PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vedran Mihaljevic (ranked 2649 p4p, 1595 weight class) and Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen (ranked 355 p4p, 227 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Mihaljevic
vs
Van ThÃ¼ringen

195 cm
22
265
6 - 3 - 0

192 cm
22
235
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

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 - 3 - 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihaljevic throws an overhand right that lands on Van ThÃ¼ringen's shoulder, as Van ThÃ¼ringen tries to avoid the shot.
Mihaljevic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van ThÃ¼ringen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mihaljevic somewhat.
Mihaljevic fails with the takedown.
Mihaljevic misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaljevic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mihaljevic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mihaljevic looks to land a left hand but Van ThÃ¼ringen moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic misses with a looping right.
Mihaljevic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Van ThÃ¼ringen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mihaljevic.
It seemed like Van ThÃ¼ringen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mihaljevic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Van ThÃ¼ringen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It seemed like Van ThÃ¼ringen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mihaljevic lands with a nice combination. Van ThÃ¼ringen backs away looking to recover.
Mihaljevic darts in trying to clinch
and Van ThÃ¼ringen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mihaljevic tries to land a leg kick but Van ThÃ¼ringen saw it coming and moves away.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Van ThÃ¼ringen cracks Mihaljevic with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Mihaljevic looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Van ThÃ¼ringen finish him?

It looks like Vedran Mihaljevic has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mihaljevic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Van ThÃ¼ringen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Van ThÃ¼ringen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihaljevic.
Van ThÃ¼ringen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mihaljevic.
An attempted straight right counter from Mihaljevic misses the target.
Mihaljevic scores with a decent looking hook.
Mihaljevic misses with a kick to the body
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mihaljevic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Van ThÃ¼ringen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mihaljevic throws a right hand that misses
and Van ThÃ¼ringen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mihaljevic tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van ThÃ¼ringen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Van ThÃ¼ringen has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Mihaljevic looks to score with a jab to the body but Van ThÃ¼ringen is just out of range.
Van ThÃ¼ringen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mihaljevic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mihaljevic tries to clinch up.
Mihaljevic looks to land a left hand but Van ThÃ¼ringen moved out of range nicely.
Mihaljevic throws a lazy right hand but Van ThÃ¼ringen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook. Van ThÃ¼ringen ducked under it nicely.
Van ThÃ¼ringen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mihaljevic.
It seemed like Van ThÃ¼ringen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mihaljevic throws a shot from downtown. Van ThÃ¼ringen moves away and avoids it.
Mihaljevic just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Van ThÃ¼ringen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice shot lands for Van ThÃ¼ringen.
Mihaljevic tries a head kick but it misses.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws out a counter right but Mihaljevic avoids it with no problem.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mihaljevic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed right hand from Mihaljevic misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vedran Mihaljevic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mihaljevic moves out of range as Van ThÃ¼ringen throws a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Mihaljevic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen takes one to the chin there.
Mihaljevic tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Van ThÃ¼ringen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Van ThÃ¼ringen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws out a counter right but Mihaljevic avoids it with no problem.
Vedran Mihaljevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihaljevic throws a poor cross that misses
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a right hand to the body.
A jab from Mihaljevic misses.
Van ThÃ¼ringen replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Mihaljevic blocks it well.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Van ThÃ¼ringen! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaljevic misses with a leg kick
and Van ThÃ¼ringen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mihaljevic scores with a decent looking hook.
Mihaljevic scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws the left hand but Van ThÃ¼ringen avoids the punch easily.
Van ThÃ¼ringen tries a quick counter leg kick but Mihaljevic is wise to it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mihaljevic looks for a takedown but Van ThÃ¼ringen sprawls well.
Van ThÃ¼ringen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mihaljevic connects with a leg kick.
Mihaljevic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Van ThÃ¼ringen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen thumps Mihaljevic with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van ThÃ¼ringen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A cross from Mihaljevic lands.
Mihaljevic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Van ThÃ¼ringen was well out of range. Poor timing from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van ThÃ¼ringen lands with a cross.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws the left hand but Mihaljevic avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Mihaljevic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen misses with a hook.
Mihaljevic throws a big counter combination but Van ThÃ¼ringen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Van ThÃ¼ringen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mihaljevic misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Mihaljevic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws out a counter right but Mihaljevic avoids it with no problem.
Van ThÃ¼ringen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mihaljevic.
Van ThÃ¼ringen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Van ThÃ¼ringen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mihaljevic throws a head kick that half lands.
Van ThÃ¼ringen leaves Mihaljevic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws out a counter right but Mihaljevic avoids it with no problem.
Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mihaljevic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Van ThÃ¼ringen throws a lazy body kick
enabling Mihaljevic to counter with a crisp jab.
Mihaljevic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van ThÃ¼ringen follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws a jab when Van ThÃ¼ringen was well out of range.
Mihaljevic takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Van ThÃ¼ringen moves away from the strike by Mihaljevic.
Some bone on bone action there as Van ThÃ¼ringen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Van ThÃ¼ringen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mihaljevic throws a sloppy body shot
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a stiff right hand.
Mihaljevic misses with a straight left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van ThÃ¼ringen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mihaljevic.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vedran Mihaljevic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vedran Mihaljevic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Van ThÃ¼ringen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mihaljevic looks to throw the jab but Van ThÃ¼ringen is out of range.
Mihaljevic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van ThÃ¼ringen manages to avoid it.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mihaljevic swinging wildly here.
Mihaljevic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaljevic misses the shot to the body.
Mihaljevic shoots for a double leg takedown but Van ThÃ¼ringen sprawls well. He's pushed Mihaljevic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A nice side step and Van ThÃ¼ringen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Good exchange - Mihaljevic coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws a right and a left that Van ThÃ¼ringen avoids nicely.
Mihaljevic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Van ThÃ¼ringen.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mihaljevic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mihaljevic misses with an uppercut
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mihaljevic slips a straight right by Van ThÃ¼ringen.
Mihaljevic misses with a lunging right hand
and Van ThÃ¼ringen counters with a good low kick that Mihaljevic was not able to check.
Van ThÃ¼ringen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mihaljevic moves out of range of the body kick from Van ThÃ¼ringen.

Van ThÃ¼ringen lands a big right hand that sends Mihaljevic crashing to the mat! Van ThÃ¼ringen stays standing though and waves Mihaljevic back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van ThÃ¼ringen looks to land a left hand but Mihaljevic moved out of range nicely.
Van ThÃ¼ringen pounces like a tiger and cracks Mihaljevic with a vicious hook! Mihaljevic is down but not out! Van ThÃ¼ringen follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen!
A victorious Balthasar Van ThÃ¼ringen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.