PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between David Francis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Kruschewsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carlos Kruschewsky has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Francis
vs
Kruschewsky

190 cm
19
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
22
189 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, David Francis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlos Kruschewsky!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Francis loads up on a big right hand but Kruschewsky slips the punch.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Francis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kruschewsky.
Kruschewsky drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Francis defends it well.
Francis cracks Kruschewsky with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kruschewsky blocks a jab.
Francis throws a body punch but Kruschewsky moves out of range.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kruschewsky blocks a jab.
Francis takes a swing at Kruschewsky's ribcage but misses.
Kruschewsky uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Francis.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Francis misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Francis sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Kruschewsky to the ground! Francis dives into full mount looking to finish!

It looks like Carlos Kruschewsky has been cut.
Francis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Francis jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kruschewsky manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Francis working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruschewsky manages to get back to half guard.
Francis is looking to stall here but Kruschewsky recovers full guard.
Francis trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruschewsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Francis drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kruschewsky looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kruschewsky looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kruschewsky!

Kruschewsky wants to control but Francis is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Francis taking punishment in the form of punches.
Francis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Francis is not content to let Kruschewsky control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Francis tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kruschewsky wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kruschewsky looks up at the clock and then as Francis takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kruschewsky smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kruschewsky is chipping away with strikes.
Francis struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky scores with punches from side control.
Francis can't do much from the bottom here.
Francis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kruschewsky is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kruschewsky seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Francis trying to control from the bottom.
Francis tries to get to full guard but Kruschewsky has control of the leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kruschewsky connects with a nice short shot to Francis's temple.
Kruschewsky is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kruschewsky connects with a nice short shot to Francis's temple.

Francis is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Francis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Francis.
Kruschewsky throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Francis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kruschewsky connects with a couple of short punches.
Francis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kruschewsky is one step ahead there.
Kruschewsky stands up over Francis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Francis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kruschewsky content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kruschewsky pushing down on Francis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kruschewsky is thwarting Francis's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Francis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carlos Kruschewsky's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Francis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kruschewsky moves away from the strike by Francis.
David Francis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Francis misses with an uppercut.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Francis just misses with a punch to the body.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Francis throws a series of punches but Kruschewsky avoids them all with ease.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis thuds a left hand into Kruschewsky's body.
Francis misses with a straight right.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
We've been told by Francis's head coaches at The Skating Rink that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kruschewsky's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Francis connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kruschewsky scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Francis lands a jab to Kruschewsky's midsection.
Kruschewsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Francis throws a looping overhand right but Kruschewsky ducks down to avoid it.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Francis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kruschewsky.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francis jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Francis looks to land a right hand but Kruschewsky moved out of range.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
David Francis is winning the standup battle so far.
Kruschewsky ducks under a wild hook from Francis.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
David Francis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Francis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis connects with a right hand. Kruschewsky shakes it off.
Francis takes a swing at Kruschewsky's ribcage but misses.
Kruschewsky avoids the body shot from Francis.
Kruschewsky feints the counter takedown.
A head kick misses from Francis.
A telegraphed right hand from Francis misses the target.
Kruschewsky slips a straight right by Francis.
Francis takes a swing at Kruschewsky's ribcage but misses.
Francis moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky moves away from the strike by Francis.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Kruschewsky avoids the body shot from Francis.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis misses with a looping right.
Kruschewsky slips a straight right by Francis.
Francis misses with a straight left.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Francis throws a jab when Kruschewsky was well out of range.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kruschewsky uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Francis.
Francis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Francis moves into range and connects with a jab.
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!
Nice defenses there by Kruschewsky.
Francis throws a head kick but Kruschewsky moves out of range.
Francis fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kruschewsky on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Francis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Francis lunges at Kruschewsky with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kruschewsky's hand.
Kruschewsky defending well as Francis loads up on a big left hand.
Francis takes a swing at Kruschewsky's ribcage but misses.
Kruschewsky ducks under a wild hook from Francis.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis throws out a loose jab but Kruschewsky uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kruschewsky slips a jab from Francis.
Francis misses with a looping left.
Kruschewsky takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A big left from Francis misses.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Francis throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kruschewsky checks a leg kick.
Kruschewsky feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Francis throws out the jab.
Kruschewsky drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Francis defends it well.
Francis misses the jab.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kruschewsky avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Francis jabs at Kruschewsky's body.
Kruschewsky walks into a straight right hand from Francis.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slow jab from Francis misses its intended target.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Francis just misses with a punch to the body.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis scores with a nice head shot.
Francis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Francis misses with a hook.
Francis throws a hook to the side of Kruschewsky's head but Kruschewsky sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Francis dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Carlos Kruschewsky's cut.
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!

Francis misses with a looping right.
Kruschewsky feints the counter takedown.
Francis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis throws a head kick that misses.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis misses with a straight right.
Kruschewsky feints the counter takedown.
Francis lands with a nice body punch.
Francis misses with a hook. Kruschewsky ducked under it nicely.
Francis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kruschewsky moves out of range of the strikes.
Francis misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruschewsky ducks under a wild hook from Francis.
Kruschewsky keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Francis.
Francis looks to land a right hand but Kruschewsky moved out of range.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Francis jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francis throws a head kick that misses.
Kruschewsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kruschewsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Francis tests Kruschewsky's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A swing and a miss from Francis.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The fighters circling - Francis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis looks to throw the jab but Kruschewsky is out of range.
Kruschewsky changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kruschewsky slips under a jab from Francis.
Francis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Francis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Francis plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Francis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kruschewsky moves away.
Kruschewsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Francis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kruschewsky sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kruschewsky feints the counter takedown.
Francis throws a hook but Kruschewsky avoids it easily.
Francis tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kruschewsky tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A big right from Francis misses.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis misses with a wild body shot.
Francis scores with a hook to the body. Kruschewsky takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Francis throws a hook but Kruschewsky blocks it.
Kruschewsky with the counter takedown but Francis avoids it easily.
Francis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kruschewsky can do to turn this around?
Kruschewsky steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Francis.
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!
Francis throws a jab but it's blocked by Kruschewsky.
Francis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Francis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruschewsky displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Francis throws out the jab.
Kruschewsky gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kruschewsky walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Francis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Francis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Francis misses with an uppercut. Kruschewsky saw that one coming.
Francis throws a big shot that misses.
And Kruschewsky tries to counter it with a takedown but Francis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Francis throws a shot from downtown. Kruschewsky moves away and avoids it.
Francis throws a big shot that misses.
Francis throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kruschewsky counters with a nice double leg into side control. Francis won't be happy with that.
Francis is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kruschewsky connects with a decent elbow.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kruschewsky working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Kruschewsky trying to control the position but Francis is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Francis struggling a bit here.
Kruschewsky landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Carlos Kruschewsky has got the better of the ground game so far.
Francis sneaks back into half guard.
Francis wants to get back to full guard.
Francis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kruschewsky scores with a couple of nice shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Francis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Francis, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:26
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Francis!
David Francis tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.