PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Poole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Filipovic has chosen Duran Duran as his entrance music. Poole is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Mirko Filipovic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Poole
vs
Filipovic

190 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shawn Poole!
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 Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poole shoots in and drives through. Filipovic sprawls well.
Poole is breathing heavily.
Filipovic displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Filipovic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Filipovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Poole showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Poole sprawling to the canvas. Filipovic follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Poole hang on?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Filipovic decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Poole avoids it well.
A punch combination from Filipovic misses.
Poole avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Poole tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic throws a head kick but Poole moves out of range.
Filipovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Poole fails with a takedown attempt.
Filipovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Poole tries to score a power double leg takedown but Filipovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Poole somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Poole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Filipovic's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Filipovic duly obliges.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Poole.
Filipovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Poole. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Poole shoots for a takedown but Filipovic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Filipovic throws a combination. Poole tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two 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.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Poole avoids it well.
Nice straight punches there by Filipovic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Filipovic.
Poole throws a head kick that half lands.
Filipovic goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Poole shoots in for a takedown but Filipovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Filipovic misses with a low kick.
Filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Poole counters with a head kick.
A left and a right from Filipovic both land. Nice combination.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Poole moves in looking to clinch but Filipovic pushes him off.
A nice combination there by Filipovic.
Poole changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Filipovic tries to avoid it but Poole manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Filipovic to the ground. Filipovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Filipovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Poole counters with a big head kick but Filipovic shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole looks to land a combination. Filipovic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Filipovic throws a lazy head kick
and Poole makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Poole has managed to clinch.
Poole looking to throw knees to the head but Filipovic is blocking nicely.
Filipovic tries to break free but Poole pushes him back against the cage.
Filipovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Poole won't allow it.
Filipovic has had enough of the clinch but Poole keeps him there for the moment.
Filipovic wants to break free but Poole has control.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Poole has him pressed against the cage.
Filipovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Poole is trying to maintain a safe position but Filipovic gets an underhook and turns Poole into the cage.
Filipovic tries to circle away but Poole has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Poole keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Filipovic's efforts to push away.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Poole is controlling him.
Filipovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Filipovic stops a takedown attempt from Poole.
Filipovic tries to circle away but Poole has him pinned against the cage.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Poole is controlling him.
Filipovic working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Filipovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Poole has Filipovic pressed against the cage, preventing Filipovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Filipovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Poole prevents Filipovic from breaking the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses
and Poole counters with an inside leg kick.
Filipovic misses with the combination.
Filipovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Poole manages to avoid it.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Poole showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filipovic.
Poole misses with a jab, cross combination.
Filipovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses
and Poole counters with a big head kick but Filipovic shrugs it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Poole closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Poole lands in his opponent's guard.
Filipovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poole wants to control from the top but Filipovic keeps moving.
Poole postures up in Filipovic's guard and throws a big left but Filipovic blocks it.
Filipovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Filipovic uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Filipovic is working the combinations to good effect here.
Left hook, right uppercut from Filipovic.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a few strikes there.
A head kick by Filipovic misses
and Poole counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Filipovic is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Horrible takedown by Poole or perhaps it was just good defense by Filipovic which made him look bad.
The fight stays on the outside here - Poole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

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.
Filipovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Poole counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Filipovic is staying active underneath Poole, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Poole is really struggling to control Filipovic but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Poole prevents Filipovic from standing back up.

Filipovic makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Poole shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Filipovic pinned against the cage. Filipovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Poole will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Poole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole misses with a head kick.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic throws a series of punches but Poole moves out of range.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Poole avoids it well.
Poole dives in and grabs Filipovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Filipovic pushes down on Poole's head and hops out.
Poole tries to close the distance and clinch but Filipovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Poole walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Poole fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Filipovic, pushing him back against the cage.
Filipovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Filipovic working hard to break the clinch.
Poole wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Poole is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Filipovic is keeping busy.
Filipovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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.
Filipovic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Poole jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Filipovic walks away with a smile on his face. Poole gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Filipovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Poole circles away quickly and effectively.
Filipovic throws a sloppy head kick
and Poole counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Filipovic is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Poole fails with an attempt to clinch.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Poole fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Poole shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Filipovic sprawls well. Filipovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Poole gets slowly back to his feet.
Filipovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Filipovic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Poole tries a head kick but it misses.
Filipovic throws a left and a right that both miss

and Poole holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Poole dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Poole tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jab from Filipovic.
A nice combination there by Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Poole pushes Filipovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Filipovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poole has him pressed against the cage.
Poole tries for a takedown. No joy.
Filipovic tries to circle away but Poole has him pinned against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Filipovic tries to break the clinch but Poole is controlling the position.
Filipovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filipovic can't break the clinch.
Filipovic wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic is trying to force a seperation but Poole has the dominant position.
Poole looking to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Poole.
Poole lands an elbow that stopped Filipovic in his tracks for a moment.
Poole keeps control of Filipovic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Poole tries to land a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks with his arms.
Poole is trying to force a seperation but Filipovic has the dominant position.
Poole misses with a knee strike.
Poole keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Filipovic's efforts to push away.
Poole is trying to maintain a safe position but Filipovic gets an underhook and turns Poole into the cage.

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.
Filipovic is trying to force a seperation but Poole has the dominant position.
Filipovic tries to break free but Poole pushes him back against the cage.
Poole prevents Filipovic from breaking the clinch.
Poole goes for a takedown in the clinch but Filipovic prevents it.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Poole is controlling him.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Filipovic can't break the clinch.
Filipovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Filipovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poole drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Poole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poole has him pressed against the cage.
Poole is trying to force a seperation but Filipovic has the dominant position.
Filipovic tries to break free but Poole pushes him back against the cage.
Poole keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Filipovic's efforts to push away.
Filipovic has Poole pressed against the cage, preventing Poole from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Filipovic working hard to break the clinch.
Filipovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Poole won't allow it.
Filipovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poole has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Poole has Filipovic pressed against the cage, preventing Filipovic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Poole throws an elbow but it misses.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Poole has him pressed against the cage.
Filipovic is trying to force a seperation but Poole has the dominant position.
Poole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Filipovic wants to break free but Poole has control.
Filipovic is trying to force a seperation but Poole has the dominant position.
Filipovic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Poole has him pressed against the cage.
Filipovic working hard to break the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Filipovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Poole has double underhooks.
Filipovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Poole has double underhooks.
Filipovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Filipovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Filipovic 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Filipovic!