PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James River (ranked 430 p4p, 178 weight class) and Gage Mickey (ranked 44 p4p, 17 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.

River
vs
Mickey

170 cm
23
147
8 - 2 - 0

182 cm
23
151
12 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

30th Century Beer Store
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, James River !
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gage Mickey!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mickey scores with the left hand. River knows he should have avoided that one.

River moves into range and clinches up with Mickey.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mickey prevents a body shot from River .

Mickey breaks the clinch.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
River misses with a body shot.
A left lands for Mickey.
Mickey is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
River looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mickey is fending him off so far but River persists. Nope, Mickey circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from River misses the target.

Mickey gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
River connects with a couple of short punches.
Mickey avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mickey told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
River trying to control but Mickey is working from the bottom.
River in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
River might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mickey uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mickey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mickey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Mickey tries to get set, River tries to push him back and clinch up but Mickey manages to avoid the attempt.
Mickey changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mickey moves away from the strike by River .
Mickey swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mickey misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
River swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mickey pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mickey throws a head kick that half lands.
Mickey swats away the attempt to clinch by River .
River takes one to the side of the head.
River thuds a left hand into Mickey's body.
Gage Mickey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River scores with the left hand. Mickey knows he should have avoided that one.
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!
Mickey throws out a loose jab but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
River scores with a decent looking hook.
Mickey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
River listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mickey misses with a hook.
A counter left hand to the body from River misses its target.
James River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River lands a slapping body shot.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mickey paws at him with a jab and circles away.
River looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mickey scores with a decent looking hook.
Mickey bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mickey lands with an uppercut that bounces River off the cage and back into range.
River swings for the body but Mickey moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Mickey on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mickey throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
River walks into a left hand.
River connects with a body shot that sends Mickey's belly button to the back.
A big left from Mickey misses.
Mickey misses the body punch

and River counters by clinching up.

Mickey pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
River throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Mickey throws a leg kick which misses River 's front leg but catches the back leg as River tries to avoid it.
River scores with a nice head shot.
Mickey scores with a sloppy right hand. River should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mickey tries a head kick but it misses.
River lands with a nice body punch.
Mickey misses with a hook to the body
and River counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mickey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River .
Mickey jabs at River 's body.
River misses with an uppercut. Mickey saw that one coming.
Mickey tries to move into range but River moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mickey's jab looks to have found its range, popping River under the eye.
Mickey walks into a jab.

Mickey is rocked!
Mickey shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mickey throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
River staying out of range there.
Mickey connects with a good right hand that stumbles River . River circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
Mickey moves away from the strike by River .
Nice jab there from River .
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
River misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mickey fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
Mickey lands with a nice body punch.
A swing and a miss from Mickey.
Mickey swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
River misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Mickey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A slow jab from Mickey misses its intended target.
Mickey ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mickey throws a front kick aimed at River 's knee but River avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from River misses the target.
River throws a body punch but Mickey moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Mickey.
A punch combination from Mickey misses.
River misses the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mickey.
Mickey is clearly trying to counter these attacks from River with a body shot.
Mickey slips under a jab.
Mickey takes a shot right to the bread basket.
River wants to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gage Mickey will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mickey scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice uppercut there from River .
Nice jab there from River .
Mickey will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mickey throws out a loose jab but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
River tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Mickey manages to circle out of the way.
Mickey throws a low kick but River avoids it.
River throwing a counter right hand but Mickey manages to avoid it.
Mickey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but River was well out of range. Poor timing from Mickey.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River tries to clinch there but Mickey circles away.
Mickey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River .
An attempted straight right counter from River misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mickey throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mickey looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
Mickey paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Mickey is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
River cracks Mickey with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gage Mickey seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Mickey misses.
Mickey throws a solid leg kick but River takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mickey.
River is looking to counter punch.
River throws a hook to the side of Mickey's head but Mickey sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
River slips under a jab from Mickey.
River takes a swing at Mickey's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Mickey was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
River tries to clinch up but Mickey circles away and keeps his distance.
River takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
River on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mickey sizes up River with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

River has closed the distance and engaged Mickey in a clinch.
Mickey working some nice short punches in the clinch.
River lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mickey makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mickey takes a shot to the head.
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!
River tries to work over Mickey's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mickey wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short uppercut from River .
A short left from Mickey.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mickey softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River gets through Mickey's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
River throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mickeys head.
Mickey is still on wobbly legs! Can River finish him?
Mickey throws a head punch that misses.
Mickey seems to have recovered his senses.

