PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Kravac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gardner comes into the arena with Thug Luv blaring out of the sound system. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gardner
vs
Kravac

188 cm
21
210 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

190 cm
21
206 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

RAGS of a RONIN

King of Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Ralph Gardner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Samuel Kravac!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kravac.
Kravac is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gardner throws a lazy right hand but Kravac sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kravac changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gardner scores with a hook to the body. Kravac takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kravac looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kravac looks to throw the jab but Gardner is out of range.
Samuel Kravac seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kravac shoots in looking for a takedown. Gardner tries to sprawl out of it but Kravac keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Gardner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kravac shoots for a double leg takedown but Gardner sprawls well. He's pushed Kravac's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ralph Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samuel Kravac.
Gardner misses with a looping left.
Kravac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gardner.
Kravac fails with the takedown
and Gardner counters with a left to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner lands with a nice body punch.

Kravac gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kravac wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gardner, who protects the arm well.

Kravac thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kravac tries to move to mount but Gardner blocks the move with his legs.

Kravac goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gardner has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kravac but great work by Gardner.
You can see the frustration on Kravac's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kravac is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kravac being controlled for a moment.
Gardner is looking to take a break and control but Kravac is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kravac manages to get back to half guard.
Gardner performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kravac gets back to full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gardner wants to control from the top but Kravac keeps moving.
Kravac working a defensive guard here.
Gardner tries to free his leg and advance position but Kravac is retaining full guard.
Gardner trying to control but Kravac is working from the bottom.
Kravac 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.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gardner wants to stand but Kravac has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gardner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gardner misses with a looping left.
Kravac moves away from the strike by Gardner.
Gardner throws a series of strikes that have Kravac backpedaling.

It looks like Samuel Kravac has been cut.
Ralph Gardner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kravac fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kravac with a poor takedown
enabling Gardner to counter with a crisp jab.
Kravac closes the distance and clinches up with Gardner, looking for a takedown. Kravac pushes Gardner against the ropes but Gardner circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kravac looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gardner is fending him off so far but Kravac persists. Nope, Gardner circles away and we're back to standing.
Kravac shoots in for a double leg but Gardner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kravac blocks a jab.
Gardner scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gardner avoids the body shot from Kravac.
Kravac swings for the body but Gardner moves out of range.
Gardner was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kravac fails with the takedown
and Gardner counters with a huge left! Kravac is in big trouble! He's backing up but Gardner isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Kravac from any more damage. A dominating finish by Gardner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ralph Gardner!
An out of breath and clearly excited Ralph Gardner thanked RAGS of a RONIN for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).