PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Witaliy Michilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gavin Duff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Witaliy Michilov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gavin Duff's chin.

Michilov
vs
Duff

186 cm
21
222 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

183 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Witaliy Michilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gavin Duff!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michilov slaps away a takedown attempt from Duff, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Duff drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Michilov wants to control but Duff postures up.
Duff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michilov keeps working.
Michilov is trying to control Duff's posture but Duff avoids it.

Duff goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Michilov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Duff's guard! Nice work there by Michilov!
Duff keeping moving, preventing Michilov from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Duff can do anything to dispel that myth.

Michilov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michilov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Duff manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Michilov has Duff in his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Duff content to stall in guard here.
Michilov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Michilov wants to sweep here but Duff controlling him for the moment.
Michilov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duff engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Duff tries to free his leg and advance position but Michilov is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Gavin Duff hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Duff shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Michilov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Duff tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Duff looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duff is looking to take a break and control but Michilov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Duff tries for a kimura but Michilov is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Michilov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Duff tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Michilov holding on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michilov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Duff looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Michilov is trying to maintain the position but Duff is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Duff takes the fight into the clinch.
Duff goes for a takedown attempt but Michilov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Michilov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Michilov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Michilov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duff is looking for a sweep.
Duff struggling a bit here.

Michilov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Michilov is looking to take a break and control but Duff is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Michilov working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michilov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Duff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Michilov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Michilov avoids the strikes from the bottom by Duff.
Duff is looking to regain half guard here but Michilov keeps moving and retains side control.

Michilov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Michilov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Michilov tries for a kimura but Duff is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duff gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Michilov is working for a submission of some sort.
Duff really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Michilov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Duff is trying to get back to full guard.
Duff works his way to full guard. Good work.

Duff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Michilov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Duff dives on top into guard.
Michilov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Michilov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Duff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Duff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Michilov is keeping the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Michilov is trying to keep Duff in close.
Duff stays in close to Michilov's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Witaliy Michilov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

No luck for Duff with that takedown attempt.

Michilov tries to sprawl but Duff drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Michilov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Duff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michilov keeps working.

Duff is looking for a kimura but Michilov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Duff to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duff is controlling the pace.

Duff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Duff takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters are battling for position here. Michilov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Duff being controlled here momentarily.
Michilov working a defensive guard here.
Gavin Duff has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duff advances to half guard.
Duff performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Michilov is trying to maintain the position but Duff is very close to passing his half guard.
Duff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michilov keeps working.
Duff sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Michilov defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michilov is trying to maintain the position but Duff is very close to passing his half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Duff is defended easily by Michilov.
Duff dives in and grabs Michilov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Michilov pushes down on Duff's head and hops out.
Witaliy Michilov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gavin Duff.
Michilov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duff tries to score a power double leg takedown but Michilov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Duff somewhat.

Michilov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Duff!

Michilov is trying to get an arm triangle but Duff is defending well.
Duff is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Michilov off and has taken his back!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gavin Duff.
Well Duff 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gavin Duff!