PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vedran Mihaljevic (ranked 3296 p4p, 2396 weight class) and Keaton Vega (ranked 356 p4p, 255 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mihaljevic
vs
Vega

195 cm
25
265
9 - 8 - 0

188 cm
25
248
12 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vedran Mihaljevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Keaton Vega!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Vega.
Mihaljevic misses with an uppercut. Vega saw that one coming.
Mihaljevic misses with a jab, cross combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vega! But no joy.
Vega motions for Mihaljevic to come forward. Vega throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Vedran Mihaljevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mihaljevic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mihaljevic throws the left hand but Vega avoids the punch easily.
Vega is looking to land body kicks.
Mihaljevic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook. Vega ducked under it nicely.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vega.
Mihaljevic throws an overhand right that lands on Vega's shoulder, as Vega tries to avoid the shot.
Mihaljevic throws a right and a left that Vega avoids nicely.
Vega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mihaljevic.
Vega uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic looks to throw the jab but Vega is out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Mihaljevic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vega ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vega uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mihaljevic.
Vega throws a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vega slips a jab from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic misses with a left hand
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No joy there for Mihaljevic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mihaljevic gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Vega moves out of range of the body kick from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mihaljevic is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Vega throws a combination. Mihaljevic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Vega misses with a body kick.
Mihaljevic looks to throw the jab but Vega is out of range.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook. Vega ducked under it nicely.
Mihaljevic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Roosters Coop in the buildup to the fight.
Mihaljevic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Vega has time to react.
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!
Vega ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mihaljevic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vega counters with a low kick, right behind Mihaljevic 's knee.
Vega dodges the punch combination from Mihaljevic.
Vega defending well as Mihaljevic loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Mihaljevic misses.
Vega lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mihaljevic throws a right hand that misses
and Vega makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mihaljevic swings widly with a right hand
enabling Vega to counter with a crisp jab.
Mihaljevic misses with a few strikes there.
Mihaljevic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Vega counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mihaljevic tries for a takedown but Vega circles away easily
and Vega counters with a nice body shot.
Vega takes one on the button.
Mihaljevic throws a sloppy head kick and Vega moves out of range easily.
Vega lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Vega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mihaljevic sets himself, and Vega steps forward looking for the clinch! Mihaljevic avoids it this time.
Mihaljevic shoots in for a takedown but Vega shows good takedown defense.
Vega slips a jab from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega ducks under a wild hook from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Vega showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic is breathing heavily.
Mihaljevic misses with a straight right.
Vega moves out of range as Mihaljevic strikes.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Mihaljevic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mihaljevic throws a lazy uppercut
and Vega counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mihaljevic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vega counters with a stiff right hand.
Vega throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mihaljevic throws a lazy uppercut
and Vega counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mihaljevic throws a jab but it's blocked by Vega.
A little jabbing left from Vega on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook
and Vega cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vega.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vega uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mihaljevic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws a poor cross that misses
and Vega cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vega scores with a one two! Mihaljevic had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mihaljevic throws a right hand that misses
and Vega makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Mihaljevic really felt that one!
Mihaljevic chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vega can pounce on him.
Mihaljevic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vega swats away the attempt to clinch by Mihaljevic.
Vega is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Mihaljevic had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Vega misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mihaljevic is looking to counter punch.
Mihaljevic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mihaljevic swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vega displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mihaljevic throws out the jab.
Vega is looking for the big counter here.
Mihaljevic moves to clinch but Vega breaks away
and Vega makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mihaljevic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vega counters with a thumping low kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mihaljevic throws a big shot that misses.
Mihaljevic throws an overhand right that lands on Vega's shoulder, as Vega tries to avoid the shot.
Mihaljevic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vega connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Both fighters circling a little - Vega finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Vega lands a head shot.
Vega slips a straight right by Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic walks into a jab.
Mihaljevic swings widly with a right hand
and Vega counters with a one-two to the body.
A shot to the liver by Vega. Beautiful body shot.
Mihaljevic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mihaljevic there as he acknowledges the shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vega takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Vega fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mihaljevic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mihaljevic throws a head kick but Vega moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Mihaljevic misses the target.
Vega clobbers Mihaljevic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihaljevic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Vega counters with an outside leg kick.
Mihaljevic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mihaljevic misses with a left hand
and Vega counters with a nice uppercut.
Mihaljevic misses with a lunging right hand
and Vega makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mihaljevic takes a kick to the side of the head.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Vega counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic swings widly with a right hand
and Mihaljevic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A head kick by Mihaljevic misses
and Vega counters with a low kick, right behind Mihaljevic 's knee.
Vega swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mihaljevic.
Vega lunges at Mihaljevic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mihaljevic's hand.
A big right from Mihaljevic misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vega darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The fighters circling - Mihaljevic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vega now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Mihaljevic might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Mihaljevic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Vega moves into range and connects with a jab.
Vega moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Vega. Vega obviously looking to wear him down.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Vega checks a leg kick.
Donk. Vega catches Mihaljevic right on the button with a cross.
Vega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Vega connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Mihaljevic sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Vega stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Vega connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mihaljevic swings widly with a right hand
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Mihaljevic is rocked!
Mihaljevic throws the left hand but Vega avoids the punch easily.
Vega looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Oh Mihaljevic is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mihaljevic misses with a double jab

