PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maikkel Mikkelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yusuke Kanehara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mikkelsson
vs
Kanehara

225 cm
20
188 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

179 cm
23
189 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Grappling Pro Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Maikkel Mikkelsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuke Kanehara!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oooh a lovely combination from Mikkelsson sends Kanehara down but not out. Mikkelsson dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Yusuke Kanehara has been cut.
Kanehara is trying to buck Mikkelsson off.

Mikkelsson decides to stand back up. Mikkelsson steps back and let's Kanehara get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mikkelsson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mikkelsson wants to get back to his feet but Kanehara is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mikkelsson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Kanehara wants to pass the guard but Mikkelsson is keeping the position.

Kanehara stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mikkelsson cracks Kanehara with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mikkelsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maikkel Mikkelsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikkelsson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kanehara scores a takedown into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanehara controlling the position easily from mount.
Mikkelsson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kanehara on the ground.
Mikkelsson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kanehara looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kanehara won't let Mikkelsson get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Kanehara get's back to his feet.
Kanehara looks gassed!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kanehara.
A right-left combo lands from Mikkelsson.
A jab from Mikkelsson does it's job there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mikkelsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikkelsson catches Kanehara napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Kanehara to the canvas!

Kanehara is rocked!
Mikkelsson is stalling in the full guard.
Kanehara is still in real trouble! Can Mikkelsson finish him?
Mikkelsson tries to stand but Kanehara is controlling from the bottom.
Kanehara seems to have recovered his senses.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mikkelsson trying to control but Kanehara is working from the bottom.
Kanehara has a closed guard, preventing Mikkelsson from standing up.
Mikkelsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kanehara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikkelsson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikkelsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Kanehara is retaining full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Mikkelsson misses.
Mikkelsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A lazy left from Mikkelsson finds it's target.
Kanehara wants to slow Mikkelsson down by chopping away at his legs.
Kanehara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mikkelsson.
Mikkelsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kanehara, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mikkelsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Mikkelsson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mikkelsson with a hook.
Mikkelsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

A jab-cross combination lands for Mikkelsson and sends Kanehara crashing to the mat! Mikkelsson follows him down to the mat - Kanehara regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mikkelsson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Mikkelsson controlling the action here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Mikkelsson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kanehara controls his leg.
Mikkelsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mikkelsson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kanehara is staying active underneath Mikkelsson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mikkelsson is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kanehara reverses the position - he's now on top in Mikkelsson's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kanehara trying to control but Mikkelsson is working from the bottom.
Mikkelsson is looking to stand up but Kanehara isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maikkel Mikkelsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yusuke Kanehara's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mikkelsson throws a combination. Kanehara tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Kanehara ducks straight into an uppercut from Mikkelsson and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Kanehara manages to regain guard straight away.
Mikkelsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mikkelsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kanehara can do to turn this around?
Kanehara keeping moving, preventing Mikkelsson from controlling successfully.
Mikkelsson wants to get up but he can't break Kanehara's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mikkelsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kanehara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kanehara looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kanehara trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kanehara is breathing heavily.
Mikkelsson looking to sit in guard and control but Kanehara gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kanehara trying to control but Mikkelsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kanehara on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jab by Mikkelsson.

Kanehara rushes Mikkelsson and presses him up against the ropes.
Mikkelsson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Mikkelsson is trying to force a seperation but Kanehara has the dominant position.
Mikkelsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kanehara's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mikkelsson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kanehara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kanehara takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kanehara takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mikkelsson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kanehara's head backwards.

