PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hector LaRue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karelin is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Russian National Anthem. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

LaRue
vs
Karelin

183 cm
27
272 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

190 cm
27
275 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hector LaRue!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandr Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by LaRue.
Karelin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
LaRue looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Karelin is fending him off so far but LaRue persists. Nope, Karelin circles away and we're back to standing.
Karelin throws a body punch but LaRue moves out of range.
LaRue keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Karelin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
LaRue connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Aleksandr Karelin has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
LaRue uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karelin.
Karelin misses with a two punch combination.
Karelin throws a jab but it's blocked by LaRue.
LaRue slips a straight right by Karelin.
Karelin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Karelin throws a looping overhand right but LaRue ducks down to avoid it.
LaRue digs a good body shot into Karelin's ribs.
LaRue lands with a hook. Karelin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Karelin looks gassed!
Karelin looks to score with a jab to the body but LaRue is just out of range.
Aleksandr Karelin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karelin throws a hook but LaRue avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaRue misses with a few strikes there.
Karelin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and LaRue counters with a nice double leg into side control. Karelin won't be happy with that.
LaRue lands a nice forearm strike.
Karelin taking a bit of punishment here - LaRue scoring with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Karelin can do anything to dispel that myth.
Karelin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but LaRue wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Karelin takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lull in the action here.
LaRue is looking to take a break and control but Karelin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Karelin is working to avoid the ground and pound but LaRue connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaRue lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LaRue working the ground and pound from side control.
LaRue landing a few strikes.
LaRue lands a decent elbow from side control.
LaRue takes a little break here. Karelin wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Karelin is trying to get back to half guard.
LaRue in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
LaRue postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karelin takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
LaRue is looking to take a break and control but Karelin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
LaRue taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaRue lands some shots froms side control.
LaRue is chipping away with strikes.
Karelin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
LaRue is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Karelin will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Karelin tries to bench press LaRue off him but LaRue keeps the position.
LaRue trying to control the action but Karelin is working from the bottom.
LaRue working the ground and pound but Karelin is defending the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaRue working the head and body with strikes.
A lull in the action here.
Karelin manages to get back to half guard.
LaRue lands with a punch from half guard.
LaRue is taking a breather. Karelin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
LaRue 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
LaRue is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Karelin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
LaRue trying to control the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector LaRue dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksandr Karelin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Karelin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by LaRue.
LaRue throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karelin's waist but Karelin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing LaRue off to one side.
Karelin swings for the body but LaRue moves out of range.
LaRue fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Karelin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
LaRue scores with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by LaRue there.
LaRue scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karelin doesn't seem bothered though.
Karelin walks into a jab.
Karelin misses with a double jab
and LaRue counters with a nice body shot.
Karelin is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Karelin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling LaRue to score with a decent uppercut.
Karelin takes a swing at LaRue's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaRue just misses with a punch to the body.
LaRue is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karelin can do to turn this around?
Karelin tries to bum rush LaRue with a series of wild strikes but LaRue uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
LaRue with a body punch. A glancing blow.
LaRue fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

LaRue has managed to clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for LaRue.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by LaRue.
LaRue tries for a takedown but Karelin manages to get underhooks.
Karelin has a couple of punches blocked by LaRue.
LaRue presses Karelin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

LaRue lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
LaRue looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
LaRue controlling the pace.
LaRue seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
LaRue controlling the pace.
Karelin tries to roll over but LaRue keeps him under control.
LaRue looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
LaRue is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hector LaRue wasn't doing enough on the ground.
LaRue darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hector LaRue is winning the standup battle so far.
Karelin throws a sloppy body shot
and LaRue counters with a stiff right hand.

LaRue shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Karelin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Karelin is looking to control LaRue's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Karelin avoid being mounted?
LaRue prevents Karelin from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaRue performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Karelin is refusing to be controlled, as LaRue sits in half guard.
Hector LaRue overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Karelin wants to control but LaRue is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
LaRue works his way into side control.
Karelin tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector LaRue dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aleksandr Karelin's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

LaRue misses with a wild body shot.
LaRue throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karelin's waist but Karelin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing LaRue off to one side.
Karelin with a lazy takedown attempt
and LaRue counters with a lovely shot to the body.

LaRue fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Karelin sprawls well initially but LaRue persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
LaRue trying to control from half guard but Karelin is working away.
LaRue landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Karelin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
LaRue working over Karelin with some ground and pound. Karelin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Karelin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Karelin wants to get back to full guard.
LaRue looks to land a strike but Karelin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Karelin keeping moving, preventing LaRue from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin wants to sweep here but LaRue controlling him for the moment.
LaRue trying to control but Karelin is working from the bottom.
LaRue with a flurry of punches that miss.
Karelin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Karelin keeping moving, preventing LaRue from controlling successfully.
LaRue controls from within his opponent's guard.

Hector LaRue has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
LaRue throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hector LaRue is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
LaRue lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Karelin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and LaRue counters with a lovely shot to the body.
LaRue throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Karelin swings and misses with a shot to the body

and LaRue counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
LaRue not doing much here.
LaRue has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
LaRue wants to take a breather but Karelin is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from LaRue there.
LaRue passes to full mount!
LaRue looking to control but Karelin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
LaRue looking to control and managing it successfully.
LaRue 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.
Karelin working to try and regain half guard.
LaRue with shots to the head and body - Karelin looks very uncomfortable down there.
Karelin is desperately trying to improve his position but LaRue has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by LaRue.
Karelin regains half guard.
Karelin is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute LaRue jumps into side control!
Karelin tries to bench press LaRue off him but LaRue keeps the position.
LaRue controls the position.
Karelin tries to bench press LaRue off him but LaRue keeps the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
LaRue controls the position from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector LaRue showed his dominance in that final round.
Well LaRue has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight for Hector LaRue!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Hector LaRue!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Hector LaRue!

Hector LaRue wins by unanimous decision!