PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jean Ponce (ranked 4923 p4p, 562 weight class) and Mike Mikson (ranked 2201 p4p, 320 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ponce
vs
Mikson

182 cm
22
221 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
220 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jean Ponce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Mikson!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ponce has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mikson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ponce avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mikson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Ponce breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mikson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mikson goes for a double leg but Ponce avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ponce continues to drive forward.
Ponce seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Jean Ponce has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Mikson.
Ponce shoots in and drives through. Mikson sprawls well.
Mikson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ponce defends it nicely.
Ponce throws a good cross that connects.
Ponce works Mikson's body with a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ponce tries for a takedown but Mikson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ponce misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ponce tries a head kick but it misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mikson or perhaps it was just good defense by Ponce, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponce doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mikson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Ponce scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Mikson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ponce is fending him off so far but Mikson persists. Nope, Ponce circles away and we're back to standing.
Jean Ponce seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ponce throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mikson.
Ponce shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mikson as he avoids it easily.
And Mikson tries to counter it with a takedown but Ponce pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ponce throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Mikson counters with a single leg into guard. Ponce didn't expect that.
Ponce is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mikson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mikson wants to pass the guard but Ponce is keeping the position.
Ponce can't keep his opponent in guard - Mikson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Mikson seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikson wants to work for an arm triangle but Ponce is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Mikson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ponce has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mikson is trying to control. Ponce wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Mikson is trying to work for a kimura but Ponce is defending well.
Ponce is trying to stand back up but Mikson is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mikson is working for a submission of some sort.
Mikson not doing much here.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mikson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

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

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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mikson wants to pass to mount but Ponce is defending the position.

Mikson wants to work for an arm triangle but Ponce is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ponce looks like he's trying to stand up.

Mikson has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Ponce defend it? Mikson steps over the head and cranks it - Ponce is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Mikson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mike Mikson!
A victorious Mike Mikson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.