PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dima Mikhalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mikhalev
vs
Arlovski

185 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dima Mikhalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Fedor Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mikhalev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Arlovski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Arlovski swinging wildly here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mikhalev.
Mikhalev shoots in for a takedown but Arlovski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Arlovski circles away from the clinch attempt.

Mikhalev moves into range and clinches up with Arlovski.
Arlovski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mikhalev prevents it.
Mikhalev is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dima Mikhalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arlovski has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mikhalev after a bit of a struggle.
Arlovski drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arlovski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mikhalev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski can't get the takedown.
Arlovski looking for a takedown.
Mikhalev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mikhalev tries to circle away but Arlovski has him pinned against the cage.
Arlovski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mikhalev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Arlovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mikhalev shoots in and drives through. Arlovski sprawls well.
Arlovski is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mikhalev is looking to clinch but Arlovski is avoiding it.
Mikhalev throws a leg kick but Arlovski sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mikhalev fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhalev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Arlovski as he avoids it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Arlovski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Arlovski swinging wildly here.
Mikhalev shoots for a takedown but Arlovski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Mikhalev darts in and clinches Arlovski up against the cage.
Arlovski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Arlovski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mikhalev is trying to break the clinch but Arlovski is controlling him.
Arlovski tries for a takedown but Mikhalev manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski wants a takedown but no success here.
Arlovski looks gassed!
Arlovski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mikhalev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mikhalev stops a takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Arlovski is looking for a takedown.
Mikhalev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Arlovski is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mikhalev slows down the pace here.
Mikhalev misses with a knee strike.
A frustrated look appears on Mikhalev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Arlovski tries to break the clinch but Mikhalev is controlling the position.

Mikhalev drags the fight down to the ground.

Mikhalev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Arlovski defends it easily.
Mikhalev striking off his back but it's not causing Arlovski any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikhalev pushes Arlovski off and scrambles back to his feet.
Arlovski gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mikhalev.
Mikhalev closes the distance and clinches up with Arlovski, looking for a takedown. Mikhalev pushes Arlovski against the cage but Arlovski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arlovski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arlovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mikhalev wants to clinch up but Arlovski keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dima Mikhalev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mikhalev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Arlovski defends it nicely.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mikhalev has Arlovski up against the cage in a clinch.
Mikhalev tries to pull guard but Arlovski forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mikhalev is looking to break free of the clinch but Arlovski has double underhooks.
Mikhalev has had enough of the clinch but Arlovski keeps him there for the moment.
Arlovski tries to score a body lock takedown but Mikhalev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Arlovski has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Mikhalev clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Mikhalev wants to control his opponent's hands but Arlovski gets his hands free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski lands a shot to the head.
Arlovski somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Arlovski lands with a hammerfist to the side of Mikhalev's head.
Arlovski tries to keep control of the position but Mikhalev is staying busy.
Arlovski throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Arlovski is working the ground and pound. Can Mikhalev escape?
Mikhalev breaks Arlovski's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Arlovski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Arlovski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Arlovski is breathing heavily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mikhalev trying to control but Arlovski is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arlovski pushes Mikhalev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Mikhalev shoots in looking for a takedown. Arlovski tries to sprawl out of it but Mikhalev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arlovski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dima Mikhalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mikhalev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Arlovski as he avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arlovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikhalev closes the distance and clinches.
Arlovski has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mikhalev after a bit of a struggle.

Mikhalev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mikhalev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Arlovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Mikhalev has wrist control.
Mikhalev has momentary wrist control but Arlovski slips an elbow through the middle.
Arlovski throwing strikes but missing.
Arlovski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mikhalev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mikhalev working a defensive guard here.
Mikhalev keeping full guard, as Arlovski tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski wants to control from the top but Mikhalev keeps moving.
Mikhalev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Arlovski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mikhalev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Arlovski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arlovski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Arlovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mikhalev moves into the clinch.
Mikhalev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arlovski goes for a takedown attempt but Mikhalev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mikhalev drives through and clinches with Arlovski against the cage.
Mikhalev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Arlovski drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dima Mikhalev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Arlovski.
Mikhalev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Arlovski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Arlovski tries a body shot but Mikhalev blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mikhalev breaks from the clinch.
Arlovski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mikhalev circles away.
Mikhalev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Arlovski circles away.
Dima Mikhalev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mikhalev lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Dima Mikhalev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikhalev throws a head kick but Arlovski moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Arlovski. No joy for Mikhalev on that attempt.
No luck for Arlovski with that takedown attempt.
Arlovski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mikhalev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Arlovski somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhalev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mikhalev fails with a takedown attempt.
Mikhalev tries for a takedown but Arlovski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mikhalev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski shoots for a double leg takedown but Mikhalev sprawls well. He's pushed Arlovski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Arlovski stuffs the takedown attempt from Mikhalev. Mikhalev gets slowly back to his feet.
Arlovski misses with a wild combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mikhalev.
Arlovski is looking to clinch but Mikhalev is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski avoids the head kick by Mikhalev.
Arlovski fails to land the takedown.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mikhalev as he avoids it easily.
Arlovski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mikhalev.
Arlovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Mikhalev circles away.
Mikhalev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arlovski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dima Mikhalev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mikhalev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight for Dima Mikhalev!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Fedor Arlovski!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Dima Mikhalev!

Dima Mikhalev wins by split decision!