PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Mikhailov (ranked 4249 p4p, 4256 weight class) and Esteban Rojo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esteban Rojo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mikhailov
vs
Rojo

175 cm
25
178
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Mikhailov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Esteban Rojo!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mikhailov tries to move into range but Rojo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Esteban Rojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rojo slips under a jab from Mikhailov.
Mikhailov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rojo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rojo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Mikhailov instigates a clinch.

Rojo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rojo scores with a decent looking hook.
A head kick misses from Mikhailov.
Rojo throws out a counter right but Mikhailov avoids it with no problem.
Rojo defending well as Mikhailov loads up on a big left hand.
Mikhailov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rojo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Rojo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojo connects with a single shot there.

Mikhailov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rojo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mikhailov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rojo is keeping the position for now.
Mikhailov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rojo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mikhailov.
Rojo keeping full guard, as Mikhailov tries to pass.
Rojo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mikhailov is in close to Rojo's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mikhailov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rojo is adopting a defensive guard.
Mikhailov postures up in Rojo's guard and throws a big left but Rojo blocks it.
Mikhailov stands and throws Rojo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mikhailov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rojo sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mikhailov working the ground and pound from side control.
Mikhailov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mikhailov fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikhailov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mikhailov in side control, throwing shots but Rojo defends.
Rojo is not content to let Mikhailov control the position.

Mikhailov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rojo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mikhailov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rojo, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikhailov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mikhailov cracks Rojo with a big elbow.
Mikhailov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mikhailov is working Rojo over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mikhailov cracks Rojo with a big elbow.
Mikhailov throws an elbow but Rojo slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Mikhailov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rojo scores with a punch to the head.
Mikhailov wants to clinch.
Rojo catches Mikhailov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhailov is looking to clinch but Rojo is avoiding it.
Rojo works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mikhailov has time to react.
Rojo lands with an uppercut that bounces Mikhailov off the cage and back into range.
Rojo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rojo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mikhailov on the side of the head.

Rojo gets caught flat footed, as Mikhailov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mikhailov is standing up over Rojo. Rojo looks to escape but Mikhailov dives into side control.

Mikhailov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rojo keeps working.
Mikhailov cracks Rojo with a big right hand but Rojo just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Mikhailov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rojo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mikhailov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mikhailov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikhailov trying to control the action but Rojo is working from the bottom.

Mikhailov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mikhailov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rojo defending against the ground and pound.
Mikhailov grinds an elbow into Rojo's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov in side control, throwing shots but Rojo defends.

Mikhailov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rojo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Mikhailov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mikhailov taking a breather here.
Mikhailov wants to control but Rojo is keeping him busy.

Mikhailov tries for a kimura but Rojo is defending well.
Mikhailov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mikhailov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mikhailov controls the position.
Rojo parries the strikes from Mikhailov easily there. Mikhailov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rojo to escape.
Mikhailov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mikhailov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mikhailov in side control, throwing shots but Rojo defends.

Mikhailov is trying to get an arm triangle but Rojo is defending well.
An elbow from Mikhailov crashes against the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Mikhailov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rojo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rojo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good standup being displayed there by Rojo as he connects with a hook.
Mikhailov throws a body punch but Rojo moves out of range.
Mikhailov takes one to the side of the head.

Mikhailov looking to score a takedown here. Rojo is defending well but Mikhailov drives through and ends up in Rojo's guard.
Rojo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mikhailov.
Mikhailov postures up in Rojo's guard and throws a big left but Rojo blocks it.
Rojo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mikhailov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mikhailov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rojo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikhailov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mikhailov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mikhailov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Mikhailov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rojo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikhailov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mikhailov forces his way into half guard.
Mikhailov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rojo can do to turn this around?
Mikhailov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mikhailov throwing shots but Rojo is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rojo defending well though.
Mikhailov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mikhailov wants to control but Rojo is keeping him busy.
Mikhailov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rojo's head.
Mikhailov is trying to control the action in half guard but Rojo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Esteban Rojo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rojo has hold of Mikhailov's hands but Mikhailov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mikhailov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Mikhailov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rojo defends it well.
Mikhailov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mikhailov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rojo defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mikhailov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mikhailov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mikhailov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mikhailov trying to control the action but Rojo is working from the bottom.
Mikhailov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mikhailov thows a huge punch but Rojo dodges it nicely.
Mikhailov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Andrei Mikhailov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mikhailov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rojo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rojo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mikhailov working the head and body with strikes.

Rojo is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rojo is still in real trouble! Can Mikhailov finish him?
Mikhailov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mikhailov wants to take a breather but Rojo is having none of it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mikhailov lands a nice short elbow.
Mikhailov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mikhailov working over Rojo with some ground and pound. Rojo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mikhailov throwing shots but Rojo is blocking nicely.
Mikhailov thows a huge punch but Rojo dodges it nicely.
Mikhailov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mikhailov thows a huge punch but Rojo dodges it nicely.
Andrei Mikhailov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mikhailov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Mikhailov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mikhailov, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Mikhailov!