PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Travis Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nalle Karhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander comes to the cage accompanied by CCR - Bad Moon Rising. Karhu has chosen Yö - Parrasvalot as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Alexander
vs
Karhu

193 cm
32
195 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

184 cm
33
194 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

$300

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Travis Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nalle Karhu!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karhu lands with a cross.
Karhu wants to land a leg kick but Alexander is out of range.
Alexander misses with a low kick.
Karhu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Alexander steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karhu.
Alexander misses with a hook. Karhu ducked under it nicely.
Karhu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Karhu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Alexander counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Alexander takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Karhu throws a sloppy body shot
and Alexander counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Karhu is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nalle Karhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alexander misses with a low kick.
Karhu cracks Alexander with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexander tries to score with a low kick but Karhu moves his leg out of the way.
Karhu swings for the body but Alexander moves out of range.
Alexander avoids the body shot from Karhu.
Karhu checks a low kick from Alexander.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu throws a predictable looking body shot
and Karhu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Karhu throws a jab but it's blocked by Alexander.
A chopping leg kick lands by Karhu.
Karhu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karhu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Karhu dives in and grabs Alexander's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alexander pushes down on Karhu's head and hops out.
Alexander throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Karhu.
Karhu scores with a hook to the body. Alexander takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Karhu throws a leg kick but Alexander moved away.
A low kick from Karhu misses
and Alexander counters with a leg kick.
Karhu connects with an inside leg kick.
Karhu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Alexander rather than just go for the knockout.
Karhu stuns Alexander with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alexander takes a jab right on the kisser.
Alexander slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
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!
Karhu tries to land a leg kick but Alexander saw it coming and moves away.
Karhu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alexander sprawls well. Alexander wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karhu gets slowly back to his feet.
Alexander throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The fighters circling - Karhu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Alexander goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Karhu throws out a loose jab but Alexander uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karhu thumps Alexander with a low kick.
Alexander looks to land a left hand but Karhu moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Alexander.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alexander looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Alexander misses with some punches.

Alexander is fighting off a takedown attempt but Karhu is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Alexander to the mat. Alexander regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Karhu wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexander looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Karhu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alexander controls Karhu momentarily but Karhu frees himself.
Karhu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alexander is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
Karhu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Karhu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Karhu scoring with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karhu wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
Alexander utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Karhu won't allow Alexander to sweep him here.
Karhu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Karhu wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexander trying to control the position here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nalle Karhu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Alexander tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Karhu lands a jab to the nose.
Karhu misses with a hook
and Alexander counters with a leg kick.
A slow jab from Karhu misses its intended target.
Karhu lands a nice looking body shot.
Karhu lunges at Alexander with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Alexander's hand.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Alexander crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Karhu - the referee stops the clock and Alexander gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Karhu. Alexander manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Karhu throws a looping overhand right but Alexander ducks down to avoid it.
Alexander takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Alexander looks for the body kick but Karhu saw that one coming.
Karhu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alexander sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Karhu throws a sloppy head kick and Alexander moves out of range easily.
Alexander has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karhu finds it's way round the side to connect with Alexander's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Karhu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Karhu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Alexander tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Karhu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Alexander is looking to reverse the position.
Karhu fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Alexander regains half guard.
Alexander tries to kick Karhu off but Karhu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Alexander wants to get back to full guard.
Karhu drops an elbow to the side of Alexander's head.
Karhu tries to pass the half guard into mount. Alexander knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Karhu is thwarting Alexander's attempts to control the position.
Alexander blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karhu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander tries to get to full guard but Karhu has control of the leg.
Karhu working the head and body with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alexander keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Karhu working the head and body with strikes.
Alexander keeping hold of Karhu's head, controlling as best he can.
Karhu is looking to take a break and control but Alexander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Karhu throwing shots but Alexander is blocking nicely.
Nalle Karhu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karhu is trying to control the action in half guard but Alexander is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Karhu is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu is thwarting Alexander's attempts to control the position.
Karhu is looking to take a break and control but Alexander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alexander trying to hold on to Karhu's head to control him but Karhu postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Karhu winds up and cracks Alexander with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Karhu thows a huge punch but Alexander dodges it nicely.
Karhu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Karhu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Alexander holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Karhu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control from the bottom.
Karhu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Alexander tries to roll over but Karhu keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alexander manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karhu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alexander is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alexander looking to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Alexander looking for a sweep. Not yet Alexander, not yet.
Karhu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alexander works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karhu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nalle Karhu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Karhu lands a body shot.
Alexander tries to clinch but Karhu is having none of it.
Alexander stuffs the takedown.
Alexander checks a leg kick.
Alexander misses with a wild body shot.
Alexander looks to throw a body kick
and Karhu counters with a good low kick that Alexander was not able to check.
Karhu will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alexander doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Alexander checks a leg kick nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Alexander. That's going to slow Karhu down.
Karhu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Alexander.
Karhu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alexander moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Alexander cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alexander moves out of range of the body kick from Karhu.
Karhu gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Karhu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alexander.
Karhu with a hook.
A thudding body kick lands there by Alexander!

Karhu shoots in and bounces Alexander off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Alexander pulls Karhu in close to his closed guard and prevents Karhu from doing any damage or advancing position.
Alexander trying to keep a closed guard but Karhu is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
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!
Karhu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alexander is on top in guard.
Karhu keeping moving, preventing Alexander from controlling successfully.
Karhu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alexander trying to control the position from guard on top but Karhu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nalle Karhu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

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

Karhu looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Alexander passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Karhu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Alexander trying to control the action but Karhu is working from the bottom.
Travis Alexander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karhu wants to control but Alexander postures up.
Karhu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alexander wants to control but Karhu is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu manages to work his way to half guard, despite Alexander's best efforts.
Karhu is looking for a sweep. Alexander is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Karhu controlling the position well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Travis Alexander wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Alexander throws a leg kick which misses Karhu's front leg but catches the back leg as Karhu tries to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nalle Karhu.
I've got Karhu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nalle Karhu!
Nalle Karhu bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.