PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaspars Petrovs (ranked 612 p4p, 87 weight class) and Alphonzo Mirage (ranked 704 p4p, 105 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Petrovs
vs
Mirage

180 cm
23
210 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

191 cm
23
212 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

IniTech Nutrition

XFighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kaspars Petrovs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alphonzo Mirage!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mirage lands a glancing blow to the side of Petrovs's head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Petrovs checks a leg kick.
Good exchange - Mirage coming out on top.

It looks like Kaspars Petrovs has been cut.
Petrovs slips a straight right by Mirage.
Petrovs is looking to counter punch.
Mirage has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Petrovs is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Petrovs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mirage tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Petrovs was well out of range. Poor timing from Mirage.
As Mirage looks to move away, Petrovs throws a big counter combo but Mirage just gets out of the way.
Mirage misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've been told by Petrovs's head coaches at Zero Tolerance that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Petrovs looks to land a right hand but Mirage moved out of range.
Petrovs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Petrovs lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrovs connects with a jab.
Mirage rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Petrovs counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovs loads up on a big right hand but Mirage slips the punch.
Mirage on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mirage throws a low kick but Petrovs avoids it.
Petrovs misses with an uppercut
and Mirage counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Petrovs lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Mirage sprawling to the canvas. Petrovs follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Mirage hang on?

Mirage is rocked!

It looks like Alphonzo Mirage has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mirage tries to get to full guard but Petrovs has control of the leg.
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.
Mirage is holding on to half guard well.
Petrovs wants to stand but Mirage has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mirage wants to get back to full guard.
Mirage keeps trying to improve his position.
Petrovs wants to stand but Mirage has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Petrovs is thwarting Mirage's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Petrovs manages to avoid it.
Mirage throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Petrovs avoids a punch combination nicely.
Petrovs looks to land a right hand but Mirage moved out of range.
Mirage swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Petrovs throws a jab but it's blocked by Mirage.
Petrovs throws the left hand but Mirage avoids the punch easily.
A low kick from Mirage misses
and Petrovs counters with a left and a right that stings Mirage.
Mirage dodges the punch combination from Petrovs.
Petrovs backing away here, and Mirage unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Petrovs takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs throws a jab but it's blocked by Mirage.
Petrovs looks to land a left hand but Mirage moved out of range nicely.
Mirage throws a body kick that misses.
Petrovs has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mirage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mirage feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Petrovss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mirage misses with an uppercut.
Petrovs throwing a counter right hand but Mirage manages to avoid it.
Mirage misses with a kick to the body
and Petrovs counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Petrovs tries to close the distance and clinch but Mirage swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mirage misses with a leg kick.
Mirage dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaspars Petrovs dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A jab from Petrovs misses.
Mirage follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Petrovs takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mirage tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Petrovs was well out of range. Poor timing from Mirage.
Mirage looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Petrovs moves out of range as Mirage strikes.
Mirage throws a leg kick which misses Petrovs's front leg but catches the back leg as Petrovs tries to avoid it.
Petrovs moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mirage connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirage throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kaspars Petrovs is winning the standup battle so far.
Petrovs misses with an uppercut.
Mirage throws a front kick aimed at Petrovs's knee but Petrovs avoids it well.
A cross from Petrovs lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Petrovs.
Petrovs lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mirage circles away quickly and effectively.
Mirage tries a quick counter leg kick but Petrovs is wise to it.
Petrovs throws a lazy uppercut
and Mirage counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That kick from Mirage tenderised Petrovs's leg. Petrovs is trying to keep his angry face on.
Petrovs walks forward, straight into a front kick from Mirage.
Mirage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Petrovs.
Petrovs will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Petrovs blocks the body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mirage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mirage tries a quick counter leg kick but Petrovs is wise to it.
Petrovs throws a series of punches but Mirage avoids them all with ease.
Petrovs throws a poor cross that misses
and Mirage counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mirage keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mirage misses with a leg kick
and Petrovs counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Petrovs misses with a looping left.
Mirage connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mirage throws a wild body kick that Petrovs sees coming a mile off.
Petrovs is looking to counter punch.
Mirage has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Petrovs misses with a looping right.
That kick from Mirage tenderised Petrovs's leg. Petrovs is trying to keep his angry face on.
Petrovs avoids the body shot from Mirage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mirage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mirage was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mirage scores with a nice body kick.
Mirage shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mirage fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Petrovs has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mirage scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Petrovs looks to land a right hand but Mirage moved out of range.
Petrovs blocks a low kick nicely.
Mirage slips under a jab from Petrovs.
Mirage misses with a leg kick
letting Petrovs counter with a right hand.
Mirage thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Petrovs if he has to take too many more of those.
Mirage takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirage takes a swing at Petrovs's ribcage but misses.
Petrovs swings for the body but Mirage moves out of range.
Mirage chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petrovs digs a good hook to Mirage's body.
Petrovs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mirage misses with a kick to the body
and Petrovs counters with a straight right hand.
Petrovs tries to clinch up.
Mirage looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Mirage lands a big head kick that sends Petrovs tumbling to the mat! Mirage takes a step backwards and waves Petrovs back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Petrovs is rocked!
Mirage throws a hook but Petrovs blocks it.
Petrovs misses with a series of wild punches.
Mirage throws a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alphonzo Mirage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A combination from Mirage does no damage.
Petrovs chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mirage can pounce on him.
Mirage misses with a low kick.
Petrovs misses with a hook
and Mirage counters with a nice body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Mirage. That snapped Petrovs's head back.
Mirage throws a push kick but Petrovs slaps the foot to one side.
Petrovs moves out of range of the body kick from Mirage.
Petrovs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mirage on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirage misses with the body kick
letting Petrovs counter with a right hand.
Petrovs cracks Mirage with a right hand to the side of the head.
Petrovs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mirage let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovs throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Mirage misses the target.
A little feinted left hand from Petrovs on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Petrovs lands a slapping body shot.
Petrovs misses with a straight left.
Petrovs throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Petrovs throws a body shot but no joy.
Mirage steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Petrovs has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mirage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mirage. That's going to slow Petrovs down.
Petrovs blocks a low kick nicely.
Petrovs connects with the punch.
Petrovs lands with a hook. Mirage tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs checks a leg kick nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mirage slips a jab from Petrovs.
Petrovs on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mirage. Mirage obviously looking to wear him down.
Petrovs ducks right into an uppercut from Mirage.
Mirage 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.
Mirage misses with a low kick as Petrovs jumps back.
Mirage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Petrovs manages to avoid it.
It looked like Petrovs wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice uppercut lands for Mirage. That snapped Petrovs's head back.
Petrovs misses with an uppercut.
Petrovs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Mirage - just one landing.
Nice defenses there by Mirage.
Mirage misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Petrovs misses the target.
Mirage shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Petrovs is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Petrovs falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mirage counters with a nice low kick that buckles Petrovs's knee momentarily.
Mirage throws a looping overhand right but Petrovs ducks down to avoid it.
Petrovs swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Petrovs's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Mirage cracks the inside of Petrovs's front leg.
Mirage throws a shot from downtown. Petrovs moves away and avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Mirage.
Mirage only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrovs takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Petrovs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Petrovs will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Mirage misses with a kick to the body.
Mirage scores with a kick to the body.
Mirage misses with a body kick.
Mirage misses with a body shot.
Petrovs moves out of range as Mirage throws a body kick.
Mirage keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Petrovs.
Mirage lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
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!
Mirage defending well as Petrovs loads up on a big left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alphonzo Mirage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mirage 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alphonzo Mirage!
An out of breath Alphonzo Mirage thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.