PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Mitchell (ranked 3989 p4p, 437 weight class) and Shamil Mirzamagomedov (ranked 2242 p4p, 271 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Mitchell
vs
Mirzamagomedov

186 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Mitchell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Mirzamagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jorge Garcia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitchell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mirzamagomedov throws out the jab.

Mirzamagomedov forces Mitchell back against the cage and clinches.

Mitchell decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mitchell wants to hit a switch here but Mirzamagomedov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Mitchell there!
Mitchell regains half guard.
Mirzamagomedov wants to stand up but Mitchell has a hold of him and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mirzamagomedov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mitchell is trying to control but can't.
Mirzamagomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mitchell. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mirzamagomedov is looking to take a break and control but Mitchell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mirzamagomedov thows a huge punch but Mitchell dodges it nicely.
Mitchell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mirzamagomedov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mirzamagomedov's back!
Mitchell is looking to control Mirzamagomedov but Mirzamagomedov is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Mitchell working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mitchell is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mirzamagomedov is defending well though. Mitchell let's go of the attempt for now.
Mirzamagomedov is keeping busy.
Mirzamagomedov trying to control the hands but Mitchell breaks the grip.
Mirzamagomedov can't escape the position.
Mirzamagomedov wants to control his opponent's hands but Mitchell gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirzamagomedov manages to scramble and ends up in full guard, under a barage of strikes . Great composure from Mirzamagomedov.
Mitchell wants to control from the top but Mirzamagomedov keeps moving.

Mitchell has gone for a leg lock! Mirzamagomedov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Mitchell's guard.

Mitchell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mirzamagomedov wants to get up but he can't break Mitchell's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mirzamagomedov wants to stand but Mitchell has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mitchell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Mitchell is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Mirzamagomedov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Mitchell has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mirzamagomedov after a bit of a struggle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mitchell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters circling a little - Mitchell finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Mirzamagomedov lands with a nice combination. Mitchell backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mark Mitchell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mirzamagomedov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mark Mitchell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mirzamagomedov wants to clinch up but Mitchell keeps it at a distance.
Mirzamagomedov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mitchell has a takedown stuffed.
Mirzamagomedov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mark Mitchell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mirzamagomedov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mitchell closes the distance and clinches up with Mirzamagomedov, looking for a takedown. Mitchell pushes Mirzamagomedov against the cage but Mirzamagomedov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mirzamagomedov looking to score a takedown here. Mitchell is defending well but Mirzamagomedov drives through and ends up in Mitchell's guard.

Mitchell pushes Mirzamagomedov off and scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mirzamagomedov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mirzamagomedov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Mitchell explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mirzamagomedov is looking to clinch but Mitchell is avoiding it.

Mirzamagomedov scores with a takedown into Mitchell's guard.

Mitchell manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mitchell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mitchell lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mitchell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mirzamagomedov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mitchell.
Mitchell goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mitchell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mirzamagomedov defends well and Mitchell ends up having to push Mirzamagomedov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mirzamagomedov wants to counter the offense by Mitchell and move into the clinch position.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Mitchell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell tries to clinch but Mirzamagomedov moves out of range.
Mark Mitchell is winning the standup battle so far.

Mirzamagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mirzamagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Mirzamagomedov is in close to Mitchell's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mirzamagomedov postures up and lands a big shot to Mitchell's brow.

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

Mirzamagomedov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mitchell controls the pace.
Mark Mitchell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirzamagomedov is striking off his back. Mitchell thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Mirzamagomedov is concentrating on defense, preventing Mitchell from advancing position.
Mitchell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mirzamagomedov can do to turn this around?
Mirzamagomedov trying to hold on to Mitchell's head to control him but Mitchell postures up.
Mirzamagomedov is looking to improve his position.
Mirzamagomedov is still trying to improve position.
Mitchell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mitchell is looking to take a break and control but Mirzamagomedov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mirzamagomedov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mirzamagomedov is controlling Mitchell's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Mitchell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mirzamagomedov tries to roll over but Mitchell keeps him under control.
Mirzamagomedov is not content to let Mitchell control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Mitchell dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mirzamagomedov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mitchell.
Mitchell tries to clinch but Mirzamagomedov is having none of it.
Mitchell's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mirzamagomedov under the eye.
Mitchell shoots in for a takedown but Mirzamagomedov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Mirzamagomedov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mirzamagomedov is trying to break the clinch but Mitchell has him pressed against the cage.
Mitchell goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mirzamagomedov prevents it.
Mitchell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mirzamagomedov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Mitchell. 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.
Mitchell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mirzamagomedov as he avoids it easily.

Mirzamagomedov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mirzamagomedov lands in his opponent's guard.
Mitchell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Mirzamagomedov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirzamagomedov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mirzamagomedov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mirzamagomedov throws an elbow that misses. Mitchell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mirzamagomedov's guard. Nice move by Mitchell!

Mirzamagomedov pulls Mitchell in close to prevent any damage.
Mirzamagomedov looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mitchell is looking to work some ground and pound but Mirzamagomedov has wrist control.
Mirzamagomedov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Mitchell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Mirzamagomedov wriggles free and stands up.
Mitchell closes the distance and clinches up with Mirzamagomedov, looking for a takedown. Mitchell pushes Mirzamagomedov against the cage but Mirzamagomedov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mirzamagomedov throws a counter combo.
Mitchell tries to clinch but Mirzamagomedov moves away

and Mirzamagomedov counters with a shoot takedown. Mitchell fights it but they end up in guard.
Mirzamagomedov lands a couple of elbows.

Mitchell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mirzamagomedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Mitchell is retaining full guard.
Mirzamagomedov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mitchell is proving hard to escape from.
Mirzamagomedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mitchell is keeping the position for now.
Mirzamagomedov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mirzamagomedov cracks Mitchell with a solid left hand.

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.
Mirzamagomedov postures up.
Mirzamagomedov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mitchell's head.
Mirzamagomedov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mirzamagomedov preventing the sweep.
Mirzamagomedov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Mitchell manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Mitchell advances to half guard.
Mitchell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mirzamagomedov is trying to maintain the position but Mitchell is very close to passing his half guard.
Shamil Mirzamagomedov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mark Mitchell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mitchell wants to free his trapped foot but Mirzamagomedov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shamil Mirzamagomedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mitchell 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Mitchell!