PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul OConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lubomir Mihailovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mihailovic's choice of entrance music: Otherwise - Soldiers. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

OConnell
vs
Mihailovic

209 cm
26
285 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

196 cm
28
243 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paul OConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lubomir Mihailovic!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihailovic looks to land a right hand but OConnell moved out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mihailovic.
OConnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mihailovic.
Mihailovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mihailovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
OConnell misses with an uppercut. Mihailovic saw that one coming.
OConnell tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mihailovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mihailovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before OConnell has time to react.
OConnell tries to clinch up but Mihailovic circles away and keeps his distance.

OConnell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mihailovic, pushing him back against the cage.

Mihailovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
OConnell scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mihailovic in his tracks.

It looks like Lubomir Mihailovic has been cut.
Mihailovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
OConnell missing with a left hand there. Mihailovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mihailovic scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnell is looking to clinch.
We've been hearing reports that OConnell has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

OConnell clinches.

Mihailovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mihailovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mihailovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mihailovic misses with a wild combination.
Mihailovic lands a head shot.
Mihailovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mihailovic tries to bum rush OConnell with a series of wild strikes but OConnell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mihailovic misses with a straight right.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mihailovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mihailovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch but Mihailovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
OConnell is looking to clinch but Mihailovic is avoiding it.

OConnell rushes Mihailovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
OConnell prevents a body shot from Mihailovic.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
OConnell is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihailovic slows down the pace here.
Mihailovic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from OConnell - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnell trying to land knees to the body.
A short uppercut from OConnell.
Mihailovic can't find room to land a body shot as OConnell controls the action.
Mihailovic wants to stall.
Nice body punch from Mihailovic.
Mihailovic prevents a body shot from OConnell.

OConnell breaks from the clinch.
OConnell tries to clinch but Mihailovic is having none of it.
Mihailovic throws a nice looking combination but OConnell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mihailovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mihailovic misses with a low kick.
Mihailovic throws a jab when OConnell was well out of range.
OConnell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mihailovic throws a body punch but OConnell moves out of range.
OConnell is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
OConnell tries to clinch
and OConnell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mihailovic throws the left hand but OConnell avoids the punch easily.
OConnell wants to clinch.
Mihailovic goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch but Mihailovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mihailovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
OConnell slips a jab from Mihailovic.
Mihailovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by OConnell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihailovic blocks a head kick by OConnell.
OConnell fails with an attempt to clinch.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mihailovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mihailovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mihailovic throws out a counter right but OConnell avoids it with no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnell throws a lazy head kick
letting Mihailovic counter with a right hand.
Mihailovic connects with a crisp jab.

OConnell lands a big head kick that sends Mihailovic tumbling to the mat! OConnell takes a step backwards and waves Mihailovic back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Mihailovic is rocked!
A big left from Mihailovic misses.
Mihailovic is still on wobbly legs! Can OConnell finish him?
Mihailovic throws a nice looking combination but OConnell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mihailovic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. OConnell eats them both and turns towards Mihailovic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Mihailovic seems to have recovered his senses.
The fight stays on the outside here - OConnell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mihailovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but OConnell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice combination there by Mihailovic.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

OConnell has closed the distance and engaged Mihailovic in a clinch.
OConnell lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Mihailovic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
OConnell pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lubomir Mihailovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lubomir Mihailovic's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mihailovic misses with the combination.
OConnell throws a lazy head kick
and Mihailovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mihailovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
OConnell is looking to counter punch.
OConnell tries to clinch up but Mihailovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Mihailovic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mihailovic. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Mihailovic throws a right hand that misses
enabling OConnell to counter with a crisp jab.
Mihailovic lands with a nice combination. OConnell backs away looking to recover.
Mihailovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mihailovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lubomir Mihailovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihailovic swats away the attempt to clinch by OConnell.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mihailovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mihailovic throws a right and a left that OConnell avoids nicely.
OConnell tries to clinch but Mihailovic moves out of range.
Mihailovic tries to bum rush OConnell with a series of wild strikes but OConnell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

OConnell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnell slows down the pace here.
OConnell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OConnell breaks the clinch.
OConnell tries to clinch there but Mihailovic circles away.
A jab from OConnell misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - OConnell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mihailovic throws out a powerful jab.
A punch combination from Mihailovic misses.
OConnell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mihailovic finds it's way round the side to connect with OConnell's head.
Lubomir Mihailovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mihailovic lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

OConnell moves into the clinch.
Mihailovic throws a head punch that misses.
Mihailovic has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. OConnell seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Mihailovic can turn it around.
Mihailovic controlling the action here for a moment.
Mihailovic is looking to control OConnell's arms but OConnell gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mihailovic has his back to the cage.
Mihailovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihailovic misses with a punch to the body.
Mihailovic leaning against his opponent.
OConnell content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mihailovic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mihailovic avoids a wild elbow strike from OConnell.
OConnell misses with an elbow strike.
A short left from Mihailovic.

