PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heinrich zu Lichtenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). zu Lichtenberg is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: the devils right hand. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Karelin
vs
zu Lichtenberg

200 cm
26
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Heinrich zu Lichtenberg!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says zu Lichtenberg as he avoids it easily.

Karelin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Karelin trying to control the position but zu Lichtenberg is working away.

Karelin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Karelin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but zu Lichtenberg is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Karelin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karelin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Karelin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, zu Lichtenberg has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Karelin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Karelin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Karelin advances nicely into full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karelin is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But zu Lichtenberg has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from zu Lichtenberg!
Karelin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Karelin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Karelin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and zu Lichtenberg defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Karelin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
zu Lichtenberg is looking to stand up but Karelin won't let him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Karelin working for a triangle but zu Lichtenberg defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Karelin dominated that round.
That's time! Karelin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Karelin tries to clinch up but zu Lichtenberg circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karelin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Karelin ducks right into an uppercut from zu Lichtenberg.
zu Lichtenberg stuffs the takedown attempt from Karelin. Karelin gets slowly back to his feet.
Karelin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around zu Lichtenberg's waist but zu Lichtenberg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Karelin off to one side.
A solid body kick from zu Lichtenberg.
Karelin shoots in for a double leg but zu Lichtenberg sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karelin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. zu Lichtenberg tries to avoid it but Karelin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag zu Lichtenberg to the ground. zu Lichtenberg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
zu Lichtenberg wants to clinch up but Karelin keeps it at a distance.
zu Lichtenberg moves in looking to clinch but Karelin pushes him off.
zu Lichtenberg lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
zu Lichtenberg cracks Karelin with an open hand slap.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
zu Lichtenberg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Karelin swivels and escapes.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by zu Lichtenberg!
Alexander Karelin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from zu Lichtenberg.
Karelin blocks the body kick.

zu Lichtenberg instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for zu Lichtenberg.

zu Lichtenberg manages to break the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg wants to clinch up but Karelin keeps it at a distance.

zu Lichtenberg moves into the clinch.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

zu Lichtenberg clinches up against the cage.
zu Lichtenberg lands a body punch in the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

zu Lichtenberg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
zu Lichtenberg lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

zu Lichtenberg gets a clinch.
zu Lichtenberg lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Alexander Karelin has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
zu Lichtenberg lands with a short shot to the head.

zu Lichtenberg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

zu Lichtenberg gets in close and instigates a clinch.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg scores with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
zu Lichtenberg looks to land a combination. Karelin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
zu Lichtenberg tries to close the distance and clinch but Karelin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from zu Lichtenberg misses.
zu Lichtenberg fails in his attempt to clinch.
zu Lichtenberg cracks Karelin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
zu Lichtenberg is looking to clinch.
zu Lichtenberg scoring well with a low kick there.
zu Lichtenberg lands a jab to the nose.

zu Lichtenberg darts in and clinches Karelin up against the cage.
Nice body punch from zu Lichtenberg - that landed with a thud.

zu Lichtenberg manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Still in the clinch, zu Lichtenberg scores with a nice short uppercut.
Karelin is working for takedown but zu Lichtenberg is calmly controlling the position for now.
zu Lichtenberg tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Karelin avoids it.
zu Lichtenberg lands a body shot.

zu Lichtenberg manages to break the clinch.

zu Lichtenberg gets a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by zu Lichtenberg.

zu Lichtenberg manages to break the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A jab from zu Lichtenberg finds it's way through Karelin's defenses.
zu Lichtenberg looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Karelin is fending him off so far but zu Lichtenberg persists. Nope, Karelin circles away and we're back to standing.
Karelin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Karelin circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Karelin wants it to stay on the feet.
zu Lichtenberg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch but Karelin is having none of it.
zu Lichtenberg throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

zu Lichtenberg gets in close and instigates a clinch.

zu Lichtenberg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
zu Lichtenberg fails with an attempt to clinch.
zu Lichtenberg doesn't manage to clinch there - Karelin circles away.

zu Lichtenberg rushes Karelin and presses him up against the cage.
zu Lichtenberg lands an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
zu Lichtenberg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from zu Lichtenberg.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch.
Heinrich zu Lichtenberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
zu Lichtenberg wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heinrich zu Lichtenberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Karelin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

zu Lichtenberg tries to close the distance and clinch but Karelin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
zu Lichtenberg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

zu Lichtenberg clinches with his opponent.
Karelin is trying to drag zu Lichtenberg to the mat but zu Lichtenberg just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
zu Lichtenberg lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
zu Lichtenberg lands with a light punch inside.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch but Karelin moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
zu Lichtenberg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
zu Lichtenberg throws a combination. Karelin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
zu Lichtenberg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Karelin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as zu Lichtenberg sprawls well. zu Lichtenberg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karelin gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from zu Lichtenberg.
zu Lichtenberg displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
zu Lichtenberg pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Karelin back to the cage. zu Lichtenberg follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch up but Karelin circles away and keeps his distance.
Karelin swats away the attempt to clinch by zu Lichtenberg.
Karelin takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
zu Lichtenberg bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
zu Lichtenberg fails in his attempt to clinch.

zu Lichtenberg has closed the distance and engaged Karelin in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for zu Lichtenberg.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch up but Karelin circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
zu Lichtenberg pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Karelin back to the cage. zu Lichtenberg follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

zu Lichtenberg moves into the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karelin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. zu Lichtenberg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

zu Lichtenberg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from zu Lichtenberg both land. Nice combination.
zu Lichtenberg tries to clinch there but Karelin circles away.
Karelin stuffs the takedown.

Karelin gets tackled into the cage by zu Lichtenberg. zu Lichtenberg maintains the clinch.
zu Lichtenberg scores with a hook to the body.
Nice elbow from zu Lichtenberg.
Nice body punch from zu Lichtenberg.
zu Lichtenberg looking to stall.

zu Lichtenberg manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
zu Lichtenberg tries to close the distance and clinch but Karelin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
zu Lichtenberg tries for a takedown but Karelin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
zu Lichtenberg with a body punch. A glancing blow.
zu Lichtenberg swinging wildly here.
Karelin avoids the head kick by zu Lichtenberg.
zu Lichtenberg is looking to clinch but Karelin is avoiding it.
Karelin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karelin takes a jab right on the kisser.
zu Lichtenberg moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Karelin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Karelin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but zu Lichtenberg swivels and escapes.

Karelin scores with a takedown into zu Lichtenberg's guard.
Karelin postures up in zu Lichtenberg's guard and throws a big left but zu Lichtenberg blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karelin has gone for a leg lock! zu Lichtenberg slips out almost immediately though and dives into Karelin's guard.
Karelin trying to keep a closed guard but zu Lichtenberg is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Karelin working for a triangle but zu Lichtenberg defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heinrich zu Lichtenberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think zu Lichtenberg has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Heinrich zu Lichtenberg!