PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Solis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stipe Miocic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Solis
vs
Miocic

191 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

200 cm
24
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Solis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stipe Miocic!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Solis throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A thudding body kick lands there by Solis!

Miocic gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Miocic manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Solis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Miocic has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Solis has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Miocic wants to break free but Solis has control.

Miocic manages to break the clinch.

Miocic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solis can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee asks Miocic politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Miocic prefers to stall for the moment though.
Solis is not content to let Miocic control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miocic working the strikes but Solis uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Miocic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Solis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Miocic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Solis is defending against the submission attempts here by Miocic.
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. Miocic connects with a nice short shot to Solis's temple.

That's two 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.
Solis taking some punishment here, with Miocic in his half guard.
Miocic is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Solis could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Miocic can't control as he wanted to and Solis manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

Miocic is looking for a kimura but Solis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Miocic to get the leverage.
Solis trying to hold on to Miocic's head to control him but Miocic postures up.
Miocic stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Miocic seems to be working for a kimura but Solis defends the submission attempt.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Miocic in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Miocic trying to control the action but Solis is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Miocic blocks a head kick by Solis.
A combination from Solis does no damage.

Solis tries to keep at a distance but Miocic has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Solis manages to pull guard.
Miocic passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stipe Miocic dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Solis avoids the head kick by Miocic.

Miocic has taken the fight to the clinch.

Miocic manages to pull guard.
Miocic wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Solis is now in half guard.
Miocic wants to improve his position but Solis is controlling well.

Solis seems to be looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Solis is looking for submissions but instead, Miocic has regained full guard.
Miocic has a closed guard, preventing Solis from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miocic manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Miocic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Solis uses from the top position.

Miocic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Miocic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Miocic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Miocic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Miocic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Miocic. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Miocic is working an open guard so Solis takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Solis feints and then cracks Miocic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Miocic down.
Miocic misses with a head kick.

Miocic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Solis, pushing him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Solis.

Miocic tightens his grip and picks Solis up, before dumping him to the ground. Solis manages to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miocic advances position into side control!
Solis tries to bench press Miocic off him but Miocic keeps the position.
Miocic controlling the position.

Miocic goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Solis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Miocic but great work by Solis.
Miocic looking for a sweep but Solis has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Solis throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Solis has control of Miocic's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Miocic regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Miocic is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miocic bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Miocic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stipe Miocic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Solis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Miocic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Solis!
Solis regains half guard there - taking advantage of Miocic's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Solis is refusing to be controlled, as Miocic sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miocic is looking to stall here but Solis recovers full guard.
Miocic passes Solis's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Solis.
Miocic lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Miocic trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Solis manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Miocic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Solis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solis bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Miocic has managed to clinch.

Miocic has Solis pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Miocic pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Solis tumbling to the mat - Miocic dives into Solis's guard.
Miocic distracts Solis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Miocic trying to control the position from guard on top but Solis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Solis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Miocic is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miocic tries to free his leg and advance position but Solis is retaining full guard.
Miocic's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Solis keeping moving, preventing Miocic from controlling successfully.
Miocic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Solis is keeping the position for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Miocic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Miocic controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miocic is trying to control. Solis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Miocic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Miocic wants to work for an arm triangle but Solis is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Miocic misses with a head shot. Solis uses the momentum to regain guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Stipe Miocic.
I've got Miocic 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stipe Miocic!