PBP Commentary

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

Mavroeidis
vs
Karelin

187 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

200 cm
20
215 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leonidas Mavroeidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mavroeidis fails to land the takedown.
Alex Karelin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mavroeidis tries to sprawl but Karelin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karelin lands a nice short elbow.
Karelin is taking a breather. Mavroeidis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mavroeidis manages to get to full guard.
Karelin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mavroeidis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mavroeidis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Karelin trying to control but Mavroeidis is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karelin trying to control but Mavroeidis is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Karelin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Mavroeidis moves in looking to clinch but Karelin pushes him off.

Karelin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Karelin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mavroeidis wants to get back to his feet.
Mavroeidis is breathing heavily.

Karelin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mavroeidis keeps working.
Mavroeidis is being controlled here.
Mavroeidis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mavroeidis tries to get out of the position.
Karelin trying to control the position but Mavroeidis is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Karelin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Karelin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mavroeidis defends it nicely.
Karelin misses with a few strikes there.
Mavroeidis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mavroeidis wants it to stay on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Karelin.
Leonidas Mavroeidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Karelin.
Mavroeidis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Karelin.
No luck for Mavroeidis with that takedown attempt.
Mavroeidis is looking to clinch.

Karelin moves into the clinch.

Karelin has clasped his hands together around Mavroeidis's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Karelin working the ground and pound but Mavroeidis is defending the strikes.
Mavroeidis is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Karelin is trying to control. Mavroeidis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelin is pressing down on Mavroeidis's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mavroeidis is holding on for now.
Karelin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Karelin stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mavroeidis to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Karelin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mavroeidis doesn't manage to clinch there - Karelin circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mavroeidis.
Karelin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mavroeidis tries to avoid it but Karelin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mavroeidis to the ground. Mavroeidis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mavroeidis wants to clinch but Karelin slips to the side

and Karelin counters with a single leg into guard. Mavroeidis didn't expect that.
Karelin trying to control but Mavroeidis is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karelin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Karelin controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Karelin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mavroeidis can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Karelin controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alex Karelin.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown but Mavroeidis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Karelin is looking to clinch but Mavroeidis is avoiding it.
Karelin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mavroeidis avoids it really well and circles away.
Leonidas Mavroeidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Karelin.
Mavroeidis throws a head kick that misses.
Karelin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mavroeidis.
Mavroeidis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Karelin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Karelin controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin trying to control the position from guard on top but Mavroeidis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karelin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alex Karelin hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Mavroeidis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Karelin.

Karelin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mavroeidis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Karelin stands up and waves to Mavroeidis to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mavroeidis shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mavroeidis showed some decent athleticism there.
Karelin keeping hold of Mavroeidis's head, controlling as best he can.
Mavroeidis wants to control but Karelin is keeping him busy.
Alex Karelin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karelin is pressing down on Mavroeidis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Karelin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mavroeidis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mavroeidis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mavroeidis stopping the sweep attempt from Karelin.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karelin is on top in guard.
Mavroeidis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Karelin postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karelin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Karelin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Karelin dives in and scores a takedown into Mavroeidis's guard.
Mavroeidis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karelin trying to control the position from guard on top but Mavroeidis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Karelin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Karelin closes the distance and clinches up with Mavroeidis, looking for a takedown. Karelin pushes Mavroeidis against the cage but Mavroeidis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mavroeidis stuffs the takedown attempt from Karelin. Karelin gets slowly back to his feet.
Karelin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mavroeidis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Leonidas Mavroeidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Karelin.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mavroeidis but Mavroeidis pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Karelin misses with a double jab.

Mavroeidis shoots in and bounces Karelin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mavroeidis being controlled here momentarily.

Karelin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mavroeidis is aware though and is defending well.
Karelin controls Mavroeidis momentarily but Mavroeidis frees himself.
Mavroeidis content to stall in guard here.
Mavroeidis won't allow Karelin to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mavroeidis trying to control the position from guard on top but Karelin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Leonidas Mavroeidis.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Karelin is looking to clinch but Mavroeidis is avoiding it.
Mavroeidis shoots in for a takedown but Karelin shows good takedown defense.

Karelin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mavroeidis's guard.
Karelin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mavroeidis is trying to keep Karelin in close.
Mavroeidis wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karelin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Karelin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Karelin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Alex Karelin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Karelin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mavroeidis did well to prevent Karelin getting side control.
Karelin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Karelin trying to control from half guard but Mavroeidis is working away.
Karelin is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mavroeidis!
Karelin controlling from the full mount.

Karelin stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Karelin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mavroeidis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
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!

Karelin stands up from Mavroeidis's guard - Karelin perhaps looking for a knockout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karelin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Karelin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Karelin has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Karelin!
After winning the bout, Alex Karelin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.