PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Devlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Filitov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Devlin
vs
Filitov

172 cm
19
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

169 cm
22
160 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonathan Devlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Filitov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Filitov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Filitov is working for a kimura but Devlin is defending it quite comfortably.
Devlin tries to kick Filitov off but Filitov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Filitov is working for a kimura but Devlin is defending it quite comfortably.

Filitov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Devlin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Devlin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Filitov on the ground.

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

Filitov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Filitov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Filitov escapes and gets back to his feet.

Filitov tries to keep at a distance but Devlin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Filitov managing to block the knees to the body from Devlin.
Devlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Devlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Filitov blocking some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Devlin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Filitov's brow.
Devlin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Devlin.
Devlin digs a right hand underneath Filitov's ribcage. Filitov let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Filitov.
Devlin throws an elbow that misses.
Filitov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Devlin is pressed up against the cage. Filitov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Devlin down to the mat. Devlin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Devlin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Devlin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Devlin pushes off an throws an elbow but Filitov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Devlin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Devlin throws an elbow but misses.
Devlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A short right from Devlin on the inside.
Filitov avoids the elbow strike from Devlin, against the cage.
Devlin presses Filitov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filitov avoids the elbow strike from Devlin, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Devlin.
Filitov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Devlin lands a damaging elbow.
Devlin working aggressively here.
Filitov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Filitov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Filitov is trying to pull guard but Devlin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jonathan Devlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Filitov.
Devlin working Filitov over with knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Devlin.
Devlin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Devlin scores a nice knee to the body.
Filitov looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Devlin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Devlin.
Devlin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Devlin digs a right hand underneath Filitov's ribcage. Filitov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Devlin lands an uppercut.
Devlin scores with a shot to the side of Filitov's head.
Devlin tries to land a knee to the head but Filitov blocks with his arms.
Filitov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Devlin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Devlin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Filitov's brow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filitov avoids a wild elbow strike from Devlin.
Knees in the clinch landing for Devlin.
Filitov tries to pull guard but Devlin holds him up against the cage and eventually Filitov drops back down to his feet.
Devlin lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Devlin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Devlin drives through and clinches with Filitov against the cage.
Devlin lands a nice elbow.
Devlin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short body shot lands from Devlin as the two fighters clinch.
Devlin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Devlin lands a shot to the body.
Devlin lands with a right to the head.
Devlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Devlin lands a body punch.
Devlin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Filitov is defending well for now.
Devlin lands an elbow just above Filitov 's eye.
Devlin gets underhooks to prevent Filitov's takedown attempt.
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!
Devlin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Devlin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Filitov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filitov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Devlin.
Devlin pushes Filitov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Devlin misses with a knee to the head.
Filitov dodges an elbow strike from Devlin.
Devlin missing with knees to the body.
Devlin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Filitov managing to block the knees to the body from Devlin.
Jonathan Devlin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Devlin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Filitov's brow.
Filitov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Devlin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Filitov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Devlin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Devlin lands a right hand.
Devlin missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filitov blocking some punches.
Devlin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Devlin lands a shoulder strike.
Filitov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Filitov lands a knee to the body.
Filitov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Filitov struggles to land a body shot inside as Devlin controls his hands.
Devlin controlling the action here for a moment.
Still in the clinch, Devlin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Devlin lands a damaging elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bit of stalling here from Devlin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devlin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Devlin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Devlin missing with knees to the body.
Devlin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Devlin misses with a punch to the body.
Filitov tries to land knees in the clinch but Devlin avoids the damage to the body.
Devlin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Filitov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Devlin.

Filitov has hold of one of Devlin's legs. Devlin is fighting the takedown attempt but Filitov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filitov forces his way into half guard.
Filitov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Devlin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Devlin pushes Filitov off looking to stand but Filitov dives back in and keeps control.
Filitov is looking to take a break and control but Devlin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Devlin is trying to stand.
Filitov is looking to take a break and control but Devlin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mikhail Filitov.

Devlin clinches with his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Filitov blocks a body shot from Devlin.
Filitov avoids a wild elbow strike from Devlin.
Devlin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Devlin dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Devlin moves into the clinch successfully.
Devlin avoiding damage as Filitov throws knees to the body.
Devlin tries to land knees in the clinch but Filitov avoids the damage to the body.
Filitov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Filitov trying to land knees to the body.
Devlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Devlin misses with an elbow strike.

Filitov manages to pull guard.
Devlin wants to get up but he can't break Filitov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filitov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Devlin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devlin wants to get up but he can't break Filitov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Filitov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Devlin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Filitov.
Devlin misses the shot to the body.
Jonathan Devlin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Devlin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Filitov.

Devlin clinches with his opponent.
Devlin avoiding damage as Filitov throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filitov takes an elbow to the temple.
Devlin lands an elbow just above Filitov 's eye.
Devlin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Devlin lands an uppercut.
Devlin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Devlin throws an elbow that misses.
Devlin is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Devlin fails to land.
Filitov goes for a takedown attempt but Devlin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jonathan Devlin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Filitov.
Devlin blocks a head kick by Filitov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filitov shoots in looking for a takedown but Devlin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filitov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Filitov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Devlin quickly recovers to half guard.
Filitov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Filitov is working for a kimura but Devlin is defending it quite comfortably.
Devlin wants to get back to his feet.
Filitov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Devlin keeps working.
Filitov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Devlin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Devlin pushes Filitov off and gets back to his feet.
A cross from Filitov lands.

Filitov gets tackled into the cage by Devlin. Devlin maintains the clinch.
Filitov prevents a body shot from Devlin.
Filitov tries to pull guard but Devlin holds him up against the cage and eventually Filitov drops back down to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Devlin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Filitov's brow.
Devlin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Devlin scores a nice knee to the body.
Devlin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filitov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mikhail Filitov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jonathan Devlin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Devlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Devlin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Devlin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonathan Devlin!