PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between K.J. Choi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksanteri Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). J. Choi and Aleksanteri Karelin. Karelin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: CCCP. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Choi
vs
Karelin

202 cm
36
271 lbs
25 - 16 - 0

191 cm
30
286 lbs
23 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Underworld Clothing
GREEN!160

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, K.J. Choi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksanteri Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Karelin. Choi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Choi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karelin throws a sloppy body shot
and Choi counters with a body kick.
Karelin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Choi counters with a left to the body.
Karelin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Choi throws a head kick that misses.
Karelin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Choi wants to land a leg kick but Karelin is out of range.
Choi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karelin.

Choi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Karelin keeping hold of Choi's head, controlling as best he can.
Karelin trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Choi wants to advance to full mount but Karelin doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Choi trying to control the position from guard on top but Karelin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Choi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Choi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Karelin looking for a sweep. Not yet Karelin, not yet.
Choi tries to free his leg and advance position but Karelin is retaining full guard.
Choi stopping the sweep attempt from Karelin.
Choi trying to control the position from guard on top but Karelin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Karelin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Karelin keeping moving, preventing Choi from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Choi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Karelin's head.
Choi tries to close the distance and clinch but Karelin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Karelin connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Karelin walks into a straight right hand from Choi.
Choi scores with a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Choi.
Choi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Karelin is able to avoid easily.
Nice defenses there by Choi.
A counter left hand to the body from Choi misses its target.
Choi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin defending well as Choi loads up on a big left hand.
Choi is looking to clinch.
A big right from Choi misses.
Karelin swings for the body but Choi moves out of range.
Karelin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Karelin throws a poor cross that misses
and Choi counters with a good low kick that Karelin was not able to check.
Choi catches Karelin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Karelin throws a shot from downtown. Choi moves away and avoids it.
Karelin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Choi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Choi thows a body kick. Karelin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Karelin throws an overhand right that lands on Choi's shoulder, as Choi tries to avoid the shot.
Karelin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Karelin.
K.J. Choi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Choi tries to clinch but Karelin is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi shoots in but Karelin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Choi throws a head kick that Karelin semi-blocks.
Choi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Choi ducks under a wild hook from Karelin.
Choi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Choi or perhaps it was just good defense by Karelin, which made it look bad.
Karelin checks the leg kick.
Choi tries to clinch but Karelin moves out of range.
Choi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Choi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Choi lands a right hook to the body.
Choi misses with a body shot.
Karelin steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Choi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

K.J. Choi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Karelin looks to throw the jab but Choi is out of range.
Choi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karelin can do to turn this around?
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Choi - that will leave a mark!
Choi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Choi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Karelin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Choi misses with a low kick as Karelin jumps back.
Karelin loads up on a big right hand but Choi slips the punch.
Choi shoots in looking for a takedown. Karelin tries to sprawl out of it but Choi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Karelin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Choi cracks Karelin with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Choi.
A quick step to the side and Choi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karelin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Choi to score with a decent uppercut.
Choi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karelin.
Aleksanteri Karelin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi shoots in for a takedown but Karelin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Choi throws a body shot but no joy.

Choi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Choi slips nicely into half guard.
Choi is thwarting Karelin's attempts to control the position.
Choi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Karelin defending well though.
Choi passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Karelin!
Choi 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 gets back to half guard.
Karelin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Choi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Choi wants to pass to mount but Karelin is defending the position.
Karelin tries to roll over but Choi keeps him under control.
Karelin keeping hold of Choi's head, controlling as best he can.
Choi prevents Karelin from improving his position.
Choi is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Karelin has momentary wrist control but Choi slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi wants to pass the guard but Karelin is keeping the position.
Karelin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Choi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Karelin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Karelin passes into half guard.
Karelin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Choi defending well though.
Karelin looks to land a strike but Choi avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Karelin throwing strikes from guard but Choi blocks nicely.
Karelin is working Choi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karelin throws a big elbow that misses.
Karelin preventing the sweep.
Karelin trying to control but Choi is working from the bottom.
Choi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Karelin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Choi manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karelin avoids a wild elbow strike from Choi.
Choi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Choi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karelin scores with a shot to the side of Choi's head.
Karelin tries a body shot but Choi blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

K.J. Choi dominated that second round.
That's time! Choi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Choi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Karelin was well out of range. Poor timing from Choi.
Karelin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Karelin misses with a left hand
and Choi counters with a nice leg kick.
Choi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karelin.
Choi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karelin.
Karelin scores with a nice strike.
Choi tries to land a leg kick but Karelin saw it coming and moves away.
Karelin is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Karelin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Karelin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Choi misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Karelin.
Horrible takedown attempt by Choi or perhaps it was just good defense by Karelin, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi throws a hook but Karelin avoids it easily.
A big right from Karelin misses.
Karelin lands a glancing blow to the side of Choi's head.
K.J. Choi is winning the standup battle so far.
Choi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karelin manages to avoid it.
Karelin throws a jab when Choi was well out of range.
Choi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Karelin scores with a jab to the body.
Choi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Choi lands with a hook. Karelin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Karelin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Karelin throws out a powerful jab.
Karelin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karelin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Choi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aleksanteri Karelin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Choi connects with a solid leg kick.
Karelin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A bone on bone clash there as Karelin blocks the leg kick.
Karelin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Karelin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karelin scores with a hook.
A lazy left from Choi finds it's target.
Choi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Karelin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Choi.
Choi misses with a wild body shot.
Choi scores with the left hand. Karelin knows he should have avoided that one.
Choi fails to land the takedown.
Choi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karelin.
Karelin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Karelin.
A solid leg kick lands there for Choi.
Nice sprawl there from Karelin as Choi shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for K.J. Choi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Choi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Choi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Karelin counters with a stiff right hand.
Choi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
K.J. Choi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Choi lands a front kick.
Choi ducks under a wild hook from Karelin.
A swing and a miss from Karelin.
Choi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Choi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Karelin.
It looked like Choi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Karelin.
Karelin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi slips a jab from Karelin.
Choi misses the shot to the body.
Choi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Karelin throws out the jab.
Choi swats away the attempt to clinch by Karelin.
Choi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Choi moves away from the strike by Karelin.
Karelin thuds his right hand into Choi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Choi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Karelin if he has to take too many more of those.

Choi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Karelin, pushing him back against the cage.
Choi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Karelin as Choi tries to tie him up.
Stalling in the clinch from Karelin.

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 K.J. Choi.
Well Choi 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... K.J. Choi!
In his post fight interview, K.J. Choi started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.