PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicolas Karkmananis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Spishak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spishak has chosen Sleeping with Sirens as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Karkmananis
vs
Spishak

185 cm
33
215 lbs
14 - 17 - 1

185 cm
35
216 lbs
14 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicolas Karkmananis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sammy Spishak!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Spishak. Karkmananis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Karkmananis was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Karkmananis avoids the head kick by Spishak.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Karkmananis falls off balance throwing a combination
and Spishak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spishak tries to clinch up.
Karkmananis looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Karkmananis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spishak was well out of range. Poor timing from Karkmananis.
Spishak let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Karkmananis drives through and clinches with Spishak against the cage.

Spishak manages to break the clinch.

Karkmananis has Spishak up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Karkmananiss head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spishak.
Karkmananis missing with knees to the body.
Karkmananis is trying to break the clinch but Spishak has him pressed against the cage.
Spishak blocks a body shot from Karkmananis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak throws an elbow but it misses.
Karkmananis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spishak.
Spishak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karkmananis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Spishak misses with an elbow over the top.

Spishak manages to break the clinch.
Spishak tries a head kick but it misses.
Karkmananis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Karkmananis throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Spishak is looking to clinch.

Karkmananis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Spishak has Karkmananis pushed against the cage.
Karkmananis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Spishak.
Spishak throws an elbow that misses.
Spishak wants a takedown but no success here.

Karkmananis manages to break the clinch.
Karkmananis tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spishak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Karkmananis as he jumps to the side.
Nicolas Karkmananis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Spishak.
Spishak blocks the body kick.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spishak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Karkmananis.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Karkmananis closes the distance and clinches.
Come on Karkmananis - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Spishak.
Spishak tries for a takedown but Karkmananis manages to get underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Spishak throws an elbow but misses.
Spishak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Karkmananiss head.
Spishak goes for a takedown in the clinch but Karkmananis prevents it.

Spishak breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oooh a lovely combination from Karkmananis sends Spishak down but not out. Karkmananis dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Sammy Spishak has been cut.
The referee asks Karkmananis politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Karkmananis prefers to stall for the moment though.

Karkmananis has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Karkmananis throws a wild body kick that Spishak sees coming a mile off.
Nicolas Karkmananis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karkmananis scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spishak keeps the fight on the outside.
Nicolas Karkmananis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karkmananis throws a combination that misses
letting Spishak counter with a right hand.

Karkmananis tries to keep at a distance but Spishak has taken the fight into the clinch.
Karkmananis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spishak has him pressed against the cage.
Karkmananis is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Karkmananis manages to break the clinch.
Karkmananis throws a nice looking combination but Spishak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak throws a right and a left that Karkmananis avoids nicely.
Karkmananis tries to clinch there but Spishak circles away.

Karkmananis gets a clinch.
Karkmananis is looking to control Spishak's arms but Spishak gets an underhook and turns him. Now Karkmananis has his back to the cage.
Karkmananis lands with a short shot to the head.
Spishak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karkmananis backwards.
Spishak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spishak creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Karkmananis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Karkmananis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A hook to the body from Karkmananis.
Spishak lands with a left to the head.
Karkmananis tries to stall but Spishak uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Karkmananis misses with a short punch on the inside.
Spishak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spishak is looking to break free of the clinch but Karkmananis has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Karkmananis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Karkmananis has managed to clinch.
Karkmananis's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Karkmananis tries to circle away but Spishak has him pinned against the cage.

Spishak breaks the clinch.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spishak takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Karkmananis throws a combination that misses
enabling Spishak to counter with a crisp jab.
Spishak just misses with a punch to the body.

Karkmananis takes the fight into the clinch.
Nicolas Karkmananis has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Spishak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Karkmananis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice elbow from Spishak.
Spishak goes for a takedown in the clinch but Karkmananis prevents it.
Spishak working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spishak breaks the clinch.
Karkmananis wants to clinch.
Spishak was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Spishak shoots in for a double leg but Karkmananis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Karkmananis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Spishak, pushing him back against the cage.
Spishak prevents a body shot from Karkmananis.
Karkmananis misses with a body punch.
Spishak misses with a hook from the clinch.