Mikkelsson drops Kanehara with a big left hand and mounts him. Kanehara is in big trouble!
Mikkelsson tries to control but Kanehara wriggling away.
Mikkelsson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikkelsson looking to finish Kanehara with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kanehara!
Mikkelsson wants to control the pace but Kanehara is squirming around nicely.
Mikkelsson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mikkelsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kanehara is looking to escape.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Maikkel Mikkelsson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Mikkelsson throws a body punch but Kanehara moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikkelsson connects with a body shot.
Mikkelsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kanehara doesn't seem bothered though.
Mikkelsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kanehara at a distance.
Mikkelsson jabs at Kanehara's body.
Mikkelsson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mikkelsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mikkelsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mikkelsson throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mikkelsson cracks Kanehara with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Maikkel Mikkelsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mikkelsson drops Kanehara with a right and a left! Mikkelsson comes rushing in but Kanehara regains his composure and manages to keep Mikkelsson in guard.
Mikkelsson wants to stand but Kanehara is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kanehara working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kanehara is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mikkelsson prevents Kanehara from getting back to his feet.
Kanehara keeping moving, preventing Mikkelsson from controlling successfully.
Mikkelsson is pushing down on Kanehara's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kanehara is fighting to maintain full guard but Mikkelsson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mikkelsson wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kanehara walks into a jab.

A jab-cross combination lands for Mikkelsson and sends Kanehara crashing to the mat! Mikkelsson follows him down to the mat - Kanehara regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maikkel Mikkelsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yusuke Kanehara's cut.
That's time! Mikkelsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kanehara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kanehara on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Mikkelsson moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Kanehara goes down! Can Mikkelsson finish him!?
Mikkelsson is looking to stand up but Kanehara won't let him.
Mikkelsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kanehara swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mikkelsson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mikkelsson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kanehara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mikkelsson.
Mikkelsson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A jab from Mikkelsson finds it's way through Kanehara's defenses.
Mikkelsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kanehara, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jab from Mikkelsson.
Kanehara has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mikkelsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kanehara circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanehara looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mikkelsson lands a body shot.
Mikkelsson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mikkelsson lands with a right hand.
Mikkelsson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Mikkelsson lands with a shot to the body.
Kanehara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mikkelsson.
Mikkelsson looks to land a left hand but Kanehara moved out of range nicely.
Kanehara uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mikkelsson.

Kanehara shoots in and bounces Mikkelsson off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Mikkelsson wants to stand up but Kanehara is controlling him.
Kanehara trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikkelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikkelsson pushes Kanehara off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kanehara with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mikkelsson to score with a decent uppercut.
Mikkelsson misses with a wild body shot.
Mikkelsson catches Kanehara with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kanehara goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mikkelsson looks to land a combination but Kanehara avoids it well.
Mikkelsson throws a right and a left that Kanehara avoids nicely.

Kanehara feints and as Mikkelsson raises his hands in defense, Kanehara changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kanehara controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Mikkelsson is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kanehara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Maikkel Mikkelsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yusuke Kanehara.
Mikkelsson wants to break free but Kanehara has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanehara keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mikkelsson's efforts to push away.
Kanehara jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mikkelsson walks away with a smile on his face. Kanehara gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mikkelsson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mikkelsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kanehara doesn't seem bothered though.
Mikkelsson lands a nice looking body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mikkelsson.
Mikkelsson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mikkelsson scores with a jab.
Mikkelsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kanehara manages to avoid it.
Mikkelsson with a jab.
Maikkel Mikkelsson is winning the standup battle so far.

Kanehara decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mikkelsson pushes Kanehara off looking to stand but Kanehara dives back in and keeps control.
Yusuke Kanehara has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanehara looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mikkelsson tests Kanehara's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mikkelsson thows a body shot but no joy.

Kanehara looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Mikkelsson!
Kanehara throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mikkelsson tries to buck Kanehara off but he can't manage it.
Kanehara tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maikkel Mikkelsson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Yusuke Kanehara's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mikkelsson throws a series of strikes that have Kanehara backpedaling.
Mikkelsson fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice uppercut lands for Mikkelsson. That snapped Kanehara's head back.
A jab from Mikkelsson does it's job there.
Mikkelsson cracks Kanehara with an open hand slap.
Kanehara moves out of range as Mikkelsson strikes.
Mikkelsson misses with a straight right.
Mikkelsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kanehara was well out of range. Poor timing from Mikkelsson.

Kanehara gets a clinch.
Mikkelsson takes a shot to the head.

