PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Mayhem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rik Spahn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mayhem might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bullet With A Name by Nonpoint. Spahn has chosen KoRn - Blind as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mayhem
vs
Spahn

186 cm
30
195 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

168 cm
29
219 lbs
25 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
Reaper Combatwear

Divinity 160Q for $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Mayhem!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rik Spahn!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Mayhem.

It looks like Rik Spahn has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spahn.
Mayhem misses with a looping right.
Mayhem throws a shot from downtown. Spahn moves away and avoids it.
Mayhem will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Spahn thows a body shot but no joy.
Mayhem just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Mayhem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mayhem fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Spahn checks it well.
Spahn misses with an uppercut.
Spahn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mayhem.
Mayhem tries to clinch there but Spahn circles away.
Mayhem throws the left hand but Spahn avoids the punch easily.
Spahn lands with a good body shot.
Mayhem takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Spahn misses with a takedown attempt
and Mayhem counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice shot by Mayhem.
Spahn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Spahn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spahn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mayhem.
Spahn looks to score with a jab to the body but Mayhem is just out of range.
Spahn tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mayhem defends well and Spahn ends up having to push Mayhem into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rik Spahn.
Spahn has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mayhem is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Spahn is trying to drag Mayhem to the mat but Mayhem just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mayhem lands with a right to the head.
Spahn drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mayhem gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mayhem misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mayhem misses with a short punch on the inside.
Spahn has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mayhem after a bit of a struggle.
Mayhem lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mayhem.
Mayhem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spahns head.

Spahn lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mayhem trying to control but Spahn postures up.
Mayhem is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Spahn is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Mayhem gets back to full guard.
Mayhem wants to sweep but no luck.
Mayhem preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Spahn won't allow Mayhem to sweep him here.
Spahn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mayhem avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spahn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mayhem works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spahn with a flurry of punches that miss.
Spahn throws an elbow that misses. Mayhem uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Spahn's guard. Nice move by Mayhem!
Mayhem wants to control from the top but Spahn keeps moving.
Spahn trying to control the position.
Mayhem 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spahn working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because John Mayhem just wasn't active enough.
Spahn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mayhem as he jumps to the side.
John Mayhem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mayhem is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Spahn.
Mayhem misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mayhem throws a hook but Spahn avoids it easily.
Mayhem is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Spahn lands a glancing blow to the side of Mayhem's head.
A bone on bone clash there as Spahn blocks the leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Spahn.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mayhem dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rik Spahn's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Spahn throws a big shot that misses.

Spahn decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mayhem is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Spahn's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Spahn's back!
Mayhem gets his hands free as Spahn looks to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mayhem is hanging on to Spahn's back as he tries to escape.
Mayhem biding his time, controlling Spahn.
Spahn breaks Mayhem's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Spahn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Spahn postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Spahn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spahn trying to control but Mayhem is working from the bottom.
Spahn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Spahn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Spahn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mayhem is adopting a defensive guard.
Spahn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mayhem has control of Spahn's left arm, preventing Spahn from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spahn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spahn must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spahn won't allow Mayhem to sweep him here.
Spahn working some strikes from top position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Mayhem here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Mayhem is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mayhem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spahn.
Mayhem will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spahn throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spahn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spahn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spahn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spahn.
Spahn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mayhem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Spahn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Spahn throws a strike but Mayhem rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Spahn looking to control.
Spahn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spahn is pulling down on Mayhem's head. It's preventing any offense from Mayhem, at least for the moment.
Spahn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rik Spahn wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mayhem connects with a body shot that sends Spahn's belly button to the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mayhem keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mayhem steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spahn.
Spahn looks to score with a jab to the body but Mayhem is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rik Spahn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rik Spahn's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mayhem takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Mayhem tries to sprawl but Spahn drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mayhem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spahn.
Mayhem is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mayhem avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Spahn.
Spahn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mayhem keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mayhem is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Qube Striking, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Spahn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mayhem is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spahn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spahn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mayhem tries to roll over but Spahn keeps him under control.
Spahn thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nice strikes from Spahn there.
Spahn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Spahn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Spahn.
Spahn throwing shots but Mayhem is blocking nicely.
Spahn 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.
Mayhem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spahn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rik Spahn has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spahn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Spahn is nestled in close to Mayhem, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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. Spahn connects with a nice short shot to Mayhem's temple.
Mayhem avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Spahn.
Mayhem trying to control from the bottom.
Spahn is looking to advance position but Mayhem won't allow it.
Spahn working over Mayhem with some ground and pound. Mayhem looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spahn not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Spahn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Spahn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Spahn thows a huge punch but Mayhem dodges it nicely.
Mayhem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spahn.
Mayhem keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Spahn throwing shots but Mayhem is blocking nicely.
Mayhem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spahn.
Mayhem keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spahn throwing shots but Mayhem is blocking nicely.
Spahn thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mayhem's head.
Mayhem is looking to control Spahn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mayhem avoid being mounted?
Spahn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Spahn throwing shots but Mayhem is blocking nicely.
Spahn throws a strike but Mayhem avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Spahn chips away with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spahn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Spahn throwing strikes from guard but Mayhem blocks nicely.
Spahn throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rik Spahn really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rik Spahn's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Spahn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Spahn scores with a takedown into Mayhem's guard.
Mayhem is trying to keep Spahn in close.
Spahn stands up over Mayhem, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mayhem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spahn.
Spahn connects with a couple of short punches.
Spahn throws a big right hand that misses.
Spahn throws an elbow that misses. Mayhem uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Spahn's guard. Nice move by Mayhem!
Spahn wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spahn keeping moving, preventing Mayhem from controlling successfully.
Spahn is pulling down on Mayhem's head to control his posture.
Spahn wants to sweep here but Mayhem controlling him for the moment.
Spahn working a defensive guard here.
Spahn is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