Mickey breaks from the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mickey. That's going to slow River down.
Mickey stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mickey swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by River .
Mickey just misses with a punch to the body.
Mickey lands a nice shot that snaps River 's head back.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Mickey on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mickey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River .
Mickey has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
River missing with a left hand there. Mickey was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mickey sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River looks to land a left hand but Mickey moved out of range nicely.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Mickey raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
River has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mickey.
River tries to clinch up but Mickey circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by River or perhaps it was just good defense by Mickey, which made it look bad.
River shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mickey defends it nicely.
River loads up on a big right hand but Mickey slips the punch.
Mickey throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
River cracks Mickey with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Donk. River catches Mickey right on the button with a cross.
River misses with an uppercut
and Mickey counters with a stiff right hand.
A slow jab from Mickey misses its intended target.
A slow jab from Mickey misses its intended target.
Nice cross by Mickey.
River throws a right hand that misses
and Mickey counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mickey looks to throw the jab but River is out of range.
Mickey tries to land a leg kick but River saw it coming and moves away.
Mickey throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mickey enables River to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mickey manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mickey keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.
Mickey controlling the position.
Mickey wants to stand and escape but River is having none of it.
Mickey is pulling down on River 's head to control his posture.
River controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
River content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River is fighting to break Mickey's control of his arms but Mickey is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
River working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gage Mickey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mickey tries a head kick but it misses.
Mickey loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
River wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice body punch from River .
Mickey lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
River tests Mickey's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mickey slips under a jab from River .
River connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mickey throws a sloppy head kick and River moves out of range easily.
River scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
River takes a swing at Mickey's ribcage but misses.
River moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMickey.
Mickey throws a head kick that misses.
River attempts a counter takedown but Mickey avoids it well and moves away.
A jab lands there for Mickey.

River has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

River manages to pull guard.

Mickey got a little sloppy there for a moment and River has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mickey has managed to get both his arms back between River 's legs - danger averted.
Mickey showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
James River overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

River working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mickey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mickey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mickey gets to his feet. River looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by River or perhaps it was just good defense by Mickey, which made it look bad.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mickey swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mickey pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mickey misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mickey looks to throw the jab but River is out of range.
River takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
River was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mickey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
River is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mickey throws a jab but it's blocked by River .
River looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mickey cracks River with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mickey doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mickey lands a nice hook to River 's body. River takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
River uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mickey has time to react.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mickey.
Mickey loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
River tries to clinch but Mickey moves out of range.
Mickey wants to slow River down by chopping away at his legs.
River misses the shot to the body.
River takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

River shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mickey gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mickey is adopting a defensive guard.
River working some strikes from top position.
Mickey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from River .
River trying to control the position from guard on top but Mickey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mickey pulls River in close to prevent any damage.
River trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
River with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mickey keeping moving, preventing River from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
River postures up in Mickey's guard and throws a big left but Mickey blocks it.
Mickey is controlling River 's posture.
Mickey looking to control.
River throwing strikes from guard but Mickey blocks nicely.
Mickey is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mickey swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Mickey misses the target.
A counter left hand to the body from River misses its target.
River tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mickey swivels and escapes.
Mickey avoids the body shot from River .
River connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mickey is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Mickey connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mickey defending well as River loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gage Mickey just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

