PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Aronoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aronoff has chosen Here Comes the Pain by Slayer as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Karlsson
vs
Aronoff

188 cm
25
223 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

180 cm
29
245 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jimmy Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Aronoff!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson shoots in and drives through. Aronoff sprawls well.
Aronoff swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aronoff blocks a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aronoff wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Aronoff breaks from the clinch.

Aronoff clinches with his opponent.
Aronoff stops a takedown attempt from Karlsson.

Karlsson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aronoff uses from the top position.
Aronoff wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.
Aronoff trying to move into half guard but instead Karlsson has managed to sweep!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karlsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Karlsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Aronoff working for a triangle but Karlsson defends it easily.
Karlsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aronoff lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Karlsson!
Karlsson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Karlsson is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karlsson regains half guard.
Aronoff tries to pass the half guard into mount. Karlsson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Aronoff is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Aronoff is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Karlsson sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aronoff prevents Karlsson from improving his position.
Karlsson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aronoff content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Karlsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Karlsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aronoff postures up.
Aronoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aronoff won't allow Karlsson to sweep him here.
Karlsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karlsson is breathing heavily.
Karlsson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aronoff manages to get himself to full guard.
Karlsson landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Aronoff's head.

Aronoff manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Aronoff gets a takedown into half guard.
Karlsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Karlsson is looking to improve his position.
Karlsson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Karlsson looking for a guillotine here but Aronoff defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aronoff trying to control the position from guard on top but Karlsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karlsson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aronoff manages to get himself to full guard.
Karlsson is working Aronoff over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Karlsson trying to control but Aronoff is working from the bottom.
Karlsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Aronoff working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Karlsson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Karlsson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mark Aronoff will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karlsson throws a series of punches but Aronoff avoids them all with ease.
Aronoff wants to clinch.

Aronoff closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Karlsson to the mat! Karlsson manages to get full guard.

Karlsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aronoff gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aronoff preventing the sweep.

Aronoff thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Karlsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aronoff wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aronoff's guard.
Aronoff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aronoff is breathing heavily.
Karlsson stands and throws Aronoff's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Aronoff is looking to regain half guard here but Karlsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Aronoff is not content to let Karlsson control the position.
Karlsson working away.

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.
Karlsson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Karlsson advances nicely into full mount.

Karlsson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Aronoff manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Aronoff is looking for a sweep.
Karlsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aronoff keeps working.
Karlsson working the ground and pound from side control.
Karlsson tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aronoff struggling a bit here.
Check out the look on Karlsson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Aronoff manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Karlsson is trying to control. Aronoff wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karlsson lands a nice short elbow.

Karlsson seems to be looking for submissions.
Karlsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aronoff's head.
Karlsson is looking to take a break and control but Aronoff is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Karlsson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Aronoff tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karlsson raining down shots from the mount!
Karlsson with shots to the head and body - Aronoff looks very uncomfortable down there.
Aronoff tries to hold on but Karlsson pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Karlsson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aronoff misses the body punch

and Karlsson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Aronoff working for a triangle but Karlsson defends it easily.
Karlsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aronoff is looking to stand up but Karlsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Karlsson trying to control but Aronoff is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Karlsson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Aronoff takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson advances position into side control!
Aronoff is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Karlsson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Karlsson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Aronoff sees it coming and defends easily.
Karlsson passes to full mount!

Aronoff defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Karlsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson cracks Aronoff with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Karlsson.
Karlsson looking to control but Aronoff is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Karlsson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Aronoff's face.
Aronoff is looking to improve his position but Karlsson isn't that keen on the idea.
Karlsson lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aronoff is wriggling around trying to escape.
Karlsson breaks from Aronoff's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Karlsson lands a nice shot to the head.
Karlsson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Aronoff's face.
Karlsson unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Karlsson.
Karlsson prevents Aronoff from getting the reversal.
Karlsson unloading with bombs!
Karlsson with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Karlsson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Karlsson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Aronoff is desperately trying to improve his position but Karlsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Karlsson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karlsson with a couple of short strikes.
Aronoff has given up his back here.

Karlsson is cranking Aronoff's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Aronoff! He's tightened the choke and Aronoff is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jimmy Karlsson!