PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akio Mori (ranked 1498 p4p, 224 weight class) and Oliver Hedman Karlsson (ranked 922 p4p, 150 weight class). 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.

Mori
vs
Hedman Karlsson

184 cm
23
174 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

178 cm
26
173 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Red Light Coffeeshop

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akio Mori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oliver Hedman Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hedman Karlsson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Mori moves into range and clinches up with Hedman Karlsson.
Hedman Karlsson pushes Mori back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hedman Karlsson lands a damaging elbow.
Mori fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mori swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hedman Karlsson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hedman Karlsson misses with the head strike.
Hedman Karlsson misses with an elbow over the top.
Hedman Karlsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hedman Karlsson can't find room to land a body shot as Mori controls the action.
Mori tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hedman Karlsson avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mori scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mori misses with a punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Hedman Karlsson.
Mori lands with a light punch inside.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a body punch.
Mori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mori avoids a wild elbow strike from Hedman Karlsson.
Hedman Karlsson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Mori tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hedman Karlsson avoids it.

Hedman Karlsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mori slips under a jab from Hedman Karlsson.
We've been told by Mori's head coaches at Elite Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hedman Karlsson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mori tries to move into range but Hedman Karlsson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fighters circling - Hedman Karlsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Hedman Karlsson does it's job there.
Hedman Karlsson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hedman Karlsson throws out a loose jab but Mori uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hedman Karlsson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mori throws a hook but Hedman Karlsson avoids it easily.
Mori lands a glancing blow to the side of Hedman Karlsson's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hedman Karlsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mori thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mori uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hedman Karlsson.
As Hedman Karlsson tries to get set, Mori tries to push him back and clinch up but Hedman Karlsson manages to avoid the attempt.
Akio Mori is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice straight punches there by Mori. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mori.
Hedman Karlsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mori.
Mori throws a hook to the side of Hedman Karlsson's head but Hedman Karlsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hedman Karlsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Hedman Karlsson throws a chopping leg kick but Mori manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hedman Karlsson throws a lazy uppercut
and Mori counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hedman Karlsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Oliver Hedman Karlsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hedman Karlsson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mori back to the cage. Hedman Karlsson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mori misses with a right hand
and Hedman Karlsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Mori takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hedman Karlsson throws a body kick that misses.
Hedman Karlsson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mori pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mori misses the jab.
Mori walks into a straight right hand from Hedman Karlsson.
Mori throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hedman Karlsson on the side of the head.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a right hand
and Mori counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mori cracks Hedman Karlsson with an open hand slap.
Mori with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hedman Karlsson to score with a decent uppercut.

