PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Caleb Carouthers (ranked 1697 p4p, 3940 weight class) and Jack Reaper (ranked 233 p4p, 479 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Carouthers
vs
Reaper

191 cm
26
213
4 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
205
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $110 160q Rec&St

Arcticus University: London

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Caleb Carouthers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Reaper!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reaper tries to close the distance and clinch up but Carouthers swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Reaper tries to clinch but Carouthers moves away
and Carouthers counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Reaper moves into the clinch successfully.
Carouthers misses with a body punch.
Carouthers blocks an elbow strike from Reaper.
Reaper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Carouthers has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Reaper working aggressively here.
Reaper misses with the head strike.
Carouthers blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Carouthers goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Carouthers fails to pull guard.
Carouthers changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reaper fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reaper is looking to clinch.
It looked like Carouthers was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Reaper.
The fight stays on the outside here - Reaper looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Carouthers throwing a counter right hand but Reaper manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carouthers circles away from the clinch attempt
and Carouthers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carouthers circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reaper misses with a series of wild punches.

Reaper closes the distance and clinches.
Carouthers blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Reaper can't find room to land a body shot as Carouthers controls the action.
Reaper struggles to land a body shot inside as Carouthers controls his hands.
Reaper trying to land knees to the body.
Reaper throws a punch but it's blocked by Carouthers.
Carouthers drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caleb Carouthers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reaper can't find room to land a body shot as Carouthers controls the action.
Carouthers fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Carouthers prevents a body shot from Reaper.
Reaper connects with a nasty looking knee right to Carouthers's face.

Reaper is fighting off a takedown attempt but Carouthers is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Reaper to the mat. Reaper regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Reaper keeping moving, preventing Carouthers from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reaper can do anything to dispel that myth.
Carouthers preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carouthers sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Reaper's guard.
Reaper is trying to get back to full guard.
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!
Carouthers moves into full mount! Reaper won't be happy about that!
Reaper is wriggling around trying to escape.
Carouthers wants to control the pace but Reaper is squirming around nicely.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Carouthers with a couple of short strikes.
Carouthers prevents Reaper from getting the reversal.
Carouthers landing shots from mount.
Carouthers punishing his opponent with strikes.
Carouthers can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Reaper is looking to escape.
Carouthers controlling from mount.
Reaper tries to hold on but Carouthers postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carouthers is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Reaper to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Reaper shrugs it off.
Reaper tries to lock up and control but Carouthers gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Reaper working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carouthers trying to control but Reaper is having none of it.
Reaper is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Reaper gets back to half guard.
Carouthers winds up and cracks Reaper with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Reaper moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Reaper wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Carouthers has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Carouthers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reaper is keeping the position for now.
Carouthers stays in close to Reaper's body and controls the position.
Reaper has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Shut Up & Train! {$1000}. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Carouthers trying to control the position from guard on top but Reaper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carouthers stopping the sweep attempt from Reaper.
Carouthers forces his way into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Carouthers's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carouthers trying to control from half guard but Reaper is working away.
Reaper manages to get to full guard.
Carouthers advances position into side control!
Reaper is trying to control Carouthers's posture but Carouthers avoids it.
Reaper is looking for a sweep.
Carouthers advances to full mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Carouthers 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.

Reaper moves into the clinch.
Reaper creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Carouthers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reaper misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Carouthers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reaper can do to turn this around?
Reaper trying to land knees to the body.
Carouthers blocking some punches.
A short left from Carouthers.
Reaper misses with the head strike.
Carouthers drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reaper pulls his leg out and moves away.
Reaper moves to clinch but Carouthers breaks away
and Carouthers counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jack Reaper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carouthers circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carouthers avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Carouthers feinted with a counter takedown.

Reaper has Carouthers up against the cage in a clinch.
Reaper tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Reaper keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Carouthers's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carouthers wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Reaper prevents a body shot from Carouthers.
Carouthers is trying to break free.
Carouthers tries to break free but Reaper pushes him back against the cage.
Carouthers drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reaper pulls his leg out and moves away.
Reaper tries to clinch

and Carouthers counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Reaper!
Reaper trying to control but Carouthers flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Reaper looking very determined here, making life difficult for Carouthers.
Reaper looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Reaper rolls, trying to escape but Carouthers keeps control of the position.
Reaper looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Reaper rolls, trying to escape but Carouthers keeps control of the position.
Carouthers lands with a hammerfist to the side of Reaper's head.
Reaper tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carouthers looking to break Reaper's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Reaper remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Carouthers will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Carouthers is looking to control Reaper but Reaper is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Carouthers working for the choke.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Carouthers working for the choke.
Reaper trying to control but not successfully.
Reaper breaks Carouthers's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Carouthers keeping full guard, as Reaper tries to pass.
Reaper throws a strike but Carouthers rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Reaper is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Reaper keeping moving, preventing Carouthers from controlling successfully.
Caleb Carouthers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carouthers postures up in Reaper's guard and throws a big left but Reaper blocks it.
Carouthers is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reaper lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Reaper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carouthers is keeping the position for now.
Carouthers wants to sweep but no luck.
Carouthers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Reaper's guard.

