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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Fusi (ranked 1919 p4p, 2756 weight class) and Hristo Mihailov (ranked 260 p4p, 362 weight class). This should be fireworks!
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| 191 cm
31
276
20 - 19 - 0 |
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193 cm
37
265
18 - 18 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 20 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Fusi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hristo Mihailov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihailov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mihailov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fusi throws out the jab.
Mihailov tries to bum rush Fusi with a series of wild strikes but Fusi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mihailov throws a nice looking combination but Fusi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mihailov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fusi scores with a sloppy right hand. Mihailov should have avoided that one.
Some wild striking there from Mihailov.
Sloppy strikes from Mihailov. Those never looked like landing.
Mihailov throws a nice looking combination but Fusi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Mihailov.
Fusi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fusi tests Mihailov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
No joy there for Mihailov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mihailov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fusi scores with a nice strike.
Mihailov tries to clinch but Fusi is having none of it.
Mihailov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fusi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch combination from Mihailov misses.
A big right from Fusi misses.
Fusi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mihailov throws a leg kick that misses.
Fusi throws a big shot that misses.
Mihailov throws a right and a left that both miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Fusi misses the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Fusi.
Fusi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mihailov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fusi gets tackled into the cage by Mihailov. Mihailov maintains the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mihailov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fusi.
Fusi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fusi is stalling here.
Mihailov jumps guard.
Mihailov has his hands on Fusi's head, controlling the position.
Fusi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov wants to sweep here but Fusi controlling him for the moment.
Mihailov controls Fusi momentarily but Fusi frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fusi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fusi works the jab nicely.
Fusi with a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fusi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
It looks like James Fusi has been cut.
Mihailov wants to clinch up but Fusi keeps it at a distance.
Mihailov throws a right hand that Fusi ducks under and follows up with a left that Fusi also avoids with ease.
A bone on bone clash there as Fusi blocks the leg kick.
Mihailov throws a series of punches but Fusi moves out of range.
Fusi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Mihailov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mihailov looks for the body kick but Fusi saw that one coming.
Fusi throws a shot from downtown. Mihailov moves away and avoids it.
Mihailov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mihailov looks to land a right hand but Fusi moved out of range.
Some wild striking there from Mihailov.
A cross from Fusi lands.
Mihailov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fusi circles away quickly and effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihailov throws a looping overhand right but Fusi ducks down to avoid it.
Mihailov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fusi throws a lazy right hand but Mihailov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mihailov throws a left that rocks Fusi and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Mihailov dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Fusi regain composure!
Fusi is rocked!
Mihailov throws an elbow but Fusi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Oh Fusi is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Mihailov landing strikes.
Mihailov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mihailov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Mihailov working away.
Fusi seems to have got his legs back now.
Mihailov working the ground and pound but Fusi is defending the strikes.
Mihailov with the ground and pound but Fusi regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Mihailov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Fusi to regain full guard.
Mihailov throws a big elbow that misses.
Fusi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mihailov.
Fusi has his hands on Mihailov's head, controlling the position.
Mihailov postures up in Fusi's guard and throws a big left but Fusi blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Hristo Mihailov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Fusi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Mihailov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mihailov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fusi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mihailov throws a wild body kick that Fusi sees coming a mile off.
Mihailov fails to land with a series of punches.
Fusi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Mihailov throws a right hand that Fusi ducks under and follows up with a left that Fusi also avoids with ease.
Fusi loads up on a big right hand but Mihailov slips the punch.
Mihailov misses with a wild combination.
Mihailov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fusi throws the left hand but Mihailov avoids the punch easily.
Fusi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mihailov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Fusi to score with a decent uppercut.
Mihailov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Fusi misses with a looping left.
Fusi scores with a nice head shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fusi thuds his right hand into Mihailov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fusi, as that shot connected.
Mihailov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fusi is looking to counter punch.
Mihailov drops his hands momentarily and Fusi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mihailov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A jab from Fusi misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mihailov! But no joy.
Fusi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihailov.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihailov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mihailov tries to close the distance and clinch but Fusi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Oh, that's a big right hand from Mihailov and Fusi goes tumbling to the canvas! Mihailov follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.
James Fusi's cut is getting worse.
Mihailov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fusi is doing well to control the position and prevent Mihailov from advancing to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mihailov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mihailov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fusi misses with a hook. Mihailov ducked under it nicely.
Fusi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mihailov.
Mihailov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A big left from Fusi misses.
Hristo Mihailov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fusi dodges the punch combination from Mihailov.
Mihailov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
James Fusi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihailov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hristo Mihailov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fusi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fusi.
Mihailov clinches up against the cage.
Mihailov is trying to push Fusi away but Fusi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fusi misses with a punch on the inside.
Mihailov taking a breather.
Fusi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Fusi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mihailov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fusi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fusi stalling in the clinch.
