PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Carneiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Carneiro
vs
Abdulkerimov

191 cm
26
229 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
250 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Carneiro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Abdulkerimov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdulkerimov shoots for a double leg takedown but Carneiro sprawls well. He's pushed Abdulkerimov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Abdulkerimov misses with a takedown

and Carneiro counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Abdulkerimov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Carneiro is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carneiro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Abdulkerimov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Abdulkerimov wants to stand but Carneiro is controlling the position.
Carneiro stopping the sweep attempt from Abdulkerimov.
Carneiro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Abdulkerimov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Abdulkerimov keeping moving, preventing Carneiro from controlling successfully.
Carneiro won't allow Abdulkerimov to get back to his feet.
Carneiro lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Carneiro stays in close to Abdulkerimov's body and controls the position.
Carneiro trying to control but Abdulkerimov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov working a defensive guard here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Abdulkerimov has his takedown stuffed

and Carneiro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Abdulkerimov's guard.
Rafael Carneiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ramazan Abdulkerimov.
Carneiro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Carneiro trying to control but Abdulkerimov is working from the bottom.

Carneiro drops back looking for a leg! Abdulkerimov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Abdulkerimov manages to kick Carneiro off! Carneiro jumps back into Abdulkerimov's guard.
Carneiro trying to control but Abdulkerimov is working from the bottom.
Abdulkerimov wants to get back to his feet but Carneiro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Abdulkerimov looks winded!
Carneiro is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Carneiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdulkerimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rafael Carneiro has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Abdulkerimov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Carneiro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abdulkerimov fails with the takedown

and Carneiro counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Abdulkerimov's guard now.
Carneiro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Carneiro wants to control from the top but Abdulkerimov keeps moving.
Carneiro stands up over Abdulkerimov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Carneiro throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Carneiro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Carneiro is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Carneiro is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Carneiro scoring with some ground and pound.
Abdulkerimov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Abdulkerimov wants to sweep but no luck.
Carneiro looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Abdulkerimov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

We're going to have a standup here because Rafael Carneiro wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Abdulkerimov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Carneiro cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carneiro stuffs the takedown attempt from Abdulkerimov. Abdulkerimov gets slowly back to his feet.
Abdulkerimov wants to clinch but Carneiro slips to the side

and Carneiro counters with a nice double leg into side control. Abdulkerimov won't be happy with that.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Carneiro is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Abdulkerimov is trying to escape and Carneiro transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Abdulkerimov is forced to tap! Nice work there by Carneiro! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Carneiro!
Rafael Carneiro retains his heavyweight title!