Mori pushes Hedman Karlsson up against the cage in a clinch.
Hedman Karlsson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mori blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mori lands with a light punch inside.
Hedman Karlsson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hedman Karlsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mori's elbow.
Hedman Karlsson can't find room to land a body shot as Mori controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mori blocks an elbow strike.
Hedman Karlsson blocking some punches.
Hedman Karlsson swings wildly with an uppercut but Mori uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mori blocks an elbow strike from Hedman Karlsson.
Mori misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hedman Karlsson throws an elbow but misses.
Mori's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mori lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Hedman Karlsson.
Mori is breathing heavily.
Mori tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hedman Karlsson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mori tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hedman Karlsson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mori blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hedman Karlsson misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Oliver Hedman Karlsson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice shot by Hedman Karlsson.
Mori is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hedman Karlsson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hedman Karlsson.
Mori thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hedman Karlsson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hedman Karlsson throws a push kick but Mori slaps the foot to one side.
Hedman Karlsson lands a nice looking body shot.
Oliver Hedman Karlsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hedman Karlsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mori moves away.
Hedman Karlsson is looking to clinch but Mori is avoiding it.
It looked like Mori wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedman Karlsson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mori is out of range.
Hedman Karlsson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hedman Karlsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Mori.
Mori swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hedman Karlsson works Mori's body with a nice hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hedman Karlsson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mori on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mori listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A jab from Mori does it's job there.
Mori takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mori tries to move into range but Hedman Karlsson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mori moves in looking to clinch but Hedman Karlsson pushes him off.
Hedman Karlsson scores with a hook.
Hedman Karlsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mori.
Mori looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mori throws a big shot that misses.
Mori takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mori defending well as Hedman Karlsson loads up on a big left hand.
Mori keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hedman Karlsson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hedman Karlsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Mori.
Hedman Karlsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mori.
Hedman Karlsson moves in looking to clinch but Mori pushes him off.
Mori fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hedman Karlsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mori misses with a hook
letting Hedman Karlsson counter with a right hand.
Mori is looking to clinch.
Hedman Karlsson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hedman Karlsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mori manages to avoid it.
Mori throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hedman Karlsson throws out a counter right but Mori avoids it with no problem.
Mori keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hedman Karlsson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson looks to throw the jab but Mori is out of range.
Hedman Karlsson throws a hook but Mori blocks it.
Hedman Karlsson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mori cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hedman Karlsson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mori is looking to counter punch.
Hedman Karlsson scores with a jab to the body.
Mori missing with a left hand there. Hedman Karlsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hedman Karlsson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mori is out of range.
Hedman Karlsson tries to land a leg kick but Mori saw it coming and moves away.
Hedman Karlsson ducks under a wild hook from Mori.
Mori wants to clinch up but Hedman Karlsson keeps it at a distance.
Hedman Karlsson moves in looking to clinch but Mori pushes him off.
Mori fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson throws a body kick that misses

and Mori counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mori.
Hedman Karlsson misses with some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hedman Karlsson throws an elbow but misses.
A short left from Hedman Karlsson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hedman Karlsson.
Mori blocks an elbow strike from Hedman Karlsson.
Hedman Karlsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Mori controls his hands.
Mori swings wildly with an uppercut but Hedman Karlsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mori scores with a nice hook 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!
Mori takes an elbow to the temple.
Mori gets through Hedman Karlsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hedman Karlsson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mori.
Hedman Karlsson lands with a short shot to the head.
Hedman Karlsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mori avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hedman Karlsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hedman Karlsson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Hedman Karlsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mori's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mori tries to clinch

and Hedman Karlsson counters with a shoot takedown. Mori fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mori keeping moving, preventing Hedman Karlsson from controlling successfully.
Mori can't keep his opponent in guard - Hedman Karlsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mori is looking for a sweep. Hedman Karlsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mori is looking to control Hedman Karlsson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mori avoid being mounted?
Mori is controlling Hedman Karlsson's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mori wants to get back to full guard but Hedman Karlsson has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mori working to try and regain half guard.
Hedman Karlsson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Mori is trying desperately to improve position.
Mori is working hard here to advance position.
Hedman Karlsson landing strikes from the mount and Mori is in trouble!
Mori regains half guard.
Mori is trying to control but can't.
Akio Mori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedman Karlsson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hedman Karlsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mori is not content to let Hedman Karlsson control the position.
Hedman Karlsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hedman Karlsson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mori wants to get back to full guard but Hedman Karlsson has passed into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mori tries to buck Hedman Karlsson off but Hedman Karlsson is having none of it.
Hedman Karlsson tries to advance to mount but Mori denies him.

Hedman Karlsson swings around for an armbar but Mori sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hedman Karlsson's guard.
Hedman Karlsson is trying to control the position but Mori postures up.
Hedman Karlsson controlling Mori's posture.
Mori sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hedman Karlsson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mori would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mori throws a big right hand that misses.

Hedman Karlsson looking for a guillotine here but Mori defends easily.

Hedman Karlsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mori doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Hedman Karlsson is tightening it up a little... Mori has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Mori reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Mori taps out! Nice BJJ there by Hedman Karlsson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Oliver Hedman Karlsson!
After the big win, Oliver Hedman Karlsson made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Aspire Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.