PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vener Galiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonid Mikhail (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Galiev
vs
Mikhail

175 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vener Galiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leonid Mikhail!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Galiev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Galiev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mikhail fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mikhail checks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Mikhail.
A combination from Galiev does no damage.

Mikhail gets a clinch.

Mikhail escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mikhail takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mikhail stuffs the takedown attempt from Galiev. Galiev gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick by Galiev misses

and Mikhail counters with a shoot takedown. Galiev fights it but they end up in guard.

Galiev had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mikhail is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Galiev Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mikhail's back instead.

Galiev working for the choke.
Galiev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galiev doesn't have the hooks in and Mikhail manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Galiev can't keep his opponent in guard - Mikhail advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mikhail tries to stand but can't do so whilst Galiev controls his leg.
Galiev trying to hold on to Mikhail's head to control him but Mikhail postures up.
Mikhail not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Galiev wants to improve his position but Mikhail is controlling well.

Mikhail stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikhail throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Mikhail shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Galiev is not content to let Mikhail control the position.

Mikhail is working for a kimura but Galiev is defending it quite comfortably.
Mikhail is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Galiev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mikhail passes into side control, despite Galiev's attempt to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Galiev is trying to get back to half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Galiev throws a lazy head kick

and Mikhail counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Galiev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mikhail is working away from the top position though.
Galiev gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mikhail avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mikhail wants to control from the top but Galiev keeps moving.
Galiev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mikhail!
Galiev looking to control but Mikhail is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mikhail is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mikhail sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonid Mikhail dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mikhail shoots in and bounces Galiev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mikhail decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Galiev gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Galiev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Galiev looking to control.
Mikhail tries to stand but Galiev is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mikhail drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mikhail jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galiev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mikhail tries to stand but Galiev is controlling from the bottom.

Mikhail stands up and waves to Galiev to follow him.

Mikhail shoots in and bounces Galiev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Galiev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Mikhail has picked Galiev up and slammed him! Galiev can't keep hold of the triangle and Mikhail manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galiev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mikhail's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mikhail wants to pass to mount but Galiev is defending the position.

Galiev actively working from the bottom here.
Galiev wants to control but Mikhail is keeping busy.
Galiev gets full guard.
Mikhail postures up.
Mikhail passes into half guard.

Mikhail stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Galiev to get to his feet.
Leonid Mikhail is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mikhail lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mikhail.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhail doesn't manage to clinch there - Galiev circles away.
Mikhail is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mikhail throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Galiev.

Galiev tries to keep at a distance but Mikhail has taken the fight into the clinch.

Mikhail escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mikhail moves in looking to clinch but Galiev pushes him off.

Mikhail shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Mikhail working for a guillotine from mount but Galiev is in no mood to give up.

Mikhail is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikhail blocks a low kick nicely.
Galiev throws a lazy head kick

so Mikhail counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Galiev looking for a sweep. Not yet Galiev, not yet.

Galiev is looking for a triangle but Mikhail pushes his legs off easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Galiev 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mikhail gets to his feet - Galiev follows without any prompting.
Galiev misses with the body kick
and Mikhail counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Galiev is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mikhail tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonid Mikhail showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Galiev throws a lazy head kick

so Mikhail counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Mikhail stands and steps away. Galiev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Mikhail closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mikhail lands in his opponent's guard.
Galiev looking for a sweep. Not yet Galiev, not yet.

Mikhail gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Galiev throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mikhail on the side of the head.
Galiev throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Mikhail moves into the clinch.
Galiev looking to slow down the pace here.
Mikhail throws a knee to the head but misses.

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

Mikhail darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mikhail tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Galiev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galiev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Galiev looking for a sweep. Not yet Galiev, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mikhail turns into Galiev and is now in his guard.
Leonid Mikhail has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mikhail stands up and waves to Galiev to follow him.
A head kick misses from Galiev.
Galiev throws a nice head kick!
Galiev misses with a head kick.
Mikhail avoids the head kick by Galiev.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Galiev, right into the meat.
Galiev moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Galiev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mikhail's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galiev throws a sloppy head kick and Mikhail moves out of range easily.
Galiev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mikhail shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Galiev as he jumps to the side.
A head kick misses from Galiev.
Mikhail is looking to clinch but Galiev is avoiding it.
Mikhail connects with a high kick.

Mikhail has closed the distance and engaged Galiev in a clinch.
Mikhail with a knee to the head.
Mikhail lands a knee to the head.
Mikhail using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Mikhail jumps guard.
Galiev wants to control from the top but Mikhail keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Mikhail is retaining full guard.
Mikhail is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mikhail manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Galiev manages to get himself to full guard.
Galiev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mikhail's guard.
Galiev looking to pass the guard.
Mikhail looking to hit a scissor sweep but Galiev is one step ahead there.
Vener Galiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Galiev passes into half guard.

Mikhail is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Galiev pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonid Mikhail comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mikhail 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonid Mikhail!