PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Mirzaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franco Micheli (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.

Mirzaev
vs
Micheli

181 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite 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 St Petersburg, Rasul Mirzaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Franco Micheli!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Micheli closes the distance and clinches up with Mirzaev, looking for a takedown. Micheli pushes Mirzaev against the cage but Mirzaev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Franco Micheli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mirzaev misses with a wild combination.
Micheli avoids a kick to the body.
No luck for Mirzaev with that takedown attempt.
Micheli fails with the takedown
and Mirzaev counters with a nice body shot.
Mirzaev lands a nice hook to Micheli's body. Micheli takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
No luck for Micheli with that takedown attempt.
Rasul Mirzaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Micheli.
Mirzaev looks for a takedown but Micheli sprawls well.

Mirzaev instigates a clinch.

Mirzaev drags the fight down to the ground.
Micheli is looking to work some ground and pound but Mirzaev has wrist control.
Micheli postures up in Mirzaev's guard and throws a big left but Mirzaev blocks it.
Mirzaev is trying to control the position but Micheli postures up.
Micheli content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Micheli throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Micheli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Micheli with a nice head shot there.
Mirzaev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Micheli throwing strikes but missing.
Micheli controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mirzaev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Micheli is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Micheli lands a couple of digs.
Micheli lands a couple of elbows.
Micheli wants to control from the top but Mirzaev keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Micheli lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Micheli wants to control from the top but Mirzaev keeps moving.
Mirzaev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Micheli wants to control from the top but Mirzaev keeps moving.
Micheli landing with the ground and pound.
Micheli throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Micheli with a flurry of punches that miss.
Micheli controlling from the top position.
Mirzaev is breathing heavily.
Mirzaev working a defensive guard here.
Micheli connects with a couple of short punches.
Micheli postures up and lands a big shot to Mirzaev's brow.
Mirzaev controlling Micheli's posture.
Micheli lands a couple of elbows.
Micheli is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Micheli cracks Mirzaev with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Micheli content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Micheli stands up over Mirzaev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Micheli trying to control the position from guard on top but Mirzaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Micheli with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Micheli trying to control but Mirzaev is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mirzaev has momentary wrist control but Micheli slips an elbow through the middle.
Micheli working some strikes from top position.
Micheli is looking to work some ground and pound but Mirzaev has wrist control.
Mirzaev tries to strike from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Micheli scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Micheli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mirzaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Micheli on the ground.
Micheli's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Micheli is in close to Mirzaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Micheli dominated that round.
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.

Micheli fails with a takedown attempt.
Micheli shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mirzaev defends it nicely.
Micheli shoots in and drives through. Mirzaev sprawls well.
Rasul Mirzaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Micheli.

Micheli fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mirzaev sprawls well initially but Micheli persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Micheli slips a nice elbow through Mirzaev's hands, connecting with Mirzaev's forehead.
Micheli keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mirzaev is staying active underneath Micheli, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Micheli lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Micheli is thwarting Mirzaev's attempts to control the position.
Micheli prevents Mirzaev from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Micheli winds up and cracks Mirzaev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Micheli trying to control from half guard but Mirzaev is working away.
Franco Micheli has got the better of the ground game so far.

Micheli is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Micheli working over Mirzaev with some ground and pound. Mirzaev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Micheli throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mirzaev wants to improve his position but Micheli is controlling well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Micheli is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mirzaev sees it coming and defends easily.
Micheli seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Micheli connects with a nice short shot to Mirzaev's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mirzaev wants to get back to his feet.
Micheli landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Micheli is pressing down on Mirzaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mirzaev is holding on for now.
Micheli throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mirzaev has hold of Micheli's hands but Micheli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Micheli working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mirzaev wants to improve his position but Micheli is controlling well.
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!
Micheli is nestled in close to Mirzaev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Micheli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mirzaev keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirzaev has hold of Micheli's hands but Micheli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Micheli working over Mirzaev with some ground and pound. Mirzaev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mirzaev has hold of Micheli's hands but Micheli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Micheli is looking to take a break and control but Mirzaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mirzaev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Micheli scores with a couple of nice shots.
Micheli lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Micheli has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Well, if Micheli is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Micheli lands strikes from half guard.
Micheli working the head and body with strikes.
Micheli slips a nice elbow through Mirzaev's hands, connecting with Mirzaev's forehead.
Micheli landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Micheli landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Micheli winds up and cracks Mirzaev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mirzaev has hold of Micheli's hands but Micheli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Micheli lands a nice short elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Micheli takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Micheli keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Micheli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Micheli seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Micheli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Micheli shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mirzaev as he jumps to the side.
Micheli fails with a takedown attempt.
Micheli stuffs the takedown.

Mirzaev rushes Micheli and presses him up against the cage.
Micheli has Mirzaev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mirzaev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rasul Mirzaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Micheli.
Mirzaev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Micheli is trying to drag Mirzaev to the mat but Mirzaev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Micheli wants a takedown but no success here.
Mirzaev is looking for a takedown.
A right hand to the body from Mirzaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Micheli is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Micheli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mirzaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Micheli misses with a takedown attempt - Mirzaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Micheli shoots in for a double leg but Mirzaev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Micheli shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mirzaev pinned against the cage. Mirzaev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Micheli looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mirzaev is fending him off so far but Micheli persists. Nope, Mirzaev circles away and we're back to standing.
Mirzaev slaps away a takedown attempt from Micheli, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Mirzaev clinches with his opponent.
Mirzaev has Micheli pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Micheli manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Micheli looking for a takedown.
Micheli has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mirzaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mirzaev prevents the takedown attempt.
Mirzaev digs a right hand underneath Micheli's ribcage. Micheli let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mirzaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Micheli prevents it.
Micheli is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mirzaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Mirzaev drags the fight down to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mirzaev working for a triangle but Micheli defends it easily.
Micheli is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Micheli is in close to Mirzaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mirzaev keeping moving, preventing Micheli from controlling successfully.
Micheli's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Micheli with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Micheli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mirzaev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Micheli works over Mirzaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Micheli works over Mirzaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Micheli lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Micheli trying to control the position from guard on top but Mirzaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Micheli connects with a couple of short punches.
Micheli lands a couple of elbows.
Micheli 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Micheli scoring with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Micheli is in close to Mirzaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rasul Mirzaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franco Micheli is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Micheli sitting in guard, not really doing much.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franco Micheli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Micheli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franco Micheli!