PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franz Beckenbauer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Beckenbauer comes to the cage accompanied by Apaga mas não bate . Carter has chosen La Roux - In For The Kill as his entrance music. Mike Carter has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Beckenbauer
vs
Carter

180 cm
24
210 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

187 cm
28
205 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Bushido Clothing
Bushido Clothing

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Franz Beckenbauer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Carter!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Carter does it's job there.
Carter throws a nice looking combination but Beckenbauer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Beckenbauer drives through and clinches with Carter against the cage.
A hook to the body from Carter.
Carter misses with some punches.
Carter misses with the head strike.
Beckenbauer managing to block the knees to the body from Carter.
Carter using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Beckenbauer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Beckenbauer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Carter after a bit of a struggle.
Carter with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Carter gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Beckenbauer.
Beckenbauer is trying to drag Carter to the mat but Carter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franz Beckenbauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Beckenbauer gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Carter regains guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Beckenbauer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Carter keeping full guard, as Beckenbauer tries to pass.
Beckenbauer 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.
Carter avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Carter working a defensive guard here.
Beckenbauer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Carter working a defensive guard here.

Beckenbauer drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Carter manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Beckenbauer has Carter in his guard.

Beckenbauer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Carter defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Beckenbauer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Carter seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Beckenbauer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carter is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Carter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Beckenbauer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Carter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Carter has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Beckenbauer is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Beckenbauer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Carter has managed to get both his arms back between Beckenbauer's legs - danger averted.

Beckenbauer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Carter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Carter controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Carter trying to stand up but can't free himself from Beckenbauer's guard.
Carter wants to control from the top but Beckenbauer keeps moving.

Carter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Carter would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beckenbauer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Carter manages to get himself to full guard.
Beckenbauer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Beckenbauer drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Carter dives on top into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beckenbauer has a closed guard, preventing Carter from standing up.

Beckenbauer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Beckenbauer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Carter defends it easily.

Carter gets to his feet - Beckenbauer follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Franz Beckenbauer will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Carter loads up on a big right hand but Beckenbauer slips the punch.
Beckenbauer shoots in for a takedown but Carter shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Beckenbauer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Carter sprawls well initially but Beckenbauer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Carter won't allow Beckenbauer to pass to mount.
Beckenbauer is thwarting Carter's attempts to control the position.

Beckenbauer is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Carter defends it well.

Beckenbauer is working for a kimura but Carter is defending it quite comfortably.

Beckenbauer is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carter looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Beckenbauer is looking for a kimura but Carter is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Beckenbauer to get the leverage.

Carter has one foot on Beckenbauer's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Beckenbauer shoots for a takedown but Carter saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Beckenbauer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Carter.
Beckenbauer tries for a takedown but Carter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franz Beckenbauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Beckenbauer.
Carter misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beckenbauer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Carter makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carter with a body punch. A glancing blow.
No joy there for Carter, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Beckenbauer moves into the clinch.
Beckenbauer can't get the takedown.
Beckenbauer has Carter pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Carter manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carter misses with a hook from the clinch.
Beckenbauer dodges an elbow strike from Carter.
Beckenbauer looking for a takedown.
Carter tries a knee to the head but Beckenbauer blocks it.
Carter makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Carter throws a punch but it's blocked by Beckenbauer.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carter.
Carter tries to break free but Beckenbauer pushes him back against the cage.
Beckenbauer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Carter pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Beckenbauer blocks an elbow strike from Carter.

Beckenbauer has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Carter is trying to keep an underhook but Beckenbauer manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Beckenbauer prevents Carter from standing back up.
Carter trying to control but Beckenbauer postures up.

Beckenbauer seems to be working for a kimura but Carter defends the submission attempt.
Carter is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Beckenbauer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Beckenbauer's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beckenbauer is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Beckenbauer is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Carter.
Beckenbauer tries to roll but Carter sticks to his back.
Beckenbauer rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Franz Beckenbauer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!

Carter stands up from half guard.
No luck for Beckenbauer with that takedown attempt.
Carter swings for the body but Beckenbauer moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carter misses with an uppercut.
Carter displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Beckenbauer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Carter will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Beckenbauer moves out of range as Carter strikes.
Carter throws a series of punches but Beckenbauer moves out of range.
Carter misses the jab.
Carter loads up on a big right hand but Beckenbauer slips the punch.

Beckenbauer drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Carter has his feet on Beckenbauer's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
No luck for Beckenbauer with that takedown attempt.
Beckenbauer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Carter throws a right and a left that Beckenbauer avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beckenbauer is looking to clinch.
Beckenbauer stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Carter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Beckenbauer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Carter throws out the jab.
Mike Carter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carter misses with a combination

and Beckenbauer counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Carter!
Carter tries to reverse the position but Beckenbauer maintains control.
Carter is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Beckenbauer looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Beckenbauer goes for an armbar but Carter turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Carter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Beckenbauer looking for subs off his back but Carter has passed one foot through into half guard.
Carter trying to control the pace.

Carter stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Carter throws a series of punches but Beckenbauer avoids them all with ease.
Carter stuffs the takedown attempt from Beckenbauer. Beckenbauer gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter misses with a hook

and Beckenbauer counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Beckenbauer wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Carter, who protects the arm well.
Carter prevents Beckenbauer from improving position.

Beckenbauer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Carter has escaped the position, nice work there.

Beckenbauer swings around for an armbar but Carter sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Beckenbauer's guard.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Beckenbauer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Beckenbauer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Beckenbauer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Carter trying to control but Beckenbauer is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Beckenbauer looking for subs off his back but Carter has passed one foot through into half guard.
Carter wants to control but Beckenbauer is keeping him busy.

Beckenbauer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carter pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carter wants to take a breather but Beckenbauer is having none of it.
Carter prevents Beckenbauer from improving his position.
Carter stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Franz Beckenbauer.
I think Beckenbauer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike Carter!