PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr Joshua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaly Minakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Joshua
vs
Minakov

193 cm
20
255 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
249 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Good elbows
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Spartan 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Joshua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitaly Minakov!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Eliza Hachem and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joshua lands a jab.
Joshua takes a swing at Minakov's ribcage but misses.
Joshua throws a right and a left that Minakov avoids nicely.
Minakov walks into a straight right hand from Joshua.

It looks like Vitaly Minakov has been cut.
Minakov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Joshua.
Joshua lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Minakov moves away from the strike by Joshua.
Joshua slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joshua misses with a few strikes there.
Joshua throws a combination that misses

and Minakov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minakov controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minakov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Minakov is fighting to break Joshua's control of his arms but Joshua is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Minakov drops back looking for a leg! Joshua is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Joshua manages to kick Minakov off! Minakov jumps back into Joshua's guard.
Joshua has his hands on Minakov's head, controlling the position.
Minakov postures up in Joshua's guard and throws a big left but Joshua blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Minakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Joshua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Minakov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Minakov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Minakov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Minakov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Joshua manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Minakov fails with a takedown attempt.
As Minakov looks to move away, Joshua throws a big counter combo but Minakov just gets out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joshua fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Joshua comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
No joy there for Joshua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Minakov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Joshua defends it well.
Joshua lands a really nice looking cross but Minakov seems unphased.

Minakov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Minakov is stalling in the full guard.
Minakov wants to control from the top but Joshua keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Minakov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Minakov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Minakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Joshua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joshua has his hands on Minakov's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Minakov won't allow Joshua to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Joshua dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitaly Minakov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck for Minakov with that takedown attempt.
Joshua cracks Minakov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Joshua throws a looping overhand right but Minakov ducks down to avoid it.
Joshua throws a jab but it's blocked by Minakov.
Joshua throws a body punch but Minakov moves out of range.
Minakov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Minakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Minakov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Minakov is working away from the top position though.
Minakov wants to pass the guard but Joshua is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Minakov is still trying to improve position.
Minakov keeps trying to improve his position.
Minakov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Joshua's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minakov throws a strike but Joshua avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Joshua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Minakov landing with the ground and pound.
Joshua keeping moving, preventing Minakov from controlling successfully.

Minakov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Minakov wants to control from the top but Joshua keeps moving.
Joshua on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Joshua tries to get out of the position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minakov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Minakov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Joshua's head.
Minakov wants to control from the top but Joshua keeps moving.
Minakov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Joshua changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Joshua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Joshua fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua swinging wildly here.
Mr Joshua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minakov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joshua.
Joshua throws a nice looking combination but Minakov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Joshua misses with a looping left.
Minakov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Joshua throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minakov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joshua is fending him off so far but Minakov persists. Nope, Joshua circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sloppy strikes from Joshua. Those never looked like landing.
Minakov with the counter takedown but Joshua avoids it easily.
Joshua throws a looping overhand right but Minakov ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Joshua dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vitaly Minakov's cut.
That's time! Joshua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Joshua lands a jab-cross combination.
Joshua lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Joshua misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Joshua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Joshua throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've been told by Joshua's head coaches at ICON TOP TEAM that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Minakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joshua tries to avoid it but Minakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joshua to the ground. Joshua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minakov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Joshua drops Minakov with a beautiful combination! Minakov stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Joshua is looking for the KO!

That has opened up Vitaly Minakov's cut even more.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Joshua missing with a left hand there. Minakov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Minakov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua throws a looping overhand right but Minakov ducks down to avoid it.
Minakov shoots for a takedown but Joshua saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Joshua lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

The cut above Vitaly Minakov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Joshua throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minakov.
Joshua takes a swing at Minakov's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Joshua, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Minakov has a takedown stuffed.
An attempted straight right counter from Joshua misses the target.
Mr Joshua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaly Minakov.
Joshua checks a low kick from Minakov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joshua misses with a double jab.
Joshua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Minakov feints the counter takedown.
Joshua throws a nice looking combination but Minakov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Joshua thows a left - swing and a miss!
Minakov with the counter takedown but Joshua avoids it easily.

Minakov pushes Joshua up against the cage in a clinch.
Minakov jumps guard but Joshua stands there with Minakov around his waist. Minakov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Minakov tries to pull guard but Joshua forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joshua letting Minakov take a breather here.
Joshua has a couple of punches blocked by Minakov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Minakov.
Minakov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Joshua is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Minakov can do to turn this around?
Minakov is trying to pull guard but Joshua has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Minakov tries to pull guard but Joshua forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Minakov.
Minakov is trying to force a seperation but Joshua has the dominant position.
Vitaly Minakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Minakov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Joshua has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Joshua creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Minakov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Joshua smiles and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Joshua showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Joshua, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Joshua!