PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Malikoic (ranked 3617 p4p, 449 weight class) and Viktor Mikhailov (ranked 3919 p4p, 477 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Malikoic
vs
Mikhailov

194 cm
25
223 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
28
217 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ivan Malikoic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Viktor Mikhailov!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malikoic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Malikoic definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Malikoic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Malikoic dives in for a single leg takedown but Mikhailov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mikhailov feints the counter takedown.

Mikhailov has managed to clinch.
Malikoic tries to pull guard but Mikhailov holds him up against the cage and eventually Malikoic drops back down to his feet.
Mikhailov tries to land knees in the clinch but Malikoic avoids the damage to the body.

Mikhailov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mikhailov closes the distance and clinches up with Malikoic, looking for a takedown. Mikhailov pushes Malikoic against the cage but Malikoic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Malikoic doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mikhailov counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Malikoic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mikhailov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Malikoic regains guard.
Malikoic wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Mikhailov manages to pass to side control.

Malikoic has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mikhailov is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov working the head and body with strikes.

Malikoic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mikhailov wants to free his trapped foot but Malikoic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Still in half guard, Mikhailov seems content to control.

Mikhailov stands up out of the half guard.
Malikoic scores with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikhailov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Malikoic scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Mikhailov manages to mount him!
My spies in All Star Performance Institute inform me that Mikhailov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Mikhailov controlling the pace for now.
Malikoic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malikoic wants to control but Mikhailov is having none of it.
Mikhailov controlling from the full mount.
Malikoic tries to reverse the position but Mikhailov maintains control.
Mikhailov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Malikoic is looking to improve his position but Mikhailov isn't that keen on the idea.
Mikhailov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four 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.
Mikhailov moves to the back.
Malikoic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mikhailov on the ground.
Malikoic trying to control but not successfully.
Malikoic is trying to remain composed but Mikhailov is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Malikoic is trying to get back to his feet but Mikhailov has full control of the position and if anything, Malikoic has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Mikhailov is hanging on to Malikoic's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Malikoic is trying to control his opponent's hands. Eventually Mikhailov gets his hands free and sinks in a rear naked choke. For a while it looks like Malikoic is going to survive but after struggling valiantly, he eventually has to tap out! Mikhailov is your winner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Viktor Mikhailov!