PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Behnder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcus Behnder had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Behnder
vs
Karelin

193 cm
30
268 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

191 cm
29
286 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Good gas tank

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 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marcus Behnder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karelin darts in trying to clinch

and Behnder counters with a shoot takedown. Karelin fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Behnder is looking to work some ground and pound but Karelin has wrist control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Behnder 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.
Behnder throwing strikes from guard but Karelin blocks nicely.
Behnder controlling from the top position.
Karelin wants to get back to his feet but Behnder is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Karelin keeping moving, preventing Behnder from controlling successfully.
Behnder is really struggling to control Karelin but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Marcus Behnder has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Behnder circles away from the clinch attempt

and Behnder counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An elbow from Behnder crashes against the mat.
Behnder looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Karelin is avoiding damage well.
Behnder is looking to take a break and control but Karelin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Behnder is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Karelin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Behnder tries to score with some ground and pound. Karelin controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Behnder tries to move to mount but Karelin blocks the move with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karelin tries to escape but Behnder is in control.
Behnder trying to control the position but Karelin is working away.
Karelin is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Behnder is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Behnder misses with the ground and pound.
Behnder passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Karelin!

Behnder is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Karelin can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Karelin is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Karelin is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Karelin avoids a series of strikes thrown by Behnder.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Behnder is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Karelin can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Karelin trying desperately to get to his feet.
Behnder wants to control the pace but Karelin is squirming around nicely.
Karelin wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Behnder landing strikes from the mount and Karelin is in trouble!
Karelin is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Behnder has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Karelin's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin trying desperately to get to his feet.

Behnder throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Karelin has his hands clasped together but Behnder breaks the hold and Karelin is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Behnder!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marcus Behnder!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Marcus Behnder made sure he mentioned Syndicate Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.