PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ansis Kaupens (ranked 2827 p4p, 3088 weight class) and Frank Karuso (ranked 359 p4p, 388 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kaupens
vs
Karuso

200 cm
19
190
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
195
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Karuso!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaupens punishes Karuso's body with a nice straight punch.
Karuso has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kaupens is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Karuso tries to close the distance and clinch but Kaupens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kaupens throws a big shot that misses.
A cross from Karuso lands.
Karuso misses with a wild combination.
Kaupens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karuso walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kaupens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Frank Karuso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Kaupens.
Karuso steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kaupens.
Kaupens jabs Karuso to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Karuso is looking to clinch.
Kaupens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karuso has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kaupens connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Karuso tries to clinch up.
Kaupens lands a two punch combo.
Karuso swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens looks to land a right hand but Karuso moved out of range.
Kaupens scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kaupens connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Karuso instigates a clinch.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Kaupens swats away the attempt to clinch by Karuso.
Kaupens connects with a single shot there.
Kaupens keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kaupens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Karuso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Kaupens takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kaupens scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karuso walks into a left hand.

Karuso is rocked!
Karuso tries to clinch but Kaupens moves out of range.
Karuso tries to clinch but Kaupens is having none of it.
Kaupens is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kaupens darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Karuso displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kaupens throws out the jab.
Kaupens works Karuso's body with a nice hook.
Karuso tries to clinch but Kaupens is having none of it.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Karuso's shoulder, as Karuso tries to avoid the shot.
A jab lands there for Kaupens.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Karuso sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karuso throws a body punch but Kaupens moves out of range.
Kaupens was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kaupens swats away the attempt to clinch by Karuso.

Karuso moves into the clinch successfully.

Kaupens's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kaupens lands a nice shot that snaps Karuso's head back.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Karuso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karuso tries to close the distance and clinch but Kaupens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Karuso moves away from the strike by Kaupens.
Karuso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Karuso fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kaupens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Karuso with a jab.

Karuso clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karuso.
Kaupens is leaning against Karuso and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kaupens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Kaupens sizes up Karuso with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Karuso moves into range and clinches up with Kaupens.
Karuso lands a left hand.
Kaupens misses with the head strike.
Karuso prevents a body shot from Kaupens.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.
Karuso gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Karuso tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kaupens was well out of range. Poor timing from Karuso.
It looked like Kaupens wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kaupens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kaupens is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Karuso tries to clinch up but Kaupens circles away and keeps his distance.
Karuso fails with an attempt to clinch.
Karuso thuds a left hand into Kaupens's body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karuso looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kaupens is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Karuso throws a shot to the body.
Kaupens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Karuso clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kaupens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kaupens with a jab.
Karuso moves in looking to clinch but Kaupens pushes him off.
Kaupens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Karuso back to the cage. Kaupens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Karuso avoids a punch combination nicely.
Karuso lands a jab to Kaupens's midsection.
Karuso scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Karuso.
Karuso misses the body punch
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
Karuso wants to clinch.
Kaupens misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karuso throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karuso takes one to the chin there.
Karuso looks to land a right hand but Kaupens moved out of range.
Karuso tries to clinch there but Kaupens circles away.
Kaupens was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Karuso takes one to the chin there.
Kaupens has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens lands with a hook. Karuso tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Karuso fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kaupens looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kaupens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kaupens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karuso.

Oooooh!!! Kaupens has knocked Karuso down with a huge combo! Kaupens steps away and waves a wobbly Karuso back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Karuso is still on wobbly legs! Can Kaupens finish him?
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!
Karuso uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaupens.
Karuso tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kaupens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kaupens is looking to counter punch.
Kaupens throws a jab when Karuso was well out of range.
Karuso seems to have recovered his senses.
Karuso closes the distance looking to clinch
and Karuso takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from Kaupens does it's job there.

Karuso gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A right hand to the body from Karuso.
Karuso swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karuso can't find room to land a body shot as Kaupens controls the action.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kaupens's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kaupens's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens prevents a body shot from Karuso.

