PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bullet Bookem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Mifsud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bookem comes into the arena with Solitaire Unraveling blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Bookem
vs
Mifsud

170 cm
31
147 lbs
27 - 13 - 1

170 cm
30
145 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bullet Bookem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Mifsud!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bookem throws a big shot that misses.
Bookem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bookem goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bookem connects with a crisp jab.
Bookem misses with a right hand
and Mifsud counters with an inside leg kick.
Bookem dives in and grabs Mifsud's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mifsud pushes down on Bookem's head and hops out.
A low kick from Bookem misses
and Mifsud counters with a stiff right hand.
Bookem checks a leg kick.
Mifsud scores with a push kick.
Mifsud lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mifsud waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bookem.
Bookem throws a right and a left that Mifsud avoids nicely.
Bookem shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mifsud pinned against the cage. Mifsud gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bookem throws an overhand right that lands on Mifsud's shoulder, as Mifsud tries to avoid the shot.
Bookem uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mifsud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bookem keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bookem, as that shot connected.
Mifsud thows a body shot but no joy.
Bookem jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mifsud swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mifsud misses with a body kick.
Bookem throws a series of punches but Mifsud moves out of range.
Mifsud swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mifsud.
Mifsud avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bookem throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mifsud sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bookem shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bookem throws a leg kick but Mifsud sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bookem throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud tries to land a leg kick but Bookem saw it coming and moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bookem scores with a nice head shot.
Mifsud tries to clinch there but Bookem circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bookem.
Bookem misses with a double jab.
Sloppy strikes from Bookem. Those never looked like landing.
Mifsud throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bookem.
Bookem takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bookem lands a lovely overhand right.
Bookem misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheers as Mifsud lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bookem doesn't seem phased though.
Mifsud tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bookem was well out of range. Poor timing from Mifsud.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bookem.
Mifsud avoids the head kick by Bookem.
Mifsud throws a hook but Bookem blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bookem misses with a straight left.

Mifsud has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mifsud lands a knee to the head.
Mifsud doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bookem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bookem misses with a punch on the inside.
Bookem can't break the clinch.
Bookem tries to score a body lock takedown but Mifsud shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bullet Bookem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mifsud breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mifsud throws a leg kick but Bookem moved away.
Mifsud misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bookem misses with a low kick.
Mifsud throws out a leg kick but Bookem moves out of range and Mifsud only half commits.
Bookem avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bookem fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mifsud manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud defending well as Bookem loads up on a big left hand.
Mifsud moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice cross by Bookem.
Bookem is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Mifsud looks to land a left hand but Bookem moved out of range nicely.
Mifsud slips under a jab from Bookem.
Bookem moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bookem throws an off balance right hand
and Mifsud counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bookem's knee momentarily.
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!
Mifsud connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mifsud avoids the head kick by Bookem.
Bookem throws a low kick, looking for Mifsud's leg but Mifsud calmly moves out of range.
Bookem pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mifsud back to the cage. Bookem follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mifsud wants to slow Bookem down by chopping away at his legs.
Bookem misses with a lunging right hand
and Mifsud counters with a nice leg kick.
Bookem jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bookem throws the left hand but Mifsud avoids the punch easily.
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 Bullet Bookem will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bookem works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mifsud wants to slow Bookem down by chopping away at his legs.
Mifsud shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mifsud throws out a loose jab but Bookem uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Bookem.
Bookem lands with a straight right. Mifsud didn't see that one coming.
Bookem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bookem.
Mifsud takes one on the button.
Mifsud lands with a cross.
Bookem blocks a low kick nicely.
Mifsud moves away from the strike by Bookem.
Bookem keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mifsud takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bookem jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bookem fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mifsud manages to avoid it.
Mifsud staying out of range there.
Mifsud steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bookem.
Bookem looks to land a right hand but Mifsud moved out of range.
Bullet Bookem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mifsud takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Good work by Mifsud as he checks the leg kick.
Bookem throws a right hand that misses
and Mifsud counters with a slapping leg kick.
Bookem throws out a loose jab but Mifsud uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bookem is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mifsud.
Bookem on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Mifsud swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mifsud defending well as Bookem loads up on a big left hand.
Bookem throws a hook but Mifsud blocks it.
Mifsud avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bookem lands with an overhand left.
Bookem has a takedown stuffed.
Mifsud slaps away a takedown attempt from Bookem, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bullet Bookem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bookem throws a right hand that misses

and Mifsud decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bookem's guard.
Mifsud trying to control but Bookem is working from the bottom.
Mifsud stays in close to Bookem's body and controls the position.

Mifsud avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bookem looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mifsud passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bookem tries to get to full guard but Mifsud has control of the leg.
Mifsud landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bookem is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mifsud scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mifsud is looking to stall here but Bookem recovers full guard.

Bookem working for a triangle but Mifsud defends it easily.

Bookem working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mifsud doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mifsud manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud wants to control from the top but Bookem keeps moving.
Mifsud trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bookem is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bookem is really struggling to control Mifsud but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Mifsud lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mifsud working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bookem is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mifsud stopping the sweep attempt from Bookem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Mifsud will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Bookem misses the target.
Bookem misses with a looping right.
Mifsud is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bookem slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mifsud throws a low kick but Bookem moves out of range easily.
Mifsud is looking to slow Bookem down with leg kicks.
Mifsud tried to score with a low kick but Bookem checks it.
A punch lands to the side of Bookem 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A telegraphed right hand from Bookem misses the target.
Bookem digs a good hook to Mifsud's body.
A good leg kick by Mifsud.
Mifsud lands with a nice body punch.
Mifsud looks to clinch
and Bookem counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bookem fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mifsud manages to avoid it.
Mifsud misses the shot to the body.
Bookem misses with a looping left.
Bookem throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mifsud counters with a leg kick.
Bookem scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mifsud tries to land a front kick but Bookem steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mifsud moves out of range of the body kick from Bookem.
Bookem ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mifsud moves away.
Bookem throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mifsud ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bookem moves away.
Mifsud throws a low kick but Bookem avoids it.
The fighters circling - Bookem throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bookem shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mifsud drives through and clinches with Bookem against the cage.
A short right from Bookem on the inside.
Bookem is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mifsud lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bookem misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mifsud.

Mifsud breaks the clinch.
Bullet Bookem is winning the standup battle so far.
Mifsud throws a half hearted mid kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bookem moves out of range of the strikes.
Bookem checks a leg kick nicely.
Bookem tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mifsud is able to avoid easily.
Mifsud has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mifsud misses with a two punch combination.
Bookem throws a shot to the body.
Mifsud throws a front kick that sends Bookem stumbling back into the cage.
Bookem blocks a head kick by Mifsud.
Bookem misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bookem sizes up Mifsud with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bookem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mifsud.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bookem blocks a jab.
Bookem stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mifsud.
Bookem throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bookem listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bookem uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mifsud.
Bookem throws a hook but Mifsud blocks it.
Bookem thows a leg kick but Mifsud checks it
and Mifsud counters with a nice body kick.
Mifsud throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bookem uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mifsud.
Bookem fails to land with a series of punches.
Mifsud misses with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mifsud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bookem throws a right hand that misses
and Mifsud counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mifsud fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bookem throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mifsud sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mifsud feints and then cracks Bookem's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bookem down.
Mifsud misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Bookem misses the target.
Bookem moves out of range of the body kick.
Bookem misses with a body shot

and Mifsud counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bookem is not content to let Mifsud control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bookem is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Mifsud comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mifsud 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Mifsud!