PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hemmo Karhu (ranked 2088 p4p, 1973 weight class) and Mike Bard (ranked 273 p4p, 258 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Karhu
vs
Bard

183 cm
19
224
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
205
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hemmo Karhu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Bard!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Darius Henderson and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karhu moves forwards but Bard connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Karhu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bard counters with an inside leg kick.
Karhu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bard!
Bard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Karhu.
Karhu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Karhu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bard moves away.
Bard misses with a wild combination.
And Karhu counters with a quick kick to the body but Bard blocks it.
Bard tries to land a leg kick but Karhu saw it coming and moves away.
Karhu swings for the body but Bard moves out of range.
Karhu throws the kick towards the body but Bard avoids it.
Bard now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Karhu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bard.
Karhu takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karhu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Karhu shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Karhu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu chips away with some ground and pound.
Karhu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bard looking for a sweep. Not yet Bard, not yet.
Karhu stands up over Bard, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Karhu wants to control from the top but Bard keeps moving.

Bard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Karhu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bard will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Karhu postures up and lands a big shot to Bard's brow.
Karhu scoring with some ground and pound.
Karhu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bard is keeping the position for now.
Bard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Karhu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karhu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Karhu lands a couple of digs.
Bard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Karhu cracks Bard with a solid left hand.
Karhu distracts Bard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Karhu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karhu chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karhu works over Bard with some ground and pound from guard.
Karhu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bard wants to sweep here but Karhu controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bard keeping moving, preventing Karhu from controlling successfully.
Karhu landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karhu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karhu is working Bard over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karhu trying to control but Bard is working from the bottom.
Karhu connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bard looking for a sweep. Not yet Bard, not yet.
Karhu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Karhu working some strikes from top position.

Bard is rocked!
Karhu loads up on a big left hand. Bard felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Karhu looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Bard can't hide his disappointment, as Karhu celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hemmo Karhu!