PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taram Douglass (ranked 4942 p4p, 4421 weight class) and Ambrozijs Mikelsons (ranked 484 p4p, 459 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Douglass
vs
Mikelsons

188 cm
18
195
3 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
194
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

World Class MMA Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taram Douglass!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ambrozijs Mikelsons!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mikelsons walks into a stiff left hand from Douglass.
Douglass goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Douglass throws a combination. Mikelsons tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Douglass swinging wildly here.

Mikelsons drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mikelsons prevents Douglass from escaping the position.
Mikelsons throws an elbow but Douglass slips to the side and avoids it well.
Mikelsons looks up at the clock and then as Douglass takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Mikelsons smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mikelsons postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Douglass wants to get back to his feet but Mikelsons drags him back down.
Mikelsons works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Douglass trying to remain calm as Mikelsons controls from the top position.
Mikelsons throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Douglass works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Douglass avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mikelsons.
Mikelsons missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mikelsons is trying to control the action in half guard but Douglass is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Douglass looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Douglass is looking to escape.
Mikelsons thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mikelsons throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mikelsons thows a huge punch but Douglass dodges it nicely.
Mikelsons scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikelsons throwing shots but Douglass is blocking nicely.
Mikelsons seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Mikelsons has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mikelsons thows a huge punch but Douglass dodges it nicely.
Mikelsons wants to take a breather but Douglass is having none of it.
Mikelsons not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mikelsons missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mikelsons with the ground and pound but Douglass uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Douglass can't keep his opponent in guard - Mikelsons advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mikelsons sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Douglass defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Douglass looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mikelsons is just content to waste time from the top position. Douglass takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Mikelsons passes into half guard.
Douglass blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mikelsons.
We've been informed that Mikelsons has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Douglass is looking to escape.
Mikelsons is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mikelsons wants to lay and pray for a moment but Douglass keeps working.
Mikelsons throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mikelsons landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mikelsons is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mikelsons sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Douglass defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Douglass is not content to let Mikelsons control the position.
Mikelsons slows the pace down in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ambrozijs Mikelsons dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mikelsons shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Douglass was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nice takedown defense from Douglass. No joy for Mikelsons on that attempt.
Douglass scores with a body shot.
Mikelsons misses with an uppercut.
Douglass seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Douglass displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mikelsons.
Taram Douglass has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ambrozijs Mikelsons.
A combination from Douglass does no damage.
Mikelsons shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Douglass pinned against the cage. Douglass gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikelsons tries for a takedown but Douglass circles away easily
and Douglass counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikelsons fails with a takedown attempt.
As Mikelsons looks to move away, Douglass throws a big counter combo but Mikelsons just gets out of the way.
Douglass lands a leg kick that knocks Mikelsons off balance momentarily.
No luck for Mikelsons with that takedown attempt.
Taram Douglass is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Left hook, right uppercut from Douglass.
Mikelsons gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Douglass counters with a series of strikes. Mikelsons will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Douglass gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mikelsons to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Mikelsons postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mikelsons working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mikelsons trying to control but Douglass is working from the bottom.
Mikelsons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Mikelsons loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mikelsons trying to control the position from guard on top but Douglass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons working some strikes from top position.
Mikelsons trying to control but Douglass is working from the bottom.
Mikelsons throws a strike but Douglass rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mikelsons looking for a sweep. Not yet Mikelsons, not yet.
Mikelsons is still trying to improve position.
Mikelsons keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons is trying to control the position but Douglass postures up.
Mikelsons is pulling down on Douglass's head. It's preventing any offense from Douglass, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Douglass goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
No luck for Mikelsons with that takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mikelsons has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Douglass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Taram Douglass dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mikelsons shoots and misses
and Douglass counters with a one-two to the body.

Mikelsons moves into the clinch.
Douglass fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Douglass with a knee to the head.
Mikelsons tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Douglass trying to control the position but instead, Mikelsons has worked for underhooks and has pushed Douglass into the cage.
Come on Mikelsons - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Douglass trying to control the position but instead, Mikelsons has worked for underhooks and has pushed Douglass into the cage.
Mikelsons misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Douglass blocks an uppercut.
Douglass is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mikelsons can do to turn this around?
Mikelsons working aggressively here.
Douglass throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mikelsons as Douglass tries to tie him up.
A head punch on the inside from Mikelsons fails to land.
Come on Mikelsons - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mikelsons misses with a punch on the inside.
Mikelsons leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mikelsons tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Douglass's elbow.

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.
Mikelsons leaning against his opponent.
Mikelsons fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Douglass blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mikelsons misses with the head strike.

