PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karl Karlsson (ranked 1020 p4p, 169 weight class) and Kassius Halo (ranked 1324 p4p, 205 weight class). Karlsson comes to the cage accompanied by Nemesis by Arch Enemy. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Karlsson
vs
Halo

195 cm
33
209 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

187 cm
38
215 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Karlsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kassius Halo!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson throws out a loose jab but Halo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karlsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Halo misses with a right hand
and Karlsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Karlsson cracks Halo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Karlsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Halo with a poor takedown
and Halo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Halo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A leg kick checked by Karlsson.
Karlsson ducks right into an uppercut from Halo.
Halo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
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!
Halo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Karlsson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Karlsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
That kick from Karlsson tenderised Halo's leg. Halo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Halo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fighters circling - Karlsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Halo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karlsson scores with a jab to the head.
Halo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Karlsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As Halo looks to move away, Karlsson throws a big counter combo but Halo just gets out of the way.
Karl Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassius Halo.
Karlsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Halo.
Karlsson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Karlsson misses the jab.
Karlsson throws a right and a left that Halo avoids nicely.
Karlsson throws a nice looking combination but Halo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Halo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've been told by Karlsson's head coaches at Cheese Factory that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Halo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Halo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Karlsson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Halo is in Karlsson's guard.
Halo stops Karlsson from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karlsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Halo looking to sit in guard and control but Karlsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halo looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Karlsson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Halo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Halo actively working from the bottom here.
Halo is looking for a sweep. Karlsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Halo trying to hold on to Karlsson's head to control him but Karlsson postures up.
Karlsson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Halo controls his leg.

Halo with the active half guard here but Karlsson passes nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Halo struggling a bit here.
Halo is looking to reverse the position.

Karlsson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Halo to his feet.
Karlsson misses with a straight left.

Halo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Karlsson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Halo is on him like a limpet, forcing Karlsson back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Karlsson blocks a body shot from Halo.
Karlsson lands an elbow that stopped Halo in his tracks for a moment.
Halo tries to pull guard but Karlsson won't allow it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karlsson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karlsson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Karlsson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Halo backwards.
Halo tries to throw a body punch but Karlsson avoids it by throwing Halo back against the cage.
Karlsson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Halo.
Halo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Karlsson smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Karlsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Karlsson throws a nice looking combination but Halo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Karl Karlsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Halo avoids the head kick by Karlsson.
Halo misses with a straight right.
Karlsson throws a right and a left that Halo avoids nicely.
Halo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Karlsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Halo somewhat.
Halo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halo throws a body shot but no joy.
Karlsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Halo misses with a takedown attempt - Karlsson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Karlsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Halo can do to turn this around?
Jab, jab by Karlsson - just one landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halo falls off balance throwing a combination

and Karlsson counters with a crisp one two that drops Halo! Karlsson thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Halo to his feet! Halo is in big trouble!
An inside leg kick from Karlsson misses.
Karlsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Halo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Karlsson defends it nicely.
Karl Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassius Halo.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Karlsson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Halo is in Karlsson's guard.
Halo throws a big right hand that misses.
Halo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Halo wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Halo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Halo trying to control but Karlsson is working from the bottom.
Karlsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Halo throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson kicks Halo off and gets to his feet.
Karlsson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Karl Karlsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karlsson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halo throws a leg kick
and Karlsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Halo is rocked!
Halo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Karlsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Halo somewhat.
Karlsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Halo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Karlsson did well to prevent Halo getting side control.
Karlsson taking some punishment here, with Halo in his half guard.
Halo trying to pass the guard but Karlsson defending well.
Halo looks to land a strike but Karlsson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo postures up and lands a big shot to Karlsson's brow.
Karlsson is looking to stand up but Halo isn't so interested in that idea.
Halo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karlsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Halo throwing strikes from guard but Karlsson blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Halo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Halo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Halo throws an elbow that misses. Karlsson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Halo's guard. Nice move by Karlsson!

Halo looking for subs off his back but Karlsson has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson wants to stand up but Halo has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Halo wants to improve his position but Karlsson is controlling well.
Halo has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Karlsson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Halo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Halo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Karlsson pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Karl Karlsson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Karlsson scores with a jab.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Halo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Karlsson defends it well.

Halo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Halo tries to pass to full mount but Karlsson defends it.

Halo is looking for a kimura here.
Halo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halo throws a strike but Karlsson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Halo distracts Karlsson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karlsson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Karlsson is stalling here.
Karlsson stalling.
Karlsson lands a body punch.
Karlsson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Halo jumps guard but Karlsson stands there with Halo around his waist. Halo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Halo misses with a hook from the clinch.

Halo pulls guard successfully.

Halo isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Karlsson stacks Halo on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Karlsson!
Halo wants to control but Karlsson postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson decides to stand back up.
A swing and a miss from Karlsson.
Karl Karlsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A swing and a miss from Karlsson.
Halo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karlsson.

Halo 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 has his feet on Halo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice sprawl there from Karlsson as Halo shoots in.
Karlsson tests Halo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Halo shoots in but Karlsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Karl Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kassius Halo.
Karlsson takes a swing at Halo's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Halo dives in for a single leg takedown but Karlsson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Karlsson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Halo walks into a left hand.
Kassius Halo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Halo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Karlsson to the ground. Halo is now in Karlsson's guard.
Halo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Halo throws a big right hand that misses.
Karlsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Karlsson is looking to stand up but Halo isn't so interested in that idea.
Karlsson can't keep his opponent in guard - Halo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Halo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Karlsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Halo.
Halo throws a strike but Karlsson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Karlsson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Halo is controlling him.
Halo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Karlsson's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Halo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Halo throws a strike but Karlsson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Halo working for a triangle but Karlsson defends it easily.
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!

Halo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Karlsson is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Karlsson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karlsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Halo is just out of range.
Karlsson walks into a left hand.
Karlsson lands with a straight right. Halo didn't see that one coming.

Halo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Halo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Halo throws a strike but Karlsson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Karlsson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Halo misses with a hook. Karlsson ducked under it nicely.
Halo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Halo with the counter takedown but Karlsson avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Karlsson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses.
Karlsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson throws a head kick that Halo semi-blocks.
Halo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karlsson manages to avoid it.

Halo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Karlsson was covering up waiting for the punch and Halo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Halo scoring with punches to the head and body.

Halo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Karlsson dives on top into guard.

Halo has his feet on Karlsson's thighs here. He's pushed Karlsson off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Karlsson screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kassius Halo!
Kassius Halo is the new light heavyweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Kassius Halo gave a big smile as he said 'There isn't a fighter alive that I cannot make submit or go to sleep on the mat. There's no guessing, i will take you down.'.