PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Burak Mihalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tino Mustalaanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burak Mihalev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tino Mustalaanen's chin.

Mihalev
vs
Mustalaanen

195 cm
25
256 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

198 cm
26
225 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very confident

Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Burak Mihalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tino Mustalaanen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mustalaanen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mustalaanen lands in his opponent's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mustalaanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mihalev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mihalev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mihalev is trying to keep Mustalaanen in close.
Mihalev wants to sweep here but Mustalaanen controlling him for the moment.

Mihalev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mustalaanen is aware though and is defending well.
Mihalev wants to sweep but no luck.
Mihalev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mustalaanen manages to get himself to full guard.
Mustalaanen keeping moving, preventing Mihalev from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihalev looking to pass the guard.

Mustalaanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mihalev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Mihalev drops back looking for a leg! Mustalaanen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mustalaanen manages to kick Mihalev off! Mihalev jumps back into Mustalaanen's guard.

Mustalaanen looking for a guillotine here but Mihalev defends easily.
Mihalev trying to control but Mustalaanen is working from the bottom.

Mustalaanen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mustalaanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mihalev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihalev tries to stand but Mustalaanen is controlling from the bottom.
Mihalev lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Mustalaanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mihalev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mihalev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihalev trying to control the position from guard on top but Mustalaanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mihalev works over Mustalaanen with some ground and pound from guard.
Mustalaanen keeping moving, preventing Mihalev from controlling successfully.
Mihalev is really struggling to control Mustalaanen but he's trying to hold on to the position.

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

Mustalaanen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mihalev uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mustalaanen wants to control but Mihalev postures up.
Mustalaanen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mihalev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mihalev working the body and head with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mustalaanen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Mustalaanen is trying to improve his position.
Mihalev looks up at the clock and then as Mustalaanen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Mihalev smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mihalev in side control lands a decent elbow.

Mustalaanen is rocked!
Mihalev scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Mustalaanen is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Mihalev can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Burak Mihalev!
A relieved looking Burak Mihalev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.