PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrzej Grzesiuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grzesiuk has chosen PSY - Gangnam Style as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Aleksandr Karelin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Karelin
vs
Grzesiuk

191 cm
27
218 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

185 cm
40
208 lbs
16 - 21 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

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 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Andrzej Grzesiuk!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Grzesiuk rushes Karelin and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Karelin tries to circle away but Grzesiuk has him pinned against the ropes.
Grzesiuk blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Karelin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Karelin lands a right hand.
Grzesiuk fails to pull guard.
Karelin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Grzesiuk pulls guard effortlessly.
Karelin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.
Grzesiuk seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Karelin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grzesiuk seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Karelin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin won't allow Grzesiuk to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Grzesiuk has his foot on Karelin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karelin works his way back into a safe position though.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.
Grzesiuk has a closed guard, preventing Karelin from standing up.
Karelin slips nicely into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grzesiuk can do anything to dispel that myth.
Karelin trying to mount his opponent but Grzesiuk defends it.
Grzesiuk is positioning himself well to prevent Karelin advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Karelin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Grzesiuk gets tackled into the ropes by Karelin. Karelin maintains the clinch.
Grzesiuk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grzesiuk keeps control of Karelin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Grzesiuk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karelin gets underhooks to prevent Grzesiuk's takedown attempt.
Karelin throws a head punch that misses.
Karelin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Grzesiuk has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Karelin uses from the top position.
Karelin throws a strike but Grzesiuk rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Grzesiuk drops back looking for a leg! Karelin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Karelin manages to kick Grzesiuk off! Grzesiuk jumps back into Karelin's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grzesiuk postures up in Karelin's guard and throws a big left but Karelin blocks it.
Grzesiuk is looking to work some ground and pound but Karelin has wrist control.
Grzesiuk won't allow Karelin to get back to his feet.
Karelin is trying to control the position but Grzesiuk postures up.
Grzesiuk stands up over Karelin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Karelin is trying to control the position but Grzesiuk postures up.
Grzesiuk landing some decent shots from guard.
Karelin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Grzesiuk is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Karelin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Grzesiuk misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aleksandr Karelin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrzej Grzesiuk.

Grzesiuk gets the takedown into side control.
We've been informed that Grzesiuk has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Grzesiuk sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Karelin is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Karelin wants to control but Grzesiuk postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Karelin is looking to reverse the position.

Grzesiuk wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Karelin, who protects the arm well.
Karelin tries to escape but Grzesiuk is in control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrzej Grzesiuk dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Karelin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Grzesiuk shoots in looking for a takedown but Karelin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Grzesiuk's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Grzesiuk fails to land the takedown.
Karelin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Karelin tries to clinch but Grzesiuk moves out of range.
Karelin misses with a leg kick
and Grzesiuk counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Karelin. No joy for Grzesiuk on that attempt.
Aleksandr Karelin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrzej Grzesiuk.
Karelin throws a low kick but Grzesiuk moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karelin throws a left and a right that both miss

and Grzesiuk counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Karelin!
Grzesiuk lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Grzesiuk postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Grzesiuk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grzesiuk postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is looking for a sweep.

Grzesiuk goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Karelin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Grzesiuk's guard! Nice work there by Karelin!
Karelin wants to control from the top but Grzesiuk keeps moving.
Karelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Grzesiuk's head.
Karelin wants to control from the top but Grzesiuk keeps moving.
Grzesiuk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is doing well to control the position and prevent Grzesiuk from advancing to side control.

Grzesiuk is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Karelin has managed to free his arm - good work.

Grzesiuk is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Karelin sees it coming and defends easily.
Grzesiuk thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Grzesiuk is working for a kimura but Karelin is defending it quite comfortably.

Grzesiuk seems to be working for a kimura but Karelin defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin is looking to control Grzesiuk's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Karelin avoid being mounted?
Grzesiuk stops Karelin from getting back to his feet.

Grzesiuk is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Karelin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Karelin wants to control but Grzesiuk is keeping busy.
Andrzej Grzesiuk has got the better of the ground game so far.

Grzesiuk is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Karelin trying to control here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Grzesiuk scores with a takedown into Karelin's guard.
Grzesiuk lands a couple of digs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grzesiuk connects with a couple of short punches.

Grzesiuk has gone for a leg lock! Karelin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Grzesiuk's guard.

Karelin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrzej Grzesiuk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Karelin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Karelin is looking to score with low kicks.

Karelin clinches up with Grzesiuk and pushes him back against the ropes.
Grzesiuk working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Grzesiuk drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grzesiuk goes for a takedown attempt but Karelin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Grzesiuk shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Grzesiuk was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Karelin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Grzesiuk lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is looking to reverse the position.
Karelin is trying to control Grzesiuk's posture but Grzesiuk avoids it.

Grzesiuk goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Karelin has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Grzesiuk but great work by Karelin.
Grzesiuk wants to control but Karelin postures up.
Grzesiuk managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Karelin.

Karelin decides to stand back up.
Grzesiuk checks the leg kick nicely there.
Grzesiuk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aleksandr Karelin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrzej Grzesiuk.
Grzesiuk staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Karelin.
Grzesiuk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karelin slaps away a takedown attempt from Grzesiuk, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Karelin falls off balance throwing a combination

and Grzesiuk holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Grzesiuk lands a nice uppercut.
Karelin has had enough of the clinch but Grzesiuk keeps him there for the moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Karelin.
Karelin tries to break the clinch but Grzesiuk is controlling the position.
Grzesiuk drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Karelin gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grzesiuk has picked Karelin up - he's going for a ride! Grzesiuk dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Karelin is holding on to half guard well.

Grzesiuk is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Karelin is just riding it out for now. Grzesiuk eventually gives up the hold.
Aleksandr Karelin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karelin wants to get back to his feet.

Grzesiuk is looking for a kimura here.
Karelin tries to roll over but Grzesiuk keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grzesiuk 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.
Grzesiuk thows a huge punch but Karelin dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrzej Grzesiuk.
I've got Grzesiuk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrzej Grzesiuk!
During a confident post fight interview, Andrzej Grzesiuk thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.