PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Harper (ranked 2921 p4p, 118 weight class) and Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 3382 p4p, 153 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Chris Harper has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Chris Harper seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Harper
vs
Karelin

187 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

194 cm
25
268 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Harper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandr Karelin!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Harper misses.
Harper misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karelin.
Karelin misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Harper was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Karelin.
Karelin throws a lazy right hand but Harper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karelin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Karelin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Karelin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab by Harper.
Karelin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Harper is looking to clinch.
Harper lands a body shot.

Harper pushes Karelin up against the cage in a clinch.
Karelin wants to take the fight to the mat but Harper manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Karelin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Harper after a bit of a struggle.
Karelin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Harper gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Chris Harper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandr Karelin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harper lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Harper lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Harper lands with a left to the head.
Harper tries to throw a body punch but Karelin avoids it by throwing Harper back against the cage.
Harper definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Harper makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Karelin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A hook to the body from Harper.
Karelin looks winded!
Harper is leaning against Karelin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Harper struggles to land a body shot inside as Karelin controls his hands.
Harper lands a body shot in the clinch.
Harper scores with a shot to the side of Karelin's head.
Harper lands a nice shot to the body.
Harper can't find room to land a body shot as Karelin controls the action.
Karelin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Harper is defending well.
Karelin is trying to drag Harper to the mat but Harper just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Harper lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Harper lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Harper lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Harper lands a right hand.
Karelin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Karelin goes for a takedown attempt but Harper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Harper clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harper tries to throw a body punch but Karelin avoids it by throwing Harper back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Harper misses with a body punch.
Harper pushes Karelin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Harper lands with a right to the head.
Harper lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Karelin or not.
Nice body punch from Harper.
Harper misses with a hook to the ribs.
Harper doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Harper digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Harper scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Harper.
Harper pushes Karelin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Harper lands with a short shot to the head.
Harper tries a body shot but Karelin blocks it.
Harper pushes Karelin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Harper lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Karelin or not.
Harper tries to work over Karelin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Harper tries to throw a body punch but Karelin avoids it by throwing Harper back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Harper.
Harper misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Harper lands a nice shot to the body.
A short body shot lands from Harper as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Harper scores with a hook to the body.
Harper lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Karelin.
Harper digs a right hand into Karelin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Karelin's gas tank.
Nice body punch from Harper.
Harper digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Harper lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Harper.
Harper lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Harper creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Karelin is rocked!
Harper creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Karelin's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Karelin drops to his knees and Harper pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chris Harper!
An out of breath Chris Harper thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.