PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joost Van Buren (ranked 24 p4p, 5 weight class) and Alphonzo Mirage (ranked 93 p4p, 16 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Van Buren
vs
Mirage

188 cm
29
206 lbs
21 - 7 - 0

191 cm
30
212 lbs
21 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

UnderGround Supplements

Conviction
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joost Van Buren!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alphonzo Mirage!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Richard Clark and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mirage connects with a jab.
Mirage fakes the leg kick and cracks Van Buren in the body.
Van Buren misses with a few strikes there.
Mirage connects with a leg kick. Van Buren looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mirage throws a head kick that misses
and Mirage takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice straight punches there by Van Buren. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Van Buren.
Mirage misses with an uppercut.
Van Buren keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Van Buren on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mirage lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Van Buren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mirage.
A slow jab from Mirage misses its intended target.
Van Buren seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mirage.
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 throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Alphonzo Mirage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Mirage misses
and Van Buren counters with a straight right hand.
A big right from Van Buren misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mirage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Buren moves away.
Mirage throws a shot from downtown. Van Buren moves away and avoids it.
Mirage throws a series of punches but Van Buren moves out of range.
Van Buren misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mirage was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mirage. That's going to slow Van Buren down.
Van Buren connects with a body shot.
Van Buren moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mirage lands with a thumping leg kick.
Van Buren lands with a nice combination. Mirage backs away looking to recover.
Van Buren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mirage.
Mirage throws a lazy uppercut
and Van Buren counters with a series of strikes. Mirage will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mirage lands a nice leg kick that just misses Van Buren's sensitive parts.
Mirage looks to land a right hand but Van Buren moved out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mirage - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Mirage misses.
Mirage looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mirage works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mirage misses with an uppercut.
Van Buren was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Van Buren tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mirage stuns Van Buren with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Van Buren takes one to the side of the head.
Mirage connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mirage misses with a low kick.
Mirage throws a lazy body kick
and Van Buren cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mirage lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mirage throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mirage connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mirage.
Van Buren looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Van Buren slips under a jab from Mirage.
Mirage lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Van Buren digs a good hook to Mirage's body.
Mirage cracks Van Buren with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mirage is looking to slow Van Buren down with leg kicks.
Mirage scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Van Buren doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab from Mirage misses.
And Van Buren counters with a quick kick to the body but Mirage blocks it.
Mirage misses the jab.
A jab from Van Buren does it's job there.
Mirage lands a really nice looking cross but Van Buren seems unphased.
Mirage ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Van Buren's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mirage throws a sloppy head kick and Van Buren moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren checks a leg kick.

Van Buren has Mirage up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Mirage.
Mirage lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
Mirage misses with the head strike.
A frustrated look appears on Mirage's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van Buren controlling the action here for a moment.
Van Buren misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Buren lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mirage or not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Buren.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Buren is pushing Mirage up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Van Buren lands a body punch.
Mirage working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alphonzo Mirage dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van Buren 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.
Alphonzo Mirage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Buren is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mirage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mirage! But no joy.
Mirage scores with a decent looking hook.
Van Buren misses with a kick to the body.
Mirage wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mirage fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Van Buren has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mirage tries a low kick but Van Buren avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Van Buren.
Mirage misses with a hook.
Van Buren slips a straight right by Mirage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mirage throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mirage misses with a shot to the body
and Van Buren counters with a stiff right hand.

