PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gennady Mikhasevich (ranked 485 p4p, 66 weight class) and Luc Gagnon (ranked 372 p4p, 47 weight class). Gagnon has chosen Annihilator - King of the Kill as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Mikhasevich
vs
Gagnon

180 cm
22
185 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
195 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gennady Mikhasevich!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luc Gagnon!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gagnon lands with an overhand left.
Mikhasevich misses with an uppercut. Gagnon saw that one coming.
Gagnon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mikhasevich loads up on a big right hand but Gagnon slips the punch.
Luc Gagnon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Gagnon finds it's way through Mikhasevich's defenses.
Gagnon misses with a looping left.
Gagnon staying out of range there.
Gagnon shoots in for a takedown but Mikhasevich shows good takedown defense.
Gagnon works over Mikhasevich's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Gennady Mikhasevich has been cut.
Gagnon staying out of range there.
Gagnon is looking for the big counter here.
Mikhasevich defending well as Gagnon loads up on a big left hand.
Gagnon displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gagnon lands a really nice looking cross but Mikhasevich seems unphased.

Gagnon shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon is looking to advance position but Mikhasevich won't allow it.
Gagnon with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gagnon trying to pass the guard but Mikhasevich defending well.
Gagnon seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mikhasevich does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mikhasevich pushes Gagnon off looking to stand but Gagnon dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Gagnon is working for a submission of some sort.
Mikhasevich is refusing to be controlled, as Gagnon sits in half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gagnon has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at True North Fight Team. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Gagnon 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.
Gagnon perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gagnon seems to be looking for submissions.

Gagnon wants to work for an arm triangle but Mikhasevich is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gagnon tries to pass to full mount but Mikhasevich defends it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gagnon cracks Mikhasevich with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gagnon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mikhasevich counters with a nice uppercut.
Mikhasevich connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon misses with a takedown attempt
and Mikhasevich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Luc Gagnon has been cut.
Gennady Mikhasevich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luc Gagnon.
Mikhasevich scores with a jab to the body.

Gagnon scores with a takedown into Mikhasevich's guard.
Mikhasevich wants to stand and escape but Gagnon is having none of it.
Mikhasevich keeping full guard, as Gagnon tries to pass.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhasevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mikhasevich keeping full guard, as Gagnon tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gagnon working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Gagnon dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gagnon drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gagnon tries to advance to mount but Mikhasevich denies him.
Gagnon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mikhasevich keeps working.

Gagnon goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mikhasevich has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gagnon but great work by Mikhasevich.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gagnon tries to buck Mikhasevich off but Mikhasevich is having none of it.

Mikhasevich decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gagnon to his feet.
Mikhasevich takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mikhasevich.
A jab from Gagnon finds it's way through Mikhasevich's defenses.
Gagnon scores with the left hand. Mikhasevich knows he should have avoided that one.
Gagnon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gagnon throws a combination that misses
and Mikhasevich counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gagnon with a hook.
Mikhasevich staying out of range there.
Mikhasevich lands a jab.
Gagnon misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich throws a hook but Gagnon avoids it easily.
Mikhasevich scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mikhasevich takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mikhasevich is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gagnon.
Gagnon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mikhasevich counters with a nice body shot.
Gagnon has his takedown stuffed
and Gagnon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gagnon moves away from the strike by Mikhasevich.
Gagnon shoots and misses
letting Mikhasevich counter with a right hand.
Gennady Mikhasevich has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luc Gagnon.
Gagnon throws a body punch but Mikhasevich moves out of range.
Gagnon loads up on a big right hand but Mikhasevich slips the punch.
Gagnon falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mikhasevich counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gagnon feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gagnon won't allow Mikhasevich to get back to his feet.
Mikhasevich keeping full guard, as Gagnon tries to pass.
Gagnon trying to control but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Gagnon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gagnon passes into half guard.
Gagnon working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Mikhasevich's thigh. Mikhasevich counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gagnon throws an elbow that misses. Mikhasevich uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gagnon's guard. Nice move by Mikhasevich!

Gagnon is trying to control the position but Mikhasevich postures up.

Gagnon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mikhasevich defends well.

