PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Don Petersen (ranked 1124 p4p, 157 weight class) and Gennady Mikhasevich (ranked 1259 p4p, 174 weight class). Petersen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, James Brown- Living in America. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gennady Mikhasevich was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Petersen
vs
Mikhasevich

180 cm
34
175 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

180 cm
28
185 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Don Petersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gennady Mikhasevich!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mikhasevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Petersen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petersen blocks the body kick.
Mikhasevich slips a jab from Petersen.
Petersen missing with a left hand there. Mikhasevich was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mikhasevich lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mikhasevich misses the jab.
Mikhasevich misses with a double jab
letting Petersen counter with a right hand.
Mikhasevich is looking to slow Petersen down with leg kicks.
Petersen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Petersen tries for a takedown but Mikhasevich sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mikhasevich throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Petersen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Petersen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mikhasevich misses with a looping right.
Mikhasevich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mikhasevich misses with a body kick.
Mikhasevich just misses with a punch to the body.
Gennady Mikhasevich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Mikhasevich misses

and Petersen counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhasevich tries to buck Petersen off but Petersen is having none of it.
Mikhasevich is not content to let Petersen control the position.
Mikhasevich can't do much from the bottom here.

Petersen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mikhasevich rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Petersen's guard! Nice work there by Mikhasevich!
Petersen looking for a sweep. Not yet Petersen, not yet.
Petersen is controlling Mikhasevich's posture.
Petersen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen controls Mikhasevich momentarily but Mikhasevich frees himself.
Mikhasevich must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Petersen is controlling Mikhasevich's posture.
Petersen seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Petersen looking to control but Mikhasevich passes into half guard.
Petersen tries to get to full guard but Mikhasevich has control of the leg.
Mikhasevich wants to stand but Petersen has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen tries to roll over but Mikhasevich keeps him under control.
Mikhasevich tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Petersen wants to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Petersen is working hard here to advance position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Petersen scores with a hook.
Mikhasevich misses with a hook. Petersen ducked under it nicely.
Mikhasevich misses with a wild body shot.

Mikhasevich lands a big head kick that sends Petersen tumbling to the mat! Mikhasevich takes a step backwards and waves Petersen back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Petersen throws a hook but Mikhasevich blocks it.
Mikhasevich feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Petersen's calf.
Mikhasevich displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Petersen.
Mikhasevich ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Petersen slips a jab and a cross from Mikhasevich.
Mikhasevich throws out a leg kick but Petersen moves out of range and Mikhasevich only half commits.
Petersen moves out of range as Mikhasevich throws a body kick.
Mikhasevich throws a wild body kick that Petersen sees coming a mile off.

Petersen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mikhasevich looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Petersen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikhasevich knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Petersen trying to control the position but Mikhasevich is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gennady Mikhasevich dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mikhasevich tries a head kick but it misses.
Petersen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Petersen closes the distance and clinches up with Mikhasevich, looking for a takedown. Petersen pushes Mikhasevich against the cage but Mikhasevich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Petersen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Petersen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mikhasevich keeping moving, preventing Petersen from controlling successfully.

Petersen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Petersen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Petersen stays in close to Mikhasevich's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mikhasevich throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Petersen trying to control but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Don Petersen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mikhasevich is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Petersen trying to control but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Petersen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Petersen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Petersen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mikhasevich, who protects the arm well.

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.
Mikhasevich tries to bench press Petersen off him but Petersen keeps the position.
Petersen prevents Mikhasevich from escaping the position.

Petersen is trying to get an arm triangle but Mikhasevich is defending well.
Mikhasevich manages to work his way to half guard, despite Petersen's best efforts.

Mikhasevich actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikhasevich looking for submissions off his back.
Mikhasevich is not content to let Petersen control the position.

Petersen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mikhasevich defends it well.

Petersen is looking for a kimura here.
Mikhasevich holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mikhasevich wants to control but Petersen is keeping busy.

Mikhasevich looking for submissions off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mikhasevich pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Petersen back to the cage. Mikhasevich follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mikhasevich scores with a kick to the midsection.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mikhasevich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petersen.
Mikhasevich throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mikhasevich looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Petersen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mikhasevich swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gennady Mikhasevich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Petersen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Petersen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mikhasevich is staying active underneath Petersen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Petersen is looking for a kimura here.
Mikhasevich is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikhasevich tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Petersen has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Mikhasevich tries to hold on but Petersen postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mikhasevich is looking to escape.
Petersen is really struggling to control Mikhasevich but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Mikhasevich wants to control but Petersen is having none of it.
Petersen controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Petersen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mikhasevich is looking to escape.

Petersen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Mikhasevich has worked his arm free - good work by Mikhasevich!
Petersen trying to control the action but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikhasevich can't do much from the bottom here.
Petersen trying to control the action but Mikhasevich is working from the bottom.
Don Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mikhasevich tries to improve position but can't.

Petersen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mikhasevich is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sloppy strikes there by Petersen.

Petersen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Mikhasevich tries to improve position but can't.

Petersen swings around for an armbar but Mikhasevich sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Petersen's guard.
Petersen has a closed guard, preventing Mikhasevich from standing up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petersen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Petersen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mikhasevich 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gennady Mikhasevich!
A very excited looking Gennady Mikhasevich made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.