PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Karaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Fedorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Karaev
vs
Fedorov

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

166 cm
19
197 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Karaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Fedorov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fedorov leaves Karaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fedorov throws a hook but Karaev blocks it.
Fedorov throws a right hand that Karaev ducks under and follows up with a left that Karaev also avoids with ease.
Karaev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Fedorov.
Karaev scores with a punch to the head.
Fedorov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Karaev sprawls well. Karaev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fedorov gets slowly back to his feet.
Karaev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fedorov.
Karaev shoots in for a takedown but Fedorov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fedorov swinging wildly here.
Karaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fedorov but Fedorov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Karaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Karaev shoots in for a takedown but Fedorov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Karaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Karaev shoots in but Fedorov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Fedorov has eaten all the pies!
A combination from Fedorov does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karaev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fedorov is trying to maintain the position but Karaev is very close to passing his half guard.
Karaev is looking to pass Fedorov's guard but actually Fedorov recovers to full guard.
Karaev throwing strikes but missing.
Karaev scoring with some ground and pound.

Karaev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fedorov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Karaev has Fedorov in his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karaev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Karaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Karaev, not yet.
Karaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Karaev tries to get out of the position.
Fedorov wants to control from the top but Karaev keeps moving.
Karaev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fedorov is one step ahead there.
Karaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fedorov on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karaev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Karaev wants to sweep here but Fedorov controlling him for the moment.
Karaev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Karaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fedorov's waist but Fedorov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Karaev off to one side.
Karaev scores with a one two! Fedorov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fedorov looks gassed!
Fedorov shoots in looking for a takedown. Karaev tries to sprawl out of it but Fedorov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Karaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Karaev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karaev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Fedorov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Karaev.
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!
Karaev throws a good cross that connects.
A left and a right from Karaev both land. Nice combination.

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

Fedorov is rocked!
Karaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fedorov as he avoids it easily.
Fedorov is still on wobbly legs! Can Karaev finish him?
Karaev connects with a nice cross there... Fedorov is looking wobbly and Karaev recognises it - he's rushed in and lands two more brutal shots that send Fedorov to the canvas, out cold! A brutal finish to the fight - Karaev jumps onto the cage to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Ruslan Karaev!