Kanehara pulls guard successfully.
Kanehara being controlled here, momentarily.
Mikkelsson won't allow Kanehara to get back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kanehara bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mikkelsson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanehara wants to pass the guard but Mikkelsson is keeping the position.
Kanehara is looking to stand up but Mikkelsson won't let him.
Mikkelsson wants to stand and escape but Kanehara is having none of it.
Kanehara trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikkelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikkelsson wants to stand and escape but Kanehara is having none of it.

Mikkelsson is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kanehara drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kanehara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kanehara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Maikkel Mikkelsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yusuke Kanehara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Mikkelsson manages to break the clinch.
Mikkelsson connects with a jab.
Mikkelsson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Maikkel Mikkelsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mikkelsson misses with a double jab.
Mikkelsson lands a with a good body shot.
Mikkelsson takes a swing at Kanehara's ribcage but misses.
Kanehara ducks under a wild hook from Mikkelsson.

Kanehara shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Mikkelsson wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
Kanehara controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanehara can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mikkelsson is looking to escape.
Mikkelsson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kanehara trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mikkelsson is trying to stand.
Kanehara trying to control but Mikkelsson is having none of it.
Mikkelsson has given up his back. Will we see Kanehara going for some submissions?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Good control from Kanehara.
Mikkelsson holding both Kanehara 's hands and preventing any damage.
Kanehara trying to control.
Mikkelsson is trying to stand back up.
Kanehara lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Mikkelsson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Maikkel Mikkelsson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yusuke Kanehara's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mikkelsson jabs Kanehara right on the nose. Kanehara blinks but takes it well.
A combination from Mikkelsson does no damage.
Mikkelsson throws a right and a left that Kanehara avoids nicely.
Mikkelsson lands a right hook to the body.
Mikkelsson misses with an uppercut. Kanehara saw that one coming.
Mikkelsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Kanehara moves into the clinch.
Mikkelsson wants to break free but Kanehara has control.

Mikkelsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mikkelsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kanehara.
Mikkelsson lands a nice hook to Kanehara's body. Kanehara takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mikkelsson lands a right hook to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A jab from Mikkelsson does it's job there.
Mikkelsson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice uppercut lands for Mikkelsson. That snapped Kanehara's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikkelsson jabs Kanehara right on the nose. Kanehara blinks but takes it well.
Mikkelsson misses with a few strikes there.
Mikkelsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kanehara looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kanehara takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mikkelsson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kanehara's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kanehara duly obliges.
Mikkelsson cracks a nice hook into Kanehara's ribs.
Mikkelsson cracks Kanehara with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mikkelsson lands a slapping body shot.
Mikkelsson misses with a wild combination.
Mikkelsson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mikkelsson looks to throw a body kick
and Kanehara counters with a nice leg kick.
Mikkelsson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kanehara counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kanehara.
Mikkelsson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kanehara goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mikkelsson prevents it.
Maikkel Mikkelsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yusuke Kanehara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikkelsson manages to break the clinch.
Kanehara staying out of range there.
Kanehara throws and low kick but Mikkelsson moves out of range easily.
Kanehara tries for a takedown but Mikkelsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mikkelsson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kanehara.
Mikkelsson cracks Kanehara with a good jab.
Kanehara takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kanehara changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mikkelsson tries to avoid it but Kanehara manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mikkelsson to the ground. Mikkelsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mikkelsson with a hook.
Nice straight punches there by Mikkelsson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mikkelsson.
Mikkelsson scores with a punch to the head.
Mikkelsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kanehara at a distance.
Mikkelsson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mikkelsson misses with a wild combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kanehara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kanehara drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mikkelsson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Mikkelsson is looking to get back to his feet here but Kanehara is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mikkelsson's back.
Mikkelsson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Maikkel Mikkelsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kanehara lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanehara throwing damaging strikes from the back! Mikkelsson could be in trouble here!
Mikkelsson prevents Kanehara from getting a body triangle.
Mikkelsson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Kanehara throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Mikkelsson!
Mikkelsson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kanehara just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Kanehara punches the canvas rather than the man.
Mikkelsson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Kanehara is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maikkel Mikkelsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mikkelsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:44
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:44
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maikkel Mikkelsson!
Maikkel Mikkelsson retains his middleweight title!