PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Minato Kuroda (ranked 4555 p4p, 4571 weight class) and Aleksei Mihaylov (ranked 0 p4p, 530 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.

Kuroda
vs
Mihaylov

191 cm
25
212
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
219
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Minato Kuroda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aleksei Mihaylov!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihaylov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mihaylov looks to land a left hand but Kuroda moved out of range nicely.
Kuroda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mihaylov tries to avoid it but Kuroda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mihaylov to the ground. Mihaylov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mihaylov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuroda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kuroda gets tackled into the cage by Mihaylov. Mihaylov maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov gets underhooks to prevent Kuroda's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Minato Kuroda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mihaylov stalls.
Mihaylov stops a takedown attempt from Kuroda.
Mihaylov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kuroda in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaylov slowing the pace effectively.
Kuroda tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuroda is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mihaylov working Kuroda over with knees to the body.
Kuroda is breathing heavily.
Mihaylov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mihaylov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mihaylov obliges.
Mihaylov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kuroda lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kuroda takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mihaylov stalls.
Mihaylov controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Mihaylov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihaylov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kuroda up against the cage.
Mihaylov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Mihaylov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mihaylov with a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

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

Mihaylov has his foot on Kuroda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuroda works his way back into a safe position though.

Kuroda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mihaylov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuroda has managed to get both his arms back between Mihaylov's legs - danger averted.
Mihaylov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mihaylov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kuroda escapes and throws Mihaylov's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Kuroda stands up.
Kuroda tries to clinch but Mihaylov is having none of it.
Mihaylov throws the left hand but Kuroda avoids the punch easily.
Kuroda fails to land the takedown.
Mihaylov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuroda.
Kuroda drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mihaylov sprawls and moves away.
Aleksei Mihaylov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda wants to clinch.
Kuroda shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mihaylov pinned against the cage. Mihaylov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuroda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Mihaylov moves into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mihaylov gets control of Kuroda's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mihaylov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mihaylov pulls Kuroda in to control the position.
Mihaylov wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuroda tries to clinch up but Mihaylov circles away and keeps his distance.

Mihaylov clinches.
Mihaylov stalling against the cage.
Aleksei Mihaylov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Mihaylov pulls guard successfully.
Kuroda lands a couple of digs.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mihaylov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Mihaylov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mihaylov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kuroda has picked Mihaylov up and slammed him! Mihaylov can't keep hold of the triangle and Kuroda manages to pass to side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A control attempt from Mihaylov but he's now mounted!
Mihaylov has given up his back here. Will Kuroda look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda trying to control.
Kuroda slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Kuroda wants to control but Mihaylov is keeping busy.
Kuroda gets his hands free as Mihaylov looks to control.
Mihaylov prevents Kuroda from getting a body triangle.

Mihaylov showing good submission defense here.
Mihaylov trying to control the action but Kuroda just sinks the hooks in.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.
Mihaylov can't escape the position.
Mihaylov turns into Kuroda and is now in his guard.
Kuroda is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mihaylov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kuroda's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda wants to stand but Mihaylov is controlling the position.
Kuroda wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuroda keeping moving, preventing Mihaylov from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mihaylov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuroda dives on top into guard.

Kuroda trying to control the position from guard on top but Mihaylov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuroda looking to pass the guard.

Mihaylov has his foot on Kuroda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuroda works his way back into a safe position though.

Mihaylov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuroda is aware though and is defending well.

Mihaylov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kuroda is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mihaylov.
Kuroda gets to mount! Mihaylov was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Mihaylov is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mihaylov can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Minato Kuroda dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kuroda throws a body kick that misses.
Kuroda sets himself, and Mihaylov steps forward looking for the clinch! Kuroda avoids it this time.
Kuroda tries to clinch but Mihaylov is having none of it.
Minato Kuroda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihaylov throws out a loose jab but Kuroda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuroda fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuroda slips a jab from Mihaylov.
Kuroda seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Mihaylov throws a jab when Kuroda was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuroda dives in and scores a takedown into Mihaylov's guard.

Mihaylov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kuroda is looking to stand up but Mihaylov won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaylov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mihaylov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuroda defends it easily.

Mihaylov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuroda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mihaylov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mihaylov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuroda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mihaylov is looking for a sweep.
Kuroda wants to control but Mihaylov is keeping him busy.
Mihaylov tries to buck Kuroda off but Kuroda is having none of it.
Kuroda controls the position from side control.
Kuroda has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Mihaylov regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihaylov tries to roll over but Kuroda keeps him under control.
Mihaylov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuroda tries to pass to full mount but Mihaylov defends it.
Mihaylov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuroda's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuroda's back!

Mihaylov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Mihaylov is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Mihaylov is looking for the choke from the back position but Kuroda is controlling his hands well.
Minato Kuroda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda breaks Mihaylov's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Mihaylov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kuroda stacks Mihaylov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kuroda!
Kuroda postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mihaylov is looking to reverse the position.
Kuroda moves into full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuroda trying to control but Mihaylov is having none of it.
Mihaylov is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Minato Kuroda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kuroda 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Minato Kuroda!