PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kirk Karwoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Channell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Karwoski
vs
Channell

210 cm
23
287 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

191 cm
29
250 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kirk Karwoski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keith Channell!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Channell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Karwoski. That did some damage!
Karwoski blocks the body kick.
Channell slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Karwoski thows a body shot but no joy.
Channell looks for the body kick but Karwoski saw that one coming.
Channell takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Channell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Karwoski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Channell throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Karwoski jabs Channell right on the nose. Channell blinks but takes it well.
Channell shoots for a double leg takedown but Karwoski sprawls well. He's pushed Channell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Channell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Karwoski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Channell.
Channell misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Channell throws a wild body kick that Karwoski sees coming a mile off.
Channell lands with a thumping leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Karwoski.
Channell thows a body kick. Karwoski tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Karwoski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Channell was well out of range. Poor timing from Karwoski.
Karwoski misses with an uppercut.
Channell throws a solid leg kick but Karwoski takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Channell.
Channell fails with a takedown attempt.
Kirk Karwoski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Channell.
Channell lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Kirk Karwoski has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karwoski thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Channell if he has to take too many more of those.
Kirk Karwoski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Channell misses the shot to the body.
Karwoski lands a jab to Channell's midsection.
Channell throws a leg kick but Karwoski sees it coming and moves out of range.
Channell misses with a body kick.
Channell looks for the body kick but Karwoski saw that one coming.
Karwoski thows a leg kick but Channell checks it
and Channell counters with a three punch combo that has Karwoski backing up. Karwoski nods at Channell to acknowledge the strikes.
Karwoski throws out a powerful jab.
Channell looks for the body kick but Karwoski saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick from Channell misses.
Karwoski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Channell was well out of range. Poor timing from Karwoski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Channell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A lazy body kick from Channell
and Karwoski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Channell just misses with a punch to the body.
Karwoski connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Keith Channell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Channell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Channell throws the kick towards the body but Karwoski avoids it.
A combination from Channell does no damage.
Karwoski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Karwoski thows a leg kick but Channell checks it

and Channell counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Karwoski struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Channell scores with a couple of short elbows.
Channell lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Karwoski down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Channell trying to control the position but Karwoski is working away.
Karwoski takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Karwoski is trying to control Channell's posture but Channell avoids it.
Karwoski tries to bench press Channell off him but Channell keeps the position.
Channell throws a strike aimed at the side of Karwoski's head but Karwoski avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Channell is trying to get an arm triangle but Karwoski is defending well.
Channell working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Channell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kirk Karwoski's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A leg kick checked by Channell.
Karwoski moves out of range of the body kick from Channell.
Karwoski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Karwoski keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Channell. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Karwoski checks the leg kick nicely there.
Channell misses with a hook to the body
and Karwoski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice jab there from Karwoski.
Karwoski lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Karwoski misses with an uppercut.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Channell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Channell working the strikes but Karwoski uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karwoski moves into full guard.
Channell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Channell postures up in Karwoski's guard and throws a big left but Karwoski blocks it.
Channell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Channell trying to control the position from guard on top but Karwoski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Channell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Channell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Channell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Karwoski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Channell postures up in Karwoski's guard and throws a big left but Karwoski blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Channell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karwoski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karwoski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Channell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Channell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karwoski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Channell.
Channell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Karwoski's guard.
Karwoski wants to control but Channell is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Channell looks to land a strike but Karwoski avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Channell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karwoski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Channell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karwoski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Channell postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Channell throws a strike but Karwoski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Channell is trying to keep Karwoski in close.
Channell keeping full guard, as Karwoski tries to pass.
Karwoski prevents Channell from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Channell is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kirk Karwoski just wasn't active enough.
Channell checks a leg kick.
Karwoski takes a swing at Channell's ribcage but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Channell.
Channell checks the leg kick nicely there.
Channell delivers a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Channell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kirk Karwoski's cut.
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!

Karwoski lands a two punch combo.
Karwoski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Channell checks the leg kick.
Karwoski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Channell gets off balance looking for a body kick
enabling Karwoski to counter with a crisp jab.
Karwoski is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Channell misses with a combination
and Karwoski counters with a stiff right hand.
Channell throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Karwoski counters with a one-two to the body.
Channell takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A shot to the liver by Channell. Beautiful body shot.
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!
Channell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Channell. That's going to slow Karwoski down.
Karwoski fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Karwoski misses with a straight right.
Channell turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Channell throws the kick towards the body but Karwoski avoids it.
Channell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Karwoski avoids a kick to the body.
Channell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karwoski moves away.
Karwoski throws a right and a left that both miss.
Channell fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kirk Karwoski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Keith Channell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karwoski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Channell motions for Karwoski to come forward. Channell throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Channell. Karwoski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Channell tries a low kick but Karwoski avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Channell.
Channell takes one on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Channell looks to land a body kick but Karwoski moved away.
Channell moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Channell lands with a thumping leg kick.
Channell misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karwoski misses with a two punch combination.
Channell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Channell misses with a body kick.
Karwoski misses with a leg kick.
Channell throws a nice inside leg kick.
Karwoski avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Channell wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Karwoski throws a hook but Channell blocks it.
Karwoski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Channell scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Channell looks for the body kick but Karwoski saw that one coming.
Karwoski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Channell.
A cross from Karwoski lands.
Karwoski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Channell.
Channell scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Karwoski uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Channell lands a two punch combo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Channell tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Karwoski swivels and escapes.
Channell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Karwoski rather than just go for the knockout.
Channell throws a low kick, looking for Karwoski's leg but Karwoski calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keith Channell.
Well Channell 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Channell!
An out of breath Keith Channell thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.