PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Dubrovsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dubrovsky
vs
Karelin

190 cm
25
248 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

191 cm
21
237 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikolay Dubrovsky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Dubrovsky jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Aleksandr Karelin has been cut.
Dubrovsky shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Karelin pinned against the cage. Karelin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Karelin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dubrovsky to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dubrovsky trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dubrovsky has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Dubrovsky trying to control but Karelin is working from the bottom.
Dubrovsky looking to pass the guard.

Karelin has his foot on Dubrovsky's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dubrovsky works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to control the position but Dubrovsky postures up.
Dubrovsky not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Dubrovsky trying to control but Karelin is working from the bottom.
Dubrovsky won't allow Karelin to sweep him here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolay Dubrovsky wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Karelin with a poor takedown
and Dubrovsky counters with a nice body shot.

Dubrovsky closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Karelin to the mat! Karelin manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dubrovsky forces his way into half guard.
Karelin is trying to maintain the position but Dubrovsky is very close to passing his half guard.
Dubrovsky passes to side control.
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!
Dubrovsky trying to control the position but Karelin is working away.
Karelin tries to bench press Dubrovsky off him but Dubrovsky keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin prevents Dubrovsky from moving into mount.
Dubrovsky trying to control the position but Karelin is working away.

Karelin wants to improve his position, back to half guard but Dubrovsky has ideas of his own. He's got hold of Karelin's far side arm and it looks like he's got an Americana. Ohh! Ohhhh! OOOOOOOOOH! A human being's arm is not meant to bend like that! Karelin is tapping like a morse code operator on the Titanic! SOS SOS! He's out of here! Great win for Dubrovsky!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Nikolay Dubrovsky!
Nikolay Dubrovsky thanked the fans post fight for their support.