PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emet Golem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stefan Michalak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michalak has chosen Tupac - Hail Mary as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Golem
vs
Michalak

195 cm
33
217 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

183 cm
25
215 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emet Golem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stefan Michalak!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Golem instigates a clinch.

Michalak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Golem closes the distance but Michalak moves to the side
letting Michalak counter with a right hand.

Golem darts in and clinches Michalak up against the cage.
Golem lands a nice uppercut.
Golem is working Michalak over against the cage.

Michalak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Michalak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Michalak counters with a thumping low kick.
Emet Golem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Golem is looking to clinch.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michalak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Michalak circles away from the clinch attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Michalak tries to break free but Golem pushes him back against the cage.

Michalak manages to break the clinch.
Golem tries to clinch
and Michalak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Golem forces Michalak back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golem tries to work over Michalak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Golem throws a punch but it's blocked by Michalak.
Golem definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Michalak tries to throw a body punch but Golem avoids it by throwing Michalak back against the cage.

Michalak breaks from the clinch.

Golem has closed the distance and engaged Michalak in a clinch.
Golem misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Golem.
Golem misses with the head strike.
Golem has a couple of punches blocked by Michalak.
Michalak looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Golem working aggressively here.
Golem misses with some punches.
Golem works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Golem softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Michalak wants to break the clinch but can't.
Golem lands a left hand that snaps the head of Michalak backwards.
Michalak wants to break free but Golem has control.
Golem tries a body shot but Michalak blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michalak blocks an uppercut.

Michalak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Michalak sizes up Golem with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Golem takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Michalak misses with a head kick.
Golem keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Michalak.
Michalak throws a hook but Golem blocks it.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Michalak! But no joy.

Golem moves into the clinch.
Golem lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Michalak backwards.
Golem lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Golem.
Golem swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Michalak wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Golem has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Golem.
Golem misses with some punches.
Michalak working hard to break the clinch.
Michalak wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michalak blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Golem lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Michalak backwards.
Golem lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Michalak blocking some punches.
Golem throws a head punch that misses.
Golem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Michalaks head.
Michalak prevents a body shot from Golem.
Michalak pushes Golem back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Golem lands a shot to the body.
Golem misses with a short punch on the inside.

Michalak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Golem fails with an attempt to clinch.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak moves out of range.
Golem closes the distance looking to clinch
and Michalak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Michalak takes a swing at Golem's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michalak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Golem looks to clinch
and Michalak counters with a stiff right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michalak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Michalak! But no joy.
Golem tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Michalak to counter with a crisp jab.

Michalak gets tackled into the cage by Golem. Golem maintains the clinch.
Golem lands with a light punch inside.
Golem throws a punch but it's blocked by Michalak.
Michalak blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Michalak's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Michalak is trying to break the clinch but Golem is controlling him.
Golem lands a right hand that snaps the head of Michalak backwards.
Golem misses with a short punch on the inside.
Golem lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Golem.
Golem lands an uppercut.
Golem fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Michalak.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emet Golem dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Golem moves out of range of the strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Michalak finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Golem is looking to clinch but Michalak is avoiding it.
Michalak tests Golem's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Michalak might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Michalak throws a looping overhand right but Golem ducks down to avoid it.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch but Michalak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Michalak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Michalak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak moves away
enabling Michalak to counter with a crisp jab.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak moves out of range.
Michalak swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Emet Golem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Golem wants to clinch up but Michalak keeps it at a distance.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch but Michalak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Michalak throws out a counter right but Golem avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Michalak throws a sloppy head kick and Golem moves out of range easily.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Golem showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Michalak.
Golem was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Michalak scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golem tries to clinch there but Michalak circles away.

Golem gets a clinch.
Golem misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Golem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Golem throws a punch but it's blocked by Michalak.
Golem working aggressively here.
Michalak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Michalak is trying to push Golem away but Golem has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Golem lands a left hand.
Golem misses with the head strike.
Golem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Golem throws a punch but it's blocked by Michalak.
Golem lands with a right to the head.
Golem misses with some punches.
Michalak is trying to break free.
Golem misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michalak wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Golem tries to work over Michalak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Golem tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Michalak tries to break the clinch but Golem is controlling the position.
Michalak wants to get back to striking at distance but Golem won't allow it.
Golem has a couple of punches blocked by Michalak.

