PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stig Helmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Van Kirkland
vs
Helmer

194 cm
24
285 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

198 cm
27
265 lbs
10 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stig Helmer!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helmer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Stig Helmer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helmer misses with a takedown

and Van Kirkland counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Helmer's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Helmer manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Van Kirkland knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Helmer on the ground.
Helmer lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Van Kirkland hang on?

It looks like Mikhail Van Kirkland has been cut.

Helmer with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Helmer is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Van Kirkland is surviving well by controlling Helmer's body position as best he can.
Helmer thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Helmer with the ground and pound from mount.
Helmer working the ground and pound effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland tries to lock up and control but Helmer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Helmer with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
A nice elbow there by Helmer.
Helmer is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Helmer throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Van Kirkland is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Helmer has control of Van Kirkland's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Van Kirkland regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Helmer working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland blocking the ground and pound.
Helmer working the ground and pound effectively.
Helmer working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Van Kirkland is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Van Kirkland tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Van Kirkland sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Helmer seems to be working for a kimura but Van Kirkland defends the submission attempt.

Helmer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Van Kirkland has managed to free his arm - good work.
Helmer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Kirkland defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Helmer wants to work for an arm triangle but Van Kirkland is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Helmer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Helmer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Van Kirkland tries to roll over but Helmer keeps him under control.

Helmer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Van Kirkland trying to hold on to Helmer's head to control him but Helmer postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helmer looking for a submission but Van Kirkland manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Helmer throws a big right hand that misses.

Helmer is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Van Kirkland is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Van Kirkland has escaped and now he's on top!
Van Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Helmer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Helmer wants to sweep here but Van Kirkland controlling him for the moment.
Van Kirkland throws an elbow that misses. Helmer uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Van Kirkland's guard. Nice move by Helmer!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stig Helmer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Van Kirkland's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Helmer lands with a cross.
Mikhail Van Kirkland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circling - Helmer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Oooh a lovely combination from Van Kirkland sends Helmer down but not out. Van Kirkland dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Stig Helmer has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helmer manages to get back to half guard.
Van Kirkland looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Helmer trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Helmer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Helmer sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Helmer is refusing to be controlled, as Van Kirkland sits in half guard.
Van Kirkland stalling away here and it's allowed Helmer to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Helmer is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Van Kirkland passes into half guard.
Helmer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Helmer.

Helmer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Kirkland defends well.
Helmer working a defensive guard here.

Helmer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Helmer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Kirkland is aware though and is defending well.

Helmer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Kirkland doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Kirkland manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Helmer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.
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!
Van Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helmer is adopting a defensive guard.
Helmer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Helmer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Helmer is keeping the position for now.

Helmer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Helmer working for a triangle but Van Kirkland defends it easily.
Helmer trying to keep a closed guard but Van Kirkland is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Helmer looking for subs off his back but Van Kirkland has passed one foot through into half guard.
Helmer moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Van Kirkland wants to pass the guard but Helmer is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Helmer pulls Van Kirkland in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mikhail Van Kirkland will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Helmer.
A big right from Helmer misses.
Van Kirkland rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Helmer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Helmer moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Van Kirkland fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Helmer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Helmer shoots in for a takedown but Van Kirkland shows good takedown defense.
Helmer misses with a takedown attempt
and Van Kirkland counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mikhail Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stig Helmer.

Van Kirkland throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Helmer tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Van Kirkland is in Helmer's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Helmer is keeping the position for now.
Helmer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland trying to control but Helmer is working from the bottom.
Van Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helmer looking for a sweep. Not yet Helmer, not yet.
Stig Helmer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Helmer has momentary wrist control but Van Kirkland slips an elbow through the middle.
Helmer is trying to control the position but Van Kirkland postures up.
Van Kirkland scoring with punches to the head and body.
Van Kirkland working some strikes from top position.

The cut above Stig Helmer's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Van Kirkland with a nice head shot there.

Helmer is rocked!

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Stig Helmer's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Mikhail Van Kirkland!