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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Juravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaly Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Karelin's choice of entrance music: Russian National Anthem. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 182 cm
31
240 lbs
21 - 6 - 0 |
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183 cm
29
289 lbs
13 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Juravlev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Vitaly Karelin!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and James Atkins.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Juravlev.
Nice takedown defense from Juravlev. No joy for Karelin on that attempt.
Juravlev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Juravlev gets a clinch.
Juravlev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Karelin blocks an uppercut.
Karelin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Juravlev lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Juravlev tries to work over Karelin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Juravlev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juravlev just leaning against Karelin, taking a breather.
Karelin tries a body shot but Juravlev blocks it.
Juravlev misses with the head strike.
Juravlev is leaning against Karelin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Juravlev lands a hook that snaps the head of Karelin backwards.
Juravlev misses with the head strike.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Juravlev.
Juravlev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Juravlev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
It looks like Vitaly Karelin has been cut.
Karelin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Juravlev tries a body shot but Karelin blocks it.
Karelin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Juravlev's elbow.
Karelin slowing the pace effectively.
Juravlev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Juravlev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Juravlev works on Karelin's body with a couple of short punches.
Juravlev lands a right hand.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Juravlev blocks an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Juravlev.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Juravlev.
Juravlev scores with a shot to the side of Karelin's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karelin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Juravlev lands a nice shot to the body.
Karelin looks winded!
A body shot lands from Juravlev.
Juravlev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Karelin looking for a takedown.
Alexey Juravlev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaly Karelin.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Juravlev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Juravlev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Juravlev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Karelin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karelin is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Juravlev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Karelin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karelin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Juravlev clinches with his opponent.
Juravlev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Karelin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Juravlev is defending well.
Juravlev digs a right hand underneath Karelin's ribcage. Karelin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karelin misses with the head strike.
Juravlev swings wildly with an uppercut but Karelin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to drag Juravlev to the mat but Juravlev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A bit of stalling here from Juravlev.
Juravlev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Juravlev struggles to land a body shot inside as Karelin controls his hands.
Juravlev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
That has opened up Vitaly Karelin's cut even more.
Juravlev throws a punch but it's blocked by Karelin.
Karelin turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Karelin manages to end up in side control.
Juravlev is trying to get back to half guard.
Juravlev is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin working the ground and pound.
Juravlev is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
Karelin is trying to ground and pound but Juravlev uses the momentary lack of control by Karelin to regain half guard.
Karelin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Juravlev kicks Karelin off and gets back to his feet.
We've been told by Juravlev's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelin moves away from the strike by Juravlev.
Karelin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Juravlev, as that shot connected.
Juravlev ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alexey Juravlev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitaly Karelin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Karelin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Juravlev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Karelin counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Juravlev!
Juravlev bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Alexey Juravlev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Juravlev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karelin moves away.
A big right from Juravlev misses.
Juravlev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karelin can do to turn this around?
Karelin shoots in and drives through. Juravlev sprawls well.
A big left from Juravlev misses.
Juravlev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Karelin defending well as Juravlev loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Karelin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Juravlev is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Karelin dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Juravlev tries to bench press Karelin off him but Karelin keeps the position.
Karelin trying to control the position but Juravlev is working away.
Juravlev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Karelin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Juravlev wants to control but Karelin postures up.
Karelin fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Juravlev tries to buck Karelin off but Karelin is having none of it.
Juravlev is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
Karelin cracks Juravlev with a big right hand but Juravlev just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev wants to control but Karelin postures up.
Juravlev wants to get back to his feet but Karelin drags him back down.
Juravlev defending against the ground and pound.
Karelin throws a strike aimed at the side of Juravlev's head but Juravlev avoids it well.
Juravlev is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
Juravlev pushes Karelin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Karelin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Karelin working the head and body with strikes.
Juravlev tries to improve position but can't.
Karelin tries to move into full mount but can't pass Juravlev's legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Karelin off and has taken his back!
Juravlev tries to keep control of the position but Karelin is staying busy.
Juravlev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Karelin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Juravlev is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Karelin trying to control the hands but Juravlev breaks the grip.
Karelin is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Will Juravlev go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Juravlev controlling the position well here. Karelin rolled but Juravlev kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Juravlev is not going to allow Karelin to sit and survive in this position.
Juravlev controlling from the back.
Karelin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Juravlev's guard. Nice work there by Karelin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Alexey Juravlev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vitaly Karelin'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.
Karelin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Juravlev to the ground. Karelin is now in Juravlev's guard.
Juravlev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Juravlev wriggles free and stands up.
Juravlev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Karelin under the eye.
Juravlev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karelin slips under a jab.
Alexey Juravlev is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin misses with a body shot.
Karelin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the body from Juravlev misses
and Karelin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Juravlev won't be happy with that.
Juravlev throws Karelin to one side and escapes!
That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Juravlev misses.
Karelin shoots and misses
and Juravlev counters with a right hand to the body.
Karelin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fight stays on the outside here - Juravlev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Juravlev here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Karelin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Karelin connects with a crisp jab.
Juravlev tries to clinch up but Karelin circles away and keeps his distance.
Juravlev throws a hook but Karelin blocks it.
Karelin with the counter takedown but Juravlev avoids it easily.
Juravlev misses with an uppercut. Karelin saw that one coming.
Juravlev lands with an overhand left.
Juravlev scores with a jab. Karelin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The cut above Vitaly Karelin's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Juravlev connects with a right hand. Karelin shakes it off.
Juravlev lunges at Karelin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Karelin's hand.
Vitaly Karelin's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Juravlev misses with a series of wild punches.
Karelin wants to clinch up but Juravlev keeps it at a distance.
Juravlev throws a right and a left that Karelin avoids nicely.
Karelin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Juravlev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A nice left hand lands by Juravlev.
Karelin tries to circle away but Juravlev has him pinned against the cage.
Karelin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Juravlev can't find room to land a body shot as Karelin controls the action.
Juravlev presses Karelin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Juravlev is stalling here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev pushes Karelin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Juravlev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hand to the body from Juravlev.
Juravlev lands an uppercut.
The referee calls the doctor in to look at Vitaly Karelin's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Alexey Juravlev!
Alexey Juravlev retains his heavyweight title!
A victorious Alexey Juravlev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
42% |
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