PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adrik Mihaylov (ranked 1508 p4p, 1163 weight class) and Obel Ixtlan (ranked 198 p4p, 144 weight class). Mihaylov comes to the cage accompanied by Senza Pagare (ft. T Pain) - J-AX & Fedez. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mihaylov
vs
Ixtlan

202 cm
26
255
5 - 3 - 1

195 cm
26
285
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Adrik Mihaylov !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Obel Ixtlan!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihaylov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ixtlan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ixtlan throws a body punch but Mihaylov moves out of range.
Mihaylov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ixtlan.
Ixtlan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mihaylov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ixtlan throws the left hand but Mihaylov avoids the punch easily.
Mihaylov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Ixtlan doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ixtlan keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mihaylov is looking to clinch but Ixtlan is avoiding it.
It seemed like Ixtlan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ixtlan throws a shot from downtown. Mihaylov moves away and avoids it.
Mihaylov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Mihaylov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Mihaylov moves into range and clinches up with Ixtlan.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ixtlan avoids it.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ixtlan avoids it.
Ixtlan gets through Mihaylov 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mihaylov blocking some punches.
Mihaylov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mihaylov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees to the body from Mihaylov .
Ixtlan looks winded!
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihaylov scores with a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mihaylov landing knees to the head.

It looks like Obel Ixtlan has been cut.
Mihaylov lands a knee to the head.
Mihaylov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mihaylov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ixtlan blocks it with crossed arms.
Mihaylov with a knee to the head.
Mihaylov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ixtlan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ixtlan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mihaylov with a knee to the head.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but Ixtlan blocks with his arms.
Knees to the body from Mihaylov .
Mihaylov crunches a lovely knee into Ixtlan's ribcage.
Mihaylov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ixtlan takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mihaylov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ixtlan avoids the damage to the body.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but Ixtlan blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ixtlan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mihaylov missing with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ixtlan.
Ixtlan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mihaylov as Ixtlan tries to tie him up.
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mihaylov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ixtlan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ixtlan misses with a punch on the inside.
Mihaylov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ixtlan tries to throw a body punch but Mihaylov avoids it by throwing Ixtlan back against the cage.
Ixtlan takes a knee right on the jaw!

That has opened up Obel Ixtlan's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mihaylov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ixtlan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov scores with a knee to the head.
Mihaylov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mihaylov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mihaylov misses with a knee strike.
Mihaylov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mihaylov looking to throw knees to the head but Ixtlan is blocking nicely.
Mihaylov looking to throw knees to the head but Ixtlan is blocking nicely.
Mihaylov misses with a knee strike.
Ixtlan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mihaylov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ixtlan tries to score a body lock takedown but Mihaylov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adrik Mihaylov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Obel Ixtlan's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mihaylov is looking to clinch but Ixtlan is avoiding it.
Mihaylov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ixtlan.
Ixtlan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mihaylov .
Ixtlan throws out a counter right but Mihaylov avoids it with no problem.
Ixtlan looks to score with a jab to the body but Mihaylov is just out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mihaylov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov throws a looping overhand right but Ixtlan ducks down to avoid it.
Mihaylov throws a looping overhand right but Ixtlan ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaylov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Obel Ixtlan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ixtlan ducks under a wild hook from Mihaylov .
Mihaylov misses with a looping right.
Ixtlan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mihaylov moves forwards but Ixtlan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mihaylov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mihaylov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Mihaylov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ixtlan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mihaylov tries to clinch up but Ixtlan circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan throws a jab when Mihaylov was well out of range.
Mihaylov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ixtlan throws out the jab.
Ixtlan just misses with a punch to the body.
Mihaylov is looking to counter the offense by Ixtlan and move into the clinch.
Mihaylov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ixtlan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ixtlan unleashes a big counter combination but Mihaylov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Mihaylov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Ixtlan looks to land a combination but Mihaylov avoids it well.
Mihaylov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Ixtlan is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ixtlan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Obel Ixtlan seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mihaylov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mihaylov swings for the body but Ixtlan moves out of range.
Ixtlan loads up on a big right hand but Mihaylov slips the punch.
Ixtlan throws a jab when Mihaylov was well out of range.
Mihaylov is looking to counter the offense by Ixtlan and move into the clinch.
Mihaylov avoids the body shot from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ixtlan manages to circle out of the way.
Mihaylov is looking to clinch.
Mihaylov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ixtlan misses with a hook. Mihaylov ducked under it nicely.
Mihaylov misses with a body shot.
Mihaylov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ixtlan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ixtlan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ixtlan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Mihaylov moves into range and clinches up with Ixtlan.
Mihaylov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ixtlan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mihaylov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mihaylov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mihaylov throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Obel Ixtlan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Obel Ixtlan's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ixtlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mihaylov was well out of range. Poor timing from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mihaylov avoids the body shot from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ixtlan manages to circle out of the way.
Mihaylov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ixtlan scores with a hook to the body. Mihaylov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov takes one to the chin there.
Mihaylov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Obel Ixtlan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mihaylov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaylov tries to close the distance and clinch but Ixtlan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mihaylov slips under a jab.
Ixtlan misses with a straight left.
Mihaylov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ixtlan.
Mihaylov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Ixtlan tries to get set, Mihaylov tries to push him back and clinch up but Ixtlan manages to avoid the attempt.
Ixtlan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihaylov .
Mihaylov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ixtlan manages to circle out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mihaylov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mihaylov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Ixtlan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Ixtlan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ixtlan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mihaylov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ixtlan circles away.
Mihaylov throws a hook to the side of Ixtlan's head but Ixtlan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ixtlan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mihaylov wants to clinch up but Ixtlan keeps it at a distance.
Mihaylov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ixtlan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Ixtlan.
Ixtlan pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mihaylov back to the cage. Ixtlan follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Adrik Mihaylov has been cut.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Ixtlan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mihaylov circles away quickly and effectively.
Mihaylov is looking to counter the offense by Ixtlan and move into the clinch.
Ixtlan throws a looping overhand right but Mihaylov ducks down to avoid it.
Mihaylov motions for Ixtlan to come forward. Mihaylov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Ixtlan misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihaylov throws a low kick but Ixtlan moves out of range easily.
Mihaylov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mihaylov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mihaylov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ixtlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mihaylov was well out of range. Poor timing from Ixtlan.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mihaylov moves out of range of the strikes.
Mihaylov tries to clinch up but Ixtlan circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Obel Ixtlan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ixtlan 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Obel Ixtlan!
After winning the bout, Obel Ixtlan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.