Karkmananis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nicolas Karkmananis is winning the standup battle so far.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spishak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Spishak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Karkmananis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karkmananis moves in looking to clinch but Spishak pushes him off.
Karkmananis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spishak manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karkmananis gets a clinch.
Karkmananis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Karkmananis blocks an uppercut.

Karkmananis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Spishak connects with a crisp jab.
Karkmananis wants to clinch up but Spishak keeps it at a distance.
Karkmananis looks to clinch
and Spishak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spishak has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Spishak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karkmananis doesn't manage to clinch there - Spishak circles away.
Karkmananis throws a head kick that misses.
Spishak changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karkmananis walks into a straight right hand from Spishak.
Spishak swinging wildly here.
Spishak throws a leg kick
and Karkmananis counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries to clinch up.
Karkmananis throws a head kick that misses.
Spishak lands with a good body shot.
Karkmananis jabs Spishak to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Karkmananis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spishak changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Karkmananis dips to his left and cracks Spishak with an uppercut!
Spishak slips a jab and a cross from Karkmananis.
Karkmananis cracks Spishak with an open hand slap.
A clash of legs there as Spishak blocks the low kick.

Karkmananis drives through and clinches with Spishak against the cage.
Karkmananis tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Spishak avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Karkmananis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spishak keeps the fight on the outside.
Spishak swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Spishak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Spishak looks to move away, Karkmananis throws a big counter combo bu Spishak just gets out of the way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karkmananis misses with a wild body shot.
Karkmananis moves in looking to clinch but Spishak pushes him off.
Despite the aggression on Spishak's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Spishak moves away
and Spishak counters with a series of strikes. Karkmananis will be more careful next time no doubt.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spishak takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Left hook, right uppercut from Karkmananis.
Karkmananis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spishak was well out of range. Poor timing from Karkmananis.
And Spishak tries to counter it with a takedown but Karkmananis pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Karkmananis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nicolas Karkmananis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karkmananis tries to land a leg kick but Spishak saw it coming and moves away.
Karkmananis misses with a two punch combination.
Spishak looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch but Spishak is avoiding it.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch but Spishak is avoiding it.
Spishak misses with a head kick.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Spishak moves out of range.
Nicolas Karkmananis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Karkmananis. Spishak does a little dance to reset his feet.
Karkmananis swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karkmananis throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Spishak makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Some wild striking there from Karkmananis.
Karkmananis 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak misses with a head kick.
Spishak throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karkmananis seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Spishak sizes up Karkmananis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Karkmananis slips a jab and a cross from Spishak.
Karkmananis throws a series of punches but Spishak moves out of range.
A nice side step and Spishak releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Spishak lands a jab to Karkmananis's midsection.
Karkmananis misses with a head kick.
Spishak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Karkmananis blocks a head kick by Spishak.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Spishak to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis throws a series of strikes that have Spishak backpedaling.
Karkmananis is looking to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spishak lands a two punch combo.
Karkmananis tries to land a front kick but Spishak steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Spishak raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Spishak takes one to the chin there.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch but Spishak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up.
Spishak swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Karkmananis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spishak now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Karkmananis throws a head kick but Spishak moves out of range.
Spishak wants to counter with a clinch but Karkmananis pushes him away.
Karkmananis tries to clinch up.
A lazy body kick from Karkmananis

and Spishak counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak wants to control from the top but Karkmananis keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spishak passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Spishak is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Karkmananis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Karkmananis manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Spishak is not content to let Karkmananis control the position.
Karkmananis with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Karkmananis tries to stand but can't do so whilst Spishak controls his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries to get to full guard but Karkmananis has control of the leg.
Karkmananis trying to control the action but Spishak is working from the bottom.
Spishak is pressing down on Karkmananis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Karkmananis slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Spishak is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karkmananis is aware though and is defending well.
Karkmananis wants to control from the top but Spishak keeps moving.

