PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirian Cregov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitchell Stehling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stehling comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Turmion Kätilöt - Minä MÄÄRÄÄN! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Cregov
vs
Stehling

191 cm
34
237 lbs
27 - 8 - 1

191 cm
30
261 lbs
32 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Unique Wear and Custom Design
Al's Supplements - 160 Q for $150

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 27 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Mirian Cregov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mitchell Stehling!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stehling keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cregov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cregov walks into a stiff left hand from Stehling.
Stehling tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cregov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stehling attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Stehling misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cregov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cregov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cregov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cregov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Stehling. That one must have hurt.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Stehling. Cregov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cregov throws a solid leg kick but Stehling takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cregov.
Stehling takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cregov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Stehling blocks a leg kick.
Mirian Cregov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stehling.
Cregov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cregov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stehling scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab from Stehling finds it's way through Cregov's defenses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left lands for Stehling.
Stehling takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stehling throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cregov's waist but Cregov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stehling off to one side.
Stehling tries to clinch but Cregov moves out of range.
Cregov throws a leg kick but Stehling sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stehling tries to clinch up.
Stehling lands a nice shot that snaps Cregov's head back.
An inside leg kick from Cregov misses.
Stehling blocks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cregov looks to throw the jab but Stehling is out of range.
Stehling shoots in looking for a takedown. Cregov tries to sprawl out of it but Stehling keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cregov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mirian Cregov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitchell Stehling.
Cregov misses with a body kick.
Cregov throws a front kick aimed at Stehling's knee but Stehling avoids it well.

Stehling closes the distance and clinches.
Stehling changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cregov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cregov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cregov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cregov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stehling is able to avoid easily.
A good leg kick by Cregov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stehling fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stehling throws a hook but Cregov avoids it easily.
Stehling slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Stehling closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stehling lands in his opponent's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Stehling trying to control but Cregov is working from the bottom.
Stehling seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stehling accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cregov wants to stand up but Stehling is controlling him.
Stehling is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cregov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stehling.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cregov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stehling passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitchell Stehling dominated that round.
That's time! Cregov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cregov scores with a spinning back kick!
Cregov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stehling takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A head kick from Stehling lands but Cregov takes it in his stride.
Cregov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stehling throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mitchell Stehling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stehling drives through with a takedown into Cregov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cregov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stehling on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stehling looking to pass the guard.
Stehling trying to control but Cregov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stehling stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cregov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cregov is trying to control the position but Stehling postures up.
Cregov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stehling stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cregov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stehling throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stehling throws a strike but Cregov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Stehling is working an open guard so Cregov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stehling shoots in for a takedown but Cregov shows good takedown defense.
Stehling tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cregov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Stehling avoids the body shot from Cregov.
Stehling is looking to clinch.
Cregov leaves Stehling with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stehling fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cregov thows a body kick. Stehling tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Stehling lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cregov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stehling just misses with a punch to the body.
Cregov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stehling swings for the body but Cregov moves out of range.
Cregov tries a low kick but Stehling avoids it.
Mitchell Stehling seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cregov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stehling tried to score with a low kick but Cregov checks it.
Cregov wants to land a leg kick but Stehling is out of range.
Cregov thows a body shot but no joy.
A lazy body kick from Cregov
and Stehling makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
That kick from Stehling tenderised Cregov's leg. Cregov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cregov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Stehling shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mirian Cregov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitchell Stehling.
Nice body punch from Stehling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stehling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cregov was well out of range. Poor timing from Stehling.
Stehling blocks a head kick by Cregov.
Stehling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cregov was well out of range. Poor timing from Stehling.
Stehling lands with a good body shot.
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!
Stehling sizes up Cregov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cregov misses with a low kick.
Cregov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Stehling moves out of range of the strikes.
Cregov blocks a head kick by Stehling.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stehling tries to clinch but Cregov moves out of range.
Stehling connects with a leg kick. Cregov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cregov avoids the head kick by Stehling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitchell Stehling showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stehling pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stehling pushes Cregov away with a front kick.
Stehling misses with a wild body shot.
Horrible takedown by Stehling or perhaps it was just good defense by Cregov which made him look bad.
Stehling lands a nice shot to the body.
Stehling closes the distance and clinches up with Cregov, looking for a takedown. Stehling pushes Cregov against the cage but Cregov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cregov avoids the body shot from Stehling.
Cregov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stehling has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cregov finds it's way round the side to connect with Stehling's head.
Stehling moves out of range as Cregov throws a body kick.
Cregov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stehling was well out of range. Poor timing from Cregov.
Jab from Cregov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stehling jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cregov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Stehling misses.
Cregov dodges the punch combination from Stehling.
Cregov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cregov!
Stehling takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stehling fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cregov, pushing him back against the cage.
Stehling misses with some punches.
Cregov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cregov just leaning against Stehling, taking a breather.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short left from Stehling.
Mirian Cregov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mitchell Stehling is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cregov.
Stehling keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cregov's efforts to push away.
Cregov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stehling is keeping busy.
Cregov swings wildly with an uppercut but Stehling uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stehling goes for a takedown attempt but Cregov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mirian Cregov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitchell Stehling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Stehling misses its intended target.
Stehling connects with a jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stehling.
Stehling moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stehling misses with a wild body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stehling.
A big left from Stehling misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cregov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stehling checks it well.
Stehling 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.
Stehling lands a nice hook to Cregov's body. Cregov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cregov throws a leg kick but Stehling sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Cregov misses with a wild body shot.
Stehling lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cregov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stehling's head.
Cregov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cregov 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cregov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stehling scoring well with a low kick there.
Cregov blocks a head kick by Stehling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirian Cregov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stehling has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitchell Stehling!
During a confident post fight interview, Mitchell Stehling thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.