PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Mintz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Shogun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lyoto Shogun will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mintz
vs
Shogun

175 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Mintz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lyoto Shogun !
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mintz is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Shogun .
Mintz tries to clinch up but Shogun circles away and keeps his distance.
Mintz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shogun .
A punch lands to the side of Mintz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Shogun looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Mintz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Shogun lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mintz or not.
Mintz avoiding damage.
Shogun working aggressively here.
Mintz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mintz stalling against the cage.

Mintz has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Shogun clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Mintz biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mintz is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Shogun knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Shogun for a finish.
Shogun is trying to stand back up.
Mintz just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mintz punches the canvas rather than the man.
What can Shogun do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Mintz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Shogun looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mintz throwing sloppy strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mintz struggling to land strikes to the head as Shogun covers up.
Shogun looks gassed!
Mintz struggling to land strikes to the head as Shogun covers up.

Mintz is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Shogun with him. Shogun is trying to defend but Mintz has an arm under the chin now! Shogun grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mike Mintz!
Mike Mintz is the new middleweight champion!