PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Mike (ranked 24829 p4p, 553 weight class) and Islam Makhacevov (ranked 24860 p4p, 530 weight class). Tyson Mike had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Mike
vs
Makhacevov

190 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
18
186 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Likes musicals

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tyson Mike!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Makhacevov or perhaps it was just good defense by Mike, which made it look bad.

Mike clinches with his opponent.

Mike breaks from the clinch.
Makhacevov shoots in looking for a takedown. Mike tries to sprawl out of it but Makhacevov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mike manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A counter left hand to the body from Mike misses its target.

Mike gets caught napping as Makhacevov dives in and scores a takedown. Mike manages to retain guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mike is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Makhacevov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike controlling the position.
Makhacevov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mike strikes from his own guard.
Makhacevov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Mike keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makhacevov won't allow Mike to sweep him here.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mike utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Makhacevov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mike connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tyson Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makhacevov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mike makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mike.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mike looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mike is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Makhacevov trying to control but Mike is working from the bottom.
Makhacevov stopping the sweep attempt from Mike.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mike utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mike tries to score a power double leg takedown but Makhacevov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mike somewhat.

Mike has Makhacevov up against the cage in a clinch.
Makhacevov looking for a takedown.
Mike is looking for a takedown.
Mike has Makhacevov pushed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Mike's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mike is trying hard to land a takedown here. Makhacevov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Makhacevov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Makhacevov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mike wants to control but Makhacevov is keeping busy.
Makhacevov wants to take a breather but Mike is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhacevov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Makhacevov lands strikes from half guard.
Mike has hold of Makhacevov's hands but Makhacevov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Islam Makhacevov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mike moves into the clinch.

Mike escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mike fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Makhacevov manages to avoid it.

Makhacevov gets a double leg takedown into Mike's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mike holds on and takes a little breather.
Mike is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Makhacevov landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mike has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Makhacevov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mike.
Makhacevov cracks Mike with a big right hand but Mike just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike is letting Makhacevov control him for a moment.
Islam Makhacevov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Makhacevov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Makhacevov trying to control the position but Mike is working away.
Mike struggling a bit here.
Makhacevov working the ground and pound.
Makhacevov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mike keeps working.

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.
The ground and pound from Makhacevov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Mike is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Makhacevov tries to score with some ground and pound. Mike controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mike takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Mike is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Makhacevov working the head and body with strikes.
Mike tries to escape but Makhacevov is in control.
Makhacevov trying to control the action but Mike is working from the bottom.
Mike can't do much from the bottom here.
Makhacevov working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov lands some shots froms side control.
Makhacevov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Mike tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Makhacevov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mike is trying to control Makhacevov's posture but Makhacevov avoids it.
Makhacevov lands an elbow.
Makhacevov trying to control the action but Mike is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Makhacevov landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Makhacevov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Makhacevov slips a jab and a cross from Mike.
Makhacevov shoots in for a takedown but Mike shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown attempt by Makhacevov or perhaps it was just good defense by Mike, which made it look bad.
It looked like Mike was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Mike moves into the clinch successfully.

Mike pulls guard effortlessly.

Mike working for a triangle but Makhacevov defends it easily.
Mike wants to sweep here but Makhacevov controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Mike keeps moving.
Mike on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mike tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike wants to sweep but no luck.
Makhacevov won't allow Mike to get back to his feet.
Makhacevov trying to control but Mike is working from the bottom.

Mike has his foot on Makhacevov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makhacevov works his way back into a safe position though.

Mike has his foot on Makhacevov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Makhacevov works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makhacevov postures up and lands a big shot to Mike's brow.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Mike wants to sweep but no luck.
Mike is looking to stand up but Makhacevov isn't so interested in that idea.
Makhacevov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mike slaps away a takedown attempt from Makhacevov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mike thinks about countering with a head kick.
Tyson Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.
Makhacevov blocks the body kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Mike breaks the clinch.
Islam Makhacevov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov looks for a takedown but Mike sprawls well.
Makhacevov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mike swivels and escapes.
Makhacevov has his takedown stuffed
and Mike counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mike shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Makhacevov but Makhacevov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Makhacevov avoids the body shot from Mike.
Makhacevov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Mike has closed the distance and engaged Makhacevov in a clinch.
Mike stops a takedown attempt from Makhacevov.
Mike is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Mike manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov cracks Mike with a solid left hand.
Makhacevov lands a couple of elbows.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makhacevov connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makhacevov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Makhacevov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Mike showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Makhacevov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!