PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karol Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sokolov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bloodrocuted. Marcus Karlsson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sokolov
vs
Karlsson

194 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
265 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karol Sokolov !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov scores with a nice strike.
Some wild striking there from Sokolov .
Sokolov fails to land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from Sokolov .
Sokolov throws a left that rocks Karlsson and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Sokolov dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Karlsson regain composure!

Karlsson is rocked!

It looks like Marcus Karlsson has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sokolov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Karlsson is still in real trouble! Can Sokolov finish him?
Sokolov tries to score with some ground and pound. Karlsson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Karlsson seems to have recovered his senses.
Karlsson being controlled for a moment.
Karlsson wants to control but Sokolov postures up.
Karlsson is trying to improve his position.
Karlsson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson gets back to half guard.
Sokolov is tying to control. Karlsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sokolov is working for a kimura but Karlsson is defending it quite comfortably.
Karlsson is looking to control Sokolov 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Karlsson avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch combination from Sokolov misses.
Sokolov is breathing heavily.
Karlsson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sokolov 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Sokolov duly obliges.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Karlsson.
Karlsson shoots in but Sokolov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sokolov lands with a straight right. Karlsson didn't see that one coming.
Sokolov looks to land a combination but Karlsson avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson scores with a takedown into Sokolov 's guard.
Karlsson is looking to work some ground and pound but Sokolov has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karlsson wants to control from the top but Sokolov keeps moving.
Karlsson pushing down on Sokolov 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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!
Sokolov is trying to stand back up but Karlsson is controlling him
Sokolov is refusing to be controlled, as Karlsson sits in half guard.
Sokolov is trying to stand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Karlsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karlsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sokolov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Karlsson shoots in and bounces Sokolov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Karlsson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson wants to get up but he can't break Sokolov 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sokolov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sokolov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Karlsson is controlling him.
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Karlsson from controlling successfully.
Karlsson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sokolov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sokolov 's corner calls for a 1-2. Sokolov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Karlsson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Karlsson working away.
Karlsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sokolov keeps working.
Karlsson working away.
Sokolov is not content to let Karlsson control the position.

Karlsson stands up and we're back to a striking position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sokolov stuffs the takedown attempt from Karlsson. Karlsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Karol Sokolov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Karlsson.
Sokolov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karol Sokolov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marcus Karlsson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Karlsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sokolov looks to land a left hand but Karlsson moved out of range nicely.
Karlsson shoots in but Sokolov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Karlsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sokolov .
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown but Sokolov shows good takedown defense.
Sokolov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karlsson.
Karlsson tries to clinch up.
Karol Sokolov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sokolov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Karlsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sokolov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sokolov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Karol Sokolov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Karlsson.
Sokolov throws an overhand right that lands on Karlsson's shoulder, as Karlsson tries to avoid the shot.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown but Sokolov shows good takedown defense.
Sokolov throws a lazy right hand but Karlsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Karlsson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sokolov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sokolov is keen to just control but Karlsson is a slippery customer.
Karlsson keeping hold of Sokolov 's head, controlling as best he can.

Karlsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sokolov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Karlsson trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karlsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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.

Sokolov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Karlsson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Karlsson has escaped and now he's on top!

Sokolov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sokolov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karlsson is one step ahead there.
Karlsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Sokolov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sokolov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Karlsson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Sokolov .
Karlsson trying to control the position but Sokolov is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov is looking for a sweep.
Karlsson scoring with punches from side control.
Karlsson just content to control the position.

Karlsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sokolov is looking to regain half guard here but Karlsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Sokolov is working hard here to advance position.
Sokolov is trying to control Karlsson's posture but Karlsson avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sokolov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Marcus Karlsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karlsson trying to control the action but Sokolov is working from the bottom.
Karlsson working away.
Sokolov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Karlsson.
Sokolov is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Karlsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marcus Karlsson'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Karlsson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sokolov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Sokolov breaks from the clinch.
Sokolov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sokolov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Karlsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Karol Sokolov is winning the standup battle so far.
Karlsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sokolov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Karlsson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Karol Sokolov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Karlsson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sokolov .
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sokolov as he avoids it easily.
Karlsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Karol Sokolov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Karlsson rushes Sokolov and presses him up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sokolov is trying to break the clinch but Karlsson has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sokolov wants to stall.
Sokolov wants to get back to striking at distance but Karlsson won't allow it.

Karlsson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Karlsson passes Sokolov 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sokolov wants to get back to his feet.
Sokolov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sokolov wants to get back to full guard.
Sokolov is refusing to be controlled, as Karlsson sits in half guard.
Karlsson is thwarting Sokolov 's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson throwing shots but Sokolov is blocking nicely.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Karlsson tries for a takedown but Sokolov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sokolov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Karlsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Sokolov scores with a hook.

Karlsson has Sokolov up against the cage in a clinch.
Karlsson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sokolov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sokolov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Karlsson.
Karlsson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Karlsson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sokolov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Karlsson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sokolov prevents it.
Karlsson blocks an uppercut.
Karlsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karlsson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sokolov prevents it.
Sokolov wants to break free but Karlsson has control.
Karlsson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sokolov has had enough of the clinch but Karlsson keeps him there for the moment.
Karlsson tries for a takedown but Sokolov manages to get underhooks.
Karlsson fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Karlsson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sokolov prevents it.
Karlsson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sokolov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Karlsson is trying to drag Sokolov to the mat but Sokolov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sokolov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sokolov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Karlsson is keeping busy.
Sokolov can't break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marcus Karlsson.
I think Karlsson 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marcus Karlsson!