PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Al Hallick (ranked 236 p4p, 12 weight class) and Vitaly Karelin (ranked 418 p4p, 21 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.

Hallick
vs
Karelin

193 cm
37
218 lbs
32 - 11 - 0

183 cm
39
282 lbs
34 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Al Hallick!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Vitaly Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karelin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Karelin is trying to control the action in half guard but Hallick is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Karelin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Karelin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karelin throwing shots but Hallick is blocking nicely.
Karelin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hallick defending well though.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Karelin throwing shots but Hallick is blocking nicely.
Hallick blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karelin.
Karelin misses with a head shot. Hallick uses the momentum to regain guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karelin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallick keeping moving, preventing Karelin from controlling successfully.
Karelin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karelin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hallick works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karelin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hallick has control of Karelin's left arm, preventing Karelin from doing any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Karelin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hallick avoids the body shot from Karelin.
Hallick looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Karelin shoots in for a double leg but Hallick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Hallick wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Karelin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hallick swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Karelin to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Al Hallick has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Hallick.
Hallick stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hallick wants it to stay on the feet.
Hallick throws a head kick but Karelin moves out of range.
Vitaly Karelin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karelin throws a body shot but no joy.
Karelin misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Hallick counter with a right hand.
Hallick keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karelin.
Hallick missing with a left hand there. Karelin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Karelin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Hallick counter with a right hand.

It looks like Vitaly Karelin has been cut.
Al Hallick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaly Karelin.
Hallick uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karelin.
A slow jab from Hallick misses its intended target.
Karelin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karelin throws a sloppy body shot
and Hallick counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hallick throws out the jab.
Karelin feints the counter takedown.
Karelin checks a leg kick.
Karelin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Karelin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hallick misses with a left hand
and Karelin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Karelin slips under a jab.
Karelin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Karelin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Hallick wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hallick is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Karelin throws a shot from downtown. Hallick moves away and avoids it.
Hallick misses with a straight right.
Hallick is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hallick seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hallick is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hallick looks to land a right hand but Karelin moved out of range.
Karelin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hallick.
Karelin throws a jab when Hallick was well out of range.
Hallick fires out a quick counter leg kick but Karelin just manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallick digs a good hook to Karelin's body.
Hallick misses with a lunging right hand
and Karelin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karelin lands with a right hand.
Karelin's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hallick connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Karelin scrambles back to his feet.
Hallick throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Karelin's head.
Hallick uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karelin.
Hallick lands a high kick!

That has opened up Vitaly Karelin's cut even more.
Karelin throws a hook but Hallick avoids it easily.
Hallick misses with a straight left.
Hallick misses with an uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Hallick.
Karelin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hallick. Hallick circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Karelin cracks a nice hook into Hallick's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Al Hallick will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hallick's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hallick uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Karelin has time to react.
Hallick throws a body shot but no joy.
Karelin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Karelin tries for a takedown but Hallick circles away easily
and Hallick counters with a straight right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Hallick as Karelin shoots in.
Hallick lands with a nice body punch.
Karelin moves out of range of the strikes.
Hallick dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Al Hallick is winning the standup battle so far.
Hallick lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallick missing with a left hand there. Karelin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Karelin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hallick is looking to counter punch.
Karelin looks to score with a jab to the body but Hallick is just out of range.
Karelin moves out of range as Hallick strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karelin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Karelin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karelin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Karelin working the head and body with strikes.
Hallick trying to control but Karelin postures up.
Karelin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hallick's head.
Karelin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Karelin throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hallick to regain full guard.
Karelin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hallick's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hallick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Karelin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Karelin wants to control from the top but Hallick keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karelin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hallick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hallick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hallick looks to score with a jab to the body but Karelin is just out of range.
Karelin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A lazy left from Karelin finds it's target.
Hallick throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin misses with a looping left.
Hallick is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Karelin.
Karelin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karelin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hallick throws a head kick that misses.
Hallick tries a head kick but it misses.
Karelin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hallick lands with a thumping leg kick.
Karelin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hallick.
Karelin misses with a left hand
and Hallick counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Karelin drives through with a takedown into Hallick's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hallick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Karelin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Karelin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Karelin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallick utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Karelin cracks Hallick with a solid left hand.
Hallick is trying to keep Karelin in close.
Karelin cracks Hallick with a solid left hand.
Karelin throws a big elbow that misses.
Karelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hallick's head.
Hallick looking to control.
Karelin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karelin lands a couple of elbows.
Karelin throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hallick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Al Hallick will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Karelin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hallick.
An attempted straight right counter from Hallick misses the target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Karelin, as that shot connected.
Karelin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karelin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Karelin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hallick misses with a hook. Karelin ducked under it nicely.
Hallick throws a right hand that misses
and Karelin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Karelin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hallick.
Hallick closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Karelin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Hallick uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck for Karelin with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hallick misses with a straight right.
Karelin fails with the takedown.
Hallick defending well as Karelin loads up on a big left hand.
Karelin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hallick throws a hook to the side of Karelin's head but Karelin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karelin throws a good cross that connects.
Karelin staying out of range there.
Karelin with a poor takedown
and Hallick counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Al Hallick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaly Karelin.
Karelin throws a right hand that misses
and Hallick counters with a low kick, right behind Karelin 's knee.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hallick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallick lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Karelin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hallick.
Hallick slips a jab from Karelin.
Hallick was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Karelin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hallick.
Hallick throws a good cross that connects.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Karelin misses the target.
Karelin misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Karelin is defended easily by Hallick.
Hallick stuffs the takedown attempt from Karelin. Karelin gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Karelin with that takedown attempt.
Karelin fails with the takedown
and Karelin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

