PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Zapelini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erikton Mihai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Zapelini
vs
Mihai

184 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Zapelini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Erikton Mihai!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zapelini has taken the fight to the clinch.
Zapelini lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mihai backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Mihai's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.
Mihai looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Zapelini closes the distance and clinches.
Zapelini tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mihai just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zapelini wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mihai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Mihai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zapelini fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sloppy strikes from Mihai. Those never looked like landing.
Mihai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zapelini has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Zapelini. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zapelini drives through and clinches with Mihai against the cage.

Mihai successfully pulls guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mihai pulls Zapelini in close to his closed guard and prevents Zapelini from doing any damage or advancing position.
We've been hearing good reports from Zapelini's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapelini throwing strikes from guard but Mihai blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zapelini gets to his feet - Mihai follows without any prompting.
Mihai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Erikton Mihai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zapelini throws a right hand that Mihai ducks under and follows up with a left that Mihai also avoids with ease.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Zapelini manages to break the clinch.

Zapelini has managed to clinch.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.

Zapelini has closed the distance and engaged Mihai in a clinch.
Mihai missing with knees to the body.
Zapelini pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Mihai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zapelini smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapelini lands a glancing blow to the side of Mihai's head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zapelini tries to land knees in the clinch but Mihai avoids the damage to the body.
Zapelini looking to slow down the pace here.
Zapelini misses with an elbow strike.
Zapelini misses with a punch on the inside.
Zapelini is trying to break free.

Mihai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zapelini lands a jab to Mihai's midsection.

Mihai has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mihai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zapelini shoots in for a takedown but Mihai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Zapelini moves into the clinch successfully.

Mihai jumps guard and drags Zapelini to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Zapelini preventing the sweep.
Mihai looks winded!
Mihai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zapelini postures up.
Mihai has control of Zapelini's left arm, preventing Zapelini from doing any damage.
Zapelini throwing strikes from guard but Mihai blocks nicely.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zapelini wants to control from the top but Mihai keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Zapelini clinches up against the cage.
Zapelini misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapelini trying to land knees to the body.
Mihai prevents the takedown attempt.
Zapelini wants to break free but Mihai has control.
Zapelini is trying to break free.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Zapelini jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mihai walks away with a smile on his face. Zapelini gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Zapelini gets a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapelini trying to land knees to the body.
Mihai has Zapelini pressed against the cage, preventing Zapelini from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Mihai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zapelini darts in and clinches Mihai up against the cage.
Zapelini is trying to break free.
Zapelini has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mihai after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Zapelini dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mihai misses with a wild combination.

Mihai closes the distance and clinches.
Zapelini avoiding damage as Mihai throws knees to the body.
Zapelini tries for a takedown but Mihai manages to get underhooks.
Zapelini can't find room to land a body shot as Mihai controls the action.

Mihai breaks the clinch.

Zapelini gets tackled into the cage by Mihai. Mihai maintains the clinch.
Zapelini misses with an elbow strike.
Mihai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zapelini walks away with a smile on his face. Mihai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mihai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Zapelini clinches up against the cage.
Mihai prevents Zapelini from breaking the clinch.
Mihai gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zapelini.
Zapelini is trying to break the clinch but Mihai has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapelini working aggressively here.

Mihai breaks the clinch.
Zapelini shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mihai defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Zapelini. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mihai pushes Zapelini up against the cage in a clinch.
Zapelini misses with an elbow strike.
Mihai avoids a wild elbow strike from Zapelini.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mihai.
Zapelini is trying to force a seperation but Mihai has the dominant position.
Zapelini jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mihai walks away with a smile on his face. Zapelini gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mihai instigates a clinch.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mihai.
Mihai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rafael Zapelini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zapelini's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mihai under the eye.

Zapelini drives through and clinches with Mihai against the cage.
Zapelini gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihai working Zapelini over with knees to the body.
Zapelini is trying to break the clinch but Mihai has him pressed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Mihai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mihai misses with a double jab.
Zapelini throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Zapelini has Mihai up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapelini content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zapelini lands a left hand.
Zapelini tries to pull guard but Mihai holds him up against the cage and eventually Zapelini drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mihai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice defenses there by Mihai.

Zapelini forces Mihai back against the cage and clinches.
Mihai fails to pull guard.
Zapelini fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.
Mihai avoids the head kick by Zapelini.
Mihai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zapelini.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zapelini tries to keep at a distance but Mihai has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mihai ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mihai no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Zapelini stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Mihai moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zapelini managing to block the knees to the body from Mihai.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.

Mihai forces Zapelini back against the cage and clinches.
Zapelini goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mihai prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mihai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rafael Zapelini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zapelini throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Erikton Mihai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mihai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zapelini circles away quickly and effectively.
Zapelini scores with a sloppy right hand. Mihai should have avoided that one.

Mihai has managed to clinch.

Mihai jumps guard and drags Zapelini to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Zapelini wants to control from the top but Mihai keeps moving.
Zapelini with a flurry of punches that miss.

Mihai is working an open guard so Zapelini takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mihai scores with the left hand. Zapelini knows he should have avoided that one.
Mihai throws a sloppy head kick and Zapelini moves out of range easily.

Mihai gets tackled into the cage by Zapelini. Zapelini maintains the clinch.

Mihai manages to break the clinch.
Mihai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zapelini moves into the clinch successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mihai manages to break the clinch.
Zapelini connects with a crisp jab.

Mihai tries to keep at a distance but Zapelini has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mihai blocks the elbow strike.
Mihai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zapelini avoids it.
Mihai dodges an elbow strike from Zapelini.
Zapelini throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zapelini wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mihai is trying to break free.
Mihai blocking some punches.
Zapelini with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Zapelini tries to break free but Mihai pushes him back against the cage.
Zapelini throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mihai breaks the clinch.

Zapelini gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zapelini has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mihai jumps guard but Zapelini stands there with Mihai around his waist. Mihai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zapelini throws a head punch that misses.

Mihai jumps into guard, dragging Zapelini to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapelini engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mihai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zapelini trying to control the position from guard on top but Mihai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zapelini gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mihai clinches.
Mihai lands a nice shot to the body.
Zapelini is looking for a takedown.
Zapelini wants to break free but Mihai has control.
Zapelini lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mihai backwards.
Zapelini swings wildly with an uppercut but Mihai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mihai jumps guard but Zapelini stands there with Mihai around his waist. Mihai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zapelini scores a nice knee to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zapelini throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Zapelini.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Zapelini wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zapelini misses with a punch on the inside.
Zapelini tries to pull guard but Mihai forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zapelini is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mihai is defending well for now.
Mihai keeps control of Zapelini as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zapelini misses with an elbow over the top.

Mihai breaks from the clinch.
Mihai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Zapelini showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zapelini 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Zapelini!