PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hanson Stevennson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stevennson
vs
Filipovic

195 cm
21
259 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hanson Stevennson!
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, Mirko Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevennson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Filipovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Stevennson.

Filipovic closes the distance and pushes Stevennson back into the cage.
Filipovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stevennson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stevennson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevennson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Filipovic.

Filipovic takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Filipovic moves into the clinch.
Filipovic keeps control of Stevennson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Filipovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Filipovic has closed the distance and engaged Stevennson in a clinch.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.

Filipovic gets a clinch.
Filipovic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stevennson wants to break free but Filipovic has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic jumps guard but Stevennson stands there with Filipovic around his waist. Filipovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hanson Stevennson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Filipovic.
Filipovic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stevennson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic instigates a clinch.
Filipovic is trying to drag Stevennson to the mat but Stevennson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Filipovic keeps control of Stevennson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Filipovic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stevennson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevennson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Filipovic tries to clinch but Stevennson is having none of it.

Filipovic rushes Stevennson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic jumps guard but Stevennson stands there with Filipovic around his waist. Filipovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Filipovic trying to land knees to the body.
Stevennson is trying to break free.
Filipovic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Filipovic jumps guard but Stevennson stands there with Filipovic around his waist. Filipovic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stevennson tries to break the clinch but Filipovic is controlling the position.
Filipovic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stevennson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Filipovic landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Filipovic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stevennson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Filipovic breaks from the clinch.
Stevennson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from Stevennson.
Filipovic dodges the punch combination from Stevennson.
A head kick misses from Stevennson.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stevennson is breathing heavily.

Filipovic pushes Stevennson up against the cage in a clinch.
Filipovic looking for a takedown.
Stevennson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Filipovic goes for a takedown attempt but Stevennson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stevennson misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevennson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Filipovic clinches.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stevennson misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Filipovic pushes Stevennson up against the cage in a clinch.
Filipovic fails to pull guard.
Filipovic fails to pull guard.
Filipovic fails to pull guard.

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Filipovic clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Filipovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stevennson throws a lazy head kick

and Filipovic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Filipovic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Stevennson uses from the top position.

Filipovic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevennson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevennson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Filipovic is pulling down on Stevennson's head to control his posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Filipovic instigates a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Filipovic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stevennson smiles and moves away.
Stevennson throws a head kick that misses

and Filipovic counters by moving into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Filipovic.

Stevennson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stevennson throws a head kick but Filipovic moves out of range.
Stevennson throws a sloppy head kick

and Filipovic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Filipovic looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic throws a nice inside leg kick.

Filipovic lands a head kick that stumbles Stevennson and the fighters go to the mat.

Stevennson is rocked!

It looks like Hanson Stevennson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic controlling from the top position.
Filipovic works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Filipovic is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Stevennson wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Despite being in the dominant position, Mirko Filipovic just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Filipovic cracks Stevennson with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Stevennson looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Filipovic finish him?
Oh Stevennson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A slapping body kick lands there for Filipovic.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Filipovic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Filipovic drags the fight down to the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Filipovic can do anything to dispel that myth.
Filipovic is pulling down on Stevennson's head to control his posture.
Stevennson seems to have got his legs back now.

Filipovic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Filipovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Filipovic, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic pulls Stevennson in close to his closed guard and prevents Stevennson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stevennson is looking to stand up but Filipovic won't let him.
Stevennson preventing the sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Filipovic has Stevennson up against the cage in a clinch.

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stevennson throws a lazy head kick

and Filipovic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hand to the body from Filipovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevennson avoids the elbow strike from Filipovic, against the cage.
Filipovic tries to pull guard but Stevennson holds him up against the cage and eventually Filipovic drops back down to his feet.
Hanson Stevennson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Filipovic.
Stevennson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Filipovic has him pressed against the cage.

Filipovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Filipovic misses the shot to the body.
Stevennson throws a head kick that misses
and Filipovic counters with a good, hard body kick but Stevennson shrugs it off.

Filipovic moves into the clinch.
Filipovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Filipovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stevennson pulls his leg out and moves away.

Filipovic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Filipovic is trying to drag Stevennson to the mat but Stevennson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Filipovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hanson Stevennson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Filipovic moves into the clinch.
Stevennson is trying to break free.

Filipovic drags the fight down to the ground.
Filipovic trying to keep a closed guard but Stevennson is proving a slippery customer.

Stevennson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Filipovic, up you get!
A slapping body kick lands there for Filipovic.

Filipovic closes the distance and clinches.
Filipovic fails to pull guard.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.
Filipovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!

Filipovic moves into range and clinches up with Stevennson.
Filipovic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Filipovic can't get the takedown.
Hanson Stevennson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Filipovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stevennson's face.

Hanson Stevennson's cut is getting worse.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stevennson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Filipovic clinches up against the cage.
Filipovic keeps control of Stevennson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Filipovic slowing the pace effectively.
Filipovic tries to land a knee to the head but Stevennson blocks with his arms.
Filipovic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stevennson throws a sloppy head kick

and Filipovic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Filipovic.
Hanson Stevennson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic misses with an elbow over the top.
A nice right hand lands inside from Filipovic.
Filipovic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stevennson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Filipovic goes for a takedown attempt but Stevennson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stevennson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic rushes Stevennson with punches - Stevennson moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, Stevennson goes down! Filipovic follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mirko Filipovic!