PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Governor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Mifsud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Governor's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Didgeridoo. Michael Mifsud told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Governor
vs
Mifsud

172 cm
27
144 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

170 cm
31
145 lbs
24 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

[CLOSED] Nothing For Sale!

[CLOSED] Nothing For Sale!
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jimmy Governor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Mifsud!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Governor lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mifsud at a distance.
Mifsud tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A big right from Governor misses.
Governor fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Governor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mifsud.
A good leg kick by Mifsud.
Mifsud fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Governor looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mifsud stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Governor.

Governor darts in and clinches Mifsud up against the cage.
Governor working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Governor - that landed with a thud.
Mifsud tries to work over Governor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Governor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Governor blocks a body shot from Mifsud.
Mifsud misses with a body punch.
Governor working aggressively here.
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!
Governor is working for takedown but Mifsud is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mifsud misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud wants a takedown.
Mifsud lands a nice shot to the body.

Governor lands a takedown into guard.
Governor has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Governor working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mifsud's head.
Governor postures up in Mifsud's guard and throws a big left but Mifsud blocks it.
Mifsud looking to control.

Governor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mifsud has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Governor has managed to get both his arms back between Mifsud's legs - danger averted.

Mifsud working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Governor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Governor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mifsud avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mifsud has his hands on Governor's head, controlling the position.
Mifsud keeping moving, preventing Governor from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Governor is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Mifsud is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mifsud is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mifsud looking for a sweep. Not yet Mifsud, not yet.
Governor trying to control but Mifsud is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Jimmy Governor wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Mifsud walks into a stiff left hand from Governor.
Governor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Governor checks the leg kick.
Mifsud misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Governor does no damage.
Governor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mifsud.
Governor jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Mifsud fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Governor throws a shot from downtown. Mifsud moves away and avoids it.
Governor throws a leg kick but Mifsud moved away.
Mifsud fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Governor.
Mifsud throws a sloppy head kick and Governor moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Governor lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Mifsud has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mifsud and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Governor tries to clinch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Mifsud throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Governor's waist but Governor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mifsud off to one side.
Mifsud fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Governor avoids it really well and circles away.
Jimmy Governor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Mifsud.
Mifsud steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Governor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Governor takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Governor dips to his left and cracks Mifsud with an uppercut!
Governor scores with the left hand. Mifsud knows he should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Governor chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Governor throws a body punch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Governor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Governor lands a jab to the nose.
Good work by Mifsud as he checks the leg kick.
Governor misses with an uppercut. Mifsud saw that one coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mifsud lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Governor has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Governor and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Governor connects with a looping right hand.
A low kick from Mifsud is predictable there
enabling Governor to counter with a crisp jab.
Governor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Governor dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Governor takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Governor fakes the leg kick and cracks Mifsud in the body.
Governor takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mifsud stuns Governor with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mifsud wants to land a leg kick but Governor is out of range.
Governor chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mifsud can pounce on him.
Mifsud throws a leg kick but Governor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Governor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mifsud counters with a slapping leg kick.
Governor has a takedown stuffed.
Jimmy Governor is winning the standup battle so far.
Some bone on bone action there as Mifsud checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Governor throws a leg kick
and Mifsud counters with a left to the body.
Governor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mifsud sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mifsud shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Governor blocks the low kick.
Governor moves out of range as Mifsud throws a body kick.
Mifsud takes a jab right on the kisser.
That kick from Mifsud tenderised Governor's leg. Governor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Governor throws a big shot that misses.
Mifsud looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mifsud turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mifsud throws a leg kick but Governor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Governor is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Governor looks to throw the jab but Mifsud is out of range.
Governor scores with a decent looking hook.
Governor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mifsud tries to land a leg kick but Governor saw it coming and moves away.
Governor throws a body punch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Governor jabs Mifsud right on the nose. Mifsud blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Governor tenderised Mifsud's leg. Mifsud is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mifsud checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Donk. Governor catches Mifsud right on the button with a cross.
Mifsud checks a leg kick.
Governor throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mifsud misses with a leg kick
and Governor counters with a nice body shot.
Mifsud staying out of range there.
Governor stuns Mifsud with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mifsud lands a jab to the nose.
Mifsud throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Governor throws a chopping leg kick but Mifsud manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mifsud looks to score with a jab to the body but Governor is just out of range.
Governor just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Governor there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mifsud misses with a low kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Governor.
Mifsud moves forwards but Governor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Governor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Governor with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Governor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mifsud has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mifsud slips under a jab.
Governor throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mifsud showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Governor.
Mifsud tries to bum rush Governor with a series of wild strikes but Governor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Governor drives through and clinches with Mifsud against the cage.
Mifsud trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Governor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mifsud gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jimmy Governor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mifsud tries to circle away but Governor has him pinned against the cage.
Governor is trying to drag Mifsud to the mat but Mifsud just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Governor has Mifsud pressed against the cage.
Governor gets through Mifsud's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mifsud misses with some punches.
Mifsud blocking some punches.
Mifsud blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mifsud has had enough of the clinch but Governor keeps him there for the moment.

Mifsud breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Governor scores with a punch to the head.
Jimmy Governor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Governor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Governor dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mifsud fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Governor checks it well.
Mifsud misses with a body shot.
Governor misses with an uppercut.
Mifsud throws a solid leg kick but Governor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mifsud.
Governor feints and then cracks Mifsud's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mifsud down.

Governor shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Governor not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Governor throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mifsud slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Governor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Governor wants to control from the top but Mifsud keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Governor throwing strikes but missing.
Governor tries to free his leg and advance position but Mifsud is retaining full guard.

Mifsud has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Governor can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Governor throws a big elbow that misses.
Governor working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Governor connects with a couple of short punches.
Governor postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Governor looking to sit in guard and control but Mifsud gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mifsud slips nicely into half guard.
Michael Mifsud has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mifsud is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Governor wants to get back to full guard.
Jimmy Governor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Governor is trying to maintain the position but Mifsud is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Governor moves into full guard.
Mifsud not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mifsud slips nicely into half guard.
Jimmy Governor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mifsud throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Governor is in trouble now - Mifsud has advanced to mount!
Governor is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Mifsud landing strikes from the mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Governor wants to control but Mifsud is having none of it.
Mifsud lands with some strikes.
Governor regains half guard.
Governor is looking to control Mifsud's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Governor avoid being mounted?
Mifsud throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mifsud is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Governor sees it coming and defends easily.
Governor regains full guard. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Michael Mifsud.
Well Governor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Governor!
A relieved looking Jimmy Governor thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.