PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Borgo Pimpernell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pimpernell is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Carebears theme. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Karelin
vs
Pimpernell

194 cm
22
286 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Borgo Pimpernell!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pimpernell thuds a left hand into Karelin's body.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pimpernell as he jumps to the side.
Karelin fails with a takedown attempt.
Karelin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pimpernell drops Karelin with a left and a right! Oh, Karelin is hurt - Pimpernell dives into side control looking to finish!

Karelin is rocked!

It looks like Alexander Karelin has been cut.
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!
Pimpernell moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Oh Karelin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pimpernell lands an elbow.
Pimpernell lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Karelin down.
Check out the look on Pimpernell's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Pimpernell in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Pimpernell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karelin keeps working.
Karelin is looking for a sweep.
Karelin is breathing heavily.
Pimpernell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karelin keeps working.
Pimpernell scoring with punches from side control.
Karelin gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to get back to full guard.
Pimpernell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Karelin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pimpernell working Karelin over with strikes.
Pimpernell seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Pimpernell lands strikes from half guard.
Karelin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Karelin tries to get out of the position.
Karelin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pimpernell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pimpernell tries to pass to full mount but Karelin defends it.
Karelin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pimpernell is looking to take a break and control but Karelin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pimpernell is nestled in close to Karelin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pimpernell looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Karelin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Karelin is holding on to half guard well.
Karelin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Karelin seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin seems keen to control Pimpernell's posture.
Pimpernell won't allow Karelin to sweep him here.
Pimpernell postures up.
Pimpernell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pimpernell being controlled here momentarily.
Pimpernell looking to pass the guard.
Pimpernell throwing strikes from guard but Karelin blocks nicely.
Karelin keeping full guard, as Pimpernell tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Karelin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pimpernell missing with punches from the bottom.
Karelin trying to control the action but Pimpernell is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pimpernell manages to get to full guard.
Pimpernell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pimpernell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Pimpernell wants to sweep but no luck.
Pimpernell is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pimpernell clobbers Karelin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Karelin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Karelin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Karelin controlling the position easily from mount.
Karelin trying to control but Pimpernell is having none of it.
Karelin controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pimpernell?
Karelin landing shots from mount.
Pimpernell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Karelin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Karelin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karelin unloading with bombs!
Pimpernell is in all sorts of trouble here.
Karelin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Karelin landing strikes from the mount and Pimpernell is in trouble!
Pimpernell in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Karelin with shots to the head and body - Pimpernell looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pimpernell is squirming around, avoiding Karelin's attempts to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pimpernell tries to lock up and control but Karelin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Karelin landing strikes from the mount and Pimpernell is in trouble!
Karelin punishing his opponent with strikes.
The referee warns Pimpernell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Borgo Pimpernell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Karelin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Karelin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Pimpernell being controlled here, momentarily.
Pimpernell wants to sweep here but Karelin controlling him for the moment.
Karelin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pimpernell can't keep his opponent in guard - Karelin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Karelin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Karelin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Karelin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Karelin moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Alexander Karelin just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Pimpernell stuffs the takedown.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pimpernell as he avoids it easily.
Pimpernell lands a right hook to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Karelin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Karelin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Karelin lands some shots froms side control.
Karelin scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pimpernell to see if he's OK.
Karelin cracks Pimpernell with a big elbow.
Karelin working the ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin staying calm.
Karelin trying to control the action but Pimpernell is working from the bottom.
An elbow from Karelin crashes against the mat.
Pimpernell tries to buck Karelin off but Karelin is having none of it.
Karelin happy to just control the position for now.
Karelin is looking to take a break and control but Pimpernell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pimpernell lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Pimpernell - just one landing.
Oh, that's a big right hand from Pimpernell and Karelin goes tumbling to the canvas! Pimpernell follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.
Pimpernell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pimpernell wants to free his trapped foot but Karelin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Pimpernell seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Karelin is controlling Pimpernell's trapped leg to prevent Pimpernell from advancing to side control.
Pimpernell missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karelin wants to improve his position but Pimpernell is controlling well.
Pimpernell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karelin keeps working.
Karelin manages to get to full guard.
Pimpernell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karelin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karelin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pimpernell is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pimpernell distracts Karelin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Karelin trying to strike off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Karelin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Pimpernell is trying to keep Karelin in close.
Karelin chips away with some ground and pound.
Karelin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Karelin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karelin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Karelin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Karelin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Karelin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Karelin moves out of range of the strikes.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pimpernell as he avoids it easily.
Pimpernell's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Pimpernell duly obliges.
Karelin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Karelin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Karelin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Karelin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Karelin controlling the position easily from mount.
Pimpernell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karelin content just to control the position here.
Karelin trying to control but Pimpernell is having none of it.
Pimpernell regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin moves into full mount! Pimpernell won't be happy about that!
Karelin content just to control the position here.
Pimpernell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Pimpernell tries to hold on but Karelin postures up.
Pimpernell is looking to get to half guard.
Pimpernell bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Pimpernell forces his way into half guard.
Pimpernell is thwarting Karelin's attempts to control the position.
Pimpernell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karelin keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to control but can't.
Karelin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pimpernell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pimpernell's back!
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.
Karelin has the hooks in. Pimpernell is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
What can Pimpernell do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

The referee stands the fighters back up. Alexander Karelin just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Pimpernell stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Karelin scores with a takedown into Pimpernell's guard.
Pimpernell wants to sweep here but Karelin controlling him for the moment.
Pimpernell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Karelin controls the pace.
Pimpernell keeping moving, preventing Karelin from controlling successfully.
Karelin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pimpernell looking for a sweep. Not yet Pimpernell, not yet.
Pimpernell is striking but Karelin is not phased and passes to half guard.
Karelin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Karelin wants to pass to mount but Pimpernell is defending the position.
Pimpernell landing rabbit punches to the side of Karelin's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Pimpernell gets full guard.
Pimpernell looking for a sweep. Not yet Pimpernell, not yet.
Pimpernell is looking to sweep but instead, Karelin has passed into half guard.
Pimpernell tries to roll over but Karelin keeps him under control.
Karelin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pimpernell defending well though.
Pimpernell is trying to get back to full guard.
Pimpernell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Karelin is working away from the top position though.
Karelin trying to control the action but Pimpernell is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pimpernell wants to control but Karelin is keeping busy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Donk. Pimpernell catches Karelin right on the button with a cross.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pimpernell as he jumps to the side.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pimpernell!

Karelin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pimpernell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Karelin trying to control but Pimpernell is working from the bottom.
Pimpernell thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Karelin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Karelin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Karelin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Karelin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Karelin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Karelin!