PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Muir (ranked 738 p4p, 814 weight class) and Nikolay Panayotov (ranked 105 p4p, 114 weight class). Panayotov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mad World - Gary Jules / Tears For Fears (Cover by Jasmine Thompson). 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.

Muir
vs
Panayotov

180 cm
36
226
25 - 10 - 0

196 cm
36
204
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conquer

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Muir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikolay Panayotov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Muir.
Muir just misses with a punch to the body.
Panayotov lands a nice hook to Muir's body. Muir takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Muir just misses with a punch to the body.
Muir looks to land a body kick but Panayotov moved away.
Muir takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Panayotov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Muir with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Panayotov misses with an uppercut. Muir saw that one coming.
Panayotov tries to clinch up but Muir circles away and keeps his distance.
Panayotov avoids the body shot from Muir.
Muir fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Panayotov manages to avoid it.
A big right from Muir misses.
Muir swings for the body but Panayotov moves out of range.
It seemed like Panayotov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Muir.
A little jabbing left from Panayotov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Muir throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Muir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Panayotov misses with an uppercut.
A counter left hand to the body from Muir misses its target.
Muir throws a left and a right that both miss

and Panayotov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Muir's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Muir throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Muir is adopting a defensive guard.
Muir can't keep his opponent in guard - Panayotov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Muir wants to control but Panayotov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muir wants to improve his position but Panayotov is controlling well.
Panayotov tries to stand but can't do so whilst Muir controls his leg.
Panayotov is taking a breather. Muir says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Muir is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Panayotov pulls his head out easily.
Muir is trying to maintain the position but Panayotov is very close to passing his half guard.
Panayotov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Panayotov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Muir is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov is controlling the pace.

Panayotov decides to return to a standing position.
Muir shoots and misses
and Panayotov counters with a straight right hand.
Muir misses with a shot to the body
and Panayotov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Muir connects with a leg kick.

Muir manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Panayotov on his heels. He'll look to pass Panayotov's guard now, I'm sure.

Panayotov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Panayotov lands an uppercut.
Panayotov dodges an elbow strike from Muir.
Panayotov misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Panayotov.
Muir misses with a short punch on the inside.
Panayotov misses with a knee strike.
Panayotov tries to work over Muir's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Panayotov stalling.
Muir tries a body shot but Panayotov blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Muir.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Panayotov.
Panayotov is trying to maintain a safe position but Muir gets an underhook and turns Panayotov into the cage.
Panayotov prevents a body shot from Muir.
Muir dodges an elbow strike from Panayotov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Muir connects with the punch.
Muir throws an off balance right hand
and Panayotov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
John Muir seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muir misses with a double jab
and Panayotov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Panayotov misses with a hook. Muir ducked under it nicely.
A quick step to the side and Muir tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Panayotov digs a good body shot into Muir's ribs.
A low kick lands for Panayotov.
Panayotov misses with a looping right.
Muir is looking to wear down Panayotov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Panayotov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Muir.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir throws a body punch but Panayotov moves out of range.
Muir connects with a good right hand that stumbles Panayotov. Panayotov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Muir tries a low kick but Panayotov avoids it.
Panayotov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A big left from Panayotov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muir tries to close the distance and clinch but Panayotov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muir takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Muir swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Panayotov to counter with a crisp jab.
Muir looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Muir keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Panayotov.
Panayotov throws a sloppy head kick
and Panayotov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Panayotov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Panayotov looks to land a left hand but Muir moved out of range nicely.
Panayotov stuns Muir with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Muir dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Panayotov. That did some damage!
Muir misses with a hook to the body
and Panayotov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Muir pushes Panayotov away with a front kick.
Muir throws a sloppy body shot
and Panayotov counters with a body kick.
Nikolay Panayotov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Muir misses with an uppercut
and Panayotov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muir misses with a body shot.
A jab from Muir misses.
Muir misses with an uppercut. Panayotov saw that one coming.
Panayotov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Muir goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Muir dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Muir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A low kick lands for Muir.
Muir gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Decent striking displayed by Panayotov there.
Panayotov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Muir manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muir misses the jab.
Panayotov throws a big counter head kick but Muir avoids it with no problem.
Muir throws a head kick but Panayotov moves out of range.
Muir misses with a jab to the body