Gagnon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gagnon misses with a hook
letting Mikhasevich counter with a right hand.
Gagnon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Mikhasevich misses.
Mikhasevich lands a body shot.
Gagnon swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mikhasevich counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mikhasevich rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gagnon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mikhasevich tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gagnon was well out of range. Poor timing from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gagnon swings widly with a right hand
and Mikhasevich counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich stuffs the takedown attempt from Gagnon. Gagnon gets slowly back to his feet.
Mikhasevich throws a jab but it's blocked by Gagnon.
Mikhasevich misses with a looping right.
Gagnon is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Gagnon misses
and Gagnon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gagnon throws a looping overhand right but Mikhasevich ducks down to avoid it.
Mikhasevich steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gagnon.
Gagnon ducks under a wild hook from Mikhasevich.

Gagnon shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gagnon showed some decent athleticism there.
Gagnon sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Gagnon is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon is taking a breather. Mikhasevich says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mikhasevich is trying to stand up here but Gagnon is controlling him well.

Gagnon is looking for a kimura here.
Gagnon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gagnon not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon is just content to waste time from the top position. Mikhasevich takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Luc Gagnon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mikhasevich wants to stand up but Gagnon is controlling him.
Gagnon forces his way into half guard.
Gagnon wants to pass to mount but Mikhasevich is defending the position.
Gagnon perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Gagnon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mikhasevich has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gagnon looks to land a strike but Mikhasevich avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mikhasevich wants to get back to his feet but Gagnon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gagnon looking to sit in guard and control but Mikhasevich gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gagnon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gagnon misses with a hook.
Mikhasevich slips a straight right by Gagnon.
Mikhasevich slips a jab from Gagnon.
A little feinted left hand from Mikhasevich on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gagnon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mikhasevich moves away.
Mikhasevich looks to score with a jab to the body but Gagnon is just out of range.
Mikhasevich tries to move into range but Gagnon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gagnon misses with a body shot
and Mikhasevich counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mikhasevich misses with a wild combination.
It seemed like Gagnon was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gagnon throws an overhand right that lands on Mikhasevich's shoulder, as Mikhasevich tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon throws out a powerful jab.
Gagnon uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich moves out of range as Gagnon strikes.

Mikhasevich tries to keep at a distance but Gagnon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mikhasevich is trying to break the clinch but Gagnon is controlling him.
Gagnon taking a breather.
Gagnon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gagnon has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mikhasevich is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gagnon swings wildly with an uppercut but Mikhasevich uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mikhasevich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mikhasevich takes a shot to the head.

Gagnon pulls Mikhasevich into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon wants to control the position but Mikhasevich says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Gagnon wants to control but Mikhasevich is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gagnon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gagnon wants to sweep but no luck.

Gagnon is looking for a triangle here but Mikhasevich uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Mikhasevich stands up.
Gagnon doesn't manage to clinch there - Mikhasevich circles away.
Mikhasevich avoids the body shot from Gagnon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gagnon scores with a takedown into Mikhasevich's guard.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhasevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gagnon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mikhasevich works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gagnon wants to pass the guard but Mikhasevich is keeping the position.
Mikhasevich keeping moving, preventing Gagnon from controlling successfully.
Gagnon tries to free his leg and advance position but Mikhasevich is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Mikhasevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gennady Mikhasevich is winning the standup battle so far.
Gagnon looks to clinch
and Mikhasevich counters with a stiff right hand.
Gagnon throws a body shot but no joy.
Mikhasevich is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gagnon.
Mikhasevich looks to land a right hand but Gagnon moved out of range.
Gagnon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mikhasevich moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gagnon misses with a hook to the body
and Mikhasevich counters with a nice uppercut.
Mikhasevich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Gagnon dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gagnon lands a right hook to the body.

Gagnon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gagnon lands in his opponent's guard.
Mikhasevich wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Gagnon manages to pass to side control.

Mikhasevich tries to kick Gagnon off but Gagnon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gagnon wants to work for an arm triangle but Mikhasevich is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gagnon is trying to control the action in half guard but Mikhasevich is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich tries to kick Gagnon off but Gagnon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gagnon works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gagnon trying to control but Mikhasevich is having none of it.
Gagnon thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon takes Mikhasevich's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Mikhasevich is in trouble.

Mikhasevich fending off the submission attempt from Gagnon.
Gagnon trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich is trying to stand back up.

Gagnon looking to break Mikhasevich's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Mikhasevich remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gagnon will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Mikhasevich preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gagnon.

Gagnon looking for the choke from the back.
Mikhasevich trying to get back to his feet but Gagnon is in full control for now.

Gagnon patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikhasevich is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Gagnon looking for the RNC.

Gagnon working for a choke but Mikhasevich is defending well.
Mikhasevich is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luc Gagnon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gagnon 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luc Gagnon!
Luc Gagnon is the new middleweight champion!
After winning the bout, Luc Gagnon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.