Michalak breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Golem looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Michalak fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A swing and a miss from Michalak.
Stefan Michalak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Michalak throws the left hand but Golem avoids the punch easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Golem tries to clinch
and Michalak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Golem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Michalak throws a hook to the side of Golem's head but Golem sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch but Michalak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Michalak bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Golem's head backwards.

Golem has taken the fight to the clinch.
Golem goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Golem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Golem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Michalak tries to circle away but Golem has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Golem.
A body shot lands from Golem.
Golem throws a punch but it's blocked by Michalak.
Michalak is looking to break free of the clinch but Golem has double underhooks.
Golem lands a right hand that snaps the head of Michalak backwards.
Golem misses with some punches.
Golem misses with a punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Golem.
A head punch on the inside from Golem fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golem throws a head punch that misses.
Michalak lands with a right to the head.
Michalak can't break the clinch.
Golem swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Golem misses with a short punch on the inside.
Michalak blocks an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Golem lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Golem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Golem swings wildly with an uppercut but Michalak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Michalak is trying to stall.
Michalak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Michalak breaks from the clinch.
Golem fails with an attempt to clinch.
Golem is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Michalak can do to turn this around?
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Stefan Michalak will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Golem's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Michalak tries a head kick but it misses.
Michalak keeps the fight on the outside.
Golem fails in his attempt to clinch.
Golem closes the distance but Michalak moves to the side
enabling Michalak to counter with a crisp jab.
Michalak circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Michalak counter with a right hand.
Golem's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Michalak connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Golem scrambles back to his feet.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michalak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Golem wants to clinch up but Michalak keeps it at a distance.
Golem tries to clinch there but Michalak circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Michalak! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michalak scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Golem blocks a head kick by Michalak.
Golem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A solid body kick from Michalak.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michalak lands a slapping body shot.
Golem closes the distance but Michalak moves to the side
and Michalak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak moves away
and Michalak counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Michalak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Golem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak is having none of it.

Golem gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Michalak blocking some punches.
Michalak is looking to break free of the clinch but Golem has double underhooks.
Michalak prevents a body shot from Golem.
Michalak has had enough of the clinch but Golem keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch on the inside from Golem fails to land.
Golem keeps control of Michalak as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Golem fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Golem swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michalak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Michalak throws a hook but Golem blocks it.
Michalak tries a head kick but it misses.
Golem slips under a jab.
Golem takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Michalak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Michalak looks like he wants to counter punch here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Golem is looking to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Michalak.

Michalak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Michalak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Golem bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Golem on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Golem is looking to clinch but Michalak is avoiding it.
Golem avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Michalak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Michalak counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golem wants to clinch but Michalak slips to the side
and Michalak counters with a nice uppercut.
Golem closes the distance but Michalak moves to the side
and Michalak connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Golem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Michalak keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab lands there for Michalak.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
A little jabbing left from Michalak on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Michalak misses the shot to the body.
Golem tries to clinch there but Michalak circles away.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Michalak swats away the attempt to clinch by Golem.
Golem tries to clinch but Michalak is having none of it.
Golem moves to clinch but Michalak breaks away
and Michalak counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Michalak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Golem closes the distance looking to clinch
and Michalak counters with a one-two to the body.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Golem moves to clinch but Michalak breaks away
and Michalak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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!
Michalak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Michalak looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Michalak throws a body punch but Golem moves out of range.
Golem moves in looking to clinch but Michalak pushes him off.
Golem closes the distance but Michalak moves to the side
and Michalak counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Golem wants to clinch up but Michalak keeps it at a distance.
Michalak looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Golem clinches up with Michalak and pushes him back against the cage.
Michalak is trying to force a seperation but Golem has the dominant position.
Michalak is trying to break free.
Golem swings wildly with an uppercut but Michalak uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stefan Michalak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Michalak has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stefan Michalak!
After winning the bout, Stefan Michalak thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.