PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mat Karim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam LangFord (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Karim
vs
LangFord

187 cm
21
235 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

214 cm
22
245 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mat Karim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam LangFord!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karim darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
LangFord won't allow Karim to pass to mount.
LangFord trying to control from the bottom.
LangFord pushes Karim off looking to stand but Karim dives back in and keeps control.

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

Karim is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so LangFord is just riding it out for now. Karim eventually gives up the hold.

Karim is working for a kimura but LangFord is defending it quite comfortably.
LangFord really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Karim. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LangFord tries to get to full guard but Karim has control of the leg.
LangFord is trying to stand back up but Karim is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
LangFord is looking to control Karim's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can LangFord avoid being mounted?
LangFord tries to kick Karim off but Karim keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Karim avoids the head kick by LangFord.
Sam LangFord seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Karim scores with a takedown into LangFord's guard.
LangFord is looking to stand up but Karim isn't so interested in that idea.
Karim is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LangFord is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Karim defends well.
LangFord is looking to sweep but instead, Karim has passed into half guard.

LangFord is defending against the submission attempts here by Karim.
LangFord trying to hold on to Karim's head to control him but Karim postures up.

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.
Karim moves nicely into side control.
LangFord is trying to get back to his feet.

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

Karim is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. LangFord knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mat Karim dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

LangFord misses with a head kick.
Karim tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Karim moves out of range of the body kick.
LangFord is looking to clinch.
LangFord lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Karim circles away quickly and effectively.
LangFord shoots in for a double leg but Karim sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
LangFord tries a head kick but it misses.
LangFord has a takedown stuffed.

Karim rushes LangFord and presses him up against the cage.

Karim wants the takedown. LangFord is fighting it off but Karim persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in LangFord's guard against the cage.

Karim stands up and waves to LangFord to follow him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Karim closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Karim lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karim forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karim is looking for a kimura here.
LangFord trying to control from the bottom.
LangFord is trying to stand.
LangFord is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Karim is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, LangFord has managed to free his arm - good work.
LangFord is trying to stand back up but Karim is controlling him
LangFord is trying to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Karim moves into the clinch successfully.
LangFord is looking to control Karim's arms but Karim gets an underhook and turns him. Now LangFord has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karim keeps control of LangFord as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
LangFord can't break the clinch.

Karim pulls LangFord into guard.
Karim has a closed guard, preventing LangFord from standing up.

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

Karim looking for a guillotine here but LangFord defends easily.

LangFord avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Karim escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. LangFord gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karim looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Karim is trying to control the position from the bottom.
LangFord wants to stand but Karim is controlling his posture from full guard.
LangFord must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Karim looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
LangFord wants to stand but Karim has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
LangFord pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karim is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mat Karim dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

LangFord tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
LangFord fails with the takedown

and Karim counters with a nice double leg into guard.
LangFord working a defensive guard but Karim manages to pass into side control anyway.
LangFord looking for a sweep but Karim has passed into full mount! Oh no!
LangFord is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Karim looking to secure an arm triangle but LangFord defends it well.
LangFord wants to try and get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karim lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
LangFord is trying to stand up.

Karim stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
LangFord closes the distance but Karim moves to the side

and Karim counters with a shoot takedown. LangFord fights it but they end up in guard.
Karim prevents LangFord from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Karim gets to his feet. LangFord looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
LangFord has his takedown stuffed

and Karim decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in LangFord's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LangFord is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Karim is controlling him.
Karim is pushing down on LangFord's leg trying to pass to half guard. LangFord is fighting to maintain full guard but Karim has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LangFord pushes Karim off looking to stand but Karim dives back in and keeps control.
LangFord is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
LangFord tries to kick Karim off in order to stand up. Karim Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
LangFord wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Karim is trying to get an arm triangle but LangFord is defending well.
LangFord pushes Karim away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Karim gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karim tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
LangFord is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Karim has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Karim is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. LangFord knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
LangFord is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LangFord wants to control but Karim postures up.
LangFord tries to bench press Karim off him but Karim keeps the position.

Karim thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
LangFord is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Karim asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sam LangFord has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mat Karim is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Mat Karim showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Karim has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mat Karim!