PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Blackburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krabis Kropelis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Blackburn
vs
Kropelis

213 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rocky Blackburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Krabis Kropelis!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kropelis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Blackburn as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Blackburn as Kropelis shoots in.

Blackburn moves into the clinch.

Kropelis wants the takedown. Blackburn is fighting it off but Kropelis persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Blackburn's guard against the cage.
Blackburn really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Blackburn being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kropelis stopping the sweep attempt from Blackburn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropelis trying to control but Blackburn is working from the bottom.
Blackburn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kropelis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kropelis's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kropelis looking to pass the guard.
Blackburn 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kropelis shoots in but no luck this time.
As Kropelis tries to get set, Blackburn tries to push him back and clinch up but Kropelis manages to avoid the attempt.
Rocky Blackburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krabis Kropelis.
Blackburn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kropelis as he avoids it easily.

Blackburn shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kropelis is trying to defend but Blackburn finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Kropelis looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Blackburn is going to stand back up.
Kropelis wants to get back to full guard.
Kropelis taking some punishment here, with Blackburn in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Kropelis manages to get to full guard.
Kropelis is pulling down on Blackburn's head to control his posture.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kropelis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kropelis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Blackburn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kropelis somewhat.

Kropelis shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Blackburn's guard.
Blackburn is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kropelis dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn is looking to regain half guard here but Kropelis keeps moving and retains side control.
Kropelis tries to stand but Blackburn is controlling his head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blackburn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
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 Rocky Blackburn will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kropelis throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Blackburn tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kropelis is in Blackburn's guard.
Blackburn wants to get back to his feet but Kropelis passes into half guard.
Kropelis prevents Blackburn from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropelis trying to control the action but Blackburn is working from the bottom.
Well, if Kropelis 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackburn slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kropelis is standing up over Blackburn. Blackburn looks to escape but Kropelis dives into side control.
Kropelis trying to control the action but Blackburn is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Blackburn is trying to improve his position.
Blackburn is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kropelis wants to stand but Blackburn is controlling his arm.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Krabis Kropelis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kropelis feints and as Blackburn raises his hands in defense, Kropelis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Blackburn is wriggling around but Kropelis manages to pass to half guard.
Kropelis performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kropelis tries to pass to full mount but Blackburn defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kropelis is taking a breather. Blackburn 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.
Blackburn is positioning himself well to prevent Kropelis advancing to mount.
Blackburn tries to roll over but Kropelis keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krabis Kropelis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Blackburn enables Kropelis to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Blackburn manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Blackburn can't keep his opponent in guard - Kropelis advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kropelis seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Kropelis is trying to work for a kimura but Blackburn is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropelis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Blackburn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kropelis not doing much here.
Blackburn tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kropelis has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Kropelis sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Blackburn working to try and regain half guard.
Kropelis trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Kropelis controlling his opponent.
Kropelis is looking to stand but Blackburn has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Kropelis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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.
Blackburn is working to get back to half guard.
Blackburn is squirming around, avoiding Kropelis's attempts to control the action.
Blackburn tries to reverse the position but Kropelis maintains control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kropelis trying to control but he's not successful this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krabis Kropelis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kropelis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Krabis Kropelis!
Krabis Kropelis decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.