PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jos Mykhaylenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kris Imman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Imman is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bezimienni - Walka. 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.

Mykhaylenko
vs
Imman

180 cm
26
196 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

198 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========#

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jos Mykhaylenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kris Imman!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imman stuffs the takedown.
A low kick from Mykhaylenko is predictable there

and Imman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Imman lands an elbow that stopped Mykhaylenko in his tracks for a moment.
Imman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mykhaylenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mykhaylenko can't find room to land a body shot as Imman controls the action.
Imman scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Jos Mykhaylenko has been cut.
Imman is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Imman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Imman taking a breather.
Imman lands a knee to the head.
Mykhaylenko wants to get back to striking at distance but Imman won't allow it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Imman.
Mykhaylenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Imman slowing the pace effectively.
Nice elbow from Imman.
Imman lands an elbow inside.
Imman stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imman is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mykhaylenko to keep the fight standing.
Jos Mykhaylenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Imman.
Mykhaylenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mykhaylenko being controlled against the cage.
Mykhaylenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mykhaylenko's defenses.
Imman lands an elbow that stopped Mykhaylenko in his tracks for a moment.
Imman lands a damaging elbow.

Imman pulls Mykhaylenko into guard.
Imman has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Imman trying to keep a closed guard but Mykhaylenko is proving a slippery customer.
Mykhaylenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Imman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mykhaylenko defends it easily.
Mykhaylenko preventing the sweep.
Imman working a defensive guard here.
Mykhaylenko is looking to stand up but Imman won't let him.

Imman working for a triangle but Mykhaylenko defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imman looking for a sweep. Not yet Imman, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mykhaylenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Imman is keeping the position for now.
Imman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Mykhaylenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Imman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mykhaylenko has managed to get both his arms back between Imman's legs - danger averted.
Mykhaylenko won't allow Imman to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imman is looking to sweep but instead, Mykhaylenko has passed into half guard.
Imman is trying to maintain the position but Mykhaylenko is very close to passing his half guard.
Mykhaylenko prevents Imman from improving his position.

Imman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Imman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imman is trying to keep Mykhaylenko in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kris Imman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jos Mykhaylenko's cut.
That's time! Mykhaylenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Imman tries to clinch but Mykhaylenko is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imman is defended easily by Mykhaylenko.
Mykhaylenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Imman has closed the distance and engaged Mykhaylenko in a clinch.
Imman tries for a takedown but Mykhaylenko manages to get underhooks.
Jos Mykhaylenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Imman.
Imman lands a nice knee to the body.
Imman effectively controlling the action here.
Mykhaylenko misses with a punch to the body.
Mykhaylenko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mykhaylenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kris Imman seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Imman stalling against the cage.
Imman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imman stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mykhaylenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Imman using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Imman crunches a lovely knee into Mykhaylenko's ribcage.
Mykhaylenko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Imman.
A knee to the head by Imman.
Imman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mykhaylenko prevents it.
Imman has Mykhaylenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mykhaylenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Imman is breathing heavily.
Imman holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Imman lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mykhaylenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Imman taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Imman working Mykhaylenko over with knees to the body.
Imman lands an elbow just above Mykhaylenko 's eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Imman landing knees to the head.
Imman prevents Mykhaylenko from breaking the clinch.
Imman landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Imman leaning against his opponent.
Imman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mykhaylenko is defending well for now.
Mykhaylenko tries to circle away but Imman has him pinned against the cage.
Imman is working for takedown but Mykhaylenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Imman missing with knees to the body.
Mykhaylenko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mykhaylenko stops a takedown attempt from Imman.
Imman lands a good knee to the midsection. Mykhaylenko won't want to take too many of those.
Mykhaylenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Mykhaylenko is trying to force a seperation but Imman has the dominant position.
Mykhaylenko has had enough of the clinch but Imman keeps him there for the moment.
Mykhaylenko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Imman missing with knees to the body.
Mykhaylenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Imman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mykhaylenko up against the cage.
Imman landing knees to the body.
Imman looking to throw knees to the head but Mykhaylenko is blocking nicely.
Imman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mykhaylenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mykhaylenko throws a wild body kick that Imman sees coming a mile off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mykhaylenko throws a sloppy head kick and Imman moves out of range easily.

Mykhaylenko closes the distance and pushes Imman back into the cage.
Mykhaylenko is pressed up against the cage. Imman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mykhaylenko down to the mat. Mykhaylenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Imman avoids the head kick by Mykhaylenko.

Mykhaylenko has managed to clinch.
Imman landing knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imman looking to slow down the pace here.
Mykhaylenko is trying to break the clinch but Imman is controlling him.
Imman working Mykhaylenko over with knees to the body.
Imman prevents a body shot from Mykhaylenko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mykhaylenko's defenses.
Imman displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mykhaylenko up against the cage.
Imman utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kris Imman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jos Mykhaylenko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mykhaylenko moves into the clinch successfully.
Imman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mykhaylenko's efforts to push away.
The referee is keeping an eye on Imman - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mykhaylenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mykhaylenko wants to stall.
Mykhaylenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mykhaylenko tries a knee to the head but Imman blocks it.
Imman tries for a takedown but Mykhaylenko manages to get underhooks.
Imman crunches a lovely knee into Mykhaylenko's ribcage.
Imman landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mykhaylenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jos Mykhaylenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Imman.
Mykhaylenko is trying to break the clinch but Imman is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mykhaylenko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Imman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mykhaylenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Imman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Imman shoots in for a double leg but Mykhaylenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mykhaylenko throws a head kick but Imman moves out of range.
Mykhaylenko dives in and grabs Imman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Imman pushes down on Mykhaylenko's head and hops out.
Imman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mykhaylenko circles away.
Mykhaylenko jabs at Imman's body.
Mykhaylenko misses with a wild combination.
Jos Mykhaylenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mykhaylenko drives through with a takedown into Imman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mykhaylenko has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Imman is proving hard to escape from.
Imman is trying to keep Mykhaylenko in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Imman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mykhaylenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mykhaylenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mykhaylenko wants to control from the top but Imman keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Imman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Imman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imman manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mykhaylenko is controlling an arm, preventing Imman from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Mykhaylenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mykhaylenko tries to lock up and control but Imman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Imman wants to control the pace but Mykhaylenko is squirming around nicely.
Imman throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kris Imman has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Imman moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Mykhaylenko has worked his arm free - good work by Mykhaylenko!
Imman wants to control but Mykhaylenko is keeping him busy.
Imman staying calm.
Mykhaylenko struggling a bit here.
Jos Mykhaylenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kris Imman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imman misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kris Imman.
I've got Imman winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kris Imman!
Kris Imman took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========# for their support in the buildup to the fight.