PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Don Petersen (ranked 1891 p4p, 237 weight class) and Didier Misalooba (ranked 2276 p4p, 263 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Petersen might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to James Brown- Living in America. Misalooba has chosen Beyond the Black as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Didier Misalooba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Petersen
vs
Misalooba

180 cm
33
175 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

183 cm
25
183 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Don Petersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Didier Misalooba!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petersen throws a shot from downtown. Misalooba moves away and avoids it.
Misalooba throws a looping overhand right but Petersen ducks down to avoid it.
Petersen attempts a counter takedown but Misalooba avoids it well and moves away.
Misalooba scores with a nice right hand.
Misalooba has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A slow jab from Petersen misses its intended target.
Misalooba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Misalooba displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Petersen.
Misalooba wants to counter with a clinch but Petersen pushes him away.

Petersen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Petersen trying to control the position from guard on top but Misalooba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Misalooba uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Misalooba instigates a clinch.

Misalooba breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Misalooba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petersen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Misalooba napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Misalooba throws Petersen to one side and escapes!
Petersen throws a big shot that misses.
Petersen misses with an uppercut.
Misalooba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Misalooba tries to clinch there but Petersen circles away.

Petersen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Misalooba did well to prevent Petersen getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misalooba is controlling Petersen's trapped leg to prevent Petersen from advancing to side control.
Let's hope that Misalooba has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Misalooba is trying to maintain the position but Petersen is very close to passing his half guard.

Petersen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Misalooba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petersen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petersen is trying to work for a kimura but Misalooba is defending well.

Petersen seems to be working for a kimura but Misalooba defends the submission attempt.
Misalooba trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Petersen controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misalooba trying to control here.

Petersen looking for a submission but Misalooba manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Petersen wants to pass the guard but Misalooba is keeping the position.
Petersen wants to control from the top but Misalooba keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Misalooba lands a nice shot that snaps Petersen's head back.
Misalooba misses with an uppercut
and Petersen counters with a nice uppercut.
Petersen swings widly with a right hand
and Misalooba counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Petersen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Petersen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A jab from Petersen finds it's way through Misalooba's defenses.
A leg kick checked by Misalooba.

Petersen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Misalooba is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Petersen presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Misalooba has Petersen pressed against the cage, preventing Petersen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Petersen has had enough of the clinch but Misalooba keeps him there for the moment.

Misalooba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Didier Misalooba will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Misalooba misses with a double jab.
Decent striking displayed by Petersen there.

Misalooba gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Misalooba breaks the clinch.
Petersen slips under a jab.

Misalooba darts in and clinches Petersen up against the cage.
Petersen blocks a body shot from Misalooba.
Misalooba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.
Misalooba working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petersen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Misalooba after a bit of a struggle.
Misalooba has Petersen pressed against the cage, preventing Petersen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A bit of stalling here from Misalooba.
Misalooba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Misalooba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Petersen dives in for a single leg takedown but Misalooba sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Petersen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Petersen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Petersen prevents Misalooba from escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Misalooba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Petersen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Misalooba has escaped the position, nice work there.
Misalooba is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petersen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Petersen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Petersen is looking to take a break and control but Misalooba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Misalooba gets back to half guard.
Petersen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Misalooba keeps working.
Misalooba pushes Petersen off looking to stand but Petersen dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petersen is trying to work for a kimura but Misalooba is defending well.
Didier Misalooba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Misalooba holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Misalooba is refusing to be controlled, as Petersen sits in half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Petersen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Misalooba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Misalooba is trying to stand back up but Petersen is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice defenses there by Misalooba.

Misalooba gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Petersen to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petersen trying to control the position from guard on top but Misalooba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Misalooba can't keep his opponent in guard - Petersen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Petersen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Misalooba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petersen.

Petersen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Misalooba has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Didier Misalooba will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

An inside leg kick from Petersen misses.
Misalooba misses the jab.
Misalooba on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Misalooba with a hook.
Petersen ducks under a wild hook from Misalooba.
Petersen misses with a few strikes there.
Petersen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Misalooba looks to throw the jab but Petersen is out of range.
Petersen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Petersen lands a jab to the head.

Petersen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Petersen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Misalooba is just riding it out for now. Petersen eventually gives up the hold.
Misalooba is refusing to be controlled, as Petersen sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misalooba has his hands clasped together around Petersen's back. He's all about the action.
Misalooba is not content to let Petersen control the position.
Misalooba is pressing down on Petersen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Petersen tries to free his leg and advance position but Misalooba is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Petersen trying to control but Misalooba is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

Petersen has a closed guard, preventing Misalooba from standing up.
Misalooba controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen working a defensive guard here.
Petersen keeping moving, preventing Misalooba from controlling successfully.
Don Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Didier Misalooba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Misalooba's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Misalooba misses the jab.
Petersen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Misalooba misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Misalooba connects with a good right hand that stumbles Petersen. Petersen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Didier Misalooba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Petersen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Misalooba counters with a stiff right hand.
Petersen misses with an uppercut.
Misalooba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Misalooba missing with a left hand there. Petersen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Misalooba lands a slapping body shot.
A jab from Petersen misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Misalooba, as that shot connected.
Petersen misses with a hook.
Misalooba might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Misalooba throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Petersen on the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Petersen shoots in and bounces Misalooba off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Misalooba has his feet on Petersen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Didier Misalooba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Misalooba has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Didier Misalooba!
Didier Misalooba thanked the fans post fight for their support.