The cut above Vitaly Karelin's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Al Hallick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hallick takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hallick jabs Karelin right on the nose. Karelin blinks but takes it well.
Hallick thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karelin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karelin lands with a good body shot.
Karelin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hallick can pounce on him.
Hallick jabs Karelin right on the nose. Karelin blinks but takes it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hallick.
Karelin throws a sloppy body shot
and Hallick counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Vitaly Karelin's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Hallick misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karelin.
Hallick fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karelin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karelin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hallick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Karelin.
Karelin throws a jab when Hallick was well out of range.
Hallick jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hallick misses with a left hand
and Karelin counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Hallick clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hallick takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Karelin lands a glancing blow to the side of Hallick's head.
A big left from Hallick misses.
Hallick misses with a low kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Karelin, as that shot connected.
Hallick throws a body punch but Karelin moves out of range.
Hallick drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Karelin throws a jab when Hallick was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallick lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hallick lands a slapping body shot.

Karelin gets a double leg takedown into Hallick's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hallick looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.
Karelin throws an elbow that misses. Hallick uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karelin's guard. Nice move by Hallick!

Hallick is looking to stand up but Karelin won't let him.
Karelin wants to sweep but no luck.
Karelin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Karelin misses with a head shot. Hallick uses the momentum to regain guard.
Karelin wants to control from the top but Hallick keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hallick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karelin is looking to work some ground and pound but Hallick has wrist control.
Karelin chips away with some ground and pound.
Karelin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karelin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Karelin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karelin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hallick works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karelin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hallick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Karelin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Al Hallick's cut is getting worse.
Karelin works over Hallick with some ground and pound from guard.

Al Hallick's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Karelin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hallick tries a head kick but it misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Karelin! But no joy.
Nice takedown defense from Hallick. No joy for Karelin on that attempt.
A lazy left from Karelin finds it's target.
A jab from Karelin does it's job there.

Hallick is rocked!

Jeez, Al Hallick's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Hallick takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Oh Hallick is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hallick ducks under a wild hook from Karelin.
Hallick throwing a counter right hand but Karelin manages to avoid it.
Karelin shoots in for a double leg but Hallick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hallick seems to have got his legs back now.
Hallick throws a looping overhand right but Karelin ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hallick throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Karelin counter with a right hand.
Karelin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Karelin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hallick's half guard.

Hallick manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hallick gets caught flat footed, as Karelin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hallick has Karelin pulled in close to control his posture.
Karelin throws an elbow that misses. Hallick uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karelin's guard. Nice move by Hallick!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Vitaly Karelin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Hallick throws a leg kick

and Karelin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Karelin.
Hallick is trying to control the position but Karelin postures up.
Karelin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.
Karelin wants to control from the top but Hallick keeps moving.
Karelin distracts Hallick with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hallick has control of Karelin's left arm, preventing Karelin from doing any damage.
Karelin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin lands a couple of elbows.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Al Hallick's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Vitaly Karelin!
Vitaly Karelin is the new super heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Vitaly Karelin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.