Carouthers advances to half guard.
Reaper is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Carouthers there.
Reaper tries to get to full guard but Carouthers has control of the leg.
Carouthers is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Reaper wants to control but Carouthers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Carouthers is trying to control. Reaper wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carouthers tries to pass the half guard into mount. Reaper knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Reaper makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Reaper.
Carouthers postures up.
Reaper wants to sweep here but Carouthers controlling him for the moment.
Reaper is controlling Carouthers's posture.
Carouthers works over Reaper with some ground and pound from guard.
Carouthers distracts Reaper with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Reaper is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Reaper's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Reaper is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Reaper controlling Carouthers's posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Caleb Carouthers dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Reaper forces Carouthers back against the cage and clinches.
Carouthers is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Carouthers wants to take the fight to the mat but Reaper manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reaper.
Reaper throws a head punch that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Reaper.
Reaper misses with a punch on the inside.
Reaper landing knees to the head.
Carouthers avoiding damage as Reaper throws knees to the body.
Carouthers avoids a wild elbow strike from Reaper.
Carouthers avoiding damage as Reaper throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carouthers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reaper blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reaper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Carouthers avoids it.
Carouthers wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Reaper looking to stall.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Carouthers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reaper pushes off an throws an elbow but Carouthers leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Reaper struggles to land a body shot inside as Carouthers controls his hands.
Carouthers wants to break free but Reaper has control.
Carouthers prevents a body shot from Reaper.
Carouthers prevents a body shot from Reaper.
Carouthers tries to break the clinch but Reaper is controlling the position.
Carouthers on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reaper can't find room to land a body shot as Carouthers controls the action.
Reaper prevents a body shot from Carouthers.
Carouthers tries to stall but Reaper uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Carouthers wants to get back to striking at distance but Reaper won't allow it.
Reaper swings wildly with an uppercut but Carouthers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carouthers blocks a body shot from Reaper.
Reaper tries a body shot but Carouthers blocks it.
Carouthers blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Carouthers blocks a body shot from Reaper.
Carouthers blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carouthers is trying to drag Reaper to the mat but Reaper just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caleb Carouthers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reaper goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jack Reaper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carouthers can't get the takedown.
Reaper throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reaper keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Carouthers's efforts to push away.
Reaper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Carouthers is defending well for now.
Carouthers wants to get back to striking at distance but Reaper won't allow it.
Jack Reaper seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Carouthers lands a shot to the body.
Reaper tries to land a knee to the head but Carouthers blocks with his arms.
Reaper tries a body shot but Carouthers blocks it.
Reaper missing with knees to the body.
Carouthers has Reaper pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Reaper manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Reaper misses with an elbow strike.
Reaper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Carouthers avoids it.
A short uppercut from Carouthers.
Reaper throws a punch but it's blocked by Carouthers.
Carouthers is looking to break free of the clinch but Reaper has double underhooks.
Caleb Carouthers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Carouthers jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Reaper walks away with a smile on his face. Carouthers gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Reaper pushes Carouthers up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reaper working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Carouthers.
Reaper is pressed up against the cage. Carouthers has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Reaper down to the mat. Reaper avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Reaper tries to clinch up.
Carouthers swats away the attempt to clinch by Reaper.
Reaper tries to close the distance and clinch up but Carouthers swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Reaper wants to clinch
and Carouthers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reaper wants to clinch
and Carouthers makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Reaper tries to close the distance and clinch but Carouthers swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Carouthers decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Reaper's guard.

Reaper escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Carouthers gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Reaper manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Carouthers manages to get himself to full guard.

Reaper content to stall in guard here.
Carouthers working a defensive guard here.
Carouthers manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reaper manages to get himself to full guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Carouthers forces his way into half guard.
Reaper regains full guard. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Reaper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Carouthers 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Caleb Carouthers!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Caleb Carouthers waved his t-shirt featuring Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $110 160q Rec&St's logo in front of the cameras.