PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicolas Karkmananis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Speakman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Karkmananis
vs
Speakman

185 cm
26
215 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

205 cm
26
215 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicolas Karkmananis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeff Speakman!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karkmananis listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Speakman throws a left and a right that both miss
and Karkmananis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karkmananis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Speakman backs up against the cage.

It looks like Jeff Speakman has been cut.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up but Speakman circles away and keeps his distance.
Karkmananis throws a lazy right hand but Speakman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karkmananis fails in his attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Speakman misses.
Speakman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Karkmananis wants to clinch up but Speakman keeps it at a distance.

Speakman gets tackled into the cage by Karkmananis. Karkmananis maintains the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
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!
Speakman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karkmananis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Speakman's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karkmananis throws a punch but it's blocked by Speakman.
Karkmananis stalling the fight.
Speakman blocks an uppercut.
Karkmananis stalling in the clinch but Speakman improves position.
Karkmananis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Speakman.
Karkmananis tries to circle away but Speakman has him pinned against the cage.
Karkmananis landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Karkmananis gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Speakman.
Karkmananis misses with a body punch.
Karkmananis stalling in the clinch but Speakman improves position.
Karkmananis tries to break free but Speakman pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karkmananis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Karkmananis wants to clinch.
Speakman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Karkmananis is fending him off so far but Speakman persists. Nope, Karkmananis circles away and we're back to standing.
Karkmananis feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Speakman's calf.

Karkmananis clinches with his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Speakman wants a takedown but no success here.
Nicolas Karkmananis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Speakman.
Speakman controlling the action here for a moment.
Karkmananis throws a knee to the head but misses.

Karkmananis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up but Speakman circles away and keeps his distance.
Karkmananis doesn't manage to clinch there - Speakman circles away.
Karkmananis tries a head kick but it misses.
Speakman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Karkmananis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Karkmananis!
Speakman throws a nice looking combination but Karkmananis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Karkmananis moves in looking to clinch but Speakman pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Speakman.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speakman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karkmananis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karkmananis throws a leg kick but Speakman moved away.
Karkmananis looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Karkmananis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A left and a right from Speakman both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Nicolas Karkmananis has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karkmananis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nicolas Karkmananis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Speakman throws a nice looking combination but Karkmananis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Karkmananis throws a sloppy body shot

and Speakman counters by moving into the clinch.
Karkmananis misses with a knee strike.
Karkmananis prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karkmananis.
Karkmananis misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Karkmananis dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Karkmananis throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Karkmananis moves in looking to clinch but Speakman pushes him off.
Karkmananis misses with a two punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Speakman.
Karkmananis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Speakman.
Karkmananis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Speakman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Speakman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nicolas Karkmananis is winning the standup battle so far.
Speakman misses with a few strikes there.
Karkmananis throws a wild body kick that Speakman sees coming a mile off.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Speakman counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Speakman blocks a head kick by Karkmananis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speakman keeps the fight on the outside.
Karkmananis is looking to land body kicks.
Karkmananis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Karkmananis tries to clinch there but Speakman circles away.
Nicolas Karkmananis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch but Speakman swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Karkmananis.
Speakman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Karkmananis closes the distance looking to clinch
and Speakman counters with a left and a right that stings Karkmananis.
Speakman swinging wildly here.
Speakman circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Speakman counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Speakman throws a series of punches but Karkmananis avoids them all with ease.
Karkmananis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Speakman.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karkmananis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Karkmananis slips a jab and a cross from Speakman.
Karkmananis throws a head kick that misses.
Karkmananis throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Speakman misses with the combination.
Nicolas Karkmananis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karkmananis doesn't manage to clinch there - Speakman circles away.
Karkmananis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis leaves Speakman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karkmananis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Karkmananis lands with a shot to the body.
Speakman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Speakman moves away
and Speakman counters with a three punch combo that has Karkmananis backing up. Karkmananis nods at Speakman to acknowledge the strikes.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Speakman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Speakman moves out of range.
Karkmananis keeps Speakman at a distance using the push kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karkmananis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Speakman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karkmananis misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speakman throws a big shot that misses.
Speakman throws a right and a left that both miss.
Karkmananis scores with a hook to the body. Speakman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speakman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karkmananis misses with a series of wild punches.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Speakman is having none of it.
A good leg kick by Karkmananis.
A solid body kick from Karkmananis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Speakman misses with a double jab.
Speakman is breathing heavily.
Karkmananis wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Speakman just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Karkmananis dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Speakman throws a hook but Karkmananis blocks it.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch.
Karkmananis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Speakman keeps the fight on the outside.
Karkmananis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karkmananis ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Speakman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up
and Speakman counters with a three punch combo that has Karkmananis backing up. Karkmananis nods at Speakman to acknowledge the strikes.
Karkmananis misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick misses from Karkmananis.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch but Speakman is avoiding it.
Karkmananis swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Speakman counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karkmananis misses with a head kick.