OConnell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnell tries to clinch up but Mihailovic circles away and keeps his distance.
OConnell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
OConnell moves in looking to clinch but Mihailovic pushes him off.
OConnell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mihailovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but OConnell moves away.
Mihailovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles OConnell. OConnell circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mihailovic. Mihailovic obviously looking to wear him down.
Mihailovic keeps the fight on the outside.
OConnell tries to clinch but Mihailovic moves out of range.
OConnell avoids a punch combination nicely.
OConnell fails in his attempt to clinch.
OConnell is looking to clinch but Mihailovic is avoiding it.
Mihailovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
OConnell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mihailovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
OConnell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mihailovic lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mihailovic.
OConnell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

OConnell closes the distance and clinches.

Mihailovic manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OConnell throws a head kick but Mihailovic moves out of range.
Mihailovic scores with a hook to the body. OConnell takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Mihailovic. OConnell shrugs it off though.
Mihailovic connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihailovic sizes up OConnell with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mihailovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mihailovic swats away the attempt to clinch by OConnell.
Mihailovic throws a hook to the side of OConnell's head but OConnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mihailovic misses with an uppercut.
OConnell scores with a shot to the body.
OConnell wants to clinch up but Mihailovic keeps it at a distance.
The fighters circling - Mihailovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Mihailovic does it's job there.
OConnell looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mihailovic throws a hook but OConnell blocks it.
Mihailovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mihailovic lands a jab to the head.
OConnell takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
OConnell tries to clinch up.

OConnell moves into range and clinches up with Mihailovic.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OConnell misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lubomir Mihailovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lubomir Mihailovic's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mihailovic tries to bum rush OConnell with a series of wild strikes but OConnell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mihailovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract OConnell.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mihailovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from OConnell - that will leave a mark!
Mihailovic thuds a left hand into OConnell's body.
OConnell is looking to clinch.
Mihailovic swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mihailovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
OConnell throwing a counter right hand but Mihailovic manages to avoid it.
A punch combination from Mihailovic misses.
OConnell tries to clinch but Mihailovic moves out of range.
Mihailovic throws a nice looking combination but OConnell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
OConnell misses with a double jab.
Mihailovic has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by OConnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihailovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Mihailovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from OConnell.
Mihailovic throws a hook but OConnell avoids it easily.
Mihailovic scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
OConnell slips a jab from Mihailovic.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihailovic misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Mihailovic coming out on top.
OConnell moves in looking to clinch but Mihailovic pushes him off.
Mihailovic looks to score with a jab to the body but OConnell is just out of range.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch but Mihailovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

OConnell moves into the clinch successfully.
OConnell swings wildly with an uppercut but Mihailovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
OConnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Mihailovic.
Mihailovic struggles to land a body shot inside as OConnell controls his hands.
OConnell is struggling to control the position.
OConnell misses with an elbow over the top.
A bit of stalling here from Mihailovic.
Mihailovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OConnell's elbow.
Paul OConnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mihailovic blocks a body shot from OConnell.
OConnell tries to work over Mihailovic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mihailovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

OConnell breaks from the clinch.
Jab by Mihailovic.
Mihailovic looks to land a combination but OConnell avoids it well.
OConnell throws a series of punches but Mihailovic avoids them all with ease.
OConnell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paul OConnell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
OConnell tries to close the distance and clinch but Mihailovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
OConnell tries to clinch but Mihailovic moves out of range.
OConnell blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick from Mihailovic misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mihailovic scores with a shot to the body.
Mihailovic throws a lazy right hand but OConnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mihailovic. OConnell does a little dance to reset his feet.
No joy there for Mihailovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mihailovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
OConnell throws a head kick but Mihailovic moves out of range.
Mihailovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
OConnell moves in looking to clinch but Mihailovic pushes him off.
OConnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mihailovic.
OConnell is looking to clinch but Mihailovic is avoiding it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mihailovic! But no joy.
Mihailovic fails to land with a series of punches.
OConnell is looking to counter punch.
Mihailovic swinging wildly here.

OConnell has closed the distance and engaged Mihailovic in a clinch.
OConnell scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihailovic will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning OConnell up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mihailovic misses with a punch to the body.
Paul OConnell has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nice body punch from OConnell - that landed with a thud.
Mihailovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
OConnell looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mihailovic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Mihailovic tries to throw a body punch but OConnell avoids it by throwing Mihailovic back against the cage.
Lubomir Mihailovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mihailovic.

OConnell breaks the clinch.
OConnell throws a right hand that Mihailovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Mihailovic also avoids with ease.
Mihailovic misses with a double jab
and OConnell counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lubomir Mihailovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mihailovic 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lubomir Mihailovic!
An out of breath Lubomir Mihailovic thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.