PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joao Filho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smirnov has chosen National Anthem Russia as his entrance music. Joao Filho looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Filho
vs
Smirnov

202 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

196 cm
20
268 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joao Filho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filho throws a nice looking combination but Smirnov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Filho throws a right and a left that both miss.
Filho tries to bum rush Smirnov with a series of wild strikes but Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Filho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smirnov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Filho swinging wildly here.
Filho misses with a two punch combination.
Filho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smirnov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Filho tries to bum rush Smirnov with a series of wild strikes but Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smirnov dives in and grabs Filho's left leg, looking for a takedown. Filho pushes down on Smirnov's head and hops out.
Filho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smirnov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Filho throws a series of punches but Smirnov moves out of range.
Filho is breathing heavily.
Filho throws a left and a right that both miss

and Smirnov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Smirnov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Filho is working to avoid the ground and pound but Smirnov connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov advances nicely into full mount.
Smirnov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Smirnov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Filho wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Smirnov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Smirnov controlling from the full mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Filho's face.
Smirnov content just to control the position here.
Filho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smirnov on the ground.
Smirnov landing strikes from the mount.

It looks like Joao Filho has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov is landing with some decent strikes but Filho is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Smirnov cracks Filho with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vladimir Smirnov!