PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Hammer (ranked 5673 p4p, 5305 weight class) and Magomed Mihailov (ranked 591 p4p, 579 weight class). Magomed Mihailov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hammer
vs
Mihailov

170 cm
19
187
0 - 3 - 0

186 cm
19
188
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Hammer!
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, Magomed Mihailov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mihailov lands a really nice looking cross but Hammer seems unphased.
Hammer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mihailov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Hammer moves into the clinch.
Hammer landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hammer tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mihailov avoids it.
Mihailov stalling in the clinch.
Mihailov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mihailov misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mihailov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mihailov misses with a hook.
Hammer takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hammer shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hammer throws a sloppy body shot
and Mihailov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mihailov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hammer in his tracks.
Jack Hammer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Hammer.
A lazy body kick from Hammer
and Mihailov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mihailov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hammer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hammer lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hammer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mihailov tests Hammer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hammer misses with an uppercut. Mihailov saw that one coming.
Mihailov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mihailov throws a shot to the body.
Hammer could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hammer misses with an attempted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mihailov! But no joy.
Hammer wants to clinch up but Mihailov keeps it at a distance.
Hammer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mihailov digs a good hook to Hammer's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hammer rushes Mihailov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov trying to land knees to the body.
Hammer lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mihailov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mihailov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hammer pushes Mihailov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Hammer has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Mihailov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
I really don't envy Mihailov right now.
Hammer really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Mihailov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammer has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov wants to get back to his feet.
What can Mihailov do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Mihailov is trying to get back to his feet but Hammer has full control of the position and if anything, Mihailov has just worked his way into a worse spot.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Mihailov tries to roll but Hammer sticks to his back.

That's four 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.
Hammer lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Hammer.
Hammer throwing damaging strikes from the back! Mihailov could be in trouble here!
Mihailov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Hammer has the hooks in. Mihailov is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Hammer is looking for the choke from the back position but Mihailov is controlling his hands well.
Hammer is riding his opponent, not letting Mihailov buck him off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Magomed Mihailov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mihailov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hammer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mihailov closes the distance and clinches up with Hammer, looking for a takedown. Mihailov pushes Hammer against the cage but Hammer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hammer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mihailov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mihailov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hammer tries to clinch up but Mihailov circles away and keeps his distance.
Hammer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mihailov's sensitive parts.
Mihailov misses with a few strikes there.
Hammer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hammer moves out of range of the strikes.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hammer.
That kick from Hammer tenderised Mihailov's leg. Mihailov is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammer throws a head kick that misses
and Mihailov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hammer throws a lazy uppercut

and Mihailov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mihailov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mihailov throws a strike but Hammer rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've been informed that Mihailov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mihailov wants to get back to his feet but Hammer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hammer controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've been hearing that Hammer has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Hammer seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mihailov for as long as he can get away with.
Jack Hammer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two 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.

Mihailov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mihailov wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammer stays in close to Mihailov's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Magomed Mihailov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hammer moves away from the strike by Mihailov.
Hammer works the jab nicely.
Mihailov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mihailov lands with a shot to the body.

Hammer looking to score a takedown here. Mihailov is defending well but Hammer drives through and ends up in Mihailov's guard.
Mihailov is breathing heavily.
Hammer works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mihailov is trying to get back to full guard.
Mihailov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hammer slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mihailov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hammer has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hammer working aggressively here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hammer blocks an elbow strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jack Hammer will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mihailov checks the leg kick.
Mihailov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice body kick from Hammer.
Mihailov staying out of range there.
Mihailov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hammer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mihailov.
Hammer scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hammer fails with a takedown attempt.
Mihailov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hammer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mihailov moves in looking to clinch but Hammer pushes him off.
A right-left combo lands from Hammer.
Hammer blocks a jab.
Mihailov misses with a looping right.
Hammer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammer walks into a stiff left hand from Mihailov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hammer.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hammer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mihailov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hammer buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hammer throws a lazy uppercut
and Mihailov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mihailov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Mihailov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hammer moves out of range as Mihailov strikes.
Hammer is looking to counter punch.
Mihailov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hammer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mihailov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mihailov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mihailov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mihailov throws out a loose jab but Hammer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mihailov stuffs the takedown.
Hammer sets himself, and Mihailov steps forward looking for the clinch! Hammer avoids it this time.
Hammer throws a chopping leg kick but Mihailov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mihailov.
Mihailov cracks Hammer with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mihailov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hammer's hands.
Mihailov misses with a few strikes there.
Mihailov scores with a jab. Hammer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hammer lands a jab.
Hammer connects with an inside leg kick.
Hammer is looking to clinch but Mihailov is avoiding it.
Nice sprawl there from Mihailov as Hammer shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Hammer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mihailov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hammer's head.
Mihailov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hammer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mihailov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hammer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mihailov thuds his right hand into Hammer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mihailov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hammer tries to avoid it but Mihailov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hammer to the ground. Hammer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mihailov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Hammer clinches up against the cage.
Hammer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mihailov stops a takedown attempt from Hammer.
Mihailov is trying to break the clinch but Hammer has him pressed against the cage.
Mihailov tries to break the clinch but Hammer is controlling the position.
Hammer is leaning against Mihailov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mihailov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hammer scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mihailov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Hammer controlling from mount.

Hammer goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mihailov is on top in guard.
Mihailov controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magomed Mihailov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mihailov 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Magomed Mihailov!
Magomed Mihailov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.