PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Karaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Newman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larry Newman will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Karaev
vs
Newman

170 cm
22
181 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

S.W.A.T.

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Karaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Larry Newman!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karaev looks for a takedown but Newman sprawls well.
Karaev wants to clinch.

Newman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Newman showed some decent athleticism there.
Newman trying to pass the guard but Karaev defending well.
Newman wants to stand up but Karaev is controlling the position.
Newman trying to mount his opponent but Karaev defends it.
Karaev gets back to full guard.
Newman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karaev is keeping the position for now.

Newman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Karaev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Newman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karaev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Newman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Newman trying to control the position from guard on top but Karaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newman postures up and lands a big shot to Karaev's brow.
Newman trying to control but Karaev is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Karaev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Newman.

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

Karaev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Newman looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Newman manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newman is trying to get back to full guard.
Newman manages to get to full guard.
Karaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Newman is retaining full guard.
Newman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karaev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Karaev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Newman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Newman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karaev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Newman working for a triangle but Karaev defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newman has his foot on Karaev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karaev works his way back into a safe position though.
Karaev stopping the sweep attempt from Newman.
Newman keeping moving, preventing Karaev from controlling successfully.
Karaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Newman is retaining full guard.

Newman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Karaev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Karaev landing some decent shots from guard.
Karaev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Newman is keeping the position for now.
Newman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Karaev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Newman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Karaev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Newman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karaev is one step ahead there.
Newman can't keep his opponent in guard - Karaev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Karaev in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Newman tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Karaev!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Sergei Karaev!