PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Alzate (ranked 2100 p4p, 289 weight class) and Karl Karlsson (ranked 970 p4p, 145 weight class). Karlsson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 300 Violin Orchestra . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Alzate
vs
Karlsson

188 cm
28
210 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

195 cm
35
224 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

OLIMPO

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Niko Alzate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson scores with a leg kick.
Karlsson missing with a left hand there. Alzate was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Alzate takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Karlsson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Karlsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Karlsson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Alzate wants to clinch.
A combination from Alzate does no damage.
Karlsson feints a counter leg kick.
Karlsson throws a nice looking combination but Alzate bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alzate tried to counter with a leg kick but Karlsson avoided it.
Alzate scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karlsson doesn't seem bothered though.
Alzate misses with a looping right.
Karlsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Karlsson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Alzate. Alzate obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alzate closes the distance and clinches.
Karlsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Alzate won't allow it.

Karlsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alzate scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Alzate loads up on a big right hand but Karlsson slips the punch.
Alzate throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karlsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Alzate fires out a quick counter leg kick but Karlsson just manages to avoid it.
That kick from Alzate tenderised Karlsson's leg. Karlsson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Karlsson misses with a hook. Alzate ducked under it nicely.
Karlsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alzate.
Alzate wants to clinch up but Karlsson keeps it at a distance.
Karlsson misses with a series of wild punches.
Alzate uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Karlsson.
Karlsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson scores with a kick to the midsection.
Alzate tries to clinch there but Karlsson circles away.
Karlsson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Alzate checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Alzate moves out of range of the body kick.
Decent striking displayed by Alzate there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An inside leg kick lands from Alzate.
Some wild striking there from Karlsson.
Karlsson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Alzate has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Karlsson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Alzate closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Karlsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alzate.
Karlsson has had enough of the clinch but Alzate keeps him there for the moment.
Alzate working aggressively here.
Karlsson has had enough of the clinch but Alzate keeps him there for the moment.
Alzate misses with a punch on the inside.
Alzate throws a punch but it's blocked by Karlsson.
Alzate has a couple of punches blocked by Karlsson.

Karlsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Karlsson looks to land a left hand but Alzate moved out of range nicely.
Karlsson is looking to land body kicks.
As Karlsson looks to move away, Alzate throws a big counter combo but Karlsson just gets out of the way.
Karlsson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Alzate pushes Karlsson up against the cage in a clinch.

Karlsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alzate moves to clinch but Karlsson breaks away
and Alzate takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Niko Alzate has been cut.

Alzate closes the distance and clinches.
Alzate has a couple of punches blocked by Karlsson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alzate throws a head punch that misses.
Alzate softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Alzate misses with a short punch on the inside.
I was talking to Alzate's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Karlsson has had enough of the clinch but Alzate keeps him there for the moment.
Alzate misses with the head strike.
Alzate lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from Alzate on the inside.
Karlsson tries to circle away but Alzate has him pinned against the cage.
Karlsson looking to slow down the pace here.

Karlsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
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 Niko Alzate will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Niko Alzate's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Karlsson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Alzate.
Karlsson lands an overhand right.
Karlsson lands an overhand right.
Karlsson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karlsson misses with an uppercut
and Alzate counters with a leg kick.

Alzate moves into the clinch successfully.
Alzate has a couple of punches blocked by Karlsson.
Alzate tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alzate misses with the head strike.
Alzate misses with the head strike.
Niko Alzate has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Karlsson working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karlsson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alzate.
Karlsson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Alzate seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Karlsson can turn it around.
Alzate fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson is trying to break free.
Alzate working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karlsson.
A bit of stalling here from Karlsson.
Karlsson is looking to control Alzate's arms but Alzate gets an underhook and turns him. Now Karlsson has his back to the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alzate.
Alzate gets through Karlsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Karlsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alzate wants a takedown.
Karlsson tries to break free but Alzate pushes him back against the cage.
Alzate can't get the takedown.

