PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Toby Michael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Zrinjski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Michael
vs
Zrinjski

155 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toby Michael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Zrinjski!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zrinjski shoots in but no luck this time.
Michael is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zrinjski.
Zrinjski has a takedown stuffed.
Horrible takedown attempt by Michael or perhaps it was just good defense by Zrinjski, which made it look bad.
Michael stuffs the takedown.
Toby Michael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Zrinjski.
Zrinjski misses with a takedown

and Michael holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zrinjski stalling against the cage.
Michael really is a fat lump.
Michael tries to land knees in the clinch but Zrinjski avoids the damage to the body.
Michael can't find room to land a body shot as Zrinjski controls the action.
Zrinjski blocks a body shot from Michael.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zrinjski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Michael landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zrinjski looks winded!

Michael's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zrinjski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Michael but Michael pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Michael bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zrinjski is looking to get back to his feet here but Michael is keeping cool and he's managed to take Zrinjski's back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michael working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Zrinjski is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Michael has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Zrinjski taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Toby Michael!