PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Karasova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerrard Lannister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lannister comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Black Veil Brides - Heart of Fire kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Gerrard Lannister has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jonathan Karasova's chin.

Karasova
vs
Lannister

150 cm
26
145 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

169 cm
25
142 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonathan Karasova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gerrard Lannister!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lannister tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Karasova swivels and escapes.
Lannister fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gerrard Lannister seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Karasova as Lannister shoots in.
Jonathan Karasova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerrard Lannister.
Lannister looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Karasova shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Lannister looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lannister manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Karasova might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karasova would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karasova pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lannister is keeping the position for now.

Lannister working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Karasova has passed into half guard!
Karasova wants to control but Lannister is keeping him busy.
Lannister is looking to improve his position.

Lannister actively working from the bottom here.

Karasova is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lannister is just riding it out for now. Karasova eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lannister is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Karasova pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Karasova frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Karasova looking to control but Lannister is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Karasova working Lannister over with strikes here.
Lannister can't escape the position.
Karasova looking to control but Lannister is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Karasova.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lannister tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karasova trying to control but Lannister is having none of it.
Lannister can't escape the position.
Lannister regains half guard.
Karasova prevents Lannister from improving his position.
Lannister is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Karasova's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Karasova's back!
Karasova knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lannister on the ground.

Lannister looking for the RNC.
Karasova trying to control the hands but Lannister won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karasova fending off the submission attempt from Lannister.
Karasova trying to control but not successfully.
Karasova tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karasova wants to control but Lannister is having none of it.
Karasova on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Karasova tries to get out of the position.

Lannister jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Karasova is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Karasova and Lannister has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Lannister working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jonathan Karasova will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Karasova lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lannister misses with a takedown

and Karasova moves into the clinch.

Karasova has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lannister uses from the top position.
Lannister passes Karasova's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Karasova is defending against the submission attempts here by Lannister.

Lannister is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Karasova is just riding it out for now. Lannister eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karasova slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lannister has gone for a leg lock! Karasova slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lannister's guard.

Jonathan Karasova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lannister is looking for a triangle but Karasova pushes his legs off easily.
Karasova has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Lannister working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Karasova doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Karasova manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lannister is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karasova is aware though and is defending well.
Lannister is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karasova trying to control but Lannister is working from the bottom.
Karasova distracts Lannister with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Karasova tries to stand but Lannister is controlling from the bottom.
Lannister keeping moving, preventing Karasova from controlling successfully.

Lannister throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Karasova trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lannister's guard.
Karasova trying to control but Lannister is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karasova is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lannister is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Karasova avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lannister is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Karasova defends well.
Karasova trying to control but Lannister is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Lannister is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Karasova frees his head nicely. Oh but Lannister has switched to an armbar! Karasova is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Gerrard Lannister!
During a confident post fight interview, Gerrard Lannister thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.