PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Riordan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Riordan
vs
Filipovic

184 cm
30
223 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

188 cm
20
213 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Sydney BEAST Clothing

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 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tommy Riordan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mirko Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riordan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Filipovic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Riordan scrambles back to his feet.
Riordan thows a body shot but no joy.
Riordan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Filipovic.
Riordan throws a hook but Filipovic blocks it.
Riordan throws a right and a left that Filipovic avoids nicely.
Riordan misses with a two punch combination.
Filipovic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Riordan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Filipovic is fending him off so far but Riordan persists. Nope, Filipovic circles away and we're back to standing.
Riordan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Filipovic lands a head kick. Riordan smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tommy Riordan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Riordan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Filipovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Riordan takes it in his stride.
A slow jab from Riordan misses its intended target.
Filipovic cracks Riordan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Riordan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from Filipovic.
Riordan misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riordan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Filipovic throws a series of strikes that have Riordan backpedaling.
Filipovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Filipovic is looking to slow Riordan down with leg kicks.
Riordan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Filipovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Riordan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Filipovic!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Riordan lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The strikes coming from Riordan are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Riordan lands a decent elbow from side control.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet.
Riordan fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Riordan working the ground and pound.
Filipovic managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Riordan.
Filipovic is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Riordan has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Riordan throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Filipovic works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Filipovic is trying to stand.
Filipovic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Filipovic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Riordan connects with a nice short shot to Filipovic's temple.
Riordan throwing shots but Filipovic is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic tries to kick Riordan off but Riordan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Filipovic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Riordan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Filipovic is looking to escape.
Riordan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Riordan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Filipovic is trying to stand back up but Riordan is controlling him
Riordan scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riordan winds up and cracks Filipovic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Riordan not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic regains full guard. Nicely done.
Riordan working some strikes from top position.
Riordan landing with the ground and pound.
Riordan lands a couple of elbows.
Filipovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Filipovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Filipovic wants to stand and escape but Riordan is having none of it.
Riordan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Filipovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Filipovic has his foot on Riordan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Riordan works his way back into a safe position though.
Filipovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Riordan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Riordan wants to pass the guard but Filipovic is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tommy Riordan will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A looping hook to the body misses from Riordan. Filipovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Riordan fails with a takedown attempt.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic tests Riordan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Riordan has a takedown stuffed.

Riordan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Riordan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Riordan won't allow Filipovic to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Filipovic wriggles free and stands up.
Riordan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Filipovic misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jab from Filipovic.
Filipovic avoids the body shot from Riordan.
Filipovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Riordan.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Riordan avoids it well.
Filipovic lands a really nice looking cross but Riordan seems unphased.
Filipovic works over Riordan's head and body with a nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riordan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Filipovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Riordan thows a body shot but no joy.
Filipovic slips a jab and a cross from Riordan.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Filipovic finds it's way through Riordan's defenses.
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Riordan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Riordan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Riordan is looking to wear down Filipovic with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Riordan takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Riordan closes the distance and clinches up with Filipovic, looking for a takedown. Riordan pushes Filipovic against the cage but Filipovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Riordan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic lands an overhand right.
Tommy Riordan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Filipovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Riordan lands a jab to Filipovic's midsection.
Filipovic throws a hook to the side of Riordan's head but Riordan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Filipovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Riordan swinging wildly here.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Riordan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Riordan misses with an uppercut.
Filipovic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Riordan.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Riordan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Filipovic moves away from the strike by Riordan.
Filipovic has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riordan fails with the takedown.
Riordan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A right-left combo lands from Filipovic.
A combination from Filipovic does no damage.
Filipovic slips a jab from Riordan.
Riordan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Filipovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Riordan.
Filipovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Riordan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Filipovic defends well and Riordan ends up having to push Filipovic into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Riordan has him pressed against the cage.
Filipovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Filipovic stalling in the clinch but Riordan improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic is trying to break the clinch but Riordan has him pressed against the cage.
Filipovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Riordan won't allow it.

Riordan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Filipovic scores with a head kick. Riordan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Riordan lands a jab-cross combination.
Riordan throws a jab when Filipovic was well out of range.
Filipovic fakes the leg kick and cracks Riordan in the body.
Riordan throws a jab but it's blocked by Filipovic.
Nice uppercut lands for Riordan. That snapped Filipovic's head back.
Filipovic pushes Riordan away with a front kick.
Riordan misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Filipovic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Filipovic tries to bum rush Riordan with a series of wild strikes but Riordan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Filipovic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
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.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Riordan darts in looking for a takedown but Filipovic gets double underhooks and turns Riordan into the cage.
Filipovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Riordan is trying to pull guard but Filipovic has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Filipovic - that landed with a thud.

Riordan breaks from the clinch.
Filipovic ducks under a wild hook from Riordan.
Filipovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Riordan has time to react.
Filipovic avoids the body shot from Riordan.
Filipovic misses with the combination.
Riordan blocks a head kick by Filipovic.
Riordan misses with an uppercut.
Filipovic throws a good cross that connects.

Riordan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Filipovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riordan landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
You can see the frustration on Filipovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Riordan stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Riordan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Riordan throws a series of punches but Filipovic avoids them all with ease.
Filipovic with a hook.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riordan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Filipovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
A lazy left from Filipovic finds it's target.

Filipovic tries to sprawl but Riordan drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Filipovic has one foot on Riordan's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A combination from Riordan does no damage.
Riordan missing with a left hand there. Filipovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Filipovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Riordan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Riordan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Riordan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Filipovic counters with a slapping leg kick.
Filipovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Riordan. That did some damage!
Filipovic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Riordan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Riordan throws a right and a left that Filipovic avoids nicely.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic scores with a jab to the head.
Filipovic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riordan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Filipovic under the eye.
Riordan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Riordan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic throws a combination. Riordan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Filipovic cracks Riordan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Filipovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jab by Filipovic.

Riordan gets a takedown into half guard.
Filipovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Riordan.
Riordan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Filipovic pushes Riordan off looking to stand but Riordan dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riordan lands with a punch from half guard.

Filipovic manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Riordan keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Filipovic is pressed up against the cage. Riordan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Filipovic down to the mat. Filipovic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Riordan darts in looking for a takedown but Filipovic gets double underhooks and turns Riordan into the cage.

Riordan breaks the clinch.
Filipovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Filipovic tries to bum rush Riordan with a series of wild strikes but Riordan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Riordan takes one on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic throws a combination. Riordan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Filipovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Riordan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Riordan with a flurry of punches that miss.

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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

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