PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gary The Reaper (ranked 1033 p4p, 139 weight class) and Gennady Mikhasevich (ranked 662 p4p, 86 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

The Reaper
vs
Mikhasevich

186 cm
30
200 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Riner Clothing
KOMBAT KLOTHING

Riner Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Gary The Reaper!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gennady Mikhasevich!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
The Reaper slips a straight right by Mikhasevich.
The Reaper attempts a counter takedown but Mikhasevich avoids it well and moves away.
Gennady Mikhasevich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikhasevich smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mikhasevich throws a lazy right hand but The Reaper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mikhasevich stuns The Reaper with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mikhasevich throws a poor cross that misses

and The Reaper counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mikhasevich won't be happy with that.
The Reaper tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Reaper throwing strikes but Mikhasevich manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The Reaper tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Reaper manages to get back to half guard.
The Reaper is looking for a sweep. Mikhasevich is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mikhasevich tries to stand but his hand is stuck under The Reaper.
The Reaper trying to control here.
The Reaper tries to roll over but Mikhasevich keeps him under control.
The Reaper is working hard here to advance position.
The Reaper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mikhasevich's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mikhasevich's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich is trying to get back to his feet but The Reaper has full control of the position and if anything, Mikhasevich has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The Reaper punches the canvas rather than the man.
A lull in the action here.
Mikhasevich is trying to remain composed but The Reaper is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
The Reaper is striking well from the back but Mikhasevich escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.
The Reaper definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Mikhasevich has one foot on The Reaper's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Mikhasevich throws a lazy right hand but The Reaper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich cracks The Reaper with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mikhasevich misses with a series of wild punches.
Mikhasevich throws a series of punches but The Reaper avoids them all with ease.
Mikhasevich swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The Reaper attempts a counter takedown but Mikhasevich avoids it well and moves away.
Mikhasevich looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The Reaper defending well as Mikhasevich loads up on a big left hand.
The Reaper is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich throws a hook but The Reaper blocks it.
Gennady Mikhasevich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The Reaper bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A punch combination from Mikhasevich misses.
The Reaper half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Good shot there by Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich throws the left hand but The Reaper avoids the punch easily.
Mikhasevich scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The Reaper moves away from the strike by Mikhasevich.
The Reaper drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mikhasevich sprawls and moves away.

It looks like Gary The Reaper has been cut.
Mikhasevich fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The Reaper appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mikhasevich looks to land a right hand but The Reaper moved out of range.
The Reaper drops down looking for a counter takedown but Mikhasevich sprawls and moves away.
The Reaper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mikhasevich.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the liver by Mikhasevich. Beautiful body shot.
Mikhasevich cracks The Reaper with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich looks to score with a jab to the body but The Reaper is just out of range.
The Reaper is looking to counter the offense by Mikhasevich and move into the clinch.
Mikhasevich connects with a crisp jab.
The Reaper moves out of range as Mikhasevich strikes.
Mikhasevich throws an overhand right that lands on The Reaper's shoulder, as The Reaper tries to avoid the shot.
The Reaper dodges the punch combination from Mikhasevich.
The Reaper tries to counter by clinching up but Mikhasevich breaks away and moves out of range.
Mikhasevich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from The Reaper on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mikhasevich lands with an uppercut that bounces The Reaper off the cage and back into range.
The Reaper ducks under a wild hook from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich misses with a straight left.
The Reaper slips a straight right by Mikhasevich.
The Reaper half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The Reaper has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from The Reaper there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich misses with an uppercut

and The Reaper counters with a single leg into guard. Mikhasevich didn't expect that.
The Reaper stands and throws Mikhasevich's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ground and pound from The Reaper seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The Reaper tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The Reaper throws a strike aimed at the side of Mikhasevich's head but Mikhasevich avoids it well.
The Reaper tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Mikhasevich taking punishment in the form of punches.
The Reaper misses with the ground and pound.
Mikhasevich wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Reaper is staying tight to Mikhasevich's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The ground and pound from The Reaper seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The Reaper in side control, throwing shots but Mikhasevich defends.
Gary The Reaper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mikhasevich is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikhasevich managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by The Reaper.
The Reaper has knee on belly and moves into mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Reaper thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mikhasevich in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gennady Mikhasevich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Gary The Reaper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch lands to the side of The Reaper 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mikhasevich scores with a jab. The Reaper acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mikhasevich lands with a nice combination. The Reaper backs away looking to recover.
The Reaper takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich connects with a crisp jab.
Mikhasevich displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

