PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Ku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacques Carlo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Sasha Ku has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ku
vs
Carlo

183 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sasha Ku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jacques Carlo!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ku throws a series of punches but Carlo avoids them all with ease.
Ku walks into a straight right hand from Carlo.
Good leg kick by Carlo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ku fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ku fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Carlo fails with an attempt to clinch.

Carlo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Carlo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ku's efforts to push away.
Ku wants to get back to striking at distance but Carlo won't allow it.

Carlo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Carlo throws a head kick that Ku semi-blocks.

It looks like Sasha Ku has been cut.
Carlo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ku.
Ku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Carlo slips under a jab.
Carlo throws a head kick that misses.
Ku clinches but Carlo breaks the clinch

and Carlo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ku wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ku wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ku working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlo tries to score a body lock takedown but Ku shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ku tries to pull guard but Carlo won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Ku. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Carlo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Carlo shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ku napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ku is breathing heavily.
Ku tries to bench press Carlo off him but Carlo keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Ku's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Carlo looks up at the clock and then as Ku takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Carlo smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Carlo is chipping away with strikes.
Ku is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Carlo off and has taken his back!
Ku missing with punches from the back.
Ku is trying to stick to Carlo's back but Carlo is turning into Ku. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ku's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Carlo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carlo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Carlo fails with a takedown attempt.
Ku misses with a takedown

and Carlo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Carlo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Carlo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ku, as that shot connected.
Sasha Ku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carlo digs a good body shot into Ku's ribs.
Ku closes the distance but Carlo moves to the side

and Carlo moves into the clinch.

Carlo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ku moves into the clinch successfully.
Ku stalling in the clinch but Carlo improves position.

Carlo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carlo leaves Ku with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ku shoots in for a takedown but Carlo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Carlo moves into the clinch successfully.
Ku fails to pull guard.

Carlo has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ku regains guard immediately.
Carlo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Carlo stands and steps away. Ku gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Carlo stuffs the takedown attempt from Ku. Ku gets slowly back to his feet.
Ku throws a lazy right hand but Carlo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ku shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Carlo counters with a left and a right that stings Ku.

Carlo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ku is trying to control but can't.
Carlo thows a huge punch but Ku dodges it nicely.

Ku makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlo throws a push kick but Ku slaps the foot to one side.
A punch combination from Carlo misses.
Ku wants to clinch
and Carlo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ku with a lazy takedown attempt

and Carlo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Carlo.
Ku trying to control the position but instead, Carlo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ku into the cage.

Carlo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carlo is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ku working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Carlo is on top in guard.
Carlo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Carlo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sasha Ku's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A combination from Ku does no damage.
Ku clinches but Carlo breaks the clinch

and Carlo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ku scores with a shot to the side of Carlo's head.
Ku can't get the takedown.

Carlo breaks from the clinch.
Ku tries to score a power double leg takedown but Carlo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ku somewhat.

Carlo has Ku up against the cage in a clinch.
Carlo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ku pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ku tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Carlo just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Ku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ku can't break the clinch.

Carlo breaks the clinch.
Carlo throws a series of punches but Ku moves out of range.
Ku throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Carlo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ku closes the distance looking to clinch
and Carlo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ku swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Carlo counters with a nice leg kick.
Carlo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Carlo misses with a wild combination.
Ku keeps the fight on the outside.
Ku with a lazy takedown attempt

and Carlo moves into the clinch.

Ku's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Carlo misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Carlo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Carlo scores with a three punch combo!
Carlo throws the left hand but Ku avoids the punch easily.
Ku misses with a takedown attempt

so Carlo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ku trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Carlo throwing strikes from guard but Ku blocks nicely.
Carlo trying to control but Ku is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carlo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ku looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ku looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ku!
Carlo tries to improve position but can't.
Carlo is not content to let Ku control the position.
Carlo wants to control but Ku postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ku kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Carlo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Carlo on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Carlo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Ku working the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Carlo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Carlo misses with a two punch combination.

That's four 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.
Ku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ku throws a left and a right that both miss
and Carlo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ku tries for a takedown but Carlo circles away easily

and Carlo counters with a single leg into guard. Ku didn't expect that.
Carlo is looking to stand up but Ku won't let him.
Ku is pulling down on Carlo's head. It's preventing any offense from Carlo, at least for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ku is working an open guard so Carlo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ku wants to clinch but Carlo slips to the side

and Carlo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ku's guard.
Ku striking off his back but it's not causing Carlo any problems.
Ku controls Carlo momentarily but Carlo frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carlo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Carlo lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Carlo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sasha Ku's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ku has Carlo up against the cage in a clinch.
Ku tries to pull guard but Carlo won't allow it.
Carlo prevents Ku from breaking the clinch.
Ku fails to pull guard.
Ku tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Ku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ku is trying to force a seperation but Carlo has the dominant position.
Ku trying to stall but Carlo improves his position.
Carlo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ku up against the cage.
Carlo lands a left hand.
Ku jumps guard but Carlo stands there with Ku around his waist. Ku gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Carlo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ku throws a head kick that misses

and Carlo counters by clinching up.
Carlo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ku has Carlo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Carlo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Carlo blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlo prevents Ku from breaking the clinch.

Carlo jumps into guard, dragging Ku to the mat.
Carlo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ku is one step ahead there.

Ku decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Carlo, up you get!
Ku misses with a combination
and Carlo counters with a straight right hand.
Ku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Carlo stuffs the takedown.
Ku clinches but Carlo breaks the clinch
and Carlo counters with a thumping low kick.
Ku fails with the takedown

and Carlo counters with a shoot takedown. Ku fights it but they end up in guard.

Ku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ku throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Carlo tries to stand but Ku is controlling from the bottom.
Ku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Carlo is controlling him.
Ku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carlo is one step ahead there.
Ku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Carlo is controlling him.
Ku throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ku is looking to stand up but Carlo isn't so interested in that idea.
Carlo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ku pushes Carlo up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Carlo.

Carlo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A big right from Ku misses.
Ku misses with a takedown attempt
and Carlo counters with a one-two to the body.
Ku wants to clinch

and Carlo counters by clinching up.
Carlo prevents Ku from breaking the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Carlo.
Ku can't get the takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Ku's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ku tries to pull guard but Carlo won't allow it.
Carlo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ku or not.
Ku is working for takedown but Carlo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Come on Ku - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carlo lands with a left to the head.

Ku escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carlo scores with a head kick.
Ku misses with a combination

and Carlo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ku thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ku keeping full guard, as Carlo tries to pass.
Ku managing to control the position.
Ku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ku is looking for a triangle but Carlo pushes his legs off easily.
Sasha Ku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jacques Carlo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ku controls Carlo momentarily but Carlo frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacques Carlo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Carlo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacques Carlo!