PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Hedman Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Willem Kriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kriel has chosen Jack Parow & Freshlyground - Army Of One as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Hedman Karlsson
vs
Kriel

178 cm
22
173 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
183 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oliver Hedman Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Willem Kriel!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hedman Karlsson throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Hedman Karlsson throws a body punch but Kriel moves out of range.
Kriel wants to counter with a clinch but Hedman Karlsson pushes him away.
Kriel throws a nice looking combination but Hedman Karlsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hedman Karlsson shoots and misses
enabling Kriel to counter with a crisp jab.
Hedman Karlsson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kriel defends it nicely.
Kriel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kriel throws a big shot that misses.
Hedman Karlsson takes a swing at Kriel's ribcage but misses.
Kriel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kriel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hedman Karlsson to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel blocks a jab.
Kriel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hedman Karlsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kriel can pounce on him.
Hedman Karlsson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kriel counters with a good low kick that Hedman Karlsson was not able to check.
Kriel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hedman Karlsson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hedman Karlsson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kriel takes one on the button.
Kriel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kriel goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hedman Karlsson throws a series of punches but Kriel avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson throws an off balance right hand
and Kriel counters with a nice body kick.
Kriel moves away from the strike by Hedman Karlsson.
Hedman Karlsson loads up on a big right hand but Kriel slips the punch.
Hedman Karlsson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kriel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Oliver Hedman Karlsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kriel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hedman Karlsson.
Kriel misses with a looping right.
Kriel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hedman Karlsson at a distance.

Hedman Karlsson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kriel is controlling Hedman Karlsson's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kriel desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Hedman Karlsson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kriel preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

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.
Hedman Karlsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kriel controlling the position for now.
Hedman Karlsson trying to control the action but Kriel is working from the bottom.
Kriel wants to improve his position but Hedman Karlsson is controlling well.
Hedman Karlsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hedman Karlsson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Kriel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hedman Karlsson fails to land the takedown.
Kriel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kriel lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hedman Karlsson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kriel feints and then cracks Hedman Karlsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hedman Karlsson down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kriel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hedman Karlsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little jabbing left from Kriel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hedman Karlsson throws out a loose jab but Kriel uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice takedown defense from Kriel. No joy for Hedman Karlsson on that attempt.
Kriel wants to counter with a clinch but Hedman Karlsson pushes him away.
Hedman Karlsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kriel.
Kriel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Kriel misses.
Kriel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hedman Karlsson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kriel scrambles back to his feet.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a body punch
and Kriel counters with a leg kick.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hedman Karlsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kriel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hedman Karlsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson throws a lazy uppercut
and Kriel counters with a nice uppercut.
Willem Kriel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hedman Karlsson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hedman Karlsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hedman Karlsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Kriel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hedman Karlsson with the ground and pound but Kriel uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kriel is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hedman Karlsson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kriel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson trying to control but Kriel is working from the bottom.
Kriel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hedman Karlsson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kriel's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hedman Karlsson is looking to work some ground and pound but Kriel has wrist control.
Kriel pulls Hedman Karlsson in to control the position.
Hedman Karlsson postures up and lands a big shot to Kriel's brow.
Kriel being controlled here, momentarily.
Kriel is trying to control the position but Hedman Karlsson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kriel has his hands on Hedman Karlsson's head, controlling the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hedman Karlsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kriel 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.
Hedman Karlsson lands a jab to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hedman Karlsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Hedman Karlsson dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Hedman Karlsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Kriel sprawls well. He's pushed Hedman Karlsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hedman Karlsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hedman Karlsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.
Hedman Karlsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kriel is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A low kick from Hedman Karlsson misses
and Kriel counters with a good low kick that Hedman Karlsson was not able to check.
Hedman Karlsson throws a combination that misses
and Kriel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kriel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedman Karlsson lands a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hedman Karlsson, as that shot connected.
Kriel jabs Hedman Karlsson to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson throws an overhand right that lands on Kriel's shoulder, as Kriel tries to avoid the shot.
Kriel is looking for the big counter here.
Kriel misses with a leg kick
and Hedman Karlsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hedman Karlsson shoots and misses
and Kriel counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kriel throws a wild body kick that Hedman Karlsson sees coming a mile off.
Kriel defending well as Hedman Karlsson loads up on a big left hand.
Kriel missing with a left hand there. Hedman Karlsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hedman Karlsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kriel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hedman Karlsson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oliver Hedman Karlsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Hedman Karlsson.
Donk. Hedman Karlsson catches Kriel right on the button with a cross.
Donk. Hedman Karlsson catches Kriel right on the button with a cross.
Hedman Karlsson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
That kick from Kriel tenderised Hedman Karlsson's leg. Hedman Karlsson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hedman Karlsson throws the left hand but Kriel avoids the punch easily.
Kriel misses with a low kick.
Hedman Karlsson takes a swing at Kriel's ribcage but misses.
Hedman Karlsson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A lazy left from Hedman Karlsson finds it's target.
Kriel cracks the inside of Hedman Karlsson's front leg.
Kriel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hedman Karlsson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hedman Karlsson lands a lovely overhand right.
Hedman Karlsson slips under a jab.
Hedman Karlsson misses with an uppercut
and Kriel counters with a nice uppercut.
Hedman Karlsson cracks Kriel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kriel has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kriel there as he acknowledges the shot.
Willem Kriel seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kriel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hedman Karlsson throws the left hand but Kriel avoids the punch easily.
A nice side step and Kriel releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hedman Karlsson lands a two punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hedman Karlsson looks to land a left hand but Kriel moved out of range nicely.
Kriel flicks out a counter leg kick but Hedman Karlsson steps away.
Hedman Karlsson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kriel on the side of the head.
Hedman Karlsson with a poor takedown
and Kriel connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kriel blocks a jab.
Kriel keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hedman Karlsson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a right hand
and Kriel counters with a stiff right hand.

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 Oliver Hedman Karlsson.
I think Hedman 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oliver Hedman Karlsson!
An out of breath and clearly excited Oliver Hedman Karlsson thanked Sully's Bar & Grill for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).