PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Gilbert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karelin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Aleksandr Karelin Intro. Ethan Gilbert has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gilbert
vs
Karelin

187 cm
25
205 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

160 cm
24
218 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ethan Gilbert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alexander Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin tries to close the distance and clinch but Gilbert swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gilbert avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Karelin drives through with a takedown into guard.
Karelin trying to control but Gilbert is working from the bottom.
Karelin wants to pass the guard but Gilbert is keeping the position.
Karelin pushing down on Gilbert's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Karelin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gilbert is looking to improve his position.
Karelin slips a nice elbow through Gilbert's hands, connecting with Gilbert's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilbert wants to get back to his feet.
Gilbert tries to roll over but Karelin keeps him under control.
Karelin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gilbert does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Karelin slips a nice elbow through Gilbert's hands, connecting with Gilbert's forehead.
Karelin uses his free foot to push down on Gilbert's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gilbert.
Gilbert is looking to improve his position but Karelin isn't that keen on the idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Karelin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Karelin postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gilbert looks a forlorn figure.

Karelin wants to finish this one by submission but Gilbert is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Karelin.
Karelin raining down shots from the mount!
Karelin with shots to the head and body - Gilbert looks very uncomfortable down there.
Karelin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gilbert tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin with shots to the head and body - Gilbert looks very uncomfortable down there.
Karelin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Karelin postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Gilbert in real trouble here! The ref calls for Gilbert to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Karelin!