Karkmananis moves into range and clinches up with Speakman.

Karkmananis breaks from the clinch.
Karkmananis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Karkmananis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch but Speakman is avoiding it.
Speakman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Karkmananis throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Karkmananis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Karkmananis throws a nice looking combination but Speakman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Speakman misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis misses with a looping left.
Karkmananis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karkmananis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Karkmananis pushes Speakman up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karkmananis tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Speakman avoids it.
Speakman has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Karkmananis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Karkmananis tries to throw a body punch but Speakman avoids it by throwing Karkmananis back against the cage.
Speakman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karkmananis's efforts to push away.
Karkmananis lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis is pushing Speakman up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Karkmananis is trying to force a seperation but Speakman has the dominant position.

Karkmananis manages to break the clinch.
Karkmananis gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Speakman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speakman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Speakman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Karkmananis misses with the combination.
Karkmananis is looking to wear down Speakman with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Karkmananis throws a series of strikes that have Speakman backpedaling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Speakman.
Speakman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karkmananis wants to clinch up but Speakman keeps it at a distance.
Karkmananis digs a good hook to Speakman's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karkmananis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up but Speakman circles away and keeps his distance.
Speakman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Speakman misses with a lunging right hand
and Karkmananis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That has opened up Jeff Speakman's cut even more.
Speakman keeps the fight on the outside.
Karkmananis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Karkmananis clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Speakman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Karkmananis needs to keep his hands up - Speakman had a free shot at his head there.

Karkmananis moves into range and clinches up with Speakman.
Karkmananis is pressed up against the cage. Speakman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Karkmananis down to the mat. Karkmananis avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Speakman swats away the attempt to clinch by Karkmananis.
Speakman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch.
Speakman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karkmananis fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Speakman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Karkmananis connects with a body shot that sends Speakman's belly button to the back.
Karkmananis takes a swing at Speakman's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karkmananis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Speakman.
Speakman misses with a few strikes there.
Speakman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Karkmananis pushes Speakman up against the cage in a clinch.
Karkmananis lands with a left to the head.

Karkmananis manages to break the clinch.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Speakman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Karkmananis. Speakman shrugs it off though.
Speakman is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Karkmananis swings for the body but Speakman moves out of range.
Karkmananis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Speakman.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speakman paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis lands a right hook to the body.
Karkmananis misses with a low kick.
Speakman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Karkmananis feints and then cracks Speakman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Speakman down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karkmananis swings for the body but Speakman moves out of range.
A head kick from Karkmananis lands but Speakman takes it in his stride.
Speakman throws a series of punches but Karkmananis moves out of range.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up but Speakman circles away and keeps his distance.
Karkmananis throws a sloppy body shot
and Speakman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Speakman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Speakman throws a hook but Karkmananis avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A punch combination from Speakman misses.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Speakman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karkmananis throws a head kick that misses.
Karkmananis lands with a kick to the ribs.
Speakman lands a jab to the nose.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up.
Speakman might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Karkmananis ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Karkmananis scores with a push kick.
Speakman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Karkmananis throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karkmananis instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karkmananis misses with a punch to the body.
Karkmananis struggles to land a body shot inside as Speakman controls his hands.
Nicolas Karkmananis has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Karkmananis tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Speakman avoids it.
Karkmananis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karkmananis misses with a hook from the clinch.

Speakman gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Karkmananis trying to control here.
Speakman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Karkmananis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Speakman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Karkmananis had his way with Jeff Speakman in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Karkmananis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Karkmananis wants to clinch up but Speakman keeps it at a distance.
Karkmananis doesn't manage to clinch there - Speakman circles away.
Karkmananis wants to clinch.

Karkmananis instigates a clinch.
Karkmananis misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Karkmananis.
Speakman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Speakman avoids the elbow strike from Karkmananis, against the cage.
Karkmananis struggles to land a body shot inside as Speakman controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karkmananis misses with the head strike.
Karkmananis taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Karkmananis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up but Speakman circles away and keeps his distance.
Karkmananis tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Speakman to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice uppercut there from Speakman.
Karkmananis walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Speakman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karkmananis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Speakman.
Karkmananis is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Speakman fails to land with a series of punches.
Karkmananis fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Speakman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Speakman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch but Speakman is avoiding it.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Speakman moves away
and Speakman counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Karkmananis throws a nice outside leg kick.
Speakman connects with a combination that backs up Karkmananis into the cage. Speakman lands a flurry of punches that gets past Karkmananis's guard. Karkmananis is down and the referee has seen enough. It is all over! Speakman bursts into tears - this win obviously means a huge amount to him.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jeff Speakman!
Jeff Speakman thanked the fans post fight for their support.