PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Johansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karelin Roman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johansson comes to the cage accompanied by Avicii - Wake Me Up. Karelin Roman told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Johansson
vs
Roman

195 cm
25
220 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Johansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Karelin Roman!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Roman clinches up with Johansson and pushes him back against the cage.

Roman tightens his grip and picks Johansson up, before dumping him to the ground. Johansson manages to land in guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Roman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Roman throws a big right hand that misses.
Roman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johansson's head.

Roman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Johansson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Roman has Johansson in his guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roman can do anything to dispel that myth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roman is trying to keep Johansson in close.
Johansson trying to control but Roman is working from the bottom.
Our spies down at at Slaughterhouse MMA (All new coaches 12/12/13) inform us that Roman has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Roman wants to sweep here but Johansson controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roman is pulling down on Johansson's head to control his posture.
Roman working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No luck for Roman with that takedown attempt.
Johansson throws a lazy right hand but Roman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Roman drives through and clinches with Johansson against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roman wants a takedown but no success here.
Johansson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Roman turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Roman fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Roman fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Roman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Roman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
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!
Johansson tries to bench press Roman off him but Roman keeps the position.

Roman tries for a kimura but Johansson is defending well.
Sloppy strikes there by Roman.
Roman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Roman in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Johansson is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Karelin Roman!
In his post fight interview, Karelin Roman started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.