John Mayhem has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Mayhem loads up on a big right hand but Spahn slips the punch.
Mayhem scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mayhem avoids the body shot from Spahn.
Spahn scores with a shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Spahn.
Spahn throws an overhand right that lands on Mayhem's shoulder, as Mayhem tries to avoid the shot.
Spahn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mayhem but Mayhem pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rik Spahn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spahn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mayhem was well out of range. Poor timing from Spahn.
Spahn throws a jab when Mayhem was well out of range.
Mayhem looks to land a right hand but Spahn moved out of range.
Mayhem bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem connects with a nice looking jab.
Mayhem misses with a hook. Spahn ducked under it nicely.
Spahn fails to land the takedown.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rik Spahn.
Spahn looks to land a left hand but Mayhem moved out of range nicely.
Mayhem lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Spahn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mayhem circles away.
Spahn is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spahn takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mayhem dips to his left and cracks Spahn with an uppercut!
Sloppy strikes from Spahn. Those never looked like landing.
Spahn takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spahn misses with a takedown attempt - Mayhem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spahn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mayhem.
Spahn shoots for a takedown but Mayhem saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spahn throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mayhem's waist but Mayhem gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spahn off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spahn takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mayhem connects with the punch.
Spahn loads up on a big right hand but Mayhem slips the punch.
A big left from Spahn misses.
Spahn shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mayhem defends it nicely.
Mayhem feints and then cracks Spahn's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Spahn down.
Spahn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mayhem with a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spahn is defended easily by Mayhem.
Mayhem fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Spahn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spahn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Spahn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mayhem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mayhem had his way with Rik Spahn in that round.
The cut man is working on Rik Spahn's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Spahn misses with a straight right.
Spahn throws a jab when Mayhem was well out of range.
Mayhem looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Spahn throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Spahn fails with the takedown.
Spahn shoots in for a double leg but Mayhem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Good standup being displayed there by Mayhem as he connects with a hook.
No luck for Spahn with that takedown attempt.
John Mayhem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rik Spahn.
Mayhem tries to work over Spahn's front leg with a kick but Spahn checks it.
Mayhem jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Spahn is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Spahn is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Spahn fails with the takedown.
Mayhem lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Spahn is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mayhem sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spahn misses with a wild body shot.
Spahn walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Spahn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mayhem cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mayhem keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mayhem slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Spahn just misses with a punch to the body.
Mayhem buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Spahn takes one to the chin there.

Spahn changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mayhem looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mayhem is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Spahn's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Spahn with the ground and pound but Mayhem uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Spahn postures up in Mayhem's guard and throws a big left but Mayhem blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spahn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Spahn landing with the ground and pound.
Spahn working some strikes from top position.
Spahn throwing strikes but missing.
Spahn is looking to work some ground and pound but Mayhem has wrist control.
Spahn throws a strike but Mayhem rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Spahn trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mayhem controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mayhem wants to control from the top but Spahn keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spahn seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

John Mayhem has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Spahn has a takedown stuffed.
Mayhem misses with a hook.
Spahn shoots for a takedown but Mayhem saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Mayhem as Spahn shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spahn.
Spahn takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Spahn on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Mayhem showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mayhem has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Mayhem!
John Mayhem retains his light heavyweight title!
An out of breath John Mayhem thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Rik Spahn had this to say: 'I am Rik Spahn. You can not defeat me, you might have beaten me tonight but I WILL BE BACK!'.