PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Happy Tom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Karlberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Happy Tom has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tom
vs
Karlberg

190 cm
18
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Nordic Battle Gear

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Happy Tom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Karlberg!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tom drops his shoulder and cracks Karlberg with a huge uppercut! Karlberg goes down! Can Tom finish him?

Karlberg is rocked!
Tom slips nicely into half guard.
Karlberg is still in real trouble! Can Tom finish him?

Tom is working for a kimura but Karlberg is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karlberg seems to have recovered his senses.
Karlberg wants to get back to full guard.
Karlberg wants to control but Tom is keeping busy.
Karlberg is not content to let Tom control the position.
Tom throwing shots but Karlberg is blocking nicely.
Karlberg really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tom. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Tom seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Tom throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Karlberg shoots in and bounces Tom off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karlberg is in close to Tom's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Tom is retaining full guard.
Karlberg must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Tom has his foot on Karlberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karlberg works his way back into a safe position though.
Karlberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Tom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karlberg lands a couple of digs.

Tom looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tom is breathing heavily.
Karlberg landing some decent shots from guard.

Tom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Karlberg wants to pass the guard but Tom is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Karlberg fails to land the takedown.
Karlberg shoots for a double leg takedown but Tom sprawls well. He's pushed Karlberg's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Karlberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tom.

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.
Karlberg steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tom.
Tom thows a body shot but no joy.
Karlberg shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tom as he avoids it easily.
Happy Tom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Karlberg.
Karlberg has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tom finds it's way round the side to connect with Karlberg's head.
Nice takedown defense from Tom. No joy for Karlberg on that attempt.
Tom misses with a jab, cross combination.
Karlberg shoots in for a takedown but Tom shows good takedown defense.
Tom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karlberg's waist but Karlberg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tom off to one side.

Karlberg closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Karlberg throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Karlberg tries to stand but Tom is controlling his head.
Tom defending against the ground and pound.
Tom gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tom manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tom manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Tom with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tom is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Karlberg staying out of range there.
Tom throws a right and a left that Karlberg avoids nicely.
Tom tries a head kick but it misses.
Karlberg blocks a head kick by Tom.

Karlberg closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Karlberg lands in his opponent's guard.
Tom throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Tom is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karlberg lands a couple of digs.
Karlberg won't allow Tom to sweep him here.
Karlberg wants to control from the top but Tom keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlberg throws and elbow that misses. Tom uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karlberg's guard. Nice move by Tom!
Tom pushing down on Karlberg's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Karlberg can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tom throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Tom is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Karlberg has managed to free his arm - good work.
Karlberg is holding on to half guard well.
Karlberg tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Karlberg wants to control but Tom is keeping busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tom tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Karlberg wants to improve his position but Tom is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Happy Tom dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Karlberg closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tom regains half guard.

Tom makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Tom throws a combination. Karlberg tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tom fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Karlberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Tom is just out of range.
Tom lands with a nice body punch.
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!
Tom bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Karlberg! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Karlberg will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Karlberg has a closed guard, preventing Tom from standing up.
Tom trying to control the position from guard on top but Karlberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karlberg tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karlberg has his foot on Tom's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tom works his way back into a safe position though.
Karlberg is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tom is trying to stand up here but Karlberg is controlling him well.
Tom works his way to full guard. Good work.

Tom had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Karlberg is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Tom Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Karlberg's back instead.
Karlberg tries to roll but Tom sticks to his back.
Karlberg is trapped and Tom is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Tom working for the choke.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tom is hanging on to Karlberg's back as he tries to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tom lands punches and elbows.
Karlberg wants to escape the position.

Tom is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Karlberg covering up well and avoiding damage.
Tom keeps control of the position as Karlberg tries to break free.

Tom has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Thomas Karlberg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karlberg is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Tom patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Karlberg defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tom's arms.

Tom is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Karlberg is defending well though. Tom let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tom is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Karlberg is defending well though. Tom let's go of the attempt for now.
Karlberg is in bad spot here.
Tom lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
The referee is taking a good look at Karlberg as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Tom!

Karlberg is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Karlberg defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tom's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlberg can't escape the position.

Tom has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Karlberg has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Karlberg is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Tom gets his way!
Will Tom go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Tom is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Karlberg is defending well though. Tom let's go of the attempt for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karlberg covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Karlberg defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Happy Tom dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Karlberg avoids the head kick by Tom.
Tom swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Karlberg scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Karlberg seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tom makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tom.
Tom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Tom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Karlberg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tom wants to stand and escape but Karlberg is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tom tries to strike from the bottom.

Karlberg avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tom lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Karlberg!
Tom 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tom with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Tom tries to control but Karlberg wriggling away.

Tom get's back to his feet.
Tom drops Karlberg with a right and a left! Tom comes rushing in but Karlberg regains his composure and manages to keep Tom in guard.
Tom forces his way into half guard.
Tom works his way into side control.
Karlberg tries to bench press Tom off him but Tom keeps the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlberg is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tom works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Tom working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A swing and a miss from Tom.
Tom misses with a body shot.

Karlberg darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice strikes from Karlberg there.
Tom looks like he's trying to stand up.

Karlberg is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Tom has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlberg stops Tom from getting back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Karlberg there.
Tom is pressing down on Karlberg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Karlberg won't allow Tom to sweep him here.

Tom has his foot on Karlberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karlberg works his way back into a safe position though.
Karlberg preventing the sweep.
Thomas Karlberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Tom misses with the combination.
Karlberg misses with a takedown
and Tom counters with a straight right hand.
Tom throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karlberg.
Karlberg avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Karlberg looks for a takedown but Tom sprawls well.

Tom gets caught flat footed, as Karlberg shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Tom has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karlberg can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tom throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Tom manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karlberg manages to get himself to full guard.
Tom slips nicely into half guard.
Tom uses his free foot to push down on Karlberg's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Karlberg.

Tom looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tom wants to control the pace but Karlberg is squirming around nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tom stands up from mount. Strange move.
Tom dodges the punch combination from Karlberg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Happy Tom showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tom has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Happy Tom!