River takes a swing at Mickey's ribcage but misses.
Good standup being displayed there by River as he connects with a hook.
River misses with an uppercut. Mickey saw that one coming.
Mickey swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mickey was well out of range. Poor timing from River .
Mickey slips a straight right by River .
River misses with a wild body shot.
River scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mickey in his tracks.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mickey works the jab nicely.
River throws a hook to the side of Mickey's head but Mickey sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Mickey on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mickey fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mickey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mickey lands a head shot.
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mickey was well out of range. Poor timing from River .
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mickey was well out of range. Poor timing from River .
Mickey flicks out a counter leg kick but River steps away.
Mickey throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River tries to clinch but Mickey is having none of it.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mickey fails to land with a series of punches.
River tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Mickey manages to circle out of the way.
Mickey uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before River has time to react.
Mickey fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt River .
Mickey walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
River takes one on the button.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mickey on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
River dips to his left and cracks Mickey with an uppercut!
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
River lands a jab to the nose.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mickey throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mickey momentarily.
Mickey throws a body punch but River moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
Jab, jab by Mickey - just one landing.
Mickey throws a jab but it's blocked by River .
River tests Mickey's chin there with a solid looking shot.
River displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mickey throws out the jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from River .
River throws a body shot but no joy.
River throws the left hand but Mickey avoids the punch easily.
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mickey dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River swings for the body but Mickey moves out of range.
River throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Mickey to counter with a crisp jab.
Mickey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mickey throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mickey slips under a jab from River .

River shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mickey is trying to defend but River finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
River seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mickey trying to control from the bottom.
River thows a huge punch but Mickey dodges it nicely.
Mickey looks like he's trying to stand up.
River stalling.
Mickey tries to roll over but River keeps him under control.
Mickey wants to control but River is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
River wants to free his trapped foot but Mickey is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mickey wants to get back to his feet.
River is trying to control. Mickey wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
River thows a huge punch but Mickey dodges it nicely.
River working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
River throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mickey tries to roll over but River keeps him under control.
Mickey looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mickey has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. River is working away from the top position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James River had his way with Gage Mickey in that 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mickey scores with a nice strike.
River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mickey momentarily.
Mickey comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mickey takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mickey thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mickey throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as River checks a leg kick.
River looks to land a right hand but Mickey moved out of range.

River clinches up with Mickey and pushes him back against the cage.
River blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River tries a body shot but Mickey blocks it.
Mickey lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
Mickey has River pushed against the cage.
River fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James River has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Mickey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River misses with an uppercut
and Mickey counters with an outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mickey rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and River counters with a nice body shot.
River takes a swing at Mickey's ribcage but misses.
River lands with a good body shot.
A punch lands to the side of River 's head but he takes it in his stride.
River avoids the head kick by Mickey.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mickey manages to avoid it.
Mickey takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mickey connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

River moves into the clinch successfully.
River drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
River blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mickey prevents a body shot from River .
Mickey is looking to control River 's arms but River gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mickey has his back to the cage.
River misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mickey's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Mickey's shoulder, as Mickey tries to avoid the shot.
Mickey avoids the body shot from River .
River throws a body punch but Mickey moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mickey connects with a nice looking jab.
River misses with a straight right.
River lands a jab to the head.
River misses the shot to the body.
Mickey 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.
River is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
River misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mickey connects with a good right hand that stumbles River . River circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
River swings for the body but Mickey moves out of range.
Mickey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from River misses.
River uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mickey.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Mickey is just out of range.
James River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mickey ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mickey. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River closes the distance and clinches up with Mickey, looking for a takedown. River pushes Mickey against the cage but Mickey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mickey slips under a jab from River .
River with a nice cross.
River on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Mickey dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Mickey counters with a nice uppercut.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
River misses with a jab to the body
and Mickey counters with a straight right hand.
River throws a looping overhand right but Mickey ducks down to avoid it.
Mickey lands a nice hook to River 's body. River takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mickey throws a head kick that half lands.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Mickey does it's job there.
River throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mickey looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mickey dips to his left and cracks River with an uppercut!
Nice defenses there by River .
Mickey lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
A little jabbing left from Mickey on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
River loads up on a big right hand but Mickey slips the punch.
Mickey feints a counter leg kick.
River looks to land a left hand but Mickey moved out of range nicely.
River shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mickey as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James River . That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from River misses.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mickey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
River misses with a straight right.
Mickey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mickey steps to the side to avoid the strikes from River .
Mickey lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good exchange - Mickey coming out on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gage Mickey.
I think Mickey 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:49
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gage Mickey! Gage Mickey retains his featherweight title!