PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitaly Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sailele Lealofi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karelin comes to the cage accompanied by Russian National Anthem. Lealofi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mata Mata Me. Vitaly Karelin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Karelin
vs
Lealofi

183 cm
26
286 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

199 cm
27
255 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Vitaly Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sailele Lealofi!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lealofi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice takedown defense from Karelin. No joy for Lealofi on that attempt.
Sailele Lealofi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lealofi shoots for a takedown but Karelin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lealofi looks for a takedown but Karelin sprawls well.
Vitaly Karelin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sailele Lealofi.
Lealofi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karelin's waist but Karelin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lealofi off to one side.
Karelin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karelin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lealofi moves away.
Karelin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nice defenses there by Lealofi.
Karelin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lealofi misses with a takedown attempt

and Karelin counters by clinching up.
Lealofi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Karelin prevents it.
Karelin lands a hook that snaps the head of Lealofi backwards.
Lealofi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lealofi letting Karelin take a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lealofi tries to score a body lock takedown but Karelin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Karelin throws a punch but it's blocked by Lealofi.
Karelin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lealofi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Karelin has him pressed against the cage.
Lealofi is trying to pull guard but Karelin has him pressed against the cage.
Karelin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lealofi.
Lealofi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Karelin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Karelin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lealofi scores with a hook to the body.
Lealofi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Karelin smiles and moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Karelin. No joy for Lealofi on that attempt.
Karelin is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lealofi.
No luck for Lealofi with that takedown attempt.
Karelin wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lealofi. Karelin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Lealofi or perhaps it was just good defense by Karelin, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin throws a body punch but Lealofi moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Lealofi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Lealofi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Karelin pinned against the cage. Karelin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vitaly Karelin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Karelin rushes Lealofi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lealofi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karelin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lealofi has Karelin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Karelin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lealofi fails to pull guard.
A short right from Karelin on the inside.
Karelin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Lealofi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
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!
Karelin controlling the action here for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin tries a body shot but Lealofi blocks it.
Lealofi has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Karelin seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Lealofi can turn it around.
Karelin gets through Lealofi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lealofi is trying to drag Karelin to the mat but Karelin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lealofi has Karelin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Karelin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lealofi looks winded!
Lealofi is looking for a takedown.
Karelin cracks Lealofi with a nice body shot.
Karelin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lealofi backwards.
Karelin gets through Lealofi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Lealofi is rocked!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Karelin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lealofi's brow.
Lealofi is still on wobbly legs! Can Karelin finish him?
Karelin has Lealofi pressed against the cage. Lealofi drops his hands and Karelin takes advantage by unloading with a massive hook that sends Lealofi tumbling to the canvas! Karelin rains down with more punches but Lealofi was already out! That's a highlight reel knockout for Karelin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Vitaly Karelin!
After the fight, Vitaly Karelin was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
In defeat, Sailele Lealofi stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will come back stronger.'.