PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karl Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Garbutt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garbutt has chosen Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Karlsson
vs
Garbutt

195 cm
25
209 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin Garbutt!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson connects with a solid leg kick.
Karlsson misses with a body shot.
Garbutt looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Garbutt gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Karlsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garbutt scores with a head kick.
Karlsson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Karlsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch lands to the side of Karlsson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Garbutt throws a sloppy head kick
and Karlsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Garbutt fails with the takedown
and Karlsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've been told by Karlsson's head coaches at Academy of Arse Whoopers that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karlsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Garbutt looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A good leg kick by Garbutt.
Karlsson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Garbutt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karlsson moves away.
Karlsson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garbutt closes the distance but Karlsson moves to the side
and Karlsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Garbutt shoots in but no luck this time.
Garbutt on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Garbutt fails with a takedown attempt.
Karl Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Garbutt.
Garbutt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Karlsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garbutt somewhat.
Garbutt misses with a leg kick.
Garbutt looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Karlsson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A telegraphed right hand from Garbutt misses the target.
Karlsson throwing a counter right hand but Garbutt manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garbutt tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Karlsson is able to avoid easily.
Garbutt slips under a jab.
Garbutt has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karlsson finds it's way round the side to connect with Garbutt's head.
Garbutt takes one to the side of the head.
Karlsson throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karlsson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Garbutt throws a body shot but no joy.
Garbutt defending well as Karlsson loads up on a big left hand.
And Garbutt tries to counter it with a takedown but Karlsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big right from Garbutt misses.
Garbutt misses with a hook. Karlsson ducked under it nicely.
Karlsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Garbutt.
Garbutt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Karlsson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Garbutt.
Karlsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Garbutt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson swings for the body but Garbutt moves out of range.
Karlsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Garbutt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garbutt. Karlsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Garbutt throws a poor cross that misses
and Karlsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Karlsson throws an off balance right hand
and Garbutt counters with a straight right hand.
Karlsson lands a lovely overhand right.
Garbutt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karlsson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Karlsson thows a body kick. Garbutt tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Karlsson scores with a sloppy right hand. Garbutt should have avoided that one.
Garbutt throws a low kick but Karlsson avoids it.
Karlsson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Garbutt backs up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garbutt throws an overhand right that lands on Karlsson's shoulder, as Karlsson tries to avoid the shot.
Karlsson scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Garbutt misses the target.
Karlsson misses with a wild body shot.
Karlsson misses with a left hand
and Garbutt counters with a nice uppercut.
Karlsson throws a hook to the side of Garbutt's head but Garbutt sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karlsson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Garbutt finds it's way round the side to connect with Karlsson's head.
Garbutt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Karlsson avoids the head kick by Garbutt.
Garbutt on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Karlsson throws out a loose jab but Garbutt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Garbutt only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Garbutt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Karlsson.
Garbutt just misses with a punch to the body.
No luck for Garbutt with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Karlsson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Garbutt changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Karlsson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Karlsson prevents Garbutt from improving position.
Garbutt sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Karlsson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Karlsson regains half guard.
Karlsson moves into full guard.
Garbutt's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Karlsson keeping moving, preventing Garbutt from controlling successfully.
Garbutt throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Karlsson, not yet.
Garbutt makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Karlsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Garbutt postures up in Karlsson's guard and throws a big left but Karlsson blocks it.
Garbutt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Garbutt distracts Karlsson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Garbutt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Garbutt throwing strikes from guard but Karlsson blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Karlsson looks to throw the jab but Garbutt is out of range.
Garbutt only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Karlsson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Garbutt shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Karlsson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Garbutt. Beautiful body shot.
Garbutt throws a chopping leg kick but Karlsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Karlsson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Karlsson throws a lazy right hand but Garbutt sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karlsson looks to land a left hand but Garbutt moved out of range nicely.
Garbutt slips under a jab.
