PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khadem Abdul Karim (ranked 766 p4p, 665 weight class) and Gen Tenryu (ranked 98 p4p, 87 weight class). Tenryu comes into a darkened arena with his song building. piri & tommy - on & on kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Abdul Karim
vs
Tenryu

190 cm
28
203
13 - 3 - 0

182 cm
31
189
21 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

New Standard
Groove Gear

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Khadem Abdul Karim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gen Tenryu!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Darius Henderson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Abdul Karim misses

and Tenryu counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Abdul Karim is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tenryu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Abdul Karim struggles to land a body shot inside as Tenryu controls his hands.
A short left from Abdul Karim.
Tenryu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Abdul Karim.

Abdul Karim turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Abdul Karim manages to end up in side control.
Abdul Karim controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdul Karim working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Karim looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tenryu is avoiding damage well.
Abdul Karim remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Abdul Karim moves into the clinch.
Tenryu lands with a left to the head.
Abdul Karim is trying to break free.
Abdul Karim takes a shot to the head.
Tenryu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Abdul Karim has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Tenryu after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khadem Abdul Karim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdul Karim misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tenryu.
Tenryu throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Tenryu.
Tenryu throws a head punch that misses.
Tenryu misses with a punch on the inside.
Abdul Karim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Abdul Karim tries for a takedown but Tenryu manages to get underhooks.
Abdul Karim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tenryu has him pressed against the cage.
Tenryu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tenryu lands a nice uppercut.
Tenryu looking to slow down the pace here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tenryu blocking some punches.
Tenryu has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Abdul Karim seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Tenryu can turn it around.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu wants to stall.
Tenryu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abdul Karim's elbow.
Abdul Karim misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abdul Karim.
A short right from Abdul Karim on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Tenryu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Abdul Karim is looking to take this one to the mat.
Abdul Karim misses with some punches.
Abdul Karim takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tenryu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Abdul Karim is trying to break free.
Abdul Karim drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tenryu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Abdul Karim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tenryu pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Abdul Karim is trying to trip Tenryu. He has hold of a leg but Tenryu is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Abdul Karim persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Abdul Karim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tenryu is keeping the position for now.
Tenryu has his hands on Abdul Karim's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Karim wants to pass the guard but Tenryu is keeping the position.
Abdul Karim lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tenryu trying to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gen Tenryu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Abdul Karim.
Tenryu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tenryu lands with an uppercut that bounces Abdul Karim off the cage and back into range.
Abdul Karim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've been told by Abdul Karim's head coaches at HELLCADEMY that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Abdul Karim throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tenryu.
Tenryu throws a hook to the side of Abdul Karim's head but Abdul Karim sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Abdul Karim throws a series of punches but Tenryu avoids them all with ease.
Abdul Karim lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tenryu works Abdul Karim's body with a nice hook.
Tenryu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Abdul Karim fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tenryu throws a jab when Abdul Karim was well out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tenryu moves into the clinch.
Tenryu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tenryu.
Abdul Karim's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tenryu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Abdul Karim's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenryu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Abdul Karim is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tenryu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tenryu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Abdul Karim throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Abdul Karim gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tenryu is looking to get back to is feet but Abdul Karim passes into side control.
Tenryu is trying to get back to half guard.
Tenryu pushes Abdul Karim away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Abdul Karim gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Tenryu is trying to control Abdul Karim's posture but Abdul Karim avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Abdul Karim stalls from top position.