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

It looks like Alphonzo Mirage has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van Buren moves into the clinch successfully.
Mirage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mirage working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mirage lands a body shot.
Mirage will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Van Buren up against the cage.
Van Buren has a couple of punches blocked by Mirage.
Van Buren misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mirage avoiding damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mirage.
Van Buren is trying to break free.
Mirage tries to work over Van Buren's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mirage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hand to the body from Van Buren.
Mirage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirage blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mirage scores with a shot to the side of Van Buren's head.
Mirage has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Van Buren seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Mirage can turn it around.
Van Buren tries to work over Mirage's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Van Buren blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Van Buren.
Mirage keeps control of Van Buren as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mirage misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mirage misses with a punch to the body.
Mirage lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Buren has a couple of punches blocked by Mirage.
Mirage doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van Buren lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mirage.
Van Buren scores with a shoulder strike.
Van Buren is pushing Mirage up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mirage is working Van Buren over against the cage.
Van Buren misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirage has a couple of punches blocked by Van Buren.
Mirage misses with a punch on the inside.
Mirage blocks a body shot from Van Buren.
Van Buren is trying to stall.
Mirage tries a body shot but Van Buren blocks it.
Mirage swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Van Buren doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirage prevents a body shot from Van Buren.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mirage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mirage.
Van Buren is trying to maintain a safe position but Mirage gets an underhook and turns Van Buren into the cage.
Mirage misses with a punch to the body.
Mirage misses with a hook to the ribs.
Van Buren is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mirage lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mirage.
Van Buren struggles to land a body shot inside as Mirage controls his hands.
Mirage tries to throw a body punch but Van Buren avoids it by throwing Mirage back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Van Buren throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mirages head.
Van Buren scores with a hook to the body.
Van Buren lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mirage.
Van Buren digs a right hand into Mirage's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mirage's gas tank.
Van Buren is trying to force a seperation but Mirage has the dominant position.
Van Buren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirage can't find room to land a body shot as Van Buren controls the action.
Come on Mirage - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mirage scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mirage swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mirage works on Van Buren's body with a couple of short punches.
Mirage's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Van Buren struggles to land a body shot inside as Mirage controls his hands.
Mirage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Van Buren scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alphonzo Mirage will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alphonzo Mirage's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mirage blocks a jab.
Mirage motions for Van Buren to come forward. Mirage throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mirage loads up on a big right hand but Van Buren slips the punch.
Mirage misses with a body kick.
Van Buren lands with a nice body punch.
Nice shot lands for Mirage.
Mirage goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mirage tries to work over Van Buren's front leg with a kick but Van Buren checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Van Buren misses.
Van Buren slips a jab from Mirage.
Mirage scoring well with a low kick there.
Van Buren doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Buren.
Mirage lands a nice hook to Van Buren's body. Van Buren takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mirage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Buren manages to avoid it.
A jab from Mirage does it's job there.
Van Buren uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mirage.
Mirage looks to land a combination but Van Buren avoids it well.
Van Buren ducks under a wild hook from Mirage.
Mirage jabs at Van Buren's body.
Mirage throws a nice looking combination but Van Buren bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Buren scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mirage in his tracks.
Mirage attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Van Buren slips under a jab from Mirage.
Van Buren slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mirage throws a sloppy body shot
and Van Buren counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Buren misses with a straight left.
Mirage pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mirage misses with a lunging right hand
and Van Buren counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mirage thinking.
Mirage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mirage takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Van Buren checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A jab from Van Buren does it's job there.
Mirage fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Van Buren checks it well.
Mirage needs to keep his hands up - Van Buren had a free shot at his head there.

Mirage is rocked!
Mirage ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Van Buren throws a head kick that misses.

Van Buren has Mirage up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Van Buren slowing the pace effectively.
Van Buren blocks a body shot from Mirage.
Mirage misses with some punches.
A short right from Van Buren.
Van Buren misses with a punch to the body.
Mirage avoiding damage.
A short right from Van Buren.
Mirage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirage throws a punch but it's blocked by Van Buren.
Van Buren is trying to break free.
A body shot lands from Mirage.
Van Buren misses with a hook from the clinch.
Van Buren misses with a body punch.
Mirage works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirage tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Van Buren's elbow.
Mirage lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
Mirage blocks a body shot from Van Buren.
Mirage lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
Mirage lands a right hand.
Van Buren works on Mirage's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Buren wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mirage has him pressed against the cage.
Van Buren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Mirage.
Mirage misses with a body punch.
Van Buren misses with a punch on the inside.

Mirage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van Buren darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Van Buren throws a right and a left that both miss.
Van Buren walks into a stiff left hand from Mirage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Alphonzo Mirage just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Alphonzo Mirage's cut.
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 looping hook to the body misses from Van Buren. Mirage does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Mirage on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mirage turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mirage throws out a counter right but Van Buren avoids it with no problem.
Van Buren goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mirage attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Van Buren looks to throw the jab but Mirage is out of range.
Van Buren takes one to the side of the head.
Mirage feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Van Burens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mirage throws a low kick, looking for Van Buren's leg but Van Buren calmly moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mirage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Buren manages to avoid it.

Mirage feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Van Buren sprawling to the canvas! Van Buren rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Mirage finish him?!

Van Buren is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Oh Van Buren is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mirage misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Van Buren.
Mirage closes the distance and lands a brutal uppercut that knocks Van Buren out! We're looking at the replay now - he was out before he hit the floor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Alphonzo Mirage!
Alphonzo Mirage is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Alphonzo Mirage made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.