PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomislav Mihalic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Howard
vs
Mihalic

178 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tomislav Mihalic!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mihalic pushes Howard up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard lands a left hand.
Howard lands a shoulder strike.
Howard throws an elbow but it misses.
Mihalic blocking some punches.
Mihalic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howard walks away with a smile on his face. Mihalic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Howard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mihalic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Howard connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mihalic momentarily.
Howard slaps away a takedown attempt from Mihalic, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Mihalic has Howard up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mihalic tries to break free but Howard pushes him back against the cage.
Mihalic blocks the elbow strike.
Mihalic is trying to push Howard away but Howard has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Howard misses with some punches.
Mihalic has had enough of the clinch but Howard keeps him there for the moment.
Mihalic scores a nice knee to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Howard throws an elbow but misses.
Howard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard scores with a shoulder strike.
Mihalic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
John Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomislav Mihalic.
Howard lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mihalic backwards.
Mihalic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Howard fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Howard lands a two punch combo.
Howard clobbers Mihalic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Howard scores with the left hand. Mihalic knows he should have avoided that one.
Howard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mihalic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Howard throws a series of punches but Mihalic moves out of range.
Mihalic doesn't manage to clinch there - Howard circles away.
Howard misses with an uppercut.
A punch combination from Howard misses.
Mihalic shoots in for a takedown but Howard shows good takedown defense.
Mihalic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mihalic looks gassed!
Mihalic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mihalic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Howard walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard connects with a body shot that sends Mihalic's belly button to the back.
Mihalic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mihalic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mihalic walks into a straight right hand from Howard.
Howard clobbers Mihalic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
John Howard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Howard throws a right hand that Mihalic ducks under and follows up with a left that Mihalic also avoids with ease.
Howard looks to land a combination but Mihalic avoids it well.
Howard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mihalic.
Mihalic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mihalic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Howard.
Howard is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Some wild striking there from Howard.
Mihalic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Howard.
Howard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Howard scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard lands a body shot.
Mihalic shoots in for a takedown but Howard shows good takedown defense.
Howard lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Howard goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Howard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mihalic's head.
Howard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Howard lands a two punch combo.
Howard cracks Mihalic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Howard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Mihalic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Howard's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mihalic is looking to take a break and control but Howard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Howard pushes Mihalic off looking to stand but Mihalic dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard keeping hold of Mihalic's head, controlling as best he can.
Howard tries to kick Mihalic off but Mihalic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Howard manages to get to full guard.
Howard controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Howard scrambles and gets back to his feet.
John Howard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howard dips to his left and cracks Mihalic with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Howard dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Howard thuds a left hand into Mihalic's body.
Howard digs a good hook to Mihalic's body.
Howard lands a body shot.
Howard lands with a right hand.
Good shot there by Howard.
Mihalic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
John Howard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mihalic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Howard as he avoids it easily.
Howard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Howard scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jab, jab by Howard - just one landing.
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!
Howard thuds a left hand into Mihalic's body.
Good exchange - Howard coming out on top.
Howard looks to land a combination. Mihalic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Howard pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mihalic back to the cage. Howard follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mihalic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Howard scores with a hook.
John Howard is winning the standup battle so far.
Howard tests Mihalic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Howard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihalic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mihalic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Howard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mihalic's head.
Howard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mihalic takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Howard lands a lovely overhand right.
Mihalic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Howard throws a series of strikes that have Mihalic backpedaling.
Howard is working the combinations to good effect here.
Howard cracks Mihalic with a right hand to the side of the head.
Howard misses with a body shot.
Mihalic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A jab from Howard misses.
Howard lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Howard. No joy for Mihalic on that attempt.
John Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomislav Mihalic.
Mihalic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Howard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howard tries to sprawl but Mihalic drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mihalic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Howard wants to get back to his feet.
Mihalic wants to take a breather but Howard is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mihalic wants to stand up but Howard has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Howard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Howard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard is adopting a defensive guard.
Howard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Mihalic wants to pass the guard but Howard is keeping the position.
Mihalic prevents Howard from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tomislav Mihalic was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Howard connects with a jab.
Howard scores with a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mihalic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Howard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Howard throws a combination that misses
and Mihalic counters with a good low kick that Howard was not able to check.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Howard!
Mihalic avoids the body shot from Howard.
Mihalic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Howard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Howard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mihalic looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Howard misses with a series of wild punches.
Mihalic ducks under a wild hook from Howard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Howard dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Mihalic moves in looking to clinch but Howard pushes him off.
Howard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mihalic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mihalic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mihalic tries to clinch up.
Howard missing with a left hand there. Mihalic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Howard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mihalic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mihalic shoots in and drives through. Howard sprawls well.
Mihalic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Howard stuffs the takedown attempt from Mihalic. Mihalic gets slowly back to his feet.
Howard slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Howard connects with a right hand. Mihalic shakes it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihalic moves forwards but Howard connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Howard with a jab.
Howard with a hook.
Mihalic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Howard to score with a decent uppercut.
Mihalic wants to clinch.
Mihalic dodges the punch combination from Howard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihalic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Howard lands a really nice looking cross but Mihalic seems unphased.
Howard misses with an uppercut.
Howard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mihalic.
Howard lands a body shot.
Howard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice cross by Howard.
Mihalic shoots for a double leg takedown but Howard sprawls well. He's pushed Mihalic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
John Howard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomislav Mihalic.
Howard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mihalic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Howard sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Howard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mihalic's head backwards.
Howard with a nice cross.
Howard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howard takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Howard lunges at Mihalic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mihalic's hand.
Howard lands a lovely overhand right.
Howard fails to land with a series of punches.
Mihalic shoots in for a double leg but Howard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Howard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Howard misses with a double jab.
Nice takedown defense from Howard. No joy for Mihalic on that attempt.
Mihalic shoots in for a double leg but Howard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Howard lands with a straight right. Mihalic didn't see that one coming.
Howard misses with the combination.
Mihalic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mihalic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Howard scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Howard misses with the combination.
Howard throws a combination that misses
and Mihalic counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard misses with a series of wild punches.
Jab from Howard.
Mihalic connects with a high kick.
Mihalic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mihalic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Howard misses with a hook.
Howard 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.
Mihalic scores with a head kick. Howard tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A shot to the liver by Howard. Beautiful body shot.
Howard throws a hook but Mihalic blocks it.
Mihalic misses with a takedown attempt - Howard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Howard scores with a jab.
Howard misses with a looping left.
Mihalic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Howard has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Howard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Howard misses with a series of wild punches.
Some wild striking there from Howard.
Mihalic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Howard.
Mihalic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Howard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howard lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mihalic backs up against the cage.
Howard throws the left hand but Mihalic avoids the punch easily.
Mihalic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Howard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mihalic.
Howard lands with an uppercut that bounces Mihalic off the cage and back into rage.
Howard getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tomislav Mihalic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Howard lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mihalic backs up against the cage.
Mihalic slips a straight right by Howard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Howard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Howard, 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Howard!