PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giovanni Petrova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Stronghold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stronghold is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ironman. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Petrova
vs
Stronghold

225 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
205 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Giovanni Petrova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Stronghold!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stronghold keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stronghold walks into a stiff left hand from Petrova.
Petrova showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stronghold.
Petrova misses the shot to the body.

Stronghold scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Stronghold uses his free foot to push down on Petrova's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Petrova.
Petrova is looking to get to half guard.
BOOM! Stronghold connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Petrova is just holding on here. Stronghold manages to take his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stronghold gets his hands free as Petrova looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
What can Petrova do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Petrova really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stronghold controlling well, preventing Petrova from escaping the position.
Stronghold cracks Petrova with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Petrova from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
What can Petrova do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Stronghold is landing with strikes from the back.
Stronghold has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Petrova's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrova is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Petrova looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Stronghold trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Petrova doesn't escape.
Stronghold's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stronghold looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Petrova taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mike Stronghold!
An out of breath Mike Stronghold thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.