Spishak working for a triangle but Karkmananis defends it easily.
Spishak has a closed guard, preventing Karkmananis from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Karkmananis scores with a jab.
Karkmananis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spishak throws a nice head kick!
Spishak throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spishak is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Karkmananis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Spishak lands an elbow inside that Karkmananis shrugs off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Karkmananis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Karkmananis tries to close the distance and clinch but Spishak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Karkmananis throws a series of punches but Spishak avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Spishak darts in and clinches Karkmananis up against the cage.
Karkmananis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spishak is defending well for now.
Karkmananis misses with a punch on the inside.
Spishak lands an elbow inside that Karkmananis shrugs off.
Karkmananis working hard to break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Karkmananis.
Spishak throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Spishak breaks from the clinch.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Spishak counters with a two punch combo.

Karkmananis has managed to clinch.
Karkmananis keeps control of Spishak as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries a body shot but Karkmananis blocks it.
Spishak stalling in the clinch but Karkmananis improves position.
A short right from Karkmananis on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karkmananis.
Karkmananis misses with a punch to the body.
Karkmananis lands with a left to the head.
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!

Spishak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Karkmananis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Spishak is having none of it.
Karkmananis leaves Spishak with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Karkmananis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Spishak misses the shot to the body.
Karkmananis throws a push kick but Spishak slaps the foot to one side.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Spishak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis throws a sloppy head kick
and Spishak counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Spishak avoids the head kick by Karkmananis.
Spishak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Karkmananis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Karkmananis is looking to counter the offense by Spishak and move into the clinch.

Karkmananis moves into the clinch successfully.
Karkmananis is pushing Spishak up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Still in the clinch, Spishak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Spishak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karkmananis.
Karkmananis comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Spishak lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karkmananis backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karkmananis tries to work over Spishak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spishak manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Spishak stalls.
Karkmananis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spishak has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Spishak - that landed with a thud.
Spishak has Karkmananis pressed against the cage, preventing Karkmananis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A right handed body shot lands from Spishak.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Spishak stalls.
Spishak working aggressively here.
Spishak has had enough of the clinch but Karkmananis keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
That's time! Karkmananis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Karkmananis thuds a left hand into Spishak's body.
Karkmananis throws a combination. Spishak tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That has opened up Sammy Spishak's cut even more.
Spishak takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Karkmananis closes the distance and pushes Spishak back into the cage.

Spishak breaks from the clinch.
Spishak throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Karkmananis stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Karkmananis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Spishak.
Spishak swings for the body but Karkmananis moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karkmananis tries to clinch but Spishak moves away
and Spishak counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A big left from Spishak misses.
Spishak blocks a head kick by Karkmananis.
Spishak tries to close the distance and clinch but Karkmananis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karkmananis slaps away a takedown attempt from Spishak, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A quick step to the side and Karkmananis tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karkmananis is looking to wear down Spishak with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A cross from Karkmananis lands.
Karkmananis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Karkmananis moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSpishak.
Karkmananis throws a sloppy head kick and Spishak moves out of range easily.
Karkmananis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karkmananis looks to clinch
and Spishak counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Spishak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch combination from Spishak misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries a head kick but it misses.
Karkmananis punishes Spishak's body with a nice straight punch.
Spishak looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Karkmananis moves into the clinch.
Karkmananis blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Karkmananis as the two fighters clinch.
Spishak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karkmananis backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karkmananis digs a right hand underneath Spishak's ribcage. Spishak let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Spishak is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Spishak looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Spishak working aggressively here.
Karkmananis blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Spishak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spishak shoots for a takedown but Karkmananis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Spishak counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak keeps the fight on the outside.
Spishak is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Karkmananis with a body shot.
Spishak swats away the attempt to clinch by Karkmananis.
A countering left hand to the body from Spishak misses.

Karkmananis closes the distance and clinches.
Karkmananis wants to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for Karkmananis.
Spishak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spishak misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Spishak.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karkmananis dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Karkmananis is trying to stall.
Karkmananis manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Spishak lands with a left to the head.
Karkmananis blocks an elbow strike from Spishak.
Spishak looking for a takedown.
Nicolas Karkmananis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Spishak.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karkmananis.
Karkmananis scores with a hook to the body.
Spishak looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Karkmananis lands an elbow that stopped Spishak in his tracks for a moment.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Karkmananis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nicolas Karkmananis.
I think Karkmananis 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Sammy Spishak!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Nicolas Karkmananis!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Nicolas Karkmananis!

Nicolas Karkmananis wins by split decision!