PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kamaru Usman (ranked 5409 p4p, 5121 weight class) and Sven Karlsson (ranked 609 p4p, 592 weight class). Sven Karlsson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Usman
vs
Karlsson

184 cm
23
182
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
181
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kamaru Usman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sven Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson looks to land a combination but Usman avoids it well.
Usman is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Karlsson.
Karlsson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Usman moves into the clinch.
Usman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Karlsson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Usman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Karlsson did well to prevent Usman getting side control.
Usman is taking a breather. Karlsson 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.
Usman seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Karlsson for as long as he can get away with.
Karlsson tries to kick Usman off but Usman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Usman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Karlsson defends it well.
Usman scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usman stalling.
Karlsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Usman in particular looking to stall.
Usman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Usman is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Usman passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Karlsson!
Karlsson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Usman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Usman with shots to the head and body - Karlsson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Usman lands a big shot there that rocks Karlsson but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Usman looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Usman landing strikes from the mount.
Usman landing strikes, looking to finish!

Usman with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Usman content just to control the position here.
Usman postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Karlsson in real trouble here! The ref calls for Karlsson to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kamaru Usman!