PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dominickoy Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikhail Van Kirkland has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Palhares
vs
Van Kirkland

193 cm
38
222 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

194 cm
33
285 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dominickoy Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Kirkland clinches.
Palhares has Van Kirkland pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Van Kirkland manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Palhares is looking for a takedown.
Van Kirkland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Van Kirkland is pressed up against the cage. Palhares has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Van Kirkland down to the mat. Van Kirkland avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominickoy Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palhares tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Kirkland sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Palhares somewhat.

Van Kirkland shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Palhares is trying to defend but Van Kirkland finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Van Kirkland working over Palhares with some ground and pound. Palhares looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Palhares looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Palhares works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Palhares is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Van Kirkland trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Palhares is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Van Kirkland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Van Kirkland with a flurry of punches that miss.

Palhares had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Kirkland defends it easily.
Van Kirkland chips away with some ground and pound.
Van Kirkland is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Van Kirkland looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Kirkland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van Kirkland throws a big elbow that misses.

Palhares looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palhares looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Van Kirkland trying to control the position from guard on top but Palhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Palhares is looking for a triangle but Van Kirkland pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Van Kirkland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Palhares throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Palhares throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van Kirkland is in close to Palhares's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Palhares is rocked!
Van Kirkland loads up on a big left hand. Palhares felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Van Kirkland looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Palhares can't hide his disappointment, as Van Kirkland celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Van Kirkland!
In defeat, Dominickoy Palhares stepped up to the mic, saying 'great fight'.