PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gary Busioni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Mitrovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Busioni
vs
Mitrovic

185 cm
26
250 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

198 cm
18
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Supreme Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gary Busioni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Mitrovic!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitrovic throws a shot to the body.
Busioni shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mitrovic sprawls well. Mitrovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Busioni gets slowly back to his feet.
Busioni falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mitrovic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Busioni feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mitrovic's calf.
Busioni will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Busioni has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Busioni there as he acknowledges the shot.
Busioni shoots in for a takedown but Mitrovic shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Busioni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Busioni walks into a stiff left hand from Mitrovic.

It looks like Gary Busioni has been cut.
Mitrovic is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mitrovic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Busioni darts in and clinches Mitrovic up against the cage.
Busioni stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Busioni with a knee to the head.

It looks like Ivan Mitrovic has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Busioni using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitrovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Busioni fails to pull guard.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Busioni.
Busioni tries to pull guard but Mitrovic won't allow it.
Mitrovic is pressed up against the cage. Busioni has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mitrovic down to the mat. Mitrovic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mitrovic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mitrovic misses with a looping right.
Mitrovic scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mitrovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Busioni instigates a clinch.
Mitrovic prevents the takedown attempt.

Busioni breaks from the clinch.

Busioni moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Busioni drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mitrovic pulls his leg out and moves away.
Busioni throws a push kick but Mitrovic slaps the foot to one side.
Mitrovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mitrovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Busioni lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mitrovic circles away quickly and effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Busioni avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Busioni was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Busioni could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mitrovic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mitrovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Busioni.
Mitrovic only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mitrovic.

Busioni gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Busioni blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Busioni is trying to pull guard but Mitrovic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mitrovic taking a breather.
Busioni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mitrovic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Busioni avoids it.
Mitrovic throws a head punch that misses.
Mitrovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Busioni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Busioni lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Busioni drags the fight down to the ground.
Busioni might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Busioni has his foot on Mitrovic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mitrovic works his way back into a safe position though.

Busioni has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Mitrovic has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Mitrovic misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Busioni jumps guard and drags Mitrovic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Busioni is on top in guard.

Busioni stands and throws Mitrovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Busioni in side control, throwing shots but Mitrovic defends.

Busioni working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Busioni working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Mitrovic will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mitrovic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Busioni checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mitrovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Busioni.
Mitrovic leaves Busioni with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Busioni tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mitrovic swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Busioni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Busioni will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Busioni moves out of range of the body kick from Mitrovic.
Busioni fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Busioni closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Busioni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mitrovic!
Ivan Mitrovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mitrovic scores with a jab. Busioni acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Busioni scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A cross from Mitrovic lands.
Busioni misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mitrovic wants to land a leg kick but Busioni is out of range.
Busioni throws a big counter combination but Mitrovic scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ivan Mitrovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mitrovic clobbers Busioni with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mitrovic connects with a right hand. Busioni shakes it off.
Busioni moves forwards but Mitrovic connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gary Busioni is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mitrovic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mitrovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Busioni looks for a takedown but Mitrovic sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Busioni moves out of range of the leg kick from Mitrovic.
Busioni went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Busioni changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mitrovic looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Busioni wants to control but Mitrovic is keeping him busy.
Mitrovic is letting Busioni control him for a moment.
Busioni misses with the ground and pound.

Busioni decides to stand back up. Busioni steps back and let's Mitrovic get back to his feet.
Mitrovic throws a nice looking combination but Busioni bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mitrovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Mitrovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Busioni is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mitrovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Busioni changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mitrovic tries to avoid it but Busioni manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mitrovic to the ground. Mitrovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mitrovic's jab looks to have found its range, popping Busioni under the eye.

Busioni rushes Mitrovic and presses him up against the cage.
Busioni struggles to land a body shot inside as Mitrovic controls his hands.

Busioni has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mitrovic uses from the top position.
Mitrovic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Busioni managing to control the position.
Busioni looking for a sweep. Not yet Busioni, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Busioni bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mitrovic's guard.

Busioni is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Busioni stands and throws Mitrovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Mitrovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Busioni throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mitrovic's waist but Mitrovic gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Busioni off to one side.
Mitrovic lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Busioni shoots in for a takedown but Mitrovic shows good takedown defense.
Mitrovic throws out a counter right but Busioni avoids it with no problem.
Mitrovic misses with an uppercut

and Busioni counters by moving into the clinch.

Busioni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Busioni.
Mitrovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Busioni is just out of range.
Busioni walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Mitrovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Busioni feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Busioni. Those never looked like landing.
Busioni fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mitrovic avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Busioni. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Busioni forces Mitrovic back against the cage and clinches.
Mitrovic working aggressively here.
Busioni is trying to pull guard but Mitrovic has him pressed against the cage.
Mitrovic taking a breather.
Mitrovic misses with the head strike.
Gary Busioni has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Busioni is struggling to control the position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitrovic's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Busioni pushes Mitrovic off and scrambles back to his feet.

Busioni instigates a clinch.

Busioni successfully pulls guard.

Busioni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mitrovic is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Busioni seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Busioni working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mitrovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mitrovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mitrovic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Busioni lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ivan Mitrovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mitrovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mitrovic can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Busioni controls the pace.
Busioni sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mitrovic's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitrovic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Busioni.
Mitrovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Busioni. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Busioni passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mitrovic!
Busioni throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Busioni looking to secure an arm triangle but Mitrovic defends it well.
Poor strikes thrown by Busioni there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Busioni showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mitrovic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Mitrovic!