Garbutt wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Garbutt throws a body punch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Garbutt missing with a left hand there. Karlsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Garbutt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Garbutt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Garbutt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Karlsson swings for the body but Garbutt moves out of range.
Garbutt misses with the body kick
and Karlsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Garbutt throws a low kick but it's checked well by Karlsson.
Garbutt lands a high kick!
A jab from Karlsson misses.
Garbutt throws a body punch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Karl Karlsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garbutt lands with a good body shot.
Karlsson misses the jab.
Garbutt shoots in and drives through. Karlsson sprawls well.
Karlsson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Karlsson wants it to stay on the feet.
Karl Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Garbutt.
Karlsson 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.
Karlsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garbutt was well out of range. Poor timing from Karlsson.
Garbutt only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Garbutt throws a shot from downtown. Karlsson moves away and avoids it.
Karlsson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Garbutt stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Garbutt is looking to slow Karlsson down with leg kicks.
Karlsson misses with a kick to the body.
Garbutt doesn't manage to clinch there - Karlsson circles away.
Karlsson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Garbutt's calf.
Garbutt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karlsson.
Karl Karlsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Garbutt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice shot lands for Garbutt.
Garbutt keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karlsson.
Garbutt lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Garbutt throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kevin Garbutt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Garbutt moves out of range of the strikes.
Garbutt now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Karlsson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Karlsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It seemed like Garbutt was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Karlsson scores with a jab to the head.
Garbutt connects with a crisp jab.
Garbutt has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice body punch from Karlsson.
Karlsson blocks a leg kick.
Karlsson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Karlsson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Garbutt changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Karlsson leaves Garbutt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garbutt throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Karlsson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Garbutt swings for the body but Karlsson moves out of range.
Karlsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Garbutt's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson misses with a kick to the body.
Karlsson throws a wild body kick that Garbutt sees coming a mile off.
Karlsson misses with a hook. Garbutt ducked under it nicely.
Karlsson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Karlsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Garbutt.
Karlsson catches Garbutt with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Garbutt moves out of range of the body kick.
Garbutt drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Karlsson defends it well.
Garbutt keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garbutt only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Garbutt throws a head kick that misses.
Garbutt takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Garbutt plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Karlsson throws a poor cross that misses
and Garbutt makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Karlsson, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garbutt shoots in but no luck this time.
Karlsson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nice defenses there by Karlsson.
A little feinted left hand from Karlsson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garbutt needs to keep his hands up - Karlsson had a free shot at his head there.
Karlsson clobbers Garbutt with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The fighters circling - Karlsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Garbutt throws a counter combo.
Karlsson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Garbutt stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Karlsson misses with a series of wild punches.
Karlsson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Garbutt. Garbutt obviously looking to wear him down.
Garbutt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Garbutt is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Karlsson blocks a head kick by Garbutt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbutt misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Karlsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
An inside leg kick from Garbutt misses.
A head kick misses from Garbutt.
A head kick misses from Garbutt.
Karlsson is looking to counter punch.
Garbutt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garbutt throws a sloppy head kick and Karlsson moves out of range easily.
Garbutt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karlsson.
Garbutt ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karlsson moves away.
Karlsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Garbutt looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Karlsson stuns Garbutt with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Garbutt drops his hands momentarily and Karlsson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A clash of legs there as Karlsson blocks the low kick.
Garbutt throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garbutt misses with an uppercut.
Karlsson scores with a head kick. Garbutt tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karlsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karlsson swings for the body but Garbutt moves out of range.
Karlsson lands with a straight right. Garbutt didn't see that one coming.
Garbutt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karlsson.
Karlsson misses with a hook. Garbutt ducked under it nicely.
Garbutt shapes to counter with a head kick.
Karlsson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Garbutt.
Karlsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Karlsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Garbutt.
An attempted straight right counter from Karlsson misses the target.
Karlsson tried to score with a low kick but Garbutt checks it.
Garbutt lands with a thumping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Karlsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Karlsson 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Karlsson!
A relieved looking Karl Karlsson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.