PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vinícius Cavalcante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cavalcante's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Entrance. Mikhail Van Kirkland told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Cavalcante
vs
Van Kirkland

191 cm
40
270 lbs
28 - 7 - 0

194 cm
35
285 lbs
24 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vinícius Cavalcante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cavalcante's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Van Kirkland connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cavalcante scrambles back to his feet.
Cavalcante scores with a head kick. Van Kirkland tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Mikhail Van Kirkland has been cut.
Cavalcante takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Vinícius Cavalcante has been cut.
Van Kirkland avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cavalcante throws a series of punches but Van Kirkland moves out of range.
Van Kirkland feints the counter takedown.

Van Kirkland drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Van Kirkland got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cavalcante has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Van Kirkland has managed to get both his arms back between Cavalcante's legs - danger averted.
Cavalcante is trying to keep Van Kirkland in close.

Cavalcante is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Cavalcante escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Van Kirkland gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Van Kirkland throws a big right hand that misses.
Cavalcante is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Cavalcante is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland lands a couple of digs.
Van Kirkland lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Cavalcante is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Kirkland trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van Kirkland scoring with punches to the head and body.
Van Kirkland lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Van Kirkland working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Van Kirkland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cavalcante works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Van Kirkland working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cavalcante's head.
Van Kirkland pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cavalcante is keeping the position for now.

Cavalcante had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.
Van Kirkland with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Van Kirkland scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Kirkland postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Cavalcante is rocked!

Cavalcante working for a triangle but Van Kirkland defends it easily.
Oh Cavalcante is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cavalcante is breathing heavily.
Van Kirkland gets to his feet and stands over Cavalcante, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Cavalcante felt that one! Van Kirkland unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Cavalcante from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Van Kirkland!