PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francis Conrad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geghard Karekin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Francis Conrad has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Conrad
vs
Karekin

197 cm
26
161 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

179 cm
26
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Valhalla Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Francis Conrad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Geghard Karekin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Conrad shoots and misses

and Karekin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Conrad won't be happy with that.
Conrad tries to escape but Karekin is in control.
Karekin trying to control the action but Conrad is working from the bottom.
Conrad is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
You can see the frustration on Conrad's face as Karekin controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karekin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Karekin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Conrad keeps working.
Conrad is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Karekin is controlling him well.
Conrad trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conrad is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
You can see the frustration on Conrad's face as Karekin controls the position.
Karekin trying to control the position but Conrad is working away.
Conrad is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Conrad is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karekin fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Conrad looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Conrad wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karekin wants to control but Conrad is keeping him busy.
Conrad is trying to buck Karekin off.
Karekin is working Conrad over with some ground and pound from side control.
Conrad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karekin wants to control but Conrad is keeping him busy.
Karekin working the ground and pound but Conrad is defending the strikes.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Karekin working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Conrad is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Karekin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Karekin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Conrad is pushing Karekin's head away, looking to escape. Karekin manages to hold on to the position though.
Karekin trying to control the position but Conrad is working away.
Conrad is pushing Karekin's head away, looking to escape. Karekin manages to hold on to the position though.
Karekin scores with a couple of short elbows.
Karekin is looking to take a break and control but Conrad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Conrad is looking to get back to his feet here but Karekin is keeping cool and he's managed to take Conrad's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conrad is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Karekin controlling from the back.
Conrad is trying to stand back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geghard Karekin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Conrad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Karekin defends it nicely.
Conrad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karekin's waist but Karekin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Conrad off to one side.
Conrad closes the distance looking to clinch

and Karekin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Karekin.
Karekin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karekin won't allow Conrad to get back to his feet.
Karekin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Karekin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Karekin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Conrad is trying to stand back up but Karekin is controlling him
Karekin lands strikes from half guard.
Conrad wants to get back to his feet.
Karekin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Conrad is trying to stand.
Karekin wants to pass the guard but Conrad is defending well.
Karekin prevents Conrad from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conrad is staying active underneath Karekin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Karekin working over Conrad with some ground and pound. Conrad looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Karekin trying to control the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karekin working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karekin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Karekin stops Conrad from getting back to his feet.
Karekin controlling the pace.

Geghard Karekin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Conrad shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Karekin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francis Conrad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karekin won't allow Conrad to get back to his feet.
Karekin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Karekin trying to control the position from guard on top but Conrad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conrad wants to stand and escape but Karekin is having none of it.
Karekin wants to control from the top but Conrad keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Geghard Karekin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Conrad closes this distance looking for a takedown but Karekin circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Conrad.
Conrad throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geghard Karekin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Conrad misses with a takedown

and Karekin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Karekin.
Karekin wants to control from the top but Conrad keeps moving.
Karekin prevents Conrad from getting back to his feet.
Conrad wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Karekin manages to pass to side control.
Karekin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Karekin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Conrad defending well though.
Karekin working Conrad over with strikes.
Karekin is trying to control. Conrad wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karekin prevents Conrad from standing back up.
Karekin wants to pass to mount but Conrad is defending the position.

Karekin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Conrad wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Karekin in particular looking to stall.
Conrad looks like he's trying to stand up.
Karekin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karekin wants to control but Conrad is keeping him busy.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Karekin with the ground and pound but Conrad uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Conrad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Karekin is controlling him.
Karekin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Conrad is keeping the position for now.
Karekin postures up in Conrad's guard and throws a big left but Conrad blocks it.
Karekin wants to pass the guard but Conrad is keeping the position.
Conrad wants to stand but Karekin is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Karekin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Conrad is keeping the position for now.
Conrad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Karekin is controlling him.
Karekin lands a couple of elbows.
Conrad keeping moving, preventing Karekin from controlling successfully.
Geghard Karekin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karekin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Conrad haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Karekin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Conrad fails with the takedown

and Karekin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Karekin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Karekin stops Conrad from standing up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karekin trying to control the position from guard on top but Conrad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Conrad wants to stand and escape but Karekin is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Geghard Karekin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Karekin 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Geghard Karekin!