PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sinisa Veljko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Boban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Veljko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Stemm - Face the pain. Boban has chosen Ana Tijoux - 1977 as his entrance music. Sinisa Veljko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Veljko
vs
Boban

184 cm
31
201 lbs
25 - 15 - 2

182 cm
32
184 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 25 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Sinisa Veljko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mirko Boban!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veljko tries to close the distance and clinch but Boban swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Veljko closes the distance and clinches.
Boban is looking to control Veljko's arms but Veljko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Boban has his back to the cage.
Veljko takes an elbow to the temple.
Veljko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Boban pulls his leg out and moves away.
Veljko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Boban's waist but Boban gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Veljko off to one side.
Boban scores with a jab. Veljko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Veljko misses with a looping right.
Boban misses with a straight right.

Veljko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Veljko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Boban does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljko passes to full mount!
Veljko looking to ground and pound but Boban is blocking nicely.
Veljko throws a wild left hand from mount and Boban manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Veljko throws a strike but Boban avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Veljko wants to control from the top but Boban keeps moving.
Boban keeping full guard, as Veljko tries to pass.
Veljko trying to control but Boban is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sinisa Veljko just wasn't active enough.
Veljko tries to clinch up but Boban circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boban swings for the body but Veljko moves out of range.
Veljko misses with a body kick.
Boban throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boban lands a glancing blow to the side of Veljko's head.
Veljko fails in his attempt to clinch.

Boban gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Boban jumps guard and drags Veljko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Veljko advances position into side control!
Veljko fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Boban taking a bit of punishment here - Veljko scoring with strikes.
Veljko passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Boban!
Boban in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Veljko working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljko throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Boban because Veljko loaded up on that one.
Veljko lands a couple of good shots and Boban has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Veljko looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Veljko is working the ground and pound. Can Boban escape?
Veljko has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Boban's body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Veljko scores with punches and elbows.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Veljko.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljko tries to get the hooks in deep but Boban pushed the leg off.
Veljko thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Veljko throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Boban looking very determined here, making life difficult for Veljko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljko is hanging on to Boban's back as he tries to escape.
Boban trying to control the action but Veljko just sinks the hooks in.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Veljko's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Veljko lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Veljko lands a shot to the body.
Veljko thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veljko scores with punches to the body.
Boban covering up well and avoiding damage.
Veljko missing with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
You can see the frustration on Boban's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Veljko lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Veljko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sinisa Veljko dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Boban connects with a body shot.
Veljko scores with a kick to the midsection.
Veljko looks to throw the jab but Boban is out of range.
Boban tries to bum rush Veljko with a series of wild strikes but Veljko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Veljko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Boban swings for the body but Veljko moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Boban has Veljko pushed against the cage.
Veljko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Boban fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Boban.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boban gets a clinch.
Veljko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Boban is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Veljko tries for a takedown but Boban manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sinisa Veljko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Veljko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Boban is defending well.
Veljko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Boban pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Veljko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Boban after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Boban.
Veljko looking to slow down the pace here.
Boban prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Veljko taking a breather.

Boban has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Veljko is trying to keep an underhook but Boban manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Boban trying to control from Veljko's half guard. Veljko has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Veljko wants to stand and escape but Boban is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boban stands and throws Veljko's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Boban stands up and beckons Veljko to his feet.
Boban getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A head kick from Boban lands but Veljko takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boban closes the distance and pushes Veljko back into the cage.
Boban using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Veljko tightens his grip and picks Boban up, before dumping him to the ground. Boban manages to land in guard.
Boban controls Veljko momentarily but Veljko frees himself.

Boban is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Veljko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Veljko is looking to advance position but Boban has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Boban looking to finish with strikes here!
Boban looking to finish Veljko with some ground and pound. This is bad for Veljko!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boban throws some wild stikes that Veljko manages to avoid easily.
Veljko is squirming around, avoiding Boban's attempts to control the action.
Boban might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Veljko haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veljko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Boban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Boban misses the shot to the body.

Veljko tries to keep at a distance but Boban has taken the fight into the clinch.

Veljko has picked Boban up - he's going for a ride! Veljko dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Boban wants to control but Veljko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Veljko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Boban does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Veljko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Veljko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Boban is not content to let Veljko control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sinisa Veljko.
Boban misses the shot to the body.
Boban is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Veljko rather than just go for the knockout.
Veljko shoots in for a takedown but Boban shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Boban moves into the clinch successfully.
Boban prevents a takedown attempt there.
Boban lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Veljko or not.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A left hand lands to the body for Boban.
A bit of stalling here from Boban.
Boban lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Boban working Veljko over with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Boban.
The referee calls for Boban to work.
Boban gets underhooks to prevent Veljko's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sinisa Veljko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Veljko takes a knee to the side of the body.
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!
Boban is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boban stops a takedown attempt from Veljko.
Boban digs a right hand underneath Veljko's ribcage. Veljko let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Boban holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Boban gets through Veljko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Boban lands a damaging elbow.
Boban with a knee to the head.
Veljko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Boban lands a hook to the side of the head.
Boban scores a nice knee to the body.

Boban has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Veljko uses from the top position.
Boban controls Veljko momentarily but Veljko frees himself.
Boban utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljko trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Boban manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Boban throwing strikes from guard but Veljko blocks nicely.
Boban showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Mirko Boban has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Veljko gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljko throws an elbow but Boban slips to the side and avoids it well.
Veljko fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Boban takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Veljko trying to control the position but Boban is working away.
Boban is looking to regain half guard here but Veljko keeps moving and retains side control.
Boban regains half guard.
Veljko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Boban does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Boban blocking the ground and pound attempt from Veljko.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Veljko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Boban actively working from the bottom here.
Veljko lands strikes from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Boban comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Boban has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Boban!