PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ace Mikkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Cro Cop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikkey kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Trooper. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mikkey
vs
Cro Cop

189 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

191 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Nemesis Cage Clothing

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ace Mikkey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mirko Cro Cop!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cro Cop clinches up with Mikkey and pushes him back against the cage.
Mikkey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cro Cop pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Cro Cop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mikkey misses with a series of wild punches.
Mikkey pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Mikkey shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cro Cop's guard.
Mikkey stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cro Cop swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cro Cop seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Cro Cop wriggles free and stands up.

Cro Cop takes the fight into the clinch.

Cro Cop escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cro Cop tries to clinch up but Mikkey circles away and keeps his distance.
Mikkey fails with a takedown attempt.
Mikkey circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikkey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Mikkey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mikkey throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cro Cop's waist but Cro Cop gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mikkey off to one side.
Mikkey misses with a double jab.
Cro Cop shoots in for a double leg but Mikkey sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mikkey blocks a head kick by Cro Cop.
Cro Cop pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Cro Cop pushes Mikkey up against the cage in a clinch.

Cro Cop's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cro Cop wants to clinch up but Mikkey keeps it at a distance.
Mikkey tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cro Cop swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Cro Cop clinches up with Mikkey and pushes him back against the cage.
Cro Cop using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mikkey has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Cro Cop's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cro Cop closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mikkey tries to buck Cro Cop off but Cro Cop is having none of it.
Mikkey is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikkey is not content to let Cro Cop control the position.

Cro Cop decides to stand back up.
Mikkey is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cro Cop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mirko Cro Cop seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikkey tries to close the distance and clinch but Cro Cop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cro Cop tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A thudding body kick lands there by Mikkey!

Cro Cop closes the distance and pushes Mikkey back into the cage.

Cro Cop escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cro Cop tries to clinch

and Mikkey counters with a shoot takedown. Cro Cop fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mikkey postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mikkey pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cro Cop is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikkey tries to reverse the position but Cro Cop maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mikkey is working hard here to advance position.

Cro Cop get's back to his feet.

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.
Cro Cop fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cro Cop closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mikkey counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mikkey.

Cro Cop escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mikkey loads up on a big right hand but Cro Cop slips the punch.
Cro Cop doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mikkey moves into the clinch.
Cro Cop tries to break the clinch but Mikkey is controlling the position.
Mikkey has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cro Cop avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mikkey keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cro Cop's efforts to push away.
Mikkey has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cro Cop avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cro Cop has Mikkey pressed against the cage.
Cro Cop gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mikkey.

Cro Cop manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Cro Cop dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cro Cop tries to clinch but Mikkey moves away
and Mikkey counters with a stiff right hand.
A head kick misses from Cro Cop.
Cro Cop displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mikkey.
Cro Cop tries a head kick but it misses.

Mikkey darts in and clinches Cro Cop up against the cage.
Cro Cop lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cro Cop working hard to break the clinch.
Cro Cop lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Cro Cop pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mikkey shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cro Cop as he avoids it easily.
Cro Cop is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mikkey tries to keep at a distance but Cro Cop has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cro Cop digs a right hand into Mikkey's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mikkey's gas tank.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mikkey stalling.
Mikkey drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ace Mikkey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cro Cop tries to land a knee to the head but Mikkey blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cro Cop jumps guard.
Cro Cop keeping moving, preventing Mikkey from controlling successfully.
Mikkey loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mikkey is looking to stand up but Cro Cop won't let him.

Cro Cop uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Mikkey has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cro Cop can't get the takedown.
Mikkey looking for a takedown.

Cro Cop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop looks to clinch

and Mikkey counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ace Mikkey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mikkey is keen to just control but Cro Cop is a slippery customer.
Mikkey wants to free his trapped foot but Cro Cop is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mikkey trying to control from Cro Cop's half guard. Cro Cop has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Cro Cop lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mikkey!
Mikkey is looking to improve his position but Cro Cop isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cro Cop stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Mikkey clinches up against the cage.
Mikkey drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cro Cop pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cro Cop tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Mikkey counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mikkey wants to control from the top but Cro Cop keeps moving.
Mikkey slips nicely into half guard.
Cro Cop is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikkey escapes and gets back to his feet.

Mikkey shoots in and bounces Cro Cop off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mikkey trying to control but Cro Cop is working from the bottom.
Mikkey is pushing down on Cro Cop's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cro Cop is fighting to maintain full guard but Mikkey has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mikkey working over Cro Cop with some ground and pound. Cro Cop looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cro Cop trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Mikkey dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mikkey changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cro Cop looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Mikkey goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cro Cop has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mikkey but great work by Cro Cop.
A control attempt from Mikkey but he's now mounted!

Cro Cop is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Cro Cop tries to clinch but Mikkey moves away

and Mikkey counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cro Cop won't be happy with that.
Mikkey laying and praying for a moment but Cro Cop takes advantage and regains half guard.

Mikkey trying to work for an americana but Cro Cop has managed to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikkey has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cro Cop is proving hard to escape from.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cro Cop is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Mikkey gets to his feet. Cro Cop looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cro Cop plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cro Cop tries to clinch but Mikkey moves out of range.
Cro Cop moves in looking to clinch but Mikkey pushes him off.
Crunch! Mikkey slams his shin into Cro Cop's torso.

Cro Cop clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikkey gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Cro Cop wriggles free and stands up.
Cro Cop fails with a takedown attempt.
Cro Cop tries to clinch but Mikkey moves out of range.
Cro Cop closes the distance and clinches up with Mikkey, looking for a takedown. Cro Cop pushes Mikkey against the cage but Mikkey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mikkey shoots for a double leg takedown but Cro Cop sprawls well. He's pushed Mikkey's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cro Cop tries to clinch but Mikkey moves out of range.

Mikkey shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cro Cop's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mikkey forces his way into half guard.
Cro Cop pushes Mikkey off looking to stand but Mikkey dives back in and keeps control.
Cro Cop controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikkey trying to control the action but Cro Cop is working from the bottom.

Cro Cop is defending against the submission attempts here by Mikkey.

Mikkey looking for a submission but Cro Cop manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mikkey trying to control the position from guard on top but Cro Cop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cro Cop keeping full guard, as Mikkey tries to pass.
Mikkey trying to control the position from guard on top but Cro Cop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ace Mikkey showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mikkey has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ace Mikkey!