PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Panayotov (ranked 2400 p4p, 682 weight class) and John Muir (ranked 306 p4p, 100 weight class). Panayotov comes to the cage accompanied by Mad World - Gary Jules / Tears For Fears (Cover by Jasmine Thompson). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Panayotov
vs
Muir

196 cm
35
204
9 - 7 - 0

180 cm
35
226
22 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conquer

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nikolay Panayotov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Muir!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Panayotov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big left from Muir misses.
It looked like Panayotov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Muir.
Muir connects with a right hand. Panayotov shakes it off.
Panayotov throws a lazy body kick

and Muir counters with a single leg into guard. Panayotov didn't expect that.
Panayotov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
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.
Muir throws an elbow that misses. Panayotov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Muir's guard. Nice move by Panayotov!

Panayotov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Muir has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Panayotov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Panayotov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir working a defensive guard but Panayotov manages to pass into side control anyway.
Panayotov slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muir is looking for a sweep.
Panayotov taking a breather here.
Panayotov tries to move to mount but Muir blocks the move with his legs.
You can see the frustration on Muir's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Muir tries to bench press Panayotov off him but Panayotov keeps the position.
Muir is letting Panayotov control him for a moment.
Panayotov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Muir tries to improve position but can't.

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.
Muir is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Panayotov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Muir is looking for a sweep. Panayotov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Panayotov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Muir wants to improve his position but Panayotov is controlling well.
Panayotov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Muir wants to control but Panayotov is keeping busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Muir
and Panayotov counters with an inside leg kick.
Muir catches Panayotov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Muir thuds a left hand into Panayotov's body.
Panayotov scores with a head kick. Muir tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Muir takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Panayotov throws a lazy right hand but Muir sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Panayotov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Muir looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Muir takes a swing at Panayotov's ribcage but misses.
Panayotov throws out a loose jab but Muir uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muir lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Muir just misses with a punch to the body.
Panayotov loads up on a big right hand but Muir slips the punch.
Muir looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muir throws a lazy right hand but Panayotov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Panayotov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Panayotov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Muir but Muir pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It seemed like Muir was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Panayotov lands a glancing blow to the side of Muir's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muir throws the left hand but Panayotov avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Panayotov misses the target.
Muir misses with a looping right.
Panayotov looks to land a left hand but Muir moved out of range nicely.
Panayotov scores with a head kick.
Muir fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Panayotov looks to land a right hand but Muir moved out of range.
Muir rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Muir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nikolay Panayotov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Panayotov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nikolay Panayotov is winning the standup battle so far.
A big left from Muir misses.
Panayotov tries a head kick but it misses.
Muir throws out a counter right but Panayotov avoids it with no problem.
Muir misses with a right hand
and Panayotov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Muir misses with a leg kick
and Panayotov counters with a nice uppercut.
Muir scores with a punch to the head.
Muir throws a hook but Panayotov blocks it.
Muir throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Muir throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panayotov throws a hook to the side of Muir's head but Muir sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Muir tries to counter by closing the distance.
A jab lands there for Muir.
Muir throws a combination that misses
and Panayotov counters with a nice uppercut.
No joy there for Panayotov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panayotov slips under a jab.
Panayotov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Muir looks to land a right hand but Panayotov moved out of range.
Muir fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Panayotov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Panayotov is looking to counter punch.
Panayotov moves out of range of the leg kick from Muir.
Muir throws a hook but Panayotov avoids it easily.
Panayotov scores with a head kick.
Panayotov lands a jab.
Muir thows a left - swing and a miss!
Muir misses with a looping right.
Panayotov throwing a counter right hand but Muir manages to avoid it.
Panayotov misses with a hook.
Muir lands a nice leg kick that just misses Panayotov's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muir misses with a takedown attempt
and Panayotov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Muir misses the shot to the body.
Muir blocks the body kick.
Muir was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Muir throws a head kick that misses.
Muir throws an off balance right hand
and Panayotov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Panayotov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Muir throws a poor cross that misses
and Panayotov counters with a left and a right that stings Muir.
That kick from Muir tenderised Panayotov's leg. Panayotov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Muir swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Muir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Muir throws a right and a left that Panayotov avoids nicely.
Panayotov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Muir uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Panayotov.
Muir wants to counter the offense by Panayotov and move into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov slips a straight right by Muir.
Panayotov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Panayotov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Panayotov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Panayotov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muir listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Muir ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Panayotov moves away.
Muir throws a low kick, looking for Panayotov's leg but Panayotov calmly moves out of range.
It looked like Panayotov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Muir.
Muir throws an off balance right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Panayotov swings for the body but Muir moves out of range.
Panayotov looks to land a combination. Muir sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Muir.
John Muir seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Panayotov defending well as Muir loads up on a big left hand.
Muir throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Panayotov counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov jabs Muir right on the nose. Muir blinks but takes it well.
A clash of legs there as Panayotov blocks the low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Muir fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Muir throws a solid leg kick but Panayotov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Muir.
Panayotov is looking to counter the offense by Muir and move into the clinch.
Panayotov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Muir tries a low kick but Panayotov avoids it.
Panayotov scores with a jab.
Panayotov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Muir misses with a shot to the body
and Panayotov counters with a nice body shot.
Muir swings for the body but Panayotov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Panayotov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Panayotov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Panayotov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Muir throws a leg kick
and Panayotov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Muir attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Panayotov misses with a hook. Muir ducked under it nicely.
Muir uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Panayotov.
Muir swings away with a body shot that misses
and Panayotov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Muir's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Panayotov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Muir scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muir with a nice calf kick.
Muir lands with a right hand.
Muir walks into a straight right hand from Panayotov.

Panayotov scores with a takedown into Muir's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muir is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Panayotov defends well.
Muir being controlled here, momentarily.
Panayotov wants to get up but he can't break Muir's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Panayotov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Panayotov tries to free his leg and advance position but Muir is retaining full guard.

Panayotov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Panayotov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Panayotov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Muir is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Panayotov is aware though and is defending well.
Muir looking to hit a scissor sweep but Panayotov is one step ahead there.
Panayotov stays in close to Muir's body and controls the position.

Muir is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Panayotov is aware though and is defending well.
Panayotov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Panayotov misses with a wild body shot.
Muir is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Muir fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Panayotov is out of range.
Panayotov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Muir counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panayotov lands a right hook to the body.
Panayotov thuds his right hand into Muir's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Muir waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Panayotov.
Panayotov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Muir throws the left hand but Panayotov avoids the punch easily.
Muir throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Panayotov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Panayotov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Muir looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Panayotov is fending him off so far but Muir persists. Nope, Panayotov circles away and we're back to standing.
Panayotov scores with a sloppy right hand. Muir should have avoided that one.
Panayotov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Muir throws an off balance right hand
and Panayotov counters with a solid body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muir throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muir swings widly with a right hand
and Panayotov counters with a nice body shot.
Muir scores with a shot to the body.
Panayotov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Muir.
Muir misses with a hook. Panayotov ducked under it nicely.
Panayotov tries to counter by clinching up but Muir breaks away and moves out of range.
Muir jabs Panayotov right on the nose. Panayotov blinks but takes it well.
Panayotov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Muir swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nikolay Panayotov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Muir shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Muir throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Panayotov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Panayotov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Panayotov lands with a straight right. Muir didn't see that one coming.
John Muir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muir defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Panayotov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Panayotov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Panayotov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Panayotov!
A relieved looking Nikolay Panayotov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.