PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Garcia (ranked 5297 p4p, 474 weight class) and Islam Makhacevov (ranked 24581 p4p, 530 weight class). Garcia comes to the cage accompanied by S.G. Sinnicks - St Patrick Battalion. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Garcia
vs
Makhacevov

180 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
186 lbs
3 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mickey Garcia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcia connects with a looping right hand.
Makhacevov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garcia pinned against the cage. Garcia gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Makhacevov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Garcia counters with a stiff right hand.

Garcia gets caught napping as Makhacevov dives in and scores a takedown. Garcia manages to retain guard.
Makhacevov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Garcia keeps moving.
Garcia trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Garcia wants to sweep here but Makhacevov controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Makhacevov's guard.

Garcia preventing the sweep.
Makhacevov working a defensive guard but Garcia manages to pass into side control anyway.
Makhacevov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Garcia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia wants to control but Makhacevov is keeping him busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Makhacevov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Garcia connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Makhacevov some visible discomfort.
Makhacevov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Garcia working the body and head with strikes.
Garcia is looking to take a break and control but Makhacevov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Garcia working away.
Garcia is working Makhacevov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Garcia scoring with punches and elbows.

Makhacevov is rocked!
Garcia cracks Makhacevov with a big right hand but Makhacevov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Makhacevov is still in real trouble! Can Garcia finish him?
Garcia cracks Makhacevov with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Garcia immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Makhacevov is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Garcia!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mickey Garcia!