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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Kruger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Laoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruger's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tnt. Laoka has chosen The Bell Tolls as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 187 cm
34
197 lbs
24 - 14 - 0 |
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188 cm
24
202 lbs
10 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Kruger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Katsu Laoka!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Laoka misses its intended target.
Kruger seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kruger wants to slow Laoka down by chopping away at his legs.
Kruger keeps the fight on the outside.
Laoka takes a swing at Kruger's ribcage but misses.
Laoka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kruger throws a chopping leg kick but Laoka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kruger throws the kick towards the body but Laoka avoids it.
Laoka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kruger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laoka wants to clinch but Kruger slips to the side
so Kruger counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laoka can't keep his opponent in guard - Kruger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kruger is trying to control. Laoka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kruger wants to free his trapped foot but Laoka is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Laoka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Laoka's head.
Kruger is looking for a kimura but Laoka is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kruger to get the leverage.
Laoka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kruger.
Kruger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kruger is looking to take a break and control but Laoka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Laoka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kruger.
Kruger wants to free his trapped foot but Laoka is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kruger is working hard here to advance position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kruger scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kruger is trying to control the action in half guard but Laoka is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kruger is really struggling to control Laoka but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kruger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kruger is stalling here. Laoka is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Kruger seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Laoka has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Kruger's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger is trying to get back to half guard.
Kruger wants to control but Laoka postures up.
Kruger regains half guard.
Kruger wants to improve his position but Laoka is controlling well.
Kruger is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Laoka pulls his head out easily.
That's four 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.
Laoka prevents Kruger from improving his position.
Kruger is trying to control but can't.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Laoka misses with a body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kruger misses with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Laoka moves in looking to clinch but Kruger pushes him off.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Laoka, right into the meat.
Kruger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
John Kruger dominated that round.
That's time! Kruger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Kruger goes for a double leg but Laoka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Laoka continues to drive forward.
Kruger throws a head punch that misses.
Kruger lands a body punch.
Kruger looking to slow down the pace here.
Kruger on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Kruger avoids the damage to the body.
Laoka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Krugers head.
Kruger lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kruger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Laoka lands a knee to the body.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Kruger.
Laoka crunches a lovely knee into Kruger's ribcage.
Laoka lands a nice knee to the body.
Laoka landing knees to the head.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
Laoka misses with a knee to the head.
Kruger working hard to break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Kruger.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruger is working for takedown but Laoka is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruger misses with the head strike.
Kruger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
Kruger blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kruger tries to throw a body punch but Laoka avoids it by throwing Kruger back against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Laoka.
Kruger has a couple of punches blocked by Laoka.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kruger.
Laoka working Kruger over with knees to the body.
Laoka tries a body shot but Kruger blocks it.
Kruger manages to break the clinch.
Katsu Laoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kruger shoots in and drives through. Laoka sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Kruger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kruger dives in and scores a takedown into Laoka's guard.
Kruger throwing strikes from guard but Laoka blocks nicely.
Laoka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka 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.
Laoka can't keep his opponent in guard - Kruger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kruger is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kruger trying to control from half guard but Laoka is working away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laoka taking some punishment here, with Kruger in his half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kruger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Laoka does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Laoka is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kruger is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Laoka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kruger.
Kruger wants to free his trapped foot but Laoka is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kruger wants to take a breather but Laoka is having none of it.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A bone on bone clash there as Kruger blocks the leg kick.
Laoka checks a leg kick nicely.
Kruger throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Laoka checks a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Kruger.
Laoka closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Good work by Kruger as he checks the leg kick.
Laoka closes the distance and clinches.
Kruger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
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 John Kruger will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Laoka misses with a looping left.
Laoka tries to clinch there but Kruger circles away.
Laoka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Laoka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Laoka.
Kruger avoiding damage as Laoka throws knees to the body.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kruger is defending well for now.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Kruger avoids the damage to the body.
Katsu Laoka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Laoka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kruger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kruger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
Laoka tries a knee to the head but Kruger blocks it.
Kruger managing to block the knees to the body from Laoka.
Kruger is trying to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laoka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Laoka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kruger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kruger is defending well for now.
Laoka working Kruger over with knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Laoka.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Laoka as Kruger tries to tie him up.
Laoka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruger's elbow.
Kruger on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Laoka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Laoka takes a shot to the head.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Laoka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kruger can't find room to land a body shot as Laoka controls the action.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Kruger avoids the damage to the body.
A short right from Kruger on the inside.
Kruger tries to break free but Laoka pushes him back against the cage.
Kruger misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Kruger tries a body shot but Laoka blocks it.
Laoka takes a shot to the head.
Laoka pushes off an throws an elbow but Kruger leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kruger lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Laoka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Laoka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Laoka.
Laoka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kruger blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Kruger - that landed with a thud.
Kruger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Laoka lands a nice shot to the body.
Kruger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laoka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laoka lands a nice knee to the body.
Laoka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kruger is defending well for now.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Laoka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kruger's brow.
Kruger lands a body punch in the clinch.
Laoka pushes Kruger back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruger is trying to force a seperation but Laoka has the dominant position.
Kruger scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kruger trying to control the position but instead, Laoka has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kruger into the cage.
Laoka tries a knee to the head but Kruger blocks it.
Kruger is trying to push Laoka away but Laoka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kruger.
Kruger working hard to break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kruger.
Laoka tries to land knees in the clinch but Kruger avoids the damage to the body.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Kruger.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kruger can't find room to land a body shot as Laoka controls the action.
Kruger gets through Laoka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kruger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
Laoka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kruger lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laoka missing with knees to the body.
Kruger misses with some punches.
John Kruger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laoka lands a good knee to the midsection. Kruger won't want to take too many of those.
Katsu Laoka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kruger manages to break the clinch.
Laoka misses with a low kick.
Laoka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Laoka closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laoka misses with a punch to the body.
Kruger managing to block the knees to the body from Laoka.
Laoka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short right from Kruger.
Kruger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Laoka looking to throw knees to the head but Kruger is blocking nicely.
Laoka lands a body punch.
Kruger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Laoka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kruger lands a shot to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Laoka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28
The fight is ruled a draw!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
43% |
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