PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vedran Mihaljevic (ranked 1389 p4p, 2502 weight class) and Douglas Sampson (ranked 202 p4p, 349 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mihaljevic
vs
Sampson

195 cm
21
265
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
260
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Nutritional Shaved Ice
Brooklyn Threads

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vedran Mihaljevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Douglas Sampson!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson digs a good hook to Mihaljevic's body.
Mihaljevic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Doom's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Mihaljevic looks to land a left hand but Sampson moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Sampson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mihaljevic tries for a takedown but Sampson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sampson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mihaljevic lands a lovely overhand right.
Sampson works the jab nicely.
Mihaljevic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sampson avoids it really well and circles away.
Mihaljevic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mihaljevic throws a body shot but no joy.
Mihaljevic tries to close the distance and clinch but Sampson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vedran Mihaljevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihaljevic shoots in looking for a takedown but Sampson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mihaljevic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vedran Mihaljevic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mihaljevic takes a swing at Sampson's ribcage but misses.
Mihaljevic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sampson is out of range and Mihaljevic settles back down.
Mihaljevic looks to land a body kick but Sampson moved away.
Sampson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mihaljevic.
A countering left hand to the body from Sampson misses.
Sampson throws a body punch but Mihaljevic moves out of range.
Mihaljevic misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Sampson to counter with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mihaljevic throws a shot from downtown. Sampson moves away and avoids it.
Mihaljevic throws a sloppy head kick and Sampson moves out of range easily.
Sampson lands with a cross.

It looks like Vedran Mihaljevic has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic wants to land a leg kick but Sampson is out of range.
Sampson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihaljevic.

Sampson drives through and clinches with Mihaljevic against the cage.

Mihaljevic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Douglas Sampson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sampson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mihaljevic tries to close the distance and clinch but Sampson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sampson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sampson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mihaljevic misses with a takedown attempt - Sampson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mihaljevic is breathing heavily.
Mihaljevic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sampson swivels and escapes.
Sampson lands a jab to Mihaljevic's midsection.
Sampson lands with a nice body punch.
Sampson misses with a looping left.
Sampson lands a right hook to the body.

Sampson steps into range and cracks Mihaljevic with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Mihaljevic flops backwards and Sampson dives into his guard looking to finish!

Mihaljevic is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sampson gets to his feet - Mihaljevic follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic walks right into a perfectly timed right hook and goes down hard! He's out cold! The ref cradles Mihaljevic limp body while Sampson jumps on to the cage and waves to the roaring crowd. Wow that was just a brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Douglas Sampson!
Douglas Sampson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.