Karlsson manages to break the clinch.
Alzate throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alzate throws a jab but it's blocked by Karlsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alzate slips a jab from Karlsson.
Alzate was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Alzate is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses.
Alzate scores with a jab to the body.
Alzate tries to clinch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Alzate connects with a body shot that sends Karlsson's belly button to the back.
Karlsson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Karlsson misses with the combination.
Alzate is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Karlsson misses with an uppercut
and Alzate counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alzate misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alzate ducks under a wild hook from Karlsson.
Alzate tried to counter with a leg kick but Karlsson avoided it.
Alzate takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Karl Karlsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alzate fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alzate drives through and clinches with Karlsson against the cage.
Alzate is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karlsson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Alzate. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karlsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Alzate won't allow it.
Karlsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Karlsson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alzate has him pressed against the cage.
Alzate is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Alzate misses with a punch on the inside.

Karlsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Karl Karlsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Alzate finds it's way through Karlsson's defenses.
Alzate displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Karlsson throws out the jab.
Alzate misses with a right hand
enabling Karlsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Alzate lands a glancing blow to the side of Karlsson's head.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alzate circles away quickly and effectively.
Karlsson throws a body punch but Alzate moves out of range.
Alzate wants to clinch but Karlsson slips to the side
and Karlsson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Alzate moves out of range as Karlsson strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alzate tries to clinch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Alzate throws a jab but it's blocked by Karlsson.
Alzate fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alzate tries to clinch up.
Alzate wants to clinch up but Karlsson keeps it at a distance.
Karlsson throws an overhand right that lands on Alzate's shoulder, as Alzate tries to avoid the shot.
Karlsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alzate was well out of range. Poor timing from Karlsson.
Alzate slips a jab and a cross from Karlsson.
Alzate lands with an overhand left.
Karlsson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
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 Niko Alzate will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Niko Alzate's cut.
That's time! Alzate's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Alzate looks to clinch
and Karlsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Alzate with a hook.

Alzate rushes Karlsson and presses him up against the cage.

Karlsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Alzate clinches up with Karlsson and pushes him back against the cage.
Karlsson blocking some punches.

Alzate breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alzate on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Karlsson. Karlsson obviously looking to wear him down.
Karlsson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Alzate moves out of range as Karlsson strikes.

Alzate rushes Karlsson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Alzate lands an uppercut.
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!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Alzate.

Karlsson breaks the clinch.
Alzate avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alzate half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alzate fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alzate throws a leg kick which misses Karlsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Karlsson tries to avoid it.
Karlsson throws an off balance right hand
and Alzate cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Karlsson.
Karlsson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Karlsson misses with a straight left.
Alzate tries to close the distance and clinch up but Karlsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karlsson misses with a double jab.
Alzate sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Alzate moves into range and clinches up with Karlsson.
Alzate keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karlsson's efforts to push away.

Karlsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alzate does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Alzate gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alzate misses with the head strike.
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!
Alzate prevents Karlsson from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Karlsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alzate tries to clinch but Karlsson moves out of range.
Alzate tries to close the distance and clinch but Karlsson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alzate wants to clinch.
Karlsson keeps the fight on the outside.
Karlsson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Alzate has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alzate on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Alzate throws a nice inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alzate. Karlsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Karlsson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice uppercut lands for Karlsson. That snapped Alzate's head back.
Alzate lands with a thumping leg kick.
Karlsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alzate circles away quickly and effectively.
Karlsson lands with a cross.
Alzate throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alzate throws a sloppy head kick
and Karlsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Alzate throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karlsson.
Karlsson unleashes a big counter combination but Alzate bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Karlsson misses with a few strikes there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karlsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Karlsson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Alzate tries to close the distance and clinch up but Karlsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alzate ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karlsson moves away.
Karlsson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson lands a left and a right that send Alzate crashing to the mat, dazed. Karlsson thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Alzate is rocked!
Karlsson throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Alzate's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Karlsson dives in looking to finish as Alzate flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Karlsson's strikes! Karlsson is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Alzate's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Alzate was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:12 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karl Karlsson!
An out of breath and clearly excited Karl Karlsson thanked Freebok (85% Laundry) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).