PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brucie McGavin (ranked 5568 p4p, 2314 weight class) and Brock Karelin (ranked 584 p4p, 323 weight class). Brock Karelin 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!

McGavin
vs
Karelin

187 cm
25
240
1 - 2 - 0

196 cm
26
275
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Brucie McGavin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Brock Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin with a lazy takedown attempt
and McGavin counters with a three punch combo that has Karelin backing up. Karelin nods at McGavin to acknowledge the strikes.
McGavin throws a jab when Karelin was well out of range.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGavin as he avoids it easily.
Karelin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGavin counters with a straight right hand.
Brucie McGavin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brock Karelin.
McGavin throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGavin lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Karelin drives through with a takedown into McGavin's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Karelin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McGavin looking for submissions off his back.

Karelin is trying to work for a kimura but McGavin is defending well.
Karelin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karelin seems to be looking for submissions.
Karelin slows the pace down in half guard.
Karelin is nestled in close to McGavin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karelin lands a nice short elbow.

McGavin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Karelin pulls his head out easily.
Karelin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McGavin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

McGavin actively working from the bottom here.
Karelin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Karelin is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin stalling away here and it's allowed McGavin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Karelin chips away with some ground and pound.
Karelin lands a couple of elbows.

McGavin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Karelin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McGavin thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGavin is looking for a triangle but Karelin pushes his legs off easily.
Karelin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karelin trying to control the position from guard on top but McGavin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karelin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Karelin working some strikes from top position.
Karelin content to stall in guard here.

McGavin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karelin is aware though and is defending well.
Karelin works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGavin looking for submissions off his back.

Karelin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McGavin defends it well.
Karelin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
My spies in HB Training center inform me that Karelin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Karelin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Karelin is nestled in close to McGavin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Karelin wants to work for an arm triangle but McGavin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Karelin controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Karelin dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Karelin fails with a takedown attempt.
McGavin throws an overhand right that lands on Karelin's shoulder, as Karelin tries to avoid the shot.
Karelin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Karelin slips a jab and a cross from McGavin.
Karelin fails with the takedown.
McGavin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Karelin manages to circle out of the way.
Karelin closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGavin circles away.
McGavin throwing a counter right hand but Karelin manages to avoid it.
Brucie McGavin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brock Karelin.
Karelin misses with a takedown
and McGavin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McGavin but McGavin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McGavin defends well and Karelin ends up having to push McGavin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Karelin is breathing heavily.
Karelin slips a jab and a cross from McGavin.
McGavin throws out a powerful jab.
Brucie McGavin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGavin slaps away a takedown attempt from Karelin, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGavin misses with a two punch combination.
McGavin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Karelin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGavin somewhat.
McGavin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McGavin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Karelin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McGavin 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.

McGavin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGavin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Karelin defends well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Karelin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Karelin postures up and lands a big shot to McGavin's brow.
Karelin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McGavin throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGavin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Karelin drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McGavin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Karelin has McGavin in his guard.

Karelin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McGavin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karelin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGavin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGavin stopping the sweep attempt from Karelin.
McGavin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karelin is keeping the position for now.
Karelin 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGavin wants to stand and escape but instead Karelin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Karelin got a little sloppy there for a moment and McGavin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Karelin has managed to get both his arms back between McGavin's legs - danger averted.
Karelin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Karelin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karelin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Karelin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McGavin wants to stand up but Karelin is controlling him.
Karelin is in close to McGavin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brucie McGavin dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Karelin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McGavin did well to prevent Karelin getting side control.
McGavin is looking for a sweep. Karelin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McGavin is trying to control but Karelin passes into side control!
McGavin is trying to escape the position but Karelin is controlling the position.
McGavin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Karelin's best efforts.
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. Karelin connects with a nice short shot to McGavin's temple.
Karelin is pressing down on McGavin's thigh, looking to free his foot. McGavin is holding on for now.

Karelin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Karelin wants to work for an arm triangle but McGavin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGavin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

McGavin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Karelin pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGavin manages to get to full guard.

McGavin working for a triangle but Karelin defends it easily.
Karelin with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Karelin chips away with some ground and pound.
McGavin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karelin manages to get himself to full guard.

McGavin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Karelin throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Karelin lands a decent punch to the body there.

Karelin working for a triangle but McGavin defends it easily.
Karelin is pulling down on McGavin's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Karelin doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Karelin wants to sweep but no luck.
Karelin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McGavin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Karelin working for a triangle but McGavin defends it easily.
McGavin won't allow Karelin to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Karelin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McGavin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karelin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karelin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McGavin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karelin is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McGavin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Karelin works his way to full guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brock Karelin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Karelin 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brock Karelin!
In defeat, Brucie McGavin stepped up to the mic, saying 'I snorted a blaze before the fight and couldn't concentrate.'.