Fusi lands with a light punch inside.
Mihailov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fusi throws a hook but Mihailov avoids it easily.
Mihailov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fusi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mihailov wants to land a leg kick but Fusi is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Fusi.
Fusi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihailov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mihailov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mihailov throws an elbow but it misses.
Mihailov jumps guard.
Mihailov being controlled here, momentarily.
Mihailov pulls Fusi in close to his closed guard and prevents Fusi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fusi controlling from the top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fusi stopping the sweep attempt from Mihailov.
Fusi stands and steps away. Mihailov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fusi loads up on a big right hand but Mihailov slips the punch.
Mihailov throws the left hand but Fusi avoids the punch easily.
Mihailov drops Fusi with a nice combination! Mihailov dives into Fusi's guard, looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mihailov trying to control the position from guard on top but Fusi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mihailov is looking to pass into half guard but Fusi pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Fusi is in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mihailov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Mihailov being controlled here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Hristo Mihailov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on James Fusi's cut.
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. This is the final round!
Mihailov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fusi slips under a jab.
Fusi avoids a kick to the body.
Mihailov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fusi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fusi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mihailov slips under a jab from Fusi.
Mihailov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fusi is looking to counter punch.
Fusi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihailov.
Mihailov misses with a body kick.
It looked like Fusi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mihailov slips a straight right by Fusi.
Fusi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mihailov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mihailov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Fusi defends it well.
Mihailov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fusi looks to land a right hand but Mihailov moved out of range.
Mihailov is looking to clinch.
Fusi moves away from the strike by Mihailov.
Mihailov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fusi missing with a left hand there. Mihailov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mihailov throws a series of punches but Fusi avoids them all with ease.
Fusi swats away the attempt to clinch by Mihailov.
Fusi throws the left hand but Mihailov avoids the punch easily.
Fusi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mihailovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fusi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fusi misses with a straight right.
Fusi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fusi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihailov.
Mihailov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mihailov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mihailov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fusi lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fusi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Good exchange - Fusi coming out on top.
Mihailov misses with a wild combination.
Fusi slips a jab and a cross from Mihailov.
Mihailov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mihailov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Fusi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fusi with a nice cross.
Fusi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fusi throws out a loose jab but Mihailov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mihailov misses with the combination.
Fusi dips to his left and cracks Mihailov with an uppercut!
Fusi throws a big shot that misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Fusi misses.
Fusi scores with a jab to the head.
Fusi throws a jab but it's blocked by Mihailov.
The crowd cheers as Fusi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mihailov doesn't seem phased though.
Mihailov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fusi.
Nice uppercut there from Mihailov.
Mihailov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fusi looks to land a right hand but Mihailov moved out of range.
Fusi scores with a jab.
Mihailov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fusi throwing a counter right hand but Mihailov manages to avoid it.
Mihailov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fusi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fusi lands a jab.
Mihailov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mihailov blocks a jab.
Mihailov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mihailov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for Mihailov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fusi misses with a looping left.
Mihailov throws a right hand that Fusi ducks under and follows up with a left that Fusi also avoids with ease.
James Fusi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fusi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mihailov throws a right and a left that Fusi avoids nicely.
Fusi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mihailov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fusi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fusi lands with an overhand left.
Mihailov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fusi.
Mihailov looks to land a combination. Fusi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
James Fusi's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Fusi misses the jab.
Fusi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mihailov staying out of range there.
Fusi connects with a nice looking jab.
Fusi throws a hook but Mihailov avoids it easily.
No joy there for Mihailov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
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!
Mihailov slips a jab from Fusi.
Fusi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mihailov misses with a few strikes there.
Mihailov misses with a wild combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Fusi misses the target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fusi throws a big shot that misses.
Mihailov thuds his right hand into Fusi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fusi drops Mihailov with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Mihailov looks back up at him and smiles so Fusi waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Mihailov is rocked!
It looks like Hristo Mihailov has been cut.
Mihailov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mihailov is still on wobbly legs! Can Fusi finish him?
Mihailov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fusi.
Mihailov defending well as Fusi loads up on a big left hand.
Mihailov seems to have recovered his senses.
Fusi throws a shot from downtown. Mihailov moves away and avoids it.
Mihailov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Fusi defends it well.
Fusi lands an overhand right.
Fusi misses with an uppercut.
Mihailov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fusi throws out the jab.
Mihailov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A big left from Fusi misses.
Mihailov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fusi.
Fusi throws a jab but it's blocked by Mihailov.
Mihailov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hristo Mihailov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mihailov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fusi.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fusi misses with a looping left.
Fusi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fusi misses with a hook. Mihailov ducked under it nicely.
Mihailov pushes Fusi up against the cage in a clinch.
And that's the end of the fight!
James Fusi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mihailov 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hristo Mihailov!
An out of breath Hristo Mihailov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
83% |
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