PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ilia Kosarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kosarev has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. 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.

Kosarev
vs
Karelin

185 cm
22
205 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

200 cm
21
215 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilia Kosarev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karelin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kosarev is trying to defend but Karelin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kosarev is breathing heavily.
Karelin is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Karelin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kosarev is just riding it out for now. Karelin eventually gives up the hold.
Karelin slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kosarev!
Karelin controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alex Karelin wasn't active enough on the ground.

Karelin shoots in and bounces Kosarev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Karelin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
It looks like Karelin might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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.

Karelin scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karelin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Karelin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ilia Kosarev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karelin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kosarev on his heels. He'll look to pass Kosarev's guard now, I'm sure.
Karelin throws a strike but Kosarev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Karelin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Karelin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kosarev is one step ahead there.
Karelin has his hands on Kosarev's head, controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kosarev preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Karelin was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Karelin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosarev won't allow Karelin to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karelin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Karelin is working for a kimura but Kosarev is defending it quite comfortably.
Karelin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kosarev defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Alex Karelin has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Let's hope that Karelin has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alex Karelin wasn't active enough on the ground.

Karelin rushes Kosarev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karelin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kosarev tries to sprawl but Karelin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Karelin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Karelin trying to mount his opponent but Kosarev defends it.
Karelin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kosarev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kosarev tries to get out of the position.
Kosarev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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.

Karelin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Karelin lands in his opponent's guard.
Karelin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Karelin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Karelin throwing strikes but missing.
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 cut man is working on Ilia Kosarev's cut.
That's time! Kosarev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Karelin shoots in and gets a takedown into Kosarev's guard.
Karelin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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.

Karelin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kosarev did well to prevent Karelin getting side control.
Karelin not doing much here.

Karelin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kosarev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Karelin in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Karelin controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilia Kosarev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Karelin dives in and scores a takedown into Kosarev's guard.
Karelin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Alex Karelin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 24:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 24:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Karelin!
Alex Karelin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.