PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Vi Karlson (ranked 2914 p4p, 345 weight class) and Kure Takenao (ranked 1067 p4p, 142 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vi Karlson
vs
Takenao

180 cm
26
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

184 cm
19
202 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Kore Fight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Magnus Vi Karlson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Kure Takenao!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Karlson enables Takenao to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Karlson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Takenao pushes down on Karlson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Takenao seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Karlson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Karlson wants to get back to full guard.
Karlson wants to get back to his feet.
Takenao is trying to control the action in half guard but Karlson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takenao working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Takenao seems to be looking for submissions.
Takenao trying to control from half guard but Karlson is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takenao is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Karlson is not content to let Takenao control the position.

Takenao is trying to work for a kimura but Karlson is defending well.
Karlson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Takenao wants to take a breather but Karlson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlson wants to improve his position but Takenao is controlling well.
Takenao trying to control from half guard but Karlson is working away.

Takenao is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Karlson defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Takenao is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Karlson sees it coming and defends easily.
Karlson trying to control here.
Takenao is trying to control the action in half guard but Karlson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Takenao seems to be working for a kimura but Karlson defends the submission attempt.
Karlson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Takenao on the ground.
Takenao is trying to control the action in half guard but Karlson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Takenao.
Takenao is looking to take a break and control but Karlson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Takenao is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Takenao is thwarting Karlson's attempts to control the position.
Karlson is looking for a sweep. Takenao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Takenao is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karlson is defending against the submission attempts here by Takenao.

Takenao is looking for a kimura here.

Takenao is working for a kimura but Karlson is defending it quite comfortably.
Takenao is trying to control. Karlson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kure Takenao dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Karlson scores with a nice strike.
Karlson loads up on a big right hand but Takenao slips the punch.
Takenao slips a jab from Karlson.
Karlson swings widly with a right hand

and Takenao counters with a shoot takedown. Karlson fights it but they end up in guard.
Takenao stays in close to Karlson's body and controls the position.
Karlson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Karlson seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Takenao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takenao prevents Karlson from getting back to his feet.
Takenao trying to control the position from guard on top but Karlson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Takenao passes into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlson is trying to get back to full guard.
Kure Takenao has got the better of the ground game so far.

Takenao is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Karlson is just riding it out for now. Takenao eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takenao is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Karlson is just riding it out for now. Takenao eventually gives up the hold.

Karlson is kicking away at Takenao from the bottom - trying to push off and stand up. Takenao grabs hold of a leg and drops back for a heel hook! The two fighters roll across the mat, with Karlson trying to push Takenao off... Karlson taps! He's tapped! This one is all over! A throwback to the old Pancrase there with an infrequently seen submission hold! Nice work.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Heel Hook). Kure Takenao!