PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Helio Karelin (ranked 4876 p4p, 3858 weight class) and Valerio Cusanno (ranked 199 p4p, 174 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Karelin
vs
Cusanno

190 cm
17
270
0 - 4 - 0

172 cm
23
155
5 - 1 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

New Standard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Helio Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valerio Cusanno!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters are only really looking to counter, so after a good 30 seconds of circling each other endlessly, the referee has stepped in and told them both to be more aggressive.

Karelin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cusanno wants to get back to full guard.
Cusanno regains full guard. Nicely done.
Karelin stopping the sweep attempt from Cusanno.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cusanno keeps trying to improve his position.
Our spies down at at Freddy\'s Grappling Institute inform us that Cusanno has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Karelin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karelin postures up in Cusanno's guard and throws a big left but Cusanno blocks it.
Karelin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cusanno works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Karelin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Karelin postures up in Cusanno's guard and throws a big left but Cusanno blocks it.
We've been hearing good reports from Karelin's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin preventing the sweep.
Karelin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cusanno's guard.
Cusanno tries to roll over but Karelin keeps him under control.

Karelin is looking for a kimura but Cusanno is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Karelin to get the leverage.
Cusanno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karelin.
Cusanno tries to roll over but Karelin keeps him under control.
Karelin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cusanno makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cusanno.
Cusanno manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karelin manages to get himself to full guard.

Cusanno stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Cusanno fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cusanno fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Karelin to the ground. Cusanno is now in Karelin's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Karelin isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Cusanno stacks Karelin on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Cusanno!

Cusanno stands up and we're back to a striking position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Valerio Cusanno.
I think Cusanno 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 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 9:10
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 9:10
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 9:10

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valerio Cusanno!
A victorious Valerio Cusanno thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.