PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ciprian Mukesha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mukesha comes to the cage accompanied by Sound of Madness. Ciprian Mukesha has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mukesha
vs
Karlsson

180 cm
22
200 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
21
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Intelligent

Firebird Designs

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ciprian Mukesha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mukesha tries to clinch there but Karlsson circles away.
Karlsson clinches but Mukesha breaks the clinch

and Mukesha counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Karlsson!
Karlsson tries to hold on but Mukesha postures up.

Mukesha goes for an armbar but Karlsson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Karlsson.
Karlsson wants to pass the guard but Mukesha is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karlsson postures up.

Karlsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mukesha is keeping the position for now.
Mukesha manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karlsson manages to get himself to full guard.
Karlsson is trying to keep Mukesha in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mukesha drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Karlsson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mukesha has Karlsson in his guard.
Mukesha not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Mukesha 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karlsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Karlsson stands and steps away. Mukesha gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mukesha shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mukesha closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mukesha is breathing heavily.
Karlsson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mukesha passes into side control, despite Karlsson's attempt to control the position.
Karlsson is looking for a sweep.

Mukesha stands up and beckons Karlsson to his feet.
Karlsson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mukesha tries for a takedown but Karlsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Karlsson scores a takedown into full mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Karlsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mukesha is looking to escape.
Mukesha is trying to escape the mount.
Mukesha is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mukesha is working to get back to half guard.
Karlsson seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Mukesha is holding on tight.
Mukesha is desperately trying to improve his position but Karlsson has a good base and remains in mount.
Mukesha tries to improve his position but instead Karlsson has taken his back!
Karlsson lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Karlsson.
You can see the frustration on Mukesha's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Karlsson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mukesha is defending well though. Karlsson let's go of the attempt for now.
Mukesha turns into Karlsson and is now in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Karlsson looking for a guillotine here but Mukesha defends easily.
Karlsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Karlsson working for submissions but it's allowed Mukesha to get to half guard.
Karlsson is trying to stand up here but Mukesha is controlling him well.

Mukesha gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mukesha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mukesha scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Karlsson moves out of range as Mukesha throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ciprian Mukesha dominated that round.
That's time! Mukesha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Karlsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mukesha doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Karlsson moves into the clinch.
Karlsson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mukesha has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Karlsson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mukesha is trying to keep an underhook but Karlsson manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Mukesha tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Karlsson is trying to work for a kimura but Mukesha is defending well.

Karlsson decides to return to a standing position.
Mukesha clinches but Karlsson breaks the clinch

and Karlsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mukesha won't be happy with that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Karlsson trying to control the action but Mukesha is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Karlsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Karlsson wants to control but Mukesha is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karlsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mukesha gets back to half guard.
Karlsson is looking to take a break and control but Mukesha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Karlsson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Karlsson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Karlsson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Mukesha is now in Karlsson's guard. A big mistake from Karlsson there, giving up the dominant position!
Karlsson wants to stand and escape but Mukesha is having none of it.
Karlsson is trying to keep Mukesha in close.

Mukesha stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Karlsson tries for a takedown but Mukesha circles away easily

and Mukesha counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Karlsson's guard now.

Karlsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mukesha can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mukesha is pushing down on Karlsson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Karlsson is fighting to maintain full guard but Mukesha has managed to sneak the leg through.
Karlsson is trying to stand.
Ciprian Mukesha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mukesha prevents Karlsson from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mukesha wants to pass to mount but Karlsson is defending the position.
Mukesha is tying to control. Karlsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Karlsson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mukesha wants to stand up but Karlsson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Mukesha looks to land a strike but Karlsson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Mukesha is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Karlsson wants to stand and escape but Mukesha is having none of it.
Mukesha lands a couple of digs.
Mukesha wants to get up but he can't break Karlsson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Karlsson trying to keep a closed guard but Mukesha is proving a slippery customer.

Mukesha stands up and waves to Karlsson to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mukesha tries for a takedown but Karlsson circles away easily

and Karlsson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mukesha tries to land knees in the clinch but Karlsson avoids the damage to the body.
Karlsson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mukesha lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Karlsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Karlsson manages to break the clinch.
Karlsson tries to clinch but Mukesha is having none of it.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Mukesha closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mukesha is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Karlsson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mukesha is pressing down on Karlsson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Karlsson is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karlsson trying to control here.
Mukesha working over Karlsson with some ground and pound. Karlsson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ciprian Mukesha will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mukesha closes the distance and clinches up with Karlsson, looking for a takedown. Mukesha pushes Karlsson against the cage but Karlsson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Karlsson tries to clinch up but Mukesha circles away and keeps his distance.
Karlsson avoids the body shot from Mukesha.

Mukesha rushes Karlsson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Karlsson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mukesha lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees in the clinch landing for Karlsson.
Karlsson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mukesha is trying to break free.
Karlsson content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Karlsson pulls guard effortlessly.

Karlsson has his feet on Mukesha's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Mukesha misses with a double jab.
Karlsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mukesha circles away.
Mukesha tries to clinch up

and Karlsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mukesha's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karlsson lands a couple of digs.

Mukesha throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Karlsson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Karlsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mukesha tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Karlsson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mukesha keeps control of Karlsson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mukesha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Karlsson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Karlsson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mukesha is keeping busy.

Mukesha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mukesha keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick by Mukesha - that's a beauty! Karlsson is out but he's somehow still standing... he's going... going... gone. Like a drunk walking down the middle of the road, the inevitable face plant follows and the delayed knockout arrives. Even Mukesha can't help but laugh at the bizarre end to this one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Ciprian Mukesha!