PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandar Mihaylov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rojas comes to the cage accompanied by Apaga Mas Não Bate. Mihaylov has chosen Watch Out For This (Bumaye) as his entrance music. Aleksandar Mihaylov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rojas
vs
Mihaylov

195 cm
27
200 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
198 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrigo Rojas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Aleksandar Mihaylov!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihaylov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rojas.
Rojas misses with a takedown
and Mihaylov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rojas walks into a jab.
Mihaylov jabs at Rojas's body.
Rojas goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rojas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mihaylov connects with a crisp jab.
Mihaylov misses with an uppercut. Rojas saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihaylov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rojas finds it's way round the side to connect with Mihaylov's head.
We've been hearing reports that Rojas has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rojas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mihaylov swivels and escapes.

Rojas instigates a clinch.
Mihaylov misses with a punch to the body.
Mihaylov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas tries to pull guard but Mihaylov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Rojas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mihaylov lands a right hand.
Rojas tries to pull guard but Mihaylov won't allow it.
Rojas jumps guard but Mihaylov stands there with Rojas around his waist. Rojas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rojas fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Rojas pulls guard successfully.
Mihaylov wants to control from the top but Rojas keeps moving.
Mihaylov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Rojas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mihaylov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mihaylov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mihaylov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rojas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mihaylov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rojas working for a triangle but Mihaylov defends it easily.
Mihaylov tries to stand but Rojas is controlling from the bottom.
Mihaylov controls from within his opponent's guard.

Rojas looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Mihaylov has picked Rojas up and slammed him! Rojas can't keep hold of the triangle and Mihaylov manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mihaylov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rojas sneaks back into half guard.
Rojas tries to roll over but Mihaylov keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rojas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rojas can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mihaylov controls the pace.

Rojas is looking for a triangle but Mihaylov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Rojas has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Mihaylov doesn't defend quickly enough and Rojas has managed to lock this one up! Can Mihaylov escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Rojas on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rodrigo Rojas!
Rodrigo Rojas took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Alcatraz Apparel for their support in the buildup to the fight.
Aleksandar Mihaylov was interviewed post fight and said 'I guess it's just one of those things..... I'll be coming back better than ever! '.