PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boomer Douglas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karelin comes to the cage accompanied by Russian National Anthem. Douglas has chosen Bodies as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Karelin
vs
Douglas

190 cm
23
275 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

191 cm
20
248 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

5th Round
5th Round

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 4 - 1 - 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boomer Douglas!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Douglas misses with the combination.
Douglas lands a slapping body shot.

Karelin catches Douglas napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Douglas to the canvas!

It looks like Boomer Douglas has been cut.
Karelin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karelin trying to control but Douglas is working from the bottom.
Douglas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Douglas 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.
Karelin trying to control from the bottom.
Douglas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Karelin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Karelin tries to roll over but Douglas keeps him under control.
Douglas slows the pace down in half guard.
Karelin wants to improve his position but Douglas is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Douglas is trying to control the action in half guard but Karelin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Douglas prevents Karelin from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Karelin wants to clinch up but Douglas keeps it at a distance.
Douglas scores with a nice head shot.
Douglas swinging wilding here.
Karelin lands with an overhand left.
Douglas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Karelin sprawls well. Karelin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Douglas gets slowly back to his feet.
Douglas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karelin.
Douglas scores with the left hand. Karelin knows he should have avoided that one.
Karelin wants to clinch up but Douglas keeps it at a distance.
Karelin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Douglas.
Douglas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Karelin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karelin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Douglas keeps working.
Karelin scoring with punches from side control.
Douglas is looking for a sweep.
Karelin working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Douglas is trying to control Karelin's posture but Karelin avoids it.
Karelin is looking to take a break and control but Douglas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Karelin prevents Douglas from escaping the position.
Douglas is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Douglas manages to work his way to half guard, despite Karelin's best efforts.
Karelin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Karelin is trying to control. Douglas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Douglas is trying to stand.
Douglas looks gassed!
Douglas is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Douglas is looking for a sweep. Karelin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Karelin stalling.
Douglas is looking to control Karelin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Douglas avoid being mounted?
Douglas might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Karelin kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Douglas actively working from the bottom here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Karelin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Karelin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Douglas keeps working.
Karelin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Douglas preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Douglas is looking for a sweep. Karelin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Karelin prevents Douglas from improving his position.
Douglas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Karelin scores with a couple of nice shots.
Douglas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Karelin scores with a couple of nice shots.
Karelin is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Douglas is hurt! He's hurt bad - Karelin fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Douglas from any more punishment! Congratulations to Karelin! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aleksandr Karelin!