Kaupens pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kaupens avoids the body shot from Karuso.
A little feinted left hand from Kaupens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ansis Kaupens is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaupens scores with a nice right hand.
Kaupens takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Karuso walks into a straight right hand from Kaupens.
Kaupens circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karuso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Karuso misses with an uppercut.
A little feinted left hand from Kaupens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kaupens slips a jab from Karuso.
Kaupens is looking for a counter combo.
Karuso uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaupens.
Karuso is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karuso lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens punishes Karuso's body with a nice straight punch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Karuso takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Karuso tries to clinch but Kaupens moves out of range.
A jab from Kaupens misses.
Karuso connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice shot lands for Kaupens.
Karuso uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaupens.
Kaupens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kaupens throws a hook but Karuso blocks it.
Karuso tries to clinch up.
Kaupens is looking to counter punch.
Karuso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Kaupens misses with a body shot.
Karuso looks to clinch
and Kaupens counters with a straight right hand.
Karuso fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kaupens connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karuso ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.
A little jabbing left from Karuso on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A jab lands there for Karuso.
Kaupens misses with a looping left.
Nice cross by Kaupens.

Karuso clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.
Karuso lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Kaupens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kaupens throws a nice looking combination but Karuso bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kaupens slips a straight right by Karuso.
Karuso looks to throw the jab but Kaupens is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kaupens.
A little feinted left hand from Kaupens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Karuso takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Karuso has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Karuso takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kaupens bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ansis Kaupens dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Karuso tries to move into range but Kaupens moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Karuso moves out of range.
Kaupens throws a body shot but no joy.
Karuso misses with a wild body shot.
Karuso looks to land a right hand but Kaupens moved out of range.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
Karuso moves in looking to clinch but Kaupens pushes him off.
Kaupens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karuso can do to turn this around?
Kaupens throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Karuso on the side of the head.

Karuso forces Kaupens back against the cage and clinches.
Kaupens working aggressively here.
Frank Karuso seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kaupens throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Karusos head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaupens swings wildly with an uppercut but Karuso uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karuso pushes Kaupens back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Karuso moves in looking to clinch but Kaupens pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karuso has Kaupens up against the cage in a clinch.
Karuso lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Karuso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kaupens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kaupens working hard to break the clinch.
Kaupens swings wildly with an uppercut but Karuso uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karuso prevents a body shot from Kaupens.
Karuso cracks Kaupens with a nice body shot.
Kaupens tries to work over Karuso's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Kaupens - that landed with a thud.
Karuso gets through Kaupens's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Karuso trying to control the position but instead, Kaupens has worked for underhooks and has pushed Karuso into the cage.
Karuso lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kaupens prevents a body shot from Karuso.
Frank Karuso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens working aggressively here.
Karuso lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kaupens backwards.
Karuso pushes Kaupens back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kaupens has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kaupens.
Karuso lands a hook that snaps the head of Kaupens backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch on the inside from Kaupens fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karuso.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.
Kaupens throws a big shot that misses.

Karuso closes the distance and clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kaupens blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Karuso lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kaupens backwards.
Karuso scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kaupens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Karuso scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens is trying to push Karuso away but Karuso has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kaupens blocks a body shot from Karuso.

Kaupens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Karuso. Kaupens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Karuso tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaupens swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kaupens lands a jab.
Kaupens lands a head shot.
Karuso throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Karuso throws out a loose jab but Kaupens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kaupens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karuso.
Karuso thuds a left hand into Kaupens's body.
Kaupens swinging wildly here.
Kaupens sets himself, and Karuso steps forward looking for the clinch! Kaupens avoids it this time.
Karuso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens scores with a nice strike.
Karuso is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karuso lands a body shot.
Karuso misses with a straight left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karuso takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Karuso instigates a clinch.
Kaupens throws a head punch that misses.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Karuso misses with a punch on the inside.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Kaupens controls his hands.
Karuso scores with a shoulder strike.
A frustrated look appears on Kaupens's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Karuso blocks an uppercut.
Kaupens tries to break free but Karuso pushes him back against the cage.
Ansis Kaupens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Karuso tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Karuso comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kaupens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ansis Kaupens!