PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Victor Karolin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander has chosen Best Around By Joe Esposito as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Victor Karolin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Karolin
vs
Alexander

190 cm
26
235 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

193 cm
25
245 lbs
2 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Victor Karolin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sean Alexander!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexander stuffs the takedown.
Alexander shoots for a double leg takedown but Karolin sprawls well. He's pushed Alexander's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Alexander closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Karolin to the mat! Karolin manages to get full guard.
Karolin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Karolin wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexander throwing strikes but missing.
Alexander tries to free his leg and advance position but Karolin is retaining full guard.
Alexander trying to control the position from guard on top but Karolin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Alexander drops back, looking for a kneebar! Karolin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Karolin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Karolin!
Alexander sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Karolin lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karolin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Karolin 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.
Alexander is not content to let Karolin control the position.
Alexander is trying to stand up here but Karolin is controlling him well.
Alexander wants to control but Karolin is keeping busy.
Ground and pound from Karolin.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alexander manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Karolin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karolin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Alexander is looking for a triangle but Karolin pushes his legs off easily.
Alexander is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Karolin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karolin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexander is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karolin throwing strikes from guard but Alexander blocks nicely.
Alexander keeping full guard, as Karolin tries to pass.
Alexander trying to control the position.
Karolin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Alexander's head.
Karolin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karolin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Alexander is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Karolin is in close to Alexander's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Karolin lands a couple of elbows.
Karolin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Alexander is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Alexander is trying to trip Karolin. He has hold of a leg but Karolin is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Alexander persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karolin working for submissions but it's allowed Alexander to get to half guard.
Karolin trying to control here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Alexander connects with a nice short shot to Karolin's temple.
Karolin trying to hold on to Alexander's head to control him but Alexander postures up.
Alexander thows a huge punch but Karolin dodges it nicely.
Alexander wants to lay and pray for a moment but Karolin keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexander trying to control from Karolin's half guard. Karolin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander preventing the sweep.
Alexander wants to control from the top but Karolin keeps moving.
Karolin looking for a sweep. Not yet Karolin, not yet.
Karolin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Karolin trying to control the position.
Karolin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Alexander drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Karolin dives on top into guard.
Karolin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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 Victor Karolin will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Karolin misses with a takedown attempt - Alexander sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alexander stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alexander wants it to stay on the feet.
Karolin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Karolin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Alexander counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Karolin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karolin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Alexander pushes Karolin off looking to stand but Karolin dives back in and keeps control.
Alexander is trying to maintain the position but Karolin is very close to passing his half guard.
Karolin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Alexander is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sean Alexander wasn't active enough on the ground.
Alexander shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Karolin sprawls well. Karolin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Alexander gets slowly back to his feet.
Karolin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alexander as he jumps to the side.
Alexander fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Karolin throws a series of punches but Alexander moves out of range.
Karolin misses with a takedown attempt
and Alexander counters with a series of strikes. Karolin will be more careful next time no doubt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Alexander enables Karolin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Alexander manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Alexander utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karolin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Karolin looking to pass the guard.
Alexander bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Karolin's guard.
Karolin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alexander trying to control the position from guard on top but Karolin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexander looking to sit in guard and control but Karolin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Karolin from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karolin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alexander throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Karolin working some strikes from top position.
Karolin trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.

Alexander working for submissions but it's allowed Karolin to get to half guard.
Karolin winds up and cracks Alexander with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Karolin sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Alexander manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Alexander is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Karolin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander looks for a takedown but Karolin sprawls well.

Alexander gets caught napping as Karolin dives in and scores a takedown. Alexander manages to retain guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karolin advances to half guard.
Karolin trying to pass the guard but Alexander defending well.
Karolin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Alexander wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karolin is looking to take a break and control but Alexander is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alexander is looking to control Karolin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Alexander avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Karolin dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alexander displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Karolin.
Karolin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Alexander feints and as Karolin raises his hands in defense, Alexander changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Alexander postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Karolin looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Alexander puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Alexander is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Karolin!
Alexander unloading with bombs!
Alexander looking to control but Karolin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Alexander is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Alexander breaks from Karolin's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Alexander lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Karolin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Alexander tries to pass to full mount but Karolin defends it.
Alexander takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Alexander 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.
Karolin lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexander is trying to work for a kimura but Karolin is defending well.

Alexander is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Karolin defends it well.
Alexander tries to pass the half guard into mount. Karolin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karolin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alexander pulls his head out easily.
Alexander wants to stand but Karolin has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Karolin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Karolin pushes Alexander off and gets back to his feet.
Karolin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexander sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Karolin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexander misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karolin closes the distance and clinches.
Alexander doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexander wants to break free but Karolin has control.

Karolin breaks the clinch.
Karolin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Karolin closes the distance and clinches.

Karolin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alexander throws a head kick but Karolin moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alexander is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Alexander changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Karolin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Alexander really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Karolin is defended easily by Alexander.
Karolin shoots and misses

and Alexander counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Karolin can't keep his opponent in guard - Alexander advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Karolin is trying to stand.

Alexander stands up out of the half guard.
No luck for Karolin with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Karolin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexander fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Alexander shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Karolin napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karolin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control but Karolin postures up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Karolin lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karolin lands a nice short elbow.
Karolin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alexander keeps working.
Karolin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Alexander's head.
Karolin stops Alexander from getting back to his feet.
Alexander gets back to full guard.
Alexander is trying to keep Karolin in close.

Karolin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Karolin closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karolin managing to block the knees to the body from Alexander.
Alexander wants to take the fight to the mat but Karolin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Karolin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alexander is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alexander tries to score a body lock takedown but Karolin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karolin unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Karolin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Karolin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alexander gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alexander looking to sit in guard and control but Karolin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Alexander looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Karolin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander trying to control here.
Karolin moves nicely into side control.
Alexander is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Karolin is working Alexander over with some ground and pound from side control.
Alexander struggling a bit here.
Karolin is chipping away with strikes.
Karolin working the head with strikes.

Karolin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Karolin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Karolin landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karolin trying to control the position but Alexander is working away.
Victor Karolin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alexander is being controlled here.
Alexander is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Alexander's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Karolin landing strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Karolin is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Alexander looks calm but he's in trouble here. Karolin gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Alexander is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Karolin lets go of the hold and Alexander can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Victor Karolin!