PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grover Cohen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micke Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cohen
vs
Karlsson

201 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Grover Cohen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Micke Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cohen but Cohen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Karlsson tries to clinch there but Cohen circles away.
A head kick by Karlsson misses
and Cohen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Cohen throws a solid leg kick but Karlsson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cohen.

Karlsson closes the distance and clinches.
Cohen is trying to maintain a safe position but Karlsson gets an underhook and turns Cohen into the cage.

Karlsson pulls guard.

Karlsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cohen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cohen stands up from Karlsson's guard - Cohen perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsson wants to clinch up but Cohen keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cohen misses with a body shot.

Cohen tries to keep at a distance but Karlsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cohen tries to pull guard but Karlsson won't allow it.

Karlsson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cohen uses from the top position.
Karlsson is trying to keep Cohen in close.

Cohen stands up and waves to Karlsson to follow him.
Karlsson wants to clinch
and Cohen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Cohen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Karlsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cohen wants to work for an arm triangle but Karlsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Karlsson is trying is best to control the position here.
Cohen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cohen seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Karlsson for as long as he can get away with.

Cohen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Karlsson to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cohen doesn't manage to clinch there - Karlsson circles away.
Karlsson lands a head kick!
Karlsson throws a body kick that misses.
Karlsson throws a head kick that misses.
Karlsson throws a head kick but Cohen moves out of range.
Karlsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Cohen sprawls well. He's pushed Karlsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Karlsson looks winded!
Cohen avoids the head kick by Karlsson.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Karlsson enables Cohen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Karlsson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Cohen stands up from Karlsson's guard - Cohen perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cohen is looking to clinch.
Karlsson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cohen checks it well.
Cohen darts in trying to clinch

and Karlsson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Karlsson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cohen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Karlsson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karlsson trying to get back to his feet but Cohen is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grover Cohen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cohen wants to clinch up but Karlsson keeps it at a distance.
Karlsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Karlsson throws a right and a left that Cohen avoids nicely.
Cohen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
No luck for Karlsson with that takedown attempt.
Karlsson circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cohen gets tackled into the cage by Karlsson. Karlsson maintains the clinch.

Cohen breaks the clinch.
Karlsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Karlsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Karlsson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cohen circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson throws a sloppy head kick and Cohen moves out of range easily.
Karlsson is breathing heavily.
Karlsson tries to clinch but Cohen is having none of it.
Cohen moves out of range of the body kick.
Cohen tries to clinch there but Karlsson circles away.
Karlsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Cohen counters with a three punch combo that has Karlsson backing up. Karlsson nods at Cohen to acknowledge the strikes.
Grover Cohen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Micke Karlsson.

Karlsson gets caught flat footed, as Cohen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Cohen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Cohen stands and steps away. Karlsson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Cohen moves into the clinch.
Cohen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karlsson jumps guard but Cohen stands there with Karlsson around his waist. Karlsson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Cohen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Karlsson to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson breaks from the clinch.
Karlsson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cohen defends well and Karlsson ends up having to push Cohen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Cohen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Cohen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
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!

Cohen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Cohen scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Cohen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Karlsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cohen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cohen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cohen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karlsson can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cohen to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Cohen stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Karlsson throws a push kick but Cohen slaps the foot to one side.
Karlsson fails to land the takedown.
Cohen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Karlsson tries a head kick but it misses.
Grover Cohen is winning the standup battle so far.

Cohen clinches up with Karlsson and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cohen tries to pull guard but Karlsson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Karlsson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Karlsson prevents the takedown attempt.
Cohen tries to score a body lock takedown but Karlsson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Karlsson jumps guard and drags Cohen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cohen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Karlsson wants to get back to his feet but Cohen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Cohen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Cohen wants to clinch up but Karlsson keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grover Cohen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Cohen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karlsson's waist but Karlsson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cohen off to one side.
Karlsson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Karlsson.
Karlsson misses with a head kick.
Cohen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Karlsson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Karlsson darts in and clinches Cohen up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karlsson tries a knee to the head but Cohen blocks it.

Karlsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cohen tries to clinch but Karlsson moves away
and Karlsson counters with a leg kick.
Cohen moves out of range of the body kick from Karlsson.
Karlsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cohen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cohen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Karlsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grover Cohen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsson looks to land a body kick but Cohen moved away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cohen.
Karlsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cohen.
Karlsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Cohen counters with a nice kick to the body.
Cohen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Karlsson but Karlsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Karlsson closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson manages to break the clinch.
Karlsson misses with a head kick.
Karlsson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cohen tries to avoid it but Karlsson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cohen to the ground. Cohen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Cohen gets a double leg takedown into Karlsson's guard.
Cohen trying to control but Karlsson is working from the bottom.

Cohen stands up from Karlsson's guard - Cohen perhaps looking for a knockout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Karlsson pushes Cohen up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson lands an elbow just above Cohen 's eye.
Karlsson lands an elbow that stopped Cohen in his tracks for a moment.

Cohen pulls guard effortlessly.
Karlsson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cohen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Cohen is working an open guard so Karlsson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Karlsson moves into the clinch.

Karlsson pulls Cohen into guard.
Karlsson wants to stand up but Cohen is controlling him.
Cohen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Karlsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Cohen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Karlsson, up you get!

Cohen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cohen wants to control but Karlsson is keeping him busy.
Karlsson tries to roll over but Cohen keeps him under control.
Micke Karlsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grover Cohen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Karlsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cohen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Micke Karlsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cohen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grover Cohen!