PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Carlsson (ranked 6127 p4p, 715 weight class) and Maro Veljanovski (ranked 23778 p4p, 901 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Carlsson
vs
Veljanovski

193 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
212 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Carlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Maro Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veljanovski swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Carlsson gets a takedown into half guard.
Veljanovski has his hands clasped together around Carlsson's back. He's all about the action.
Carlsson is pressing down on Veljanovski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Veljanovski is holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veljanovski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carlsson is keen to just control but Veljanovski is a slippery customer.
Veljanovski holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Carlsson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Veljanovski has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carlsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Carlsson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Veljanovski has managed to free his arm - good work.

Carlsson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Veljanovski is just riding it out for now. Carlsson eventually gives up the hold.
Carlsson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Veljanovski's thigh. Veljanovski counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Carlsson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Veljanovski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Veljanovski has escaped and now he's on top!

Veljanovski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Carlsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Veljanovski stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Veljanovski throws a body kick that misses.
Maro Veljanovski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Carlsson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Carlsson working the strikes but Veljanovski uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlsson trying to control from Veljanovski's half guard. Veljanovski has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Carlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Veljanovski is keeping the position for now.

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

Carlsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Veljanovski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Veljanovski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Carlsson gets a double leg takedown into Veljanovski's guard.
Carlsson throwing strikes from guard but Veljanovski blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski managing to control the position.

Carlsson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Veljanovski looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Veljanovski looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Veljanovski!

Carlsson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Carlsson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Veljanovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Carlsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Veljanovski's guard.
Carlsson is looking to advance position but Veljanovski has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Veljanovski get's back to his feet.

Carlsson shoots in and bounces Veljanovski off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Carlsson looking to sit in guard and control but Veljanovski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Carlsson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!

Carlsson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Veljanovski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carlsson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Veljanovski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Carlsson has Veljanovski in his guard.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Veljanovski gets to his feet - Carlsson follows without any prompting.
Veljanovski throws a leg kick
and Carlsson counters with a three punch combo that has Veljanovski backing up. Veljanovski nods at Carlsson to acknowledge the strikes.

Carlsson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Veljanovski trying to land knees to the body.
Carlsson misses with a punch to the body.

Carlsson drags the fight down to the ground.

Veljanovski stands up from Carlsson's guard - Veljanovski perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carlsson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Veljanovski is trying to control Carlsson's posture but Carlsson avoids it.
Veljanovski is holding Carlsson down, trying to stall.
Veljanovski tries to buck Carlsson off but Carlsson is having none of it.
Veljanovski can't do much from the bottom here.
Veljanovski is not content to let Carlsson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Carlsson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Veljanovski tries to bench press Carlsson off him but Carlsson keeps the position.
David Carlsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carlsson looking to control but instead Veljanovski has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Veljanovski is holding on to half guard well.

Carlsson is looking for a kimura here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Veljanovski can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four 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.

Carlsson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Carlsson is pressing down on Veljanovski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Veljanovski is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Carlsson is looking for a kimura but Veljanovski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Carlsson to get the leverage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Carlsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Veljanovski can do to turn this around?
Carlsson is trying to control. Veljanovski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Carlsson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Carlsson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Veljanovski gets caught napping as Carlsson dives in and scores a takedown. Veljanovski manages to retain guard.
Carlsson wants to control from the top but Veljanovski keeps moving.
Carlsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Veljanovski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Carlsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Veljanovski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veljanovski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Carlsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Veljanovski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlsson throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Veljanovski swats away the attempt to clinch by Carlsson.
Veljanovski throws a looping overhand right but Carlsson ducks down to avoid it.

Carlsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Veljanovski's guard.
Veljanovski keeping moving, preventing Carlsson from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Veljanovski is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Veljanovski decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlsson is looking to clinch but Veljanovski is avoiding it.
Carlsson moves out of range of the body kick.
Carlsson feinted with a counter takedown.
Veljanovski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carlsson.
Veljanovski misses with an uppercut.

Carlsson shoots in and bounces Veljanovski off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Carlsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Carlsson trying to control but Veljanovski is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veljanovski pulls Carlsson in close to his closed guard and prevents Carlsson from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlsson trying to control but Veljanovski is working from the bottom.
Carlsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Carlsson trying to control but Veljanovski is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Veljanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Veljanovski misses with a straight right.
Carlsson is looking to clinch.

Veljanovski gets caught napping as Carlsson dives in and scores a takedown. Veljanovski manages to retain guard.

Carlsson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Veljanovski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Veljanovski has escaped and now he's on top!

Veljanovski gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Veljanovski just misses with a punch to the body.

Carlsson shoots in and bounces Veljanovski off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Veljanovski controlling the position.

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 David Carlsson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Carlsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Carlsson!