PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Claes Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smirnov has chosen Russian National Anthem as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Karlsson
vs
Smirnov

172 cm
19
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Claes Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.

Smirnov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Karlsson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smirnov on the ground.
Karlsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Smirnov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Karlsson throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smirnov shoots for a takedown but Karlsson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A combination from Karlsson does no damage.
Karlsson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Smirnov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Karlsson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Smirnov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karlsson keeps working.
Karlsson tries to escape but Smirnov is in control.

Smirnov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Karlsson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Karlsson prevents Smirnov from improving position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson is looking for a sweep.

Smirnov is trying to get an arm triangle but Karlsson is defending well.

Smirnov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smirnov working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smirnov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karlsson keeps working.
Smirnov has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Smirnov stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Claes Karlsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karlsson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Claes Karlsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smirnov looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smirnov showed some decent athleticism there.
Smirnov wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smirnov trying to control from Karlsson's half guard. Karlsson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Smirnov wants to pass the guard but Karlsson is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Karlsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smirnov, into his guard.

Smirnov working for a triangle but Karlsson defends it easily.
Karlsson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smirnov is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Smirnov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karlsson throws a low kick but Smirnov avoids it.
Smirnov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Karlsson misses with a few strikes there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smirnov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Karlsson - the referee stops the clock and Smirnov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Karlsson. Smirnov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Smirnov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Karlsson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Karlsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smirnov shoots for a takedown but Karlsson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Karlsson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Karlsson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Karlsson is looking to slow Smirnov down with leg kicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karlsson throws and low kick but Smirnov moves out of range easily.
Karlsson misses with a wild combination.
Smirnov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Karlsson.
Smirnov is breathing heavily.
Karlsson throws a front kick that sends Smirnov stumbling back into the cage.
Karlsson misses with a head kick.
Karlsson scores with a head kick.
Karlsson works over Smirnov's head and body with a nice combination.

Smirnov is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Smirnov stumbling backwards into the cage! Smirnov bounces back off the cage towards Karlsson, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Karlsson lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Karlsson celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Claes Karlsson!