and Vega holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mihaljevic seems to have got his legs back now.
Mihaljevic takes a shot to the head.
Mihaljevic has had enough of the clinch but Vega keeps him there for the moment.
Vega tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mihaljevic avoids it.
Vega is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega looking to throw knees to the head but Mihaljevic is blocking nicely.
Mihaljevic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vega lands a left hand.
Vega working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mihaljevic tries to break free but Vega pushes him back against the cage.
Mihaljevic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mihaljevic is looking to break free of the clinch but Vega has double underhooks.
Vega throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mihaljevic avoids the elbow strike from Vega, against the cage.
Mihaljevic is looking to break free of the clinch but Vega has double underhooks.
Vega trying to stall but Mihaljevic improves his position.
Vega tries to land a knee to the head but Mihaljevic blocks with his arms.

Mihaljevic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mihaljevic steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vega. That one must have hurt.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Vega in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Mihaljevic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mihaljevic fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Vega is out of range.
Mihaljevic sets himself, and Vega steps forward looking for the clinch! Mihaljevic avoids it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega connects with a leg kick.
Mihaljevic tries to land a leg kick but Vega saw it coming and moves away.
Mihaljevic throws a hook to the side of Vega's head but Vega sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mihaljevic throws a poor cross that misses
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mihaljevic misses with a straight left.
Vega swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Vega throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mihaljevic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vega buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Vega throws a sloppy head kick and Mihaljevic moves out of range easily.
Mihaljevic throws a shot from downtown. Vega moves away and avoids it.
Mihaljevic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Vega thuds a left hand into Mihaljevic's body.
Mihaljevic lands with a nice combination. Vega backs away looking to recover.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mihaljevic throws a big shot that misses.
Vega is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Vega takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mihaljevic misses with an attempted mid kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Vega misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keaton Vega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vega instigates a clinch.
Mihaljevic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mihaljevic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mihaljevic wants to break free but Vega has control.

Mihaljevic breaks from the clinch.
Vega with a jab.
Mihaljevic throws a combination that misses
and Vega counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mihaljevic misses with an uppercut. Vega saw that one coming.
Vega throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mihaljevic swinging wildly here.
Vega lands a leg kick that knocks Mihaljevic off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crunch! Vega slams his shin into Mihaljevic's torso.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook.
Vega tries to counter with a clinch but Mihaljevic shakes him off and moves away.
Mihaljevic will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vega dips to his left and cracks Mihaljevic with an uppercut!
Mihaljevic on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mihaljevics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Vega connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mihaljevic tries to close the distance and clinch but Vega swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mihaljevic loads up on a big right hand but Vega slips the punch.
Vega bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vega thinks about the counter body kick.
Mihaljevic throws a right hand that misses
and Vega counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vega lands a leg kick that knocks Mihaljevic off balance momentarily.
Mihaljevic misses with a lunging right hand
and Vega connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mihaljevic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vega has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vega keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mihaljevic.
The crowd cheers as Mihaljevic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vega doesn't seem phased though.
Mihaljevic connects with a jab.
Mihaljevic with a lazy takedown attempt
and Vega counters with a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mihaljevic throws a left and a right that both miss
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vega.
Vega lands a really nice looking cross but Mihaljevic seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Vega.
A head kick from Vega lands but Mihaljevic takes it in his stride.
Mihaljevic throws a right hand that Vega ducks under and follows up with a left that Vega also avoids with ease.
Vega staying out of range there.
Vega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Vega plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Vega pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook. Vega ducked under it nicely.
Mihaljevic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Vega counters with a nice body shot.
Vega feints a jab promting Mihaljevic to slip. Vega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Mihaljevic slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Vega lands with a kick to the temple. Mihaljevic shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Mihaljevic looks to land a right hand but Vega moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihaljevic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vega.
Vega looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Mihaljevic misses with a lunging right hand
and Vega counters with a straight right hand.
Mihaljevic misses with a right hand
and Vega counters with a good low kick that Mihaljevic was not able to check.
A shot to the body from Mihaljevic misses
and Vega counters with a nice body kick.
Mihaljevic avoids the head kick by Vega.
Mihaljevic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mihaljevic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vega manages to avoid it.
Mihaljevic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vega tries to clinch up.
Mihaljevic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vega scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mihaljevic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mihaljevic misses the jab.
Mihaljevic misses with a hook
and Vega counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega throws a one two combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mihaljevic misses with a double jab

and Vega counters by clinching up.
Vega avoiding damage.
A short left from Vega.
Vega has Mihaljevic pressed against the cage.
Keaton Vega is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mihaljevic misses with the head strike.
Vedran Mihaljevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mihaljevic throws a head punch that misses.

Mihaljevic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vega is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vega uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mihaljevic.
Vega connects with a looping right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keaton Vega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vega 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

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