Mikelsons breaks from the clinch.
Mikelsons tries for a takedown but Douglass circles away easily
and Douglass counters with a low kick, right behind Mikelsons 's knee.
Mikelsons shoots and misses
and Douglass counters with a low kick, right behind Mikelsons 's knee.
Taram Douglass has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ambrozijs Mikelsons.
A big right from Mikelsons misses.
Some wild striking there from Douglass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Douglass pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mikelsons back to the cage. Douglass follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mikelsons shoots and misses
and Douglass counters with a two punch combo.
Mikelsons misses with a takedown attempt
and Douglass counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mikelsons or perhaps it was just good defense by Douglass, which made it look bad.
Douglass seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Mikelsons doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Douglass counters with a series of strikes. Mikelsons will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mikelsons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mikelsons shoots and misses
and Douglass counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Douglass moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mikelsons looks for a takedown but Douglass sprawls well.
Douglass seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Douglass pinned against the cage. Douglass gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mikelsons doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Douglass connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mikelsons has his takedown stuffed
and Douglass counters with a right hand to the body.
Douglass connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mikelsons misses with a takedown
and Douglass counters with a two punch combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Taram Douglass clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Douglass connects with an inside leg kick.

Mikelsons throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Douglass was covering up waiting for the punch and Mikelsons finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mikelsons loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Douglass wants to get back to his feet but Mikelsons is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mikelsons is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikelsons wants to control from the top but Douglass keeps moving.
Mikelsons makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mikelsons's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mikelsons looking to sit in guard and control but Douglass gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Douglass postures up.
Mikelsons tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mikelsons lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons stays in close to Douglass's body and controls the position.
Mikelsons stops Douglass from standing up.
Mikelsons pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Douglass is keeping the position for now.
Mikelsons is looking to work some ground and pound but Douglass has wrist control.
Douglass wants to stand up but Mikelsons is controlling him.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mikelsons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikelsons drives through with a takedown into Douglass's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mikelsons trying to control but Douglass is working from the bottom.
Mikelsons landing with the ground and pound.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Mikelsons wants to pass the guard but Douglass is keeping the position.
Mikelsons working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Douglass keeping full guard, as Mikelsons tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons throwing strikes but missing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mikelsons scoring with some ground and pound.
Mikelsons postures up in Douglass's guard and throws a big left but Douglass blocks it.
Douglass working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mikelsons.
Mikelsons is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mikelsons trying to control but Douglass is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ambrozijs Mikelsons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikelsons with a poor takedown
and Douglass counters with a three punch combo that has Mikelsons backing up. Mikelsons nods at Douglass to acknowledge the strikes.
Mikelsons fails with a takedown attempt.
Douglass seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ambrozijs Mikelsons dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get 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.

Mikelsons dives in for a single leg takedown but Douglass sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Douglass displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mikelsons.
Mikelsons has his takedown stuffed
and Douglass counters with a series of strikes. Mikelsons will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taram Douglass has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ambrozijs Mikelsons.
A low kick lands for Douglass.
Mikelsons doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Douglass counters with a two punch combo.
Taram Douglass is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikelsons misses with a takedown attempt
and Douglass counters with a two punch combo.
Mikelsons is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Mikelsons throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As Mikelsons looks to move away, Douglass throws a big counter combo but Mikelsons just gets out of the way.
Mikelsons tries for a takedown but Douglass circles away easily
and Douglass counters with a series of strikes. Mikelsons will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Douglass gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mikelsons in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mikelsons postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mikelsons trying to control the position from guard on top but Douglass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mikelsons scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikelsons landing with the ground and pound.
Mikelsons cracks Douglass with a solid left hand.
Mikelsons sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Douglass's guard.
Mikelsons looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mikelsons wants to control but Douglass is keeping him busy.
Mikelsons throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mikelsons landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Mikelsons seems content to control.
Douglass on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Douglass is not content to let Mikelsons control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mikelsons shoots for a double leg takedown but Douglass sprawls well. He's pushed Mikelsons's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mikelsons shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Douglass as he avoids it easily.
Douglass lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Douglass.
Mikelsons looks for a takedown but Douglass sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Douglass stalks Mikelsons and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mikelsons's face. Mikelsons staggers backwards, shaken.
Mikelsons misses with a hook.
Mikelsons shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Douglass counters with a stiff right hand.
Mikelsons shoots in and drives through. Douglass sprawls well.
Douglass throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mikelsons has his takedown stuffed
and Douglass counters with a left and a right that stings Mikelsons.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Douglass feints a jab promting Mikelsons to slip. Douglass then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Mikelsons slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taram Douglass showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Douglass has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taram Douglass!