PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Mikhailov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Demon Monkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Monkey's choice of entrance music: Bransjehora. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mikhailov
vs
Monkey

183 cm
19
175 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

185 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexei Mikhailov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Demon Monkey!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monkey stuffs the takedown.
We've been hearing reports that Mikhailov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Monkey lands a front kick.
Mikhailov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Monkey moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mikhailov misses with the combination.
Monkey fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mikhailov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Monkey swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mikhailov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Monkey lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mikhailov's sensitive parts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Monkey.
Mikhailov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Monkey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mikhailov swings for the body but Monkey moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Alexei Mikhailov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monkey connects with an inside leg kick.
Mikhailov misses with a body punch
and Monkey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mikhailov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mikhailov darts in looking for a takedown but Monkey gets double underhooks and turns Mikhailov into the cage.
Monkey throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Mikhailov throws a series of punches but Monkey moves out of range.
Mikhailov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Monkey checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mikhailov looks to throw the jab but Monkey is out of range.
Mikhailov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mikhailov darts in trying to clinch
and Monkey counters with a nice leg kick.
Demon Monkey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monkey throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mikhailov misses with a takedown attempt - Monkey sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Mikhailov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monkey lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mikhailov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Monkey flicks out a counter leg kick but Mikhailov steps away.
Monkey stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Monkey wants it to stay on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mikhailov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Monkey feints and then cracks Mikhailov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mikhailov down.
Monkey throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monkey avoids the body shot from Mikhailov.
Monkey throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monkey lands a nice looking body kick.
Monkey misses with a body kick.
A punch combination from Mikhailov misses.
Monkey only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Mikhailov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Mikhailov throws a leg kick
and Monkey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Monkey moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Crunch! Monkey slams his shin into Mikhailov's torso.
Monkey cracks the inside of Mikhailov's front leg.
Mikhailov misses with a jab to the body
and Monkey counters with a nice kick to the body.
Monkey scores with a kick to the body.
Monkey throws a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monkey connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mikhailov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Monkey checks a leg kick.
Monkey was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Mikhailov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mikhailov trying to control the position from guard on top but Monkey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monkey pulls Mikhailov in close to prevent any damage.
Monkey tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mikhailov trying to control but Monkey is working from the bottom.
Mikhailov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Monkey swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demon Monkey 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.

Mikhailov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Monkey defends it nicely.
As Mikhailov backs off Monkey throws a huge counter combo but Mikhailov manages to avoid it all.
Monkey lands with a kick to the ribs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Monkey.
Monkey moves out of range as Mikhailov strikes.
Monkey thumps Mikhailov with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Monkey is looking to slow Mikhailov down with leg kicks.

Monkey gets caught flat footed, as Mikhailov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Monkey is pulling down on Mikhailov's head to control his posture.
Mikhailov looking to sit in guard and control but Monkey gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mikhailov controlling the position.
Mikhailov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mikhailov can't keep his opponent in guard - Monkey advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mikhailov trying to hold on to Monkey's head to control him but Monkey postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mikhailov is trying to get back to full guard.
Monkey seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mikhailov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Monkey is working away from the top position though.
Monkey controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Monkey pushes Mikhailov away with a front kick.
Mikhailov throws the left hand but Monkey avoids the punch easily.
Mikhailov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Monkey.
Mikhailov lands a right hook to the body.
Monkey lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Monkey throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikhailov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mikhailov lands in his opponent's guard.
Monkey controlling Mikhailov's posture.
Mikhailov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mikhailov trying to control but Monkey is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demon Monkey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

That kick from Monkey tenderised Mikhailov's leg. Mikhailov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mikhailov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Monkey throws a head kick but Mikhailov moves out of range.

Mikhailov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Monkey was covering up waiting for the punch and Mikhailov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Monkey pulls Mikhailov in close to prevent any damage.
Monkey's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhailov forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov is just content to waste time from the top position. Monkey takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Mikhailov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mikhailov won't allow Monkey to sweep him here.
Mikhailov trying to control the position from guard on top but Monkey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikhailov is fighting to break Monkey's control of his arms but Monkey is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mikhailov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Monkey keeping moving, preventing Mikhailov from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Monkey connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Monkey lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mikhailov's sensitive parts.
Monkey misses with an attempted mid kick.
Monkey throws a body kick that misses.
Mikhailov shoots in for a double leg but Monkey sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Monkey pushes Mikhailov away with a front kick.
Mikhailov is looking to wear down Monkey with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Monkey.
Mikhailov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Monkey. Monkey obviously looking to wear him down.
Monkey looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Monkey takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mikhailov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Monkey manages to avoid it.
Monkey moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Monkey checks a leg kick.
Monkey throws a front kick that sends Mikhailov stumbling back into the cage.
Monkey looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Monkey cracks the inside of Mikhailov's front leg.
Mikhailov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhailov throws a low kick but Monkey moves out of range easily.
Monkey steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Monkey.
Monkey throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Alexei Mikhailov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mikhailov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Monkey is fending him off so far but Mikhailov persists. Nope, Monkey circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Monkey. Mikhailov shrugs it off though.
Mikhailov just misses with a punch to the body.
Monkey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mikhailov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A swing and a miss from Mikhailov.
And Monkey responds with a good body kick, but Mikhailov manages to step out the way in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Monkey scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice body kick from Monkey.
Demon Monkey is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mikhailov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Demon Monkey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Monkey winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Demon Monkey!
After the fight, Demon Monkey was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.