PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krister Soderberg (ranked 1619 p4p, 1863 weight class) and Khadem Abdul Karim (ranked 187 p4p, 209 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Khadem Abdul Karim was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Soderberg
vs
Abdul Karim

180 cm
24
195
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
28
203
13 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Furnace Performance 🔥

Groove Gear
HELL'S BALLS 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Krister Soderberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Khadem Abdul Karim!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, John Mangel and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdul Karim lands a jab.
Abdul Karim tries to close the distance and clinch up but Soderberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Abdul Karim clinches with his opponent.

Abdul Karim has hold of one of Soderberg's legs. Soderberg is fighting the takedown attempt but Abdul Karim gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Soderberg not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Abdul Karim cracks Soderberg with a solid left hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abdul Karim won't allow Soderberg to sweep him here.
Abdul Karim controlling from the top position.
Abdul Karim wants to control from the top but Soderberg keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdul Karim won't allow Soderberg to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Karim wants to control from the top but Soderberg keeps moving.
Abdul Karim won't allow Soderberg to sweep him here.
Abdul Karim showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Abdul Karim slaps away a takedown attempt from Soderberg, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick from Abdul Karim lands but Soderberg takes it in his stride.
Abdul Karim throws a shot to the body.
Abdul Karim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soderberg avoids the head kick by Abdul Karim.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Abdul Karim as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Abdul Karim darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Soderberg fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krister Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdul Karim throws a head kick but Soderberg moves out of range.
Abdul Karim displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Soderberg.
Khadem Abdul Karim is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abdul Karim pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Abdul Karim clinches up against the cage.
Abdul Karim prevents Soderberg from breaking the clinch.

Abdul Karim gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Soderberg regains guard.
Abdul Karim must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
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!
Abdul Karim trying to control but Soderberg is working from the bottom.

Soderberg working for a triangle but Abdul Karim defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Karim won't allow Soderberg to sweep him here.
Abdul Karim trying to control the position from guard on top but Soderberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdul Karim controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Abdul Karim trying to control the position from guard on top but Soderberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Soderberg trying to keep a closed guard but Abdul Karim is proving a slippery customer.
Soderberg managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Abdul Karim pushes Soderberg up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Abdul Karim has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Soderberg regains guard immediately.
Abdul Karim trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khadem Abdul Karim dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Abdul Karim leaves Soderberg with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Soderberg fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Abdul Karim just misses with a punch to the body.
Soderberg shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Abdul Karim pinned against the cage. Abdul Karim gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krister Soderberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Abdul Karim has clasped his hands together around Soderberg's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Soderberg tries to improve position but can't.
Soderberg is not content to let Abdul Karim control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Who's going to make the next move?
Soderberg tries to bench press Abdul Karim off him but Abdul Karim keeps the position.
Abdul Karim in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Soderberg struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Abdul Karim just content to control the position.
Soderberg is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Soderberg's face as Abdul Karim controls the position.
Khadem Abdul Karim has got the better of the ground game so far.
Abdul Karim is continuing to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Abdul Karim moves out of range of the strikes.
Abdul Karim misses with a few strikes there.
Soderberg tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Abdul Karim manages to circle out of the way.
Soderberg has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Karim throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soderberg half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Soderberg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Abdul Karim defends it nicely.
Abdul Karim unleashes a big counter combination but Soderberg bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Abdul Karim misses with the combination.
Soderberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Abdul Karim.

Abdul Karim has Soderberg up against the cage in a clinch.
Soderberg changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Abdul Karim fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Soderberg looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Soderberg shoots in and drives through. Abdul Karim sprawls well.
Abdul Karim has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Soderberg is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Soderberg takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Abdul Karim swivels and escapes.
Soderberg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Abdul Karim but Abdul Karim pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Abdul Karim tries to clinch but Soderberg moves out of range.
Abdul Karim tries a head kick but it misses.
Soderberg is looking to counter the offense by Abdul Karim and move into the clinch.
Krister Soderberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abdul Karim punishes Soderberg's body with a nice straight punch.
Abdul Karim connects with a high kick.
Sloppy strikes from Abdul Karim. Those never looked like landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abdul Karim looks to land a right hand but Soderberg moved out of range.

Soderberg moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Soderberg tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Abdul Karim smiles and moves away.
Abdul Karim misses with a head kick.
Abdul Karim has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Abdul Karim dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Khadem Abdul Karim showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Abdul Karim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Abdul Karim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Abdul Karim tries a head kick but it misses.
Khadem Abdul Karim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Abdul Karim gets a clinch.

Soderberg is fighting off a takedown attempt but Abdul Karim is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Soderberg to the mat. Soderberg regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Abdul Karim trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Soderberg manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Soderberg passes Abdul Karim's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soderberg looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Soderberg sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Abdul Karim trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Karim is not content to let Soderberg control the position.
Abdul Karim tries to roll over but Soderberg keeps him under control.
Abdul Karim trying to control but Soderberg postures up.
Soderberg tries to pass to full mount but Abdul Karim defends it.
Abdul Karim is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Soderberg is thwarting Abdul Karim's attempts to control the position.
Abdul Karim is looking for a sweep. Soderberg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Soderberg is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Abdul Karim throws a combination that misses

and Soderberg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Abdul Karim!
Abdul Karim can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg tries to move to mount but Abdul Karim blocks the move with his legs.
Abdul Karim is letting Soderberg control him for a moment.
Abdul Karim is trying to improve his position.
Abdul Karim is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Soderberg trying to control the action but Abdul Karim is working from the bottom.
Abdul Karim is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Soderberg tries to stand but Abdul Karim is controlling his head.
Abdul Karim is looking for a sweep.
Soderberg wants to control but Abdul Karim is keeping him busy.
Abdul Karim is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Krister Soderberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Krister Soderberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Abdul Karim has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khadem Abdul Karim!
After winning the bout, Khadem Abdul Karim thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.