Abdul Karim is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tenryu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Abdul Karim trying to control the position but Tenryu is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abdul Karim is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tenryu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tenryu is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Abdul Karim trying to control the position but Tenryu is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Abdul Karim prevents Tenryu from escaping the position.
Abdul Karim trying to control the action but Tenryu is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tenryu throws a body punch but Abdul Karim moves out of range.
Abdul Karim looks to score with a jab to the body but Tenryu is just out of range.
Abdul Karim throws a series of punches but Tenryu moves out of range.
Tenryu is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A head kick misses from Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim misses with a series of wild punches.
Tenryu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Abdul Karim cracks Tenryu with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Abdul Karim tries a head kick but it misses.
Abdul Karim sets himself, and Tenryu steps forward looking for the clinch! Abdul Karim avoids it this time.
Tenryu throws a right and a left that Abdul Karim avoids nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Khadem Abdul Karim will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tenryu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tenryu throws a looping overhand right but Abdul Karim ducks down to avoid it.
Tenryu missing with a left hand there. Abdul Karim was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tenryu blocks a head kick by Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim throws a head kick that misses.
Tenryu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tenryu blocks a jab.
Abdul Karim paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jab from Abdul Karim.
Abdul Karim throws a head kick that misses
and Tenryu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdul Karim throws a head kick but Tenryu moves out of range.
Abdul Karim moves out of range as Tenryu strikes.

Abdul Karim closes the distance and clinches.
Tenryu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tenryu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Abdul Karim has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tenryu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Abdul Karim is working for takedown but Tenryu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Abdul Karim works on Tenryu's body with a couple of short punches.
Tenryu tries to work over Abdul Karim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tenryu has Abdul Karim pressed against the cage, preventing Abdul Karim from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Abdul Karim lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tenryu backwards.
Abdul Karim struggles to land a body shot inside as Tenryu controls his hands.
Tenryu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abdul Karim's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Abdul Karim goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tenryu prevents it.
Tenryu stops a takedown attempt from Abdul Karim.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khadem Abdul Karim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdul Karim tries to break free but Tenryu pushes him back against the cage.
Abdul Karim misses with a punch to the body.
Tenryu keeps control of Abdul Karim as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gen Tenryu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Abdul Karim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tenryu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abdul Karim misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tenryu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Abdul Karim is trying to force a seperation but Tenryu has the dominant position.
Abdul Karim is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tenryu.
Tenryu prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Tenryu.
Tenryu digs a right hand into Abdul Karim's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Abdul Karim's gas tank.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tenryu.
Tenryu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Tenryu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tenryu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tenryu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tenryu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tenryu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Abdul Karim changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tenryu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tenryu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Abdul Karim looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tenryu wants to clinch up but Abdul Karim keeps it at a distance.
Khadem Abdul Karim is winning the standup battle so far.
Abdul Karim throws a series of punches but Tenryu moves out of range.

Tenryu pushes Abdul Karim up against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Tenryu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu lands with a light punch inside.
Abdul Karim tries to score a body lock takedown but Tenryu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Abdul Karim wants to take the fight to the mat but Tenryu manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tenryu misses with a body punch.
Abdul Karim tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tenryu avoiding damage.
Tenryu pushes Abdul Karim back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tenryu presses Abdul Karim against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tenryu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Abdul Karim goes for a takedown attempt but Tenryu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tenryu misses with a straight left.
Tenryu missing with a left hand there. Abdul Karim was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Abdul Karim lands with a nice body punch.

Tenryu rushes Abdul Karim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Abdul Karim misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tenryu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tenryu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tenryu lands a right hand.
Tenryu lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tenryu digs a right hand underneath Abdul Karim's ribcage. Abdul Karim let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tenryu scores with a shot to the side of Abdul Karim's head.
Tenryu lands a shot to the body.
Tenryu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tenryu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tenryu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Abdul Karim is rocked!
A short uppercut from Tenryu.
Oh Abdul Karim is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice body punch from Tenryu.
Tenryu lands a right hand.
Tenryu is leaning against Abdul Karim and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tenryu lands a body punch.
Tenryu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tenryu creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Abdul Karim with a big uppercut! Abdul Karim tries to clinch up but Tenryu pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Abdul Karim to the mat! Abdul Karim covers up and Tenryu unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Gen Tenryu!
Gen Tenryu thanked the fans post fight for their support.