PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kim Karlsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Wiggum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karlsen comes into the arena with Home by BZ's blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Karlsen
vs
Wiggum

183 cm
22
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
169 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kim Karlsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Wiggum!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Donald Grub and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karlsen rushes Wiggum and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Karlsen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Karlsen is trying to maintain a safe position but Wiggum gets an underhook and turns Karlsen into the cage.
Wiggum misses with an elbow over the top.
Wiggum slows down the pace here.
Karlsen wants to stall.
Wiggum blocks an elbow strike from Karlsen.
Karlsen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wiggum gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Karlsen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Karlsen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Karlsen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Wiggum really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Karlsen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wiggum with a nice head shot there.

Karlsen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Karlsen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Karlsen looking for a sweep. Not yet Karlsen, not yet.
Wiggum wants to control from the top but Karlsen keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Karlsen working for a triangle but Wiggum defends it easily.
Wiggum wants to control from the top but Karlsen keeps moving.
Wiggum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Wiggum is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wiggum must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wiggum is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Karlsen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wiggum.

Karlsen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Karlsen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wiggum manages to get himself to full guard.
Karlsen is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum wants to sweep here but Karlsen controlling him for the moment.
Karlsen passes Wiggum's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Karlsen seems to be working for a kimura but Wiggum defends the submission attempt.
Wiggum is looking for a sweep. Karlsen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Karlsen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wiggum wants to control but Karlsen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum works his way to full guard. Good work.
Karlsen passes Wiggum's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Karlsen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Wiggum reverses the position - he's now on top in Karlsen's guard.
Karlsen keeping moving, preventing Wiggum from controlling successfully.

Karlsen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wiggum gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wiggum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karlsen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wiggum distracts Karlsen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Wiggum avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wiggum keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Karlsen's head.
Wiggum looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Karlsen has his foot on Wiggum's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wiggum works his way back into a safe position though.
Karlsen keeping moving, preventing Wiggum from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kim Karlsen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Karlsen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Wiggum sprawls well initially but Karlsen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karlsen lands a nice short elbow.
Karlsen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Karlsen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Karlsen is nestled in close to Wiggum, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Karlsen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Wiggum!

Karlsen looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Karlsen looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Wiggum tries to hold on but Karlsen postures up.
Wiggum has given up his back here. Will Karlsen look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Wiggum is breathing heavily.
Karlsen is hanging on to Wiggum's back as he tries to escape.
Karlsen looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Karlsen scores with strikes from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wiggum tries to escape but Karlsen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Karlsen working for the choke.

Wiggum fending off the submission attempt from Karlsen.

Karlsen is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Karlsen is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Wiggum is defending well though. Karlsen let's go of the attempt for now.
Wiggum rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum manages to get to full guard.
Karlsen lands a couple of digs.
Karlsen preventing the sweep.
Wiggum controls Karlsen momentarily but Karlsen frees himself.
Wiggum wants to sweep here but Karlsen controlling him for the moment.

Karlsen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Wiggum lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Karlsen!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Karlsen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Karlsen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wiggum tries to free his leg and advance position but Karlsen is retaining full guard.

Karlsen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wiggum scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Karlsen looking for a guillotine here but Wiggum defends easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karlsen is on top in guard.
Wiggum looking to control.

Karlsen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Wiggum is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Karlsen, into his guard.
Wiggum won't allow Karlsen to sweep him here.
Kim Karlsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Karlsen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wiggum can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Wiggum has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Karlsen is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kim Karlsen dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Karlsen throws a leg kick but Wiggum checks it.
Karlsen closes the distance and clinches up with Wiggum, looking for a takedown. Karlsen pushes Wiggum against the cage but Wiggum circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Karlsen misses.
Karlsen misses with a takedown attempt - Wiggum sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Karlsen clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wiggum is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kim Karlsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsen tries to land a knee to the head but Wiggum blocks with his arms.
Karlsen throws an elbow but it misses.
Wiggum avoiding damage as Karlsen throws knees to the body.
Wiggum gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Karlsen.
Karlsen throws an elbow but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsen prevents the takedown attempt.
Karlsen throws an elbow but it misses.
Wiggum tries for a takedown but Karlsen manages to get underhooks.
Karlsen tries to score a body lock takedown but Wiggum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Karlsen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wiggum.
Wiggum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wiggum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Karlsen looking for a takedown.

Wiggum has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Karlsen uses from the top position.
Wiggum wants to sweep here but Karlsen controlling him for the moment.
Wiggum throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Karlsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Wiggum is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wiggum throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Karlsen looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Wiggum closes the distance and clinches.

Wiggum pulls guard effortlessly.
Wiggum looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karlsen is one step ahead there.
Wiggum can't keep his opponent in guard - Karlsen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Karlsen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Wiggum doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Karlsen.
Wiggum makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Wiggum.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum wants to sweep but no luck.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wiggum can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wiggum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Karlsen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wiggum trying to control but Karlsen is working from the bottom.
Wiggum working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Karlsen's head.
Wiggum stands up over Karlsen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karlsen is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wiggum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karlsen manages to get himself to full guard.
Wiggum makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wiggum wants to control from the top but Karlsen keeps moving.
Karlsen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Karlsen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Karlsen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karlsen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wiggum's guard.
Karlsen looking to pass the guard.
Karlsen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nick Wiggum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karlsen scores with a couple of short elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kim Karlsen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Karlsen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kim Karlsen!