and Panayotov moves into the clinch.
Panayotov landing knees to the head.
Muir tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Panayotov blocking some punches.
Muir tries a body shot but Panayotov blocks it.
Muir cracks Panayotov with a nice body shot.
Muir softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Muir on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Panayotov fails to land.
Panayotov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muir jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Panayotov walks away with a smile on his face. Muir gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Muir looks to score with a jab to the body but Panayotov is just out of range.
Muir misses with a leg kick
and Panayotov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov tries to clinch there but Muir circles away.
Muir ducks under a wild hook from Panayotov.
Muir tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Muir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Muir on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Muir tries to land a leg kick but Panayotov saw it coming and moves away.
Muir jabs Panayotov to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Panayotov.
Panayotov is looking to take a break and control but Muir is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Muir tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Muir scores with a nice right hand.
Muir comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Panayotov throws a head kick but Muir moves out of range.
Panayotov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muir throws out the jab.
Panayotov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Muir swings widly with a right hand
and Panayotov counters with a stiff right hand.
Muir looks to land a right hand but Panayotov moved out of range.
Panayotov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Muir misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Muir misses with a hook to the body
and Panayotov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Muir misses with an uppercut.
Panayotov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panayotov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Panayotov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Panayotov punishes Muir's body with a nice straight punch.
Muir throws a hook but Panayotov blocks it.
Muir misses with a shot to the body
letting Panayotov counter with a right hand.
Muir shoots and misses
and Panayotov counters with a stiff right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Muir as he connects with a hook.
Panayotov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A big right from Panayotov misses.
Muir falls off balance throwing a combination
and Panayotov counters with a left to the body.
Muir waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Panayotov.
Panayotov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Muir blocks a head kick by Panayotov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Muir catches Panayotov right on the button with a cross.
Panayotov loads up on a big right hand but Muir slips the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Panayotov has managed to clinch.
Panayotov lands a left hand.
A right hook to the body lands for Muir.
Muir lands with a left to the head.
Panayotov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muir lands with a right to the head.
Muir pushes off an throws an elbow but Panayotov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Panayotov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muir tries a body shot but Panayotov blocks it.
Panayotov trying to control the position but instead, Muir has worked for underhooks and has pushed Panayotov into the cage.
Panayotov is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Muir can't find room to land a body shot as Panayotov controls the action.
Muir misses with a body punch.
Muir tries to throw a body punch but Panayotov avoids it by throwing Muir back against the cage.
Panayotov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Panayotov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Panayotov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A nice right hand lands inside from Panayotov.
Nikolay Panayotov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Panayotov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Muir backwards.
Muir is pressed up against the cage. Panayotov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Muir down to the mat. Muir avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Panayotov wants to clinch up but Muir keeps it at a distance.

