PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tank Ispa (ranked 176 p4p, 293 weight class) and Alphonzo Mirage (ranked 26 p4p, 43 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ispa
vs
Mirage

190 cm
31
216
26 - 12 - 2

191 cm
35
212
28 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Arcticus University: London

Aspire Clothing
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 26 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tank Ispa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Alphonzo Mirage!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mirage connects with a nice looking jab.
Ispa looks to land a body kick but Mirage moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mirage! But no joy.
Ispa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mirage.

Ispa closes the distance and clinches.

Mirage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ispa throws a body kick that misses
and Mirage connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ispa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ispa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ispa looks for a takedown but Mirage sprawls well.

Ispa gets a takedown into half guard.

Mirage has one foot on Ispa's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've been hearing reports that Ispa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ispa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mirage takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ispa sizes up Mirage with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Mirage.
Ispa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mirage.
Mirage scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mirage swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice cross by Ispa.
Ispa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mirage in his tracks.
Mirage throws a hook but Ispa blocks it.
Mirage slips under a jab.

Ispa moves into the clinch successfully.
Mirage lands a left hand.

Mirage breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ispa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ispa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck for Ispa with that takedown attempt.
Mirage takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ispa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mirage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ispa stuns Mirage with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mirage jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ispa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mirage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ispa scores with a hook.
Ispa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ispa misses with a body shot.

Ispa closes the distance and pushes Mirage back into the cage.

Mirage is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ispa is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mirage to the mat. Mirage regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Mirage wriggles free and stands up.
Mirage throws out a loose jab but Ispa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ispa pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mirage is out of range and Ispa settles back down.
Ispa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ispa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mirage counters with a stiff right hand.
Ispa moves out of range of the leg kick from Mirage.
Ispa lands a leg kick that knocks Mirage off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Mirage as Ispa shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tank Ispa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ispa checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mirage throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ispa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mirage is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ispa.
Ispa throws out a loose jab but Mirage uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mirage.
Alphonzo Mirage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Ispa misses the target.
Mirage throws out a counter right but Ispa avoids it with no problem.
Ispa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ispa catches Mirage with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mirage misses with a double jab
and Ispa counters with an outside leg kick.
Mirage has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mirage there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mirage misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ispa.
Mirage throws a shot from downtown. Ispa moves away and avoids it.
Ispa misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ispa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mirage.
Mirage let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ispa clinches with his opponent.
Ispa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ispa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mirage backwards.
Mirage is looking to break free of the clinch but Ispa has double underhooks.
Ispa lands a shot to the body.
Ispa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ispa lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Alphonzo Mirage has been cut.
Ispa misses with some punches.
Mirage is looking to break free of the clinch but Ispa has double underhooks.

Mirage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ispa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mirage.
Mirage misses with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ispa with a poor takedown
and Mirage counters with a nice uppercut.
Mirage scores with a hook.

Ispa clinches up against the cage.

Mirage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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 Tank Ispa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alphonzo Mirage's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ispa.
Mirage's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ispa connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mirage scrambles back to his feet.
Ispa lands a jab to Mirage's midsection.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ispa.
Mirage takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ispa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mirage displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ispa.
Ispa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mirage was well out of range. Poor timing from Ispa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ispa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ispa.
Ispa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mirage.
Mirage throws a low kick but Ispa moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Ispa misses the target.
Mirage misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa misses with a hook. Mirage ducked under it nicely.
A nice side step and Mirage releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ispa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mirage moves away.
Ispa lands an overhand right.
Ispa misses the shot to the body.
Ispa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mirage stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ispa misses with a hook
enabling Mirage to counter with a crisp jab.
Mirage just misses with a punch to the body.
Mirage throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ispa catches Mirage with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mirage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ispa cracks Mirage with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ispa tests Mirage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tank Ispa is winning the standup battle so far.
Ispa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ispa cracks a nice hook into Mirage's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ispa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ispa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mirage can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mirage avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ispa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Ispa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Alphonzo Mirage has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mirage wants to control but Ispa postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ispa goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mirage rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ispa's guard! Nice work there by Mirage!
Mirage is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mirage tries to stand but Ispa is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirage is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Mirage stands up from Ispa's guard - Mirage perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ispa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tank Ispa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ispa missing with a left hand there. Mirage was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ispa blocks a head kick by Mirage.
Good work by Mirage as he checks the leg kick.
Ispa lands the left hand.
Ispa lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirage moves away from the strike by Ispa.
Mirage only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ispa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mirage counters with a stiff right hand.
Mirage keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mirage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ispa.
Mirage is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ispa with a body shot.
Ispa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ispa swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mirage counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mirage throws a sloppy head kick and Ispa moves out of range easily.
Mirage looks to land a right hand but Ispa moved out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ispa throws a hook to the side of Mirage's head but Mirage sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mirage lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mirage's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ispa scoring well with a low kick there.
Ispa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mirage.
Ispa lands with a cross.
Mirage misses the jab.
Ispa checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ispa connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Ispa dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alphonzo Mirage's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ispa lands a nice looking body shot.
Mirage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ispa.
Nice uppercut lands for Mirage. That snapped Ispa's head back.
Ispa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mirage's head backwards.
Mirage keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ispa.
Ispa lands with a straight right. Mirage didn't see that one coming.
Ispa looks to throw the jab but Mirage is out of range.
Mirage connects with a right hand. Ispa shakes it off.
Ispa throws out a leg kick but Mirage moves out of range and Ispa only half commits.
Mirage takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ispa swings for the body but Mirage moves out of range.
Mirage swinging wildly here.
Ispa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mirage checks a low kick from Ispa.
Mirage feints a counter leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Ispa.
It seemed like Mirage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ispa thuds his right hand into Mirage's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ispa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mirage has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mirage listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mirage lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ispa blocks a jab.
Mirage uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ispa.
Mirage throws a big counter head kick but Ispa avoids it with no problem.
Mirage misses with a wild body shot.
A big right from Ispa misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Ispa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ispa feinted with a counter takedown.
Mirage misses with a leg kick
and Ispa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mirage throws a hook to the side of Ispa's head but Ispa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ispa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mirage just misses with a punch to the body.
Mirage looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ispa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Alphonzo Mirage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mirage enables Ispa to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mirage manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mirage wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ispa trying to control the position from guard on top but Mirage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ispa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mirage is trying to control Ispa's posture but Ispa avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ispa tries to advance to mount but Mirage denies him.

Ispa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mirage has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ispa but great work by Mirage.

Mirage stands up.
Ispa throws the kick towards the body but Mirage avoids it.
Ispa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mirage.
Mirage jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mirage connects with a single shot there.
Ispa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mirage.
Ispa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mirage unleashes a big counter combination but Ispa bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ispa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mirage only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ispa blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ispa scores with a nice head shot.
Mirage moves away from the strike by Ispa.
Ispa feints and then cracks Mirage's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mirage down.
Ispa throws a solid leg kick but Mirage takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ispa.
It seemed like Mirage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ispa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ispa with a jab.
Ispa throws a low kick but Mirage moves out of range easily.
Ispa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mirage with a nice calf kick.
Ispa looks to land a left hand but Mirage moved out of range nicely.

Ispa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mirage to the mat! Mirage manages to get full guard.

Mirage working for submissions but it's allowed Ispa to get to half guard.

Ispa is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tank Ispa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ispa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tank Ispa!
An out of breath Tank Ispa thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.