PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Kei Katsuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karlsson comes to the cage accompanied by Mayhem. Katsuro has chosen Drake/Travis Barker - Forever Remix! as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Karlsson
vs
Kei Katsuro

179 cm
23
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
151 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Einherjer RAW Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Kei Katsuro!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson misses with a looping right.
Ken Kei Katsuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Karlsson darts in and clinches Katsuro up against the cage.
Katsuro missing with knees to the body.
Karlsson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katsuro.
Katsuro is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karlsson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Karlsson is looking to control Katsuro's arms but Katsuro gets an underhook and turns him. Now Karlsson has his back to the cage.
Karlsson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Katsuro gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Katsuro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Karlsson.
Katsuro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Karlsson smiles and moves away.
David Karlsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Kei Katsuro.

Karlsson scores a takedown into full mount!
Karlsson throws some wild stikes that Katsuro manages to avoid easily.

Karlsson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Katsuro holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Karlsson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsuro regains half guard.
Katsuro trying to control from the bottom.
Karlsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Karlsson wants to control but Katsuro is keeping him busy.
Karlsson is looking to advance position but Katsuro won't allow it.

Karlsson seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Katsuro has recovered full guard.
Katsuro trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson won't allow Katsuro to get back to his feet.
Karlsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Katsuro is keeping the position for now.
Katsuro is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Katsuro prevents Karlsson from improving his position.
Karlsson is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Katsuro is thwarting Karlsson's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katsuro wants to take a breather but Karlsson is having none of it.
Karlsson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Karlsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Katsuro wants to take a breather but Karlsson is having none of it.
Karlsson tries to get to full guard but Katsuro has control of the leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Karlsson 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 trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karlsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Katsuro is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Karlsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Katsuro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Katsuro drops back, looking for a kneebar! Karlsson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Karlsson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Karlsson!
Karlsson cracks Katsuro with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Karlsson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Katsuro tries to clinch but Karlsson moves away

and Karlsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Karlsson is pressing down on Katsuro's thigh, looking to free his foot. Katsuro is holding on for now.
Katsuro works his way to full guard. Good work.
Karlsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Karlsson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Karlsson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Katsuro manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Karlsson controls Katsuro momentarily but Katsuro frees himself.

Karlsson working for submissions but it's allowed Katsuro to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson tries to roll over but Katsuro keeps him under control.
Karlsson is in trouble now - Katsuro has advanced to mount!
Karlsson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Katsuro fails to move to back control.

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.
Karlsson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Katsuro looking to control but Karlsson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Karlsson is trying desperately to improve position.
Karlsson tries to lock up and control but Katsuro gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Karlsson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Katsuro looking to control but Karlsson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson tries to reverse the position but Katsuro maintains control.
Katsuro manages to capitalize on a mistake by Karlsson to take his back!

Karlsson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Katsuro is breathing heavily.
Katsuro doesn't have the hooks in and Karlsson manages to turn into his guard.
Katsuro wants to stand but Karlsson is controlling the position.
Katsuro keeping moving, preventing Karlsson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Katsuro can't keep his opponent in guard - Karlsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Karlsson passes to full mount!
Karlsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Karlsson unloading with bombs!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Karlsson wants to finish this one by submission but Katsuro is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Karlsson.

Karlsson goes for an armbar but Katsuro turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Katsuro.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Karlsson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Katsuro as he avoids it easily.
Karlsson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Karlsson counters with a shoot takedown. Katsuro fights it but they end up in guard.
Katsuro wants to sweep here but Karlsson controlling him for the moment.
Katsuro can't keep his opponent in guard - Karlsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Karlsson wants to pass to mount but Katsuro is defending the position.
Katsuro is trying to stand.
Katsuro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Karlsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Katsuro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Karlsson looks to land a strike but Katsuro avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Karlsson looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Karlsson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Karlsson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Katsuro, who protects the arm well.
Karlsson scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Katsuro!
Karlsson works his way to his opponent's back.
Katsuro is trying to stand back up.

Karlsson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Katsuro is defending well though. Karlsson let's go of the attempt for now.
Katsuro tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Katsuro showing good submission defense here.

Karlsson has got his arm under Katsuro's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Katsuro has spun round into Karlsson's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Karlsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Karlsson has control of Katsuro's left arm, preventing Katsuro from doing any damage.
Katsuro stopping the sweep attempt from Karlsson.
David Karlsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ken Kei Katsuro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karlsson managing to control the position.
Karlsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Katsuro's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Karlsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Karlsson, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

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