PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Mironov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Thoreson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mironov comes to the cage accompanied by Down by Law - by Madball. Mats Thoreson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mironov
vs
Thoreson

190 cm
34
285 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

190 cm
30
302 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergei Mironov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mats Thoreson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thoreson scores with a takedown into Mironov's guard.
Thoreson content to stall in guard here.
Thoreson trying to control but Mironov is working from the bottom.
Mironov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thoreson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mironov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mironov trying to keep a closed guard but Thoreson is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thoreson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mironov.
Nice takedown defense from Mironov. No joy for Thoreson on that attempt.
Mironov looks for a takedown but Thoreson sprawls well.
Mironov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thoreson misses with a two punch combination.
Mats Thoreson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Thoreson. No joy for Mironov on that attempt.
Thoreson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Mironov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mironov misses with a head kick.
Thoreson dives in and grabs Mironov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mironov pushes down on Thoreson's head and hops out.
Thoreson shoots in looking for a takedown but Mironov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thoreson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Thoreson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mironov!
Thoreson trying to control the action but Mironov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mironov being controlled for a moment.

Thoreson decides to stand back up.
Thoreson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mironov circles away.
Mironov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Thoreson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some wild striking there from Thoreson.

Mironov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Thoreson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mironov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mironov wants to pass to mount but Thoreson is defending the position.
Mironov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Thoreson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mironov.
Mironov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Mironov is trying to work for a kimura but Thoreson is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mironov wants to free his trapped foot but Thoreson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mironov prevents Thoreson from improving his position.
Mironov wants to take a breather but Thoreson is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mironov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mats Thoreson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A combination from Thoreson does no damage.
Thoreson throws a combination that misses
and Mironov counters with a body kick.
Thoreson swinging wildly here.
Thoreson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thoreson misses with a double jab

and Mironov counters with a single leg into guard. Thoreson didn't expect that.
Thoreson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Mironov manages to pass to side control.

Mironov trying to control from half guard but Thoreson is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thoreson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mironov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thoreson is not content to let Mironov control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mironov connects with a nice short shot to Thoreson's temple.
Thoreson is controlling Mironov's trapped leg to prevent Mironov from advancing to side control.
Thoreson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thoreson.
Mironov trying to control but Thoreson is working from the bottom.
Thoreson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mironov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thoreson has control of Mironov's left arm, preventing Mironov from doing any damage.
Thoreson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mironov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Mironov working the ground and pound but Thoreson is defending the strikes.
Thoreson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mironov wants to get back to his feet.
Mironov is looking to take a break and control but Thoreson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Thoreson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Mironov gets caught napping as Thoreson dives in and scores a takedown. Mironov manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thoreson trying to control but Mironov is working from the bottom.
Thoreson stopping the sweep attempt from Mironov.
Mironov keeping full guard, as Thoreson tries to pass.
Thoreson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mironov's guard.
Thoreson uses his free foot to push down on Mironov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mironov.
Mironov wants to control but Thoreson is having none of it.
Thoreson controlling from the full mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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 Sergei Mironov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Thoreson. Those never looked like landing.
Thoreson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As Thoreson looks to move away, Mironov throws a big counter combo but Thoreson just gets out of the way.
Thoreson shoots in looking for a takedown. Mironov tries to sprawl out of it but Thoreson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mironov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Thoreson tries to get set, Mironov tries to push him back and clinch up but Thoreson manages to avoid the attempt.
Thoreson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mironov fails to land with a series of punches.
Thoreson misses with a takedown attempt

and Mironov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thoreson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mironov walks away with a smile on his face. Thoreson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sergei Mironov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Thoreson.
Thoreson throws a lazy head kick

and Mironov counters by moving into the clinch.
Mironov controlling the action here for a moment.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mironov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thoreson lands an uppercut.
Mironov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thoreson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mironov is trying to drag Thoreson to the mat but Thoreson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Thoreson breaks from the clinch.
Thoreson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mironov counters with a straight right hand.
Mironov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mironov dodges the punch combination from Thoreson.
Mironov throws a series of punches but Thoreson avoids them all with ease.
Thoreson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Thoreson swinging wildly here.
Thoreson misses with the combination.
Thoreson misses with the combination.
Mironov is looking for a counter combo.
Thoreson throws an overhand right that lands on Mironov's shoulder, as Mironov tries to avoid the shot.
Mironov tries to counter by clinching up but Thoreson breaks away and moves out of range.
Thoreson throws a combination that misses

and Mironov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mironov just leaning against Thoreson, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thoreson lands a good knee to the midsection. Mironov won't want to take too many of those.
Thoreson gets underhooks to prevent Mironov's takedown attempt.
Thoreson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Thoreson lands with a right to the head.
Thoreson blocks the elbow strike.
Mironov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thoreson backwards.
Thoreson trying to land knees to the body.
Mironov tries a body shot but Thoreson blocks it.
Mironov lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Mironov.
Thoreson blocks an elbow strike from Mironov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thoreson is trying to pull guard but Mironov has him pressed against the cage.
Mironov trying to stall but Thoreson improves his position.
Thoreson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mironov to keep the fight standing.
Mironov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thoreson.
Mironov slows down the pace here.
Mironov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mironov gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
A frustrated look appears on Mironov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sergei Mironov.
I think Mironov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mats Thoreson!
Mats Thoreson made sure to mention his sponsor, Bullet Proof System in his post fight interview.