PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 4940 p4p, 181 weight class) and Bungle Davis (ranked 4414 p4p, 169 weight class). Davis has chosen Working Class Hero as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Karelin
vs
Davis

194 cm
25
268 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
280 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandr Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bungle Davis!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin loads up on a big right hand but Davis slips the punch.

Karelin moves into the clinch.

Davis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Davis sprawls well. Davis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karelin gets slowly back to his feet.
Davis swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Karelin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Davis.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Davis! But no joy.
Davis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Karelin.
Karelin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Davis counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Karelin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karelin throws a poor cross that misses
and Davis counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Karelin looking to score a takedown here. Davis is defending well but Karelin drives through and ends up in Davis's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Karelin drops back looking for a leg! Davis is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Davis manages to kick Karelin off! Karelin jumps back into Davis's guard.
Davis tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karelin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Davis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Karelin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Karelin postures up in Davis's guard and throws a big left but Davis blocks it.
Karelin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Davis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Karelin.
Karelin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Karelin stands and throws Davis's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Davis is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
Karelin is looking to take a break and control but Davis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Karelin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Davis is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karelin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Davis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Davis is looking for a sweep.
Karelin misses with the ground and pound.
Davis parries the strikes from Karelin easily there. Karelin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Davis to escape.
Karelin in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Karelin trying to control the position but Davis is working away.
Davis dodges the ground and pound from Karelin.
Karelin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Davis is looking to regain half guard here but Karelin keeps moving and retains side control.
Karelin throws a strike aimed at the side of Davis's head but Davis avoids it well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Davis can do anything to dispel that myth.
Karelin working the strikes but Davis uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin thows a huge punch but Davis dodges it nicely.

Karelin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Davis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karelin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Davis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Karelin working Davis over with strikes.
Karelin misses with a head shot. Davis uses the momentum to regain guard.
Karelin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Davis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Davis keeping moving, preventing Karelin from controlling successfully.
Karelin stands and throws Davis's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin trying to control the action but Davis is working from the bottom.
Karelin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Davis managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Karelin.
Karelin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Davis is avoiding damage well.
Karelin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Davis tries to buck Karelin off but Karelin is having none of it.

Karelin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Karelin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Davis parries the strikes from Karelin easily there. Karelin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Davis to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Karelin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Karelin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Davis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Karelin misses the shot to the body.
Karelin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Davis was well out of range. Poor timing from Karelin.
Davis raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Karelin is looking to wear down Davis with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Karelin swings away with a body shot that misses
and Davis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aleksandr Karelin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Davis lands a leg kick that knocks Karelin off balance momentarily.
Karelin misses with the combination.
Karelin misses with a shot to the body
and Davis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Karelin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Davis throws out a counter right but Karelin avoids it with no problem.
Karelin throws an off balance right hand
and Davis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Davis throws a right hand that misses

and Karelin counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Davis!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karelin creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Davis sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin throws an elbow but Davis slips to the side and avoids it well.
Davis parries the strikes from Karelin easily there. Karelin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Davis to escape.
Davis manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Karelin throwing shots but Davis is blocking nicely.
Karelin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karelin trying to control from half guard but Davis is working away.
We've been informed that Davis has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Karelin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Davis sees it coming and defends easily.
Karelin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Davis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karelin.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Davis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karelin.
Karelin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Karelin tries to pass to full mount but Davis defends it.

Karelin is working for a submission of some sort.

Karelin seems to be working for a kimura but Davis defends the submission attempt.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis trying to hold on to Karelin's head to control him but Karelin postures up.
Karelin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Davis can do to turn this around?
Karelin misses with a head shot. Davis uses the momentum to regain guard.
Karelin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Karelin trying to control but Davis is working from the bottom.
Karelin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Davis is trying to keep Karelin in close.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Karelin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Karelin trying to control but Davis is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Karelin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Karelin misses with a takedown attempt - Davis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Davis misses with a wild body shot.
Davis circles away from the clinch attempt
and Davis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Karelin lands with a good body shot.
Davis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Karelin as he avoids it easily.
Karelin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karelin throws a body punch but Davis moves out of range.
Davis shoots in but no luck this time.
Aleksandr Karelin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bungle Davis.
Davis throws a hook to the side of Karelin's head but Karelin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Karelin dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Davis misses with an uppercut.
Karelin moves out of range of the strikes.
Karelin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Davis was well out of range. Poor timing from Karelin.
It seemed like Davis was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Karelin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Davis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Karelin throws a lazy right hand but Davis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Davis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Davis dips to his left and cracks Karelin with an uppercut!

Karelin closes the distance and clinches.
Davis stops a takedown attempt from Karelin.
Karelin wants to take the fight to the mat but Davis manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Karelin has him pressed against the cage.

Davis breaks the clinch.

Karelin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Davis is trying to break the clinch but Karelin is controlling him.

Davis breaks the clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Davis enables Karelin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Davis manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is looking to work some ground and pound but Davis has wrist control.
Karelin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karelin throwing strikes but missing.
Karelin prevents Davis from getting back to his feet.
Karelin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Karelin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karelin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Davis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karelin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karelin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Davis can't keep his opponent in guard - Karelin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Davis's head.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Davis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Davis is trying to stand up here but Karelin is controlling him well.
Karelin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Davis's head.

Karelin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Davis is just riding it out for now. Karelin eventually gives up the hold.
Karelin is trying to control. Davis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Karelin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Still in half guard, Karelin seems content to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Davis trying to control here.
Karelin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karelin throwing shots but Davis is blocking nicely.

Karelin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Davis is just riding it out for now. Karelin eventually gives up the hold.
Davis is looking for a sweep. Karelin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bungle Davis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karelin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Karelin not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Karelin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Karelin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Davis defends it well.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aleksandr Karelin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Karelin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Karelin thows a huge punch but Davis dodges it nicely.
Karelin is trying to control the action in half guard but Davis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Karelin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Davis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Karelin.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandr Karelin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Karelin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Karelin!
Aleksandr Karelin gave a mention to Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).