PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artie DeVanzo (ranked 395 p4p, 654 weight class) and Gennady Mikhasevich (ranked 55 p4p, 98 weight class). Gennady Mikhasevich has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

DeVanzo
vs
Mikhasevich

182 cm
49
187
39 - 24 - 1

180 cm
35
187
31 - 22 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat
Warrior Fight Store

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 39 - 24 - 1, fighting out of New York, Artie DeVanzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gennady Mikhasevich!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mikhasevich ducks under a wild hook from DeVanzo.
Mikhasevich looks to throw the jab but DeVanzo is out of range.
A good leg kick by Mikhasevich.

DeVanzo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. DeVanzo showed some decent athleticism there.
Mikhasevich tries to roll over but DeVanzo keeps him under control.
Mikhasevich trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVanzo is looking to take a break and control but Mikhasevich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
DeVanzo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVanzo thows a huge punch but Mikhasevich dodges it nicely.
Mikhasevich blocking the ground and pound attempt from DeVanzo.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. DeVanzo connects with a nice short shot to Mikhasevich's temple.
DeVanzo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
DeVanzo trying to control the action but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
DeVanzo prevents Mikhasevich from improving his position.
Mikhasevich is trying to maintain the position but DeVanzo is very close to passing his half guard.
DeVanzo wants to take a breather but Mikhasevich is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DeVanzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
DeVanzo trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeVanzo wants to control but Mikhasevich is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mikhasevich is looking to improve his position.
DeVanzo wants to take a breather but Mikhasevich is having none of it.
DeVanzo prevents Mikhasevich from improving his position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mikhasevich is looking to control DeVanzo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mikhasevich avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
DeVanzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mikhasevich moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo throws an off balance right hand
and Mikhasevich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mikhasevich misses with a kick to the body.
Mikhasevich lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as DeVanzo backs up against the cage.
DeVanzo tries to bum rush Mikhasevich with a series of wild strikes but Mikhasevich uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A swing and a miss from DeVanzo.
DeVanzo throws a series of punches but Mikhasevich moves out of range.
Mikhasevich fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt DeVanzo.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mikhasevich lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and DeVanzo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from DeVanzo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
DeVanzo is looking to counter punch.
DeVanzo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
DeVanzo tries to move into range but Mikhasevich moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mikhasevich slips under a jab from DeVanzo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DeVanzo misses with a double jab
and Mikhasevich counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. DeVanzo is lucky that one didn't land flush.

DeVanzo is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo throws a good cross that connects.
DeVanzo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mikhasevich.
Gennady Mikhasevich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mikhasevich staying out of range there.
Mikhasevich lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mikhasevich.
Oh DeVanzo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mikhasevich steps to the side to avoid the strikes from DeVanzo.
DeVanzo seems to have got his legs back now.
Mikhasevich jabs at DeVanzo's body.
DeVanzo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and DeVanzo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mikhasevich misses with an attempted mid kick.
An attempted straight right counter from DeVanzo misses the target.
Mikhasevich throws a body shot but no joy.
DeVanzo throws a series of punches but Mikhasevich avoids them all with ease.
DeVanzo throws a one two combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Artie DeVanzo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

DeVanzo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mikhasevich moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
DeVanzo misses with a right hand
and Mikhasevich connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Artie DeVanzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeVanzo fails with the takedown
letting Mikhasevich counter with a right hand.
Mikhasevich defending well as DeVanzo loads up on a big left hand.
DeVanzo fails to land with a series of punches.
DeVanzo connects with a body shot.
DeVanzo throws a body punch but Mikhasevich moves out of range.
Mikhasevich thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on DeVanzo if he has to take too many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVanzo misses with a double jab.
DeVanzo misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Mikhasevich counters with a straight right hand.

Oooh a lovely combination from Mikhasevich sends DeVanzo down but not out. Mikhasevich dives into side control looking to finish.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mikhasevich lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich wants to control but DeVanzo is keeping him busy.
DeVanzo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mikhasevich's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
DeVanzo manages to get to full guard.
DeVanzo looking for a sweep. Not yet DeVanzo, not yet.
DeVanzo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mikhasevich is not content to let DeVanzo control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo wants to free his trapped foot but Mikhasevich is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mikhasevich is controlling DeVanzo's trapped leg to prevent DeVanzo from advancing to side control.
DeVanzo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mikhasevich is looking to improve his position.
DeVanzo not doing much here.
Mikhasevich is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from DeVanzo there.
DeVanzo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mikhasevich has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. DeVanzo is working away from the top position though.
DeVanzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Mikhasevich looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
DeVanzo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from DeVanzo.

Mikhasevich with the active half guard here but DeVanzo passes nicely into side control.
DeVanzo scores with punches from side control.
DeVanzo trying to control the position but Mikhasevich is working away.
DeVanzo lands a decent elbow from side control.
Artie DeVanzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
DeVanzo working the head and body with strikes.
Mikhasevich is trying to get back to half guard.
DeVanzo advances to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Artie DeVanzo will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mikhasevich misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mikhasevich misses with an uppercut

and DeVanzo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by DeVanzo.
DeVanzo is standing up over Mikhasevich. Mikhasevich looks to escape but DeVanzo dives into side control.

DeVanzo lands a few punches from side control.
Mikhasevich is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

DeVanzo tries for a kimura but Mikhasevich is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeVanzo moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVanzo scores with punches from side control.
Mikhasevich struggling a bit here.
DeVanzo is looking to take a break and control but Mikhasevich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mikhasevich is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
DeVanzo trying to control the action but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Gennady Mikhasevich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mikhasevich is looking to reverse the position.
DeVanzo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mikhasevich keeps working.
DeVanzo moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Artie DeVanzo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo landing a few strikes.
DeVanzo remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Mikhasevich is trying to get back to half guard.
DeVanzo scoring with punches from side control.

That's four 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.
DeVanzo taking a break here but Mikhasevich is having none of it and regains half guard.
Well, if DeVanzo is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
DeVanzo wants to take a breather but Mikhasevich is having none of it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
DeVanzo 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.
DeVanzo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mikhasevich with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artie DeVanzo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DeVanzo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Artie DeVanzo!