PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cruz White (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostas Karelis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). White comes to the cage accompanied by ASAP Ferg - Dump Dump. The crowd seem to be enjoying Karelis's choice of entrance music: Sail - AwolNation. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

White
vs
Karelis

193 cm
25
209 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

182 cm
22
222 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

KAISER

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cruz White!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kostas Karelis!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
White takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
White lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Karelis.
Karelis tries to clinch but White is having none of it.
White has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Unicorn Powered Fighting in the buildup to the fight.
Karelis doesn't manage to clinch there - White circles away.
Karelis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
White lands with a hook. Karelis tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A swing and a miss from White.
Karelis takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Karelis takes a swing at White's ribcage but misses.
A clash of legs there as Karelis blocks the low kick.
White scores with a nice right hand.
Nice body kick there by White.
Karelis checks a leg kick.

White drives through and clinches with Karelis against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
White takes a shot to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Karelis.
Karelis swings wildly with an uppercut but White uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karelis throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whites head.
Karelis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whites head.
Karelis blocks a body shot from White.
White misses with the head strike.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Karelis throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
White throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kareliss head.
White misses with some punches.
Karelis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
White scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Karelis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Karelis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karelis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karelis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whites head.
A short uppercut from White.
Karelis has had enough of the clinch but White keeps him there for the moment.
White lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karelis misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from White on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Karelis.
Karelis tries to land a knee to the head but White blocks with his arms.
White can't find room to land a body shot as Karelis controls the action.
Karelis lands a body shot.
White misses with a body punch.
Karelis cracks White with a nice body shot.
Karelis pushes White back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

White pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

White tries to keep at a distance but Karelis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Karelis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karelis lands a nice shot to the body.
White is breathing heavily.
Karelis tries a knee to the head but White blocks it.
White tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karelis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
White tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from White fails to land.
Karelis tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Good body shot from White.
Karelis blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White lands a left hand.
Karelis working aggressively here.
White lands a body punch.
White doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
White lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karelis backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by White.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Karelis obliges.
Karelis misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Karelis scores with a nice short uppercut.
Karelis lands a body shot.
Karelis prevents a body shot from White.

Karelis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
White swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cruz White is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karelis tries to clinch up but White circles away and keeps his distance.
White throws the kick towards the body but Karelis avoids it.
Karelis tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but White defends well and Karelis ends up having to push White into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Karelis with a nice cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Karelis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelis gets through White's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Karelis tries to work over White's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
White misses with a punch on the inside.
White has a couple of punches blocked by Karelis.
White misses with a punch to the body.
White lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Karelis fails to land.
White blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Karelis has picked White up - he's going for a ride! Karelis dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Karelis performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Karelis working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
White is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
White is looking to control Karelis's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can White avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kostas Karelis will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Karelis throws a lazy right hand but White sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Karelis.
Karelis tries to close the distance and clinch up but White swats him away and circles back towards the center.
White throws a hook but Karelis blocks it.
Kostas Karelis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
White walks into a jab.
Karelis cracks White with a right hand to the side of the head.
Karelis tries to close the distance and clinch up but White swats him away and circles back towards the center.

White has managed to clinch.
White cracks Karelis with a nice body shot.

White manages to break the clinch.
White scores with a nice head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White lands with an overhand left.
White bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
White circles away from the clinch attempt.
White scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
White misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
White is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Karelis throws an off balance right hand
enabling White to counter with a crisp jab.
White connects with a leg kick. Karelis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
White smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
White tests Karelis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Karelis with a jab.
White is looking to land body kicks.
Karelis throws out a counter right but White avoids it with no problem.
Karelis throws a body punch but White moves out of range.
Karelis wants to clinch.
Karelis misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
White on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Karelis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jab by White.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karelis tries to clinch but White is having none of it.
White half committed to a counter leg kick.
Karelis lands with a shot to the body.
Karelis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by White.
White chopping away at his opponent's legs.
White swings for the body but Karelis moves out of range.
Karelis scores with a head kick.

Karelis takes the fight into the clinch.
White throws a punch but it's blocked by Karelis.
Karelis misses with some punches.
Karelis lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Karelis throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karelis lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Karelis.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Karelis creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Karelis pushes White back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Karelis lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karelis.
Karelis lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Karelis lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
White misses with a punch to the body.
Karelis has White pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. White manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Karelis pushes White back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
White misses with a body punch.
Karelis scores with a nice hook to the head.
Karelis lands a hook that snaps the head of White backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Karelis fails to land.

White breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
White lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Karelis is looking to clinch.
White misses with a looping left.
Karelis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Karelis clinches up with White and pushes him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelis fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
White lands a left hand that snaps the head of Karelis backwards.
Kostas Karelis seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
White misses with a short punch on the inside.
White struggles to land a body shot inside as Karelis controls his hands.
Karelis lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karelis.
Karelis misses with a punch to the body.
Karelis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
White misses with some punches.
Karelis blocking some punches.
White misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Karelis as the two fighters clinch.
Karelis misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Karelis.
Karelis lands a hook to the side of the head.
Karelis pushes White back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
White pushes Karelis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Karelis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Karelis looks to land a right hand but White moved out of range.
White appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
White ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Karelis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kostas Karelis 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!

Karelis blocks a leg kick.
Karelis tries to move into range but White moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
White scores with a jab.
White lands a jab to the nose.
White ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
White takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Karelis steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from White. That one must have hurt.
White thuds his right hand into Karelis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Karelis scores with a head kick.

Karelis drives through and clinches with White against the cage.
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!
Karelis with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Karelis lands a body shot in the clinch.
Karelis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Karelis lands with a short punch from the clinch.
White tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Karelis's elbow.
Karelis blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

White manages to break the clinch.
White just misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz White is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelis misses with a head kick.
White keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karelis.

Karelis lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends White sprawling to the canvas. Karelis follows him down, looking for the kill. Can White hang on?

White is rocked!
Karelis drops an elbow to the side of White's head.
Oh White is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Karelis wants to pass the guard but White is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karelis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karelis working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Karelis controlling the action here.
White seems to have got his legs back now.
White is concentrating on defense, preventing Karelis from advancing position.
Karelis slows the pace down in half guard.
White is doing well to control the position and prevent Karelis from advancing to side control.
Cruz White has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelis not doing much here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
White is pressing down on Karelis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
White seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
White trying to control the position here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Karelis throws a lazy right hand but White sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And White counters with a quick kick to the body but Karelis blocks it.
White moves out of range as Karelis strikes.
Karelis fails in his attempt to clinch.

Karelis instigates a clinch.
Karelis gets through White's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Karelis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karelis blocking some punches.
Karelis lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Karelis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karelis throws a head punch that misses.
Karelis tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
White lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Karelis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
White misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from White.
Karelis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but White blocks it with crossed arms.
Karelis throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whites head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A quick uppercut on the inside from White.
White lands a shoulder strike.
Karelis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. White is defending well for now.
Karelis misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Karelis.
White working aggressively here.

White's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fighters circling - White throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
White keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Karelis keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kostas Karelis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Karelis bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps White's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kostas Karelis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Karelis 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kostas Karelis!
Cruz White was interviewed post fight and said 'Rematch?'.