PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Mikhailov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Barba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Barba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mikhailov
vs
Barba

185 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
26
203 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Mikhailov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Barba!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barba moves into the clinch.
Mikhailov can't break the clinch.
Barba tries a body shot but Mikhailov blocks it.
Mikhailov throws a head punch that misses.
Mikhailov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barba is looking for a takedown.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barba creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Barba has Mikhailov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Barba pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mikhailov tumbling to the mat - Barba dives into Mikhailov's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mikhailov holds on and takes a little breather.
Barba trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhailov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikhailov looking for a sweep. Not yet Mikhailov, not yet.
Barba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikhailov working a defensive guard here.
Mikhailov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barba trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhailov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Barba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mikhailov.
Mikhailov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barba was well out of range. Poor timing from Mikhailov.
Mikhailov lands a nice hook to Barba's body. Barba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mikhailov misses with a double jab.
Sloppy strikes from Mikhailov. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Barba drives through and clinches with Mikhailov against the cage.
Barba misses with a punch on the inside.
Barba throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Barba wants a takedown.
Anton Mikhailov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Barba.
Barba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mikhailov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barba swings wildly with an uppercut but Mikhailov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barba blocks a body shot from Mikhailov.
Barba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mikhailov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mikhailov misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba throws a hook but Mikhailov blocks it.
Mikhailov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barba at a distance.
Barba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mikhailov.

Barba gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barba goes for a takedown attempt but Mikhailov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Barba gets a clinch.
Barba tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba throws a punch but it's blocked by Mikhailov.
Barba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mikhailov lands with a short shot to the head.
Mikhailov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mikhailov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barba.
Barba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Barba looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barba is looking to take this one to the mat.

Mikhailov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mikhailov with a jab.

Barba forces Mikhailov back against the cage and clinches.
Mikhailov wants to break the clinch but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mikhailov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Barba avoiding damage as Mikhailov throws knees to the body.

Barba ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Barba no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Barba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mikhailov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Anton Mikhailov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mikhailov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Barba shoots in for a takedown but Mikhailov shows good takedown defense.

Barba drives through and clinches with Mikhailov against the cage.
Barba is looking for a takedown.
Barba with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mikhailov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Anton Mikhailov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Barba.
Barba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mikhailov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barba is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Barba on the side of the head.
Mikhailov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mikhailov misses with a two punch combination.
Mikhailov throws a 1-2 combo that connects squarely on Barba's jaw, knocking him onto his back! Mikhailov dives in looking to finish as Barba flails his arms in a desperate attempt to block Mikhailov's strikes! Mikhailov is raining down hammerfists and the ref stops it! Barba's desperate flailing just didn't constitute intelligent defence. Some people will probably question the ref's decision but Barba was definitely hurt and the ref saved him from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's safety is paramount in this sport.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anton Mikhailov!