PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jonny Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Stratton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Karlsson
vs
Stratton

190 cm
20
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
201 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Self confident

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonny Karlsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Stratton!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson shoots in but Stratton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stratton. Karlsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stratton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Karlsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stratton throws a right and a left that both miss.
Stratton leaves Karlsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Karlsson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karlsson lands a nice short elbow.
Karlsson prevents Stratton from improving his position.
Stratton is pressing down on Karlsson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Karlsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Stratton has his feet on Karlsson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karlsson looks for a takedown but Stratton sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonny Karlsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson shoots in but no luck this time.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Karlsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Stratton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Karlsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jonny Karlsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karlsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Stratton tries to sprawl out of it but Karlsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stratton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Karlsson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stratton to the ground. Karlsson is now in Stratton's guard.
Stratton trying to keep a closed guard but Karlsson is proving a slippery customer.
Karlsson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karlsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stratton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stratton controls Karlsson momentarily but Karlsson frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stratton wants to stand but Karlsson is controlling the position.
Stratton trying to control the position.
Karlsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karlsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stratton working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Karlsson.
Karlsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karlsson throws and elbow that misses. Stratton uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karlsson's guard. Nice move by Stratton!
Stratton postures up.
Stratton wants to control from the top but Karlsson keeps moving.
Stratton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karlsson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karlsson is on top in guard.
Karlsson thows a big elbow that misses.
Stratton is looking to stand up but Karlsson isn't so interested in that idea.
Karlsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karlsson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Karlsson throws a big right hand that misses.
Karlsson throws a strike but Stratton rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Karlsson wants to sweep but no luck.
Stratton is fighting to break Karlsson's control of his arms but Karlsson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Karlsson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Karlsson tries to get out of the position.

Karlsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Stratton is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stratton throwing strikes but missing.
Karlsson pulls Stratton in close to prevent any damage.
Stratton works over Karlsson with some ground and pound from guard.
Karlsson managing to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karlsson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stratton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Karlsson is working away from the top position though.
Stratton has hold of Karlsson's hands but Karlsson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Karlsson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stratton throws a push kick but Karlsson slaps the foot to one side.
Karlsson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stratton pinned against the cage. Stratton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stratton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stratton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Karlsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stratton swivels and escapes.
Karlsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stratton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Karlsson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonny Karlsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Stratton to counter with a crisp jab.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown but Stratton shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Karlsson with that takedown attempt.
Stratton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karlsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson closes the distance and clinches up with Stratton, looking for a takedown. Karlsson pushes Stratton against the cage but Stratton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Karlsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stratton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Karlsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stratton dodges the punch combination from Karlsson.
Jonny Karlsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karlsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stratton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Karlsson somewhat.
Karlsson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stratton looks to score with a jab to the body but Karlsson is just out of range.
Stratton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Karlsson.
Stratton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Karlsson is fending him off so far but Stratton persists. Nope, Karlsson circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stratton sprawls well. Stratton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karlsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Karlsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stratton counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Karlsson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stratton on his heels. He'll look to pass Stratton's guard now, I'm sure.
Stratton seems keen to control Karlsson's posture.
Stratton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karlsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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!
Karlsson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Karlsson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stratton's head.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stratton holds on and takes a little breather.
Karlsson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stratton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Stratton wriggles free and stands up.
Karlsson shoots in for a double leg but Stratton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stratton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Karlsson under the eye.
Karlsson misses with a takedown

and Stratton counters with a single leg into guard. Karlsson didn't expect that.
Stratton lands a couple of digs.
Stratton lands a couple of digs.
Karlsson is pulling down on Stratton's head. It's preventing any offense from Stratton, at least for the moment.
Stratton lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Stratton looking to pass the guard.
Karlsson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stratton controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jonny Karlsson.
Stratton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Karlsson.
Stratton looks to score with a jab to the body but Karlsson is just out of range.
Karlsson shoots and misses
and Stratton counters with a straight right hand.
Karlsson fails to land the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karlsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stratton swivels and escapes.

Karlsson scores with a takedown into Stratton's guard.
Karlsson won't allow Stratton to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eric Stratton will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Karlsson tries to clinch there but Stratton circles away.
Karlsson misses with a takedown attempt

and Stratton counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Karlsson pulls Stratton in close to prevent any damage.
Stratton lands a couple of digs.
Stratton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karlsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karlsson has his hands on Stratton's head, controlling the position.
Karlsson working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonny Karlsson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stratton sprawls well. Stratton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karlsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Eric Stratton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Decent striking displayed by Stratton there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stratton sprawls well. Stratton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Karlsson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonny Karlsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stratton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Karlsson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stratton did well to prevent Karlsson getting side control.
Karlsson looks to land a strike but Stratton avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Karlsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Karlsson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stratton looking for a sweep. Not yet Stratton, not yet.
Karlsson throws a strike but Stratton rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Stratton slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stratton is working Karlsson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Karlsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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!

Karlsson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Stratton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Karlsson shoots in but Stratton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Karlsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Stratton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Karlsson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Karlsson feints a jab promting Stratton to slip. Karlsson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stratton slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stratton lands with a straight right. Karlsson didn't see that one coming.
Karlsson avoids the head kick by Stratton.
Karlsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Stratton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Karlsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Karlsson fails with the takedown.
Nice uppercut there from Stratton.
Karlsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stratton is fending him off so far but Karlsson persists. Nope, Stratton circles away and we're back to standing.
A big left from Stratton misses.

Karlsson gets the takedown into side control.
Stratton manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Karlsson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stratton drops an elbow to the side of Karlsson's head.
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!
Stratton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karlsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Karlsson trying to control the position.
Karlsson keeping full guard, as Stratton tries to pass.
Karlsson controls Stratton momentarily but Stratton frees himself.
Karlsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Karlsson wants to sweep here but Stratton controlling him for the moment.
Stratton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Karlsson trying to keep a closed guard but Stratton is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

We're going to have a standup here because Jonny Karlsson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stratton scores with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eric Stratton.
I think Stratton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Stratton!