The Reaper is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich misses with a two punch combination.
The Reaper takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Oh The Reaper is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mikhasevich misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The Reaper appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
The Reaper seems to have got his legs back now.
A left lands for Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich misses with a series of wild punches.
Mikhasevich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich throws a looping overhand right but The Reaper ducks down to avoid it.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Mikhasevich throws an ugly left hook that misses
and The Reaper counters with a stiff right hand.
The Reaper takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mikhasevich looks to land a right hand but The Reaper moved out of range.
A big right from Mikhasevich misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich misses with a straight left.
Mikhasevich misses with a looping left.
Mikhasevich throws a jab when The Reaper was well out of range.
The Reaper tries to counter with a takedown but Mikhasevich is quick to defend against it.
The Reaper bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The Reaper walks into a stiff left hand from Mikhasevich.
The fighters circling - Mikhasevich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A counter left hand to the body from The Reaper misses its target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The Reaper tries to counter by clinching up but Mikhasevich breaks away and moves out of range.
Mikhasevich lands a jab.
Mikhasevich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mikhasevich missing with a left hand there. The Reaper was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gary The Reaper's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mikhasevich throws an overhand right that lands on The Reaper's shoulder, as The Reaper tries to avoid the shot.
The Reaper takes one on the button.
Mikhasevich swinging wildly here.
The Reaper changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but The Reaper circles away quickly and effectively.
The Reaper appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
The Reaper slips under a jab from Mikhasevich.
The Reaper changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mikhasevich connects with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich throws a jab when The Reaper was well out of range.
The Reaper tries to counter with a takedown but Mikhasevich is quick to defend against it.
A lazy left from Mikhasevich finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich misses with a right hand

and The Reaper counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by The Reaper.
The Reaper seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mikhasevich preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The Reaper 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.
The Reaper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mikhasevich is keeping the position for now.
The Reaper throwing strikes from guard but Mikhasevich blocks nicely.
The Reaper postures up in Mikhasevich's guard and throws a big left but Mikhasevich blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Reaper postures up in Mikhasevich's guard and throws a big left but Mikhasevich blocks it.
Mikhasevich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mikhasevich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from The Reaper.
The Reaper keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mikhasevich's head.
The Reaper won't allow Mikhasevich to get back to his feet.
The Reaper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The Reaper engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The Reaper trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhasevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mikhasevich misses with a hook

and The Reaper counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Reaper postures up in Mikhasevich's guard and throws a big left but Mikhasevich blocks it.
The Reaper throwing strikes from guard but Mikhasevich blocks nicely.
Mikhasevich is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst The Reaper is controlling him.

The Reaper is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mikhasevich is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mikhasevich has escaped and now he's on top!

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Reaper wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Gary The Reaper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The Reaper slips under a jab from Mikhasevich.
The Reaper is looking to counter the offense by Mikhasevich and move into the clinch.
The Reaper uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich throws a right hand that misses

and The Reaper counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The Reaper throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Mikhasevich to regain full guard.
Mikhasevich working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from The Reaper.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Reaper is looking to work some ground and pound but Mikhasevich has wrist control.
Mikhasevich keeping full guard, as The Reaper tries to pass.
The Reaper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Reaper trying to control but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Mikhasevich is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst The Reaper is controlling him.
The Reaper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mikhasevich swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The Reaper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mikhasevich keeping full guard, as The Reaper tries to pass.
Mikhasevich wants to get back to his feet but The Reaper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The Reaper ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gary The Reaper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mikhasevich throws a lazy uppercut

and The Reaper moves into the clinch.
Mikhasevich tries to break free but The Reaper pushes him back against the cage.

Mikhasevich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The Reaper avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The Reaper attempts a counter takedown but Mikhasevich avoids it well and moves away.
Mikhasevich looks to land a left hand but The Reaper moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Mikhasevich misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mikhasevich misses with a few strikes there.
Mikhasevich throws a hook to the side of The Reaper's head but The Reaper sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mikhasevich lands a nice shot that snaps The Reaper's head back.
The Reaper takes one to the chin there.
Mikhasevich misses with a combination

and The Reaper counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Reaper passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mikhasevich!
The Reaper misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mikhasevich blocking the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Reaper punching from mount but Mikhasevich doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Mikhasevich is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Gennady Mikhasevich is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The Reaper throwing strikes here but Mikhasevich is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gary The Reaper.
I think Mikhasevich 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 45:49
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 44:50
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gennady Mikhasevich!
Gennady Mikhasevich is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Gennady Mikhasevich thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.