Panayotov clinches up with Muir and pushes him back against the cage.
Panayotov avoiding damage.
Panayotov prevents a body shot from Muir.
Panayotov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Panayotov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Muir backwards.
Panayotov blocks a body shot from Muir.
Panayotov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Muir pulls his leg out and moves away.
John Muir has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Panayotov.
Muir has his takedown stuffed
and Panayotov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Panayotov moves out of range as Muir throws a body kick.
Panayotov digs a good hook to Muir's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muir throws a leg kick but Panayotov checks it.
Muir throws a right hand that misses
and Muir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Muir feints and then cracks Panayotov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Panayotov down.
Muir doesn't manage to clinch there - Panayotov circles away.
Muir throws out a leg kick but Panayotov moves out of range and Muir only half commits.
A little jabbing left from Panayotov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Muir throws a body shot but no joy.
Muir rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Panayotov counters with a body kick.
Muir swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Panayotov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Muir.
Panayotov scores with a jab to the body.
Panayotov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Muir looks to score with a jab to the body but Panayotov is just out of range.
Panayotov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Muir throws a lazy uppercut
and Panayotov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir misses with a double jab
and Panayotov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Panayotov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Panayotov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muir moves away.
Muir looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muir jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Panayotov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muir.
Muir misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Panayotov.
Muir throws out a leg kick but Panayotov moves out of range and Muir only half commits.
Muir misses the shot to the body.
As Muir backs off Panayotov throws a huge counter combo but Muir manages to avoid it all.
Muir misses with a leg kick
and Panayotov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Panayotov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Muir throws a body punch but Panayotov moves out of range.
Panayotov misses the shot to the body.
Muir throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Panayotov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Muir with the inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muir just misses with a punch to the body.
Muir misses with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Muir.
Muir tries to score with a low kick but Panayotov moves his leg out of the way.
Muir ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Panayotov thuds a left hand into Muir's body.
Panayotov lands a lovely overhand right.
Panayotov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panayotov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good shot there by Panayotov.
Muir throws an off balance right hand
and Panayotov counters with a right hand to the body.
Muir attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Panayotov throws out a counter right but Muir avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muir rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Panayotov to counter with a crisp jab.
Panayotov lands with an overhand left.
Panayotov throws a head kick that misses.
Muir moves away from the strike by Panayotov.
Muir is looking to counter punch.
Muir throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Panayotov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Muir scores with a jab. Panayotov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Muir tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Panayotov was well out of range. Poor timing from Muir.
Muir misses with a body punch
letting Panayotov counter with a right hand.
Muir swings away with a body shot that misses

and Panayotov moves into the clinch.
Panayotov lands an uppercut.
Panayotov blocks the elbow strike.
Muir misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov works on Muir's body with a couple of short punches.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A right hook to the body lands for Panayotov.
Panayotov lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Panayotov pulls Muir into guard.
Muir throws a big right hand that misses.
Panayotov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Panayotov wants to get back to his feet but Muir passes into half guard.
Panayotov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Muir thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Panayotov's head.
Muir wants to lay and pray for a moment but Panayotov keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Muir throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Panayotov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Muir misses with a wild combination.
Muir lands with a cross.
Muir swats away the attempt to clinch by Panayotov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir misses with a right hand
and Panayotov counters with a stiff right hand.
Panayotov throws a body shot but no joy.
Muir moves out of range as Panayotov strikes.
Muir appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panayotov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Muir walks into a straight right hand from Panayotov.
Muir lands a nice leg kick that just misses Panayotov's sensitive parts.
Panayotov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Muir's hands.
Muir lands a jab to the nose.
Muir fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Panayotov manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Panayotov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Panayotov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Muir misses with a combination
and Panayotov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Muir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Panayotov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Panayotov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Muir's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Muir's head backwards.
Nice jab there from Muir.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Panayotov cracks Muir with an open hand slap.
Panayotov throws a hook but Muir blocks it.
Muir misses with a lunging right hand
letting Panayotov counter with a right hand.
Muir lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Muir drives through with a takedown into Panayotov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Muir with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Muir throws a strike but Panayotov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Muir working for a triangle but Panayotov defends it easily.

Muir has an active guard here but Panayotov has managed to pass into half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Panayotov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Muir is looking for a sweep. Panayotov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Muir is working hard here to advance position.

Muir is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Panayotov pulls his head out easily.
Muir might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Panayotov stalling.
Muir has his hands clasped together around Panayotov's back. He's all about the action.

Muir is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Panayotov pulls his head out easily.
Nikolay Panayotov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Muir is looking to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Panayotov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Panayotov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 45:50
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 45:50

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