PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 3512 p4p, 432 weight class) and Darrel Petersen (ranked 1801 p4p, 239 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kalashnikov
vs
Petersen

187 cm
26
200 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

182 cm
22
190 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Darrel Petersen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalashnikov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Petersen sprawls well. Petersen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kalashnikov gets slowly back to his feet.
Petersen just misses with a punch to the body.
Kalashnikov moves away from the strike by Petersen.
Petersen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kalashnikov.
Petersen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kalashnikov.

Kalashnikov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Petersen wants to improve his position but Kalashnikov is controlling well.
Petersen trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petersen is controlling Kalashnikov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Kalashnikov wants to control but Petersen is keeping him busy.
Petersen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kalashnikov.
Petersen has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Petersen trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen is trying to get back to full guard.
Petersen is looking to control Kalashnikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Petersen avoid being mounted?
Kalashnikov is looking to stall here but Petersen recovers full guard.
Kalashnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes from guard but Petersen blocks nicely.
Kalashnikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Petersen has control of Kalashnikov's left arm, preventing Kalashnikov from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Petersen working a defensive guard here.
Kalashnikov distracts Petersen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kalashnikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalashnikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kalashnikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Kalashnikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kalashnikov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalashnikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Petersen trying to control the position.
Kalashnikov working some strikes from top position.

Petersen looking for a guillotine here but Kalashnikov defends easily.
Kalashnikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kalashnikov preventing the sweep.

Petersen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kalashnikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kalashnikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kalashnikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov controlling from the top position.
Kalashnikov won't allow Petersen to sweep him here.
Kalashnikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Petersen keeping full guard, as Kalashnikov tries to pass.
Kalashnikov is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Petersen looking for a guillotine here but Kalashnikov defends easily.
Kalashnikov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kalashnikov lands a jab to the nose.
Petersen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kalashnikov on the side of the head.
Petersen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalashnikov.
Petersen throws a hook but Kalashnikov avoids it easily.
Kalashnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petersen can do to turn this around?
Kalashnikov moves away from the strike by Petersen.

Kalashnikov shoots in and gets a takedown into Petersen's guard.

Kalashnikov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Petersen dives on top into guard.

Petersen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Petersen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kalashnikov is keeping the position for now.

Petersen drops back looking for a leg! Kalashnikov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kalashnikov manages to kick Petersen off! Petersen jumps back into Kalashnikov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalashnikov has his foot on Petersen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Petersen works his way back into a safe position though.
Petersen looking to pass the guard.
Kalashnikov keeping moving, preventing Petersen from controlling successfully.
Kalashnikov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petersen looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen has Kalashnikov pulled in close to control his posture.
Kalashnikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kalashnikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Petersen is working from the bottom.
Petersen is adopting a defensive guard.
Petersen looking for a sweep. Not yet Petersen, not yet.
Kalashnikov wants to control from the top but Petersen keeps moving.
Kalashnikov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Petersen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalashnikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mikhail Kalashnikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Petersen is trying to keep Kalashnikov in close.
Kalashnikov chips away with some ground and pound.
Kalashnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Petersen trying to control the position.
Kalashnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Petersen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kalashnikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kalashnikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petersen pulls Kalashnikov in close to his closed guard and prevents Kalashnikov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Petersen wants to sweep but no luck.
Kalashnikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Petersen wants to sweep but no luck.
Petersen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes from guard but Petersen blocks nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petersen pulls Kalashnikov in to control the position.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Petersen is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Petersen lands with a nice combination. Kalashnikov backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kalashnikov loads up on a big right hand but Petersen slips the punch.
Kalashnikov slips a straight right by Petersen.
Kalashnikov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kalashnikov catches Petersen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kalashnikov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Petersen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Petersen just misses with a punch to the body.
Petersen scores with a jab to the body.
Kalashnikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Petersen.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kalashnikov.
A big right from Kalashnikov misses.
Kalashnikov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petersen loads up on a big right hand but Kalashnikov slips the punch.
Petersen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kalashnikov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Petersen defends well and Kalashnikov ends up having to push Petersen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikhail Kalashnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Petersen lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Petersen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov defending well as Petersen loads up on a big left hand.
Petersen throws the left hand but Kalashnikov avoids the punch easily.
Petersen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalashnikov.
Petersen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kalashnikov.
Petersen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kalashnikov closes the distance and clinches up with Petersen, looking for a takedown. Kalashnikov pushes Petersen against the cage but Petersen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A nice side step and Petersen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Petersen cracks Kalashnikov with a good jab.
The crowd cheers as Petersen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kalashnikov doesn't seem phased though.
Kalashnikov shoots for a takedown but Petersen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice defenses there by Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Petersen but Petersen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kalashnikov has his takedown stuffed
and Petersen counters with a straight right hand.
Kalashnikov dives in for a single leg takedown but Petersen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kalashnikov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Petersen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov walks into a straight right hand from Petersen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petersen swings for the body but Kalashnikov moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Petersen. Those never looked like landing.
Petersen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov misses with a takedown attempt
letting Petersen counter with a right hand.
Kalashnikov moves away from the strike by Petersen.
Petersen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Kalashnikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kalashnikov has a takedown stuffed.
Kalashnikov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Petersen as he avoids it easily.
Petersen ducks under a wild hook from Kalashnikov.
Petersen jabs at Kalashnikov's body.
A jab from Petersen finds it's way through Kalashnikov's defenses.
Kalashnikov throws a jab when Petersen was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Petersen misses.
Kalashnikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Petersen.
Kalashnikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Petersen.
Kalashnikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Petersen but Petersen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kalashnikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kalashnikov has a takedown stuffed.
Petersen jabs at Kalashnikov's body.
Kalashnikov shoots and misses
enabling Petersen to counter with a crisp jab.
Petersen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Petersen lands a jab to Kalashnikov's midsection.
Petersen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kalashnikov moves away.
Petersen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalashnikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov lands a jab to the nose.
Petersen takes a swing at Kalashnikov's ribcage but misses.
Kalashnikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Petersen is fending him off so far but Kalashnikov persists. Nope, Petersen circles away and we're back to standing.

Kalashnikov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kalashnikov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Petersen tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Petersen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position but Petersen is working away.
Petersen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Darrel Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kalashnikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Petersen missing with punches from the bottom.

Petersen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darrel Petersen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kalashnikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Kalashnikov!
Our winner, Mikhail Kalashnikov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.