracks a nice hook into Yanar's ribs.
A big left from Kruger misses.
Kruger moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kruger slaps away a takedown attempt from Yanar, before circling back to the center of the mat.
John Kruger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendo Yanar.
Kruger lands a lovely overhand right.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kruger.
Yanar wants to clinch up but Kruger keeps it at a distance.
Yanar doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger lands the left hand.
A jab from Yanar misses.
Kruger scores with a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Kruger misses the target.
Yanar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kruger's waist but Kruger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Yanar off to one side.
Kruger connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kruger getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice jab there from Kruger.

Yanar decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Yanar is just content to waste time from the top position. Kruger takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kruger working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanar being controlled here momentarily.
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!
Yanar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Yanar postures up.
Kruger is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Yanar is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Yanar is fighting to break Kruger's control of his arms but Kruger is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Kruger wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kruger misses with a shot to the body

and Yanar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Yanar landing some decent shots from guard.
Yanar looking to sit in guard and control but Kruger gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Kruger had his way with Kendo Yanar in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Yanar throws a hook but Kruger blocks it.
Kruger shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Yanar eats them both and turns towards Kruger to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Yanar moves out of range of the strikes.
Kruger misses with a looping right.
Kruger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab lands there for Kruger.
Yanar avoids the head kick by Kruger.
Kruger slaps away a takedown attempt from Yanar, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kruger listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Yanar blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yanar in his tracks.
Yanar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kruger swivels and escapes.
Kruger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Yanar slips a straight right by Kruger.
Kruger cracks Yanar with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Yanar moves away from the strike by Kruger.
Yanar throws out a loose jab but Kruger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yanar slips under a jab.
The crowd cheers as Kruger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Yanar doesn't seem phased though.
Yanar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kruger punishes Yanar's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheers as Kruger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Yanar doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruger scores with the left hand. Yanar knows he should have avoided that one.
Yanar swings for the body but Kruger moves out of range.
Kruger scores with a crisp jab that stopped Yanar in his tracks.
Yanar with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kruger to score with a decent uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yanar misses with a takedown attempt
and Kruger counters with a stiff right hand.
John Kruger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendo Yanar.
Kruger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yanar tries to clinch up.
Kruger's corner calls for a 1-2. Kruger obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kruger looks to land a right hand but Yanar moved out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Kruger. No joy for Yanar on that attempt.
Yanar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kruger. Kruger obviously looking to wear him down.
Yanar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kruger moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kruger. That's going to slow Yanar down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanar looks to throw the jab but Kruger is out of range.
Kruger lands a nice hook to Yanar's body. Yanar takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kruger is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A slow jab from Kruger misses its intended target.
Kruger stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kruger throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Yanar missing with a left hand there. Kruger was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck for Yanar with that takedown attempt.
Yanar is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nice shot lands for Kruger.
Kruger misses the shot to the body.
Yanar connects with a body shot.
Kruger lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kruger.
Yanar cracks Kruger with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
John Kruger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yanar scores with a jab. Kruger acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kruger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yanar looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kruger misses with the combination.
Kendo Yanar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yanar lands a slapping body shot.

Yanar moves into range and clinches up with Kruger.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yanar lands a left hand.
Kruger misses with some punches.
Yanar is trying to force a seperation but Kruger has the dominant position.
Kruger gets through Yanar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short right from Kruger.
Kruger throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yanars head.

Yanar breaks from the clinch.
Yanar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kruger as he jumps to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Kruger showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kruger 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Kruger!
John Kruger retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, John Kruger thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.