PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abu Rock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abu Rock has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rock
vs
Filipovic

182 cm
26
195 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

186 cm
24
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing + 70% laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abu Rock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michal Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rock checks a low kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rock sizes up Filipovic with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Filipovic slips a straight right by Rock.
Filipovic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Filipovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rock.
Rock takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Filipovic slips under a jab.
Rock looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Filipovic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Filipovic throws a head kick that half lands.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Rock feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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 is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rock is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic has momentary wrist control but Rock slips an elbow through the middle.
Rock scoring with some ground and pound.
Rock with a flurry of punches that miss.
Filipovic is looking to stand up but Rock isn't so interested in that idea.
Rock postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet but Rock is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rock slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Filipovic blocks a jab.
Rock tries a head kick but it misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Filipovic.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Rock shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Abu Rock has been cut.
Rock misses with a hook.
Rock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Filipovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Rock.
Filipovic throws a series of strikes that have Rock backpedaling.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
A lazy left from Rock finds it's target.

It looks like Michal Filipovic has been cut.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rock.
Filipovic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A jab lands there for Filipovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Rock with that takedown attempt.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Filipovic lands a big head kick that sends Rock tumbling to the mat! Filipovic takes a step backwards and waves Rock back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Rock is rocked!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Filipovic.
Michal Filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rock changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Filipovic tries to avoid it but Rock 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 tries a head kick but it misses.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rock looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rock is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rock has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rock not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rock has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Rock thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Filipovic's head.
Rock stops Filipovic from getting back to his feet.
Rock throwing shots but Filipovic is blocking nicely.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rock throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rock cracks Filipovic with an open hand slap.
Michal Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Filipovic thows a body kick. Rock tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Filipovic dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Filipovic cracks Rock with an open hand slap.
Filipovic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rock looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Filipovic misses with 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.
Rock blocks a head kick by Filipovic.

Rock fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Filipovic to the ground. Rock is now in Filipovic's guard.
Rock trying to control the position from guard on top but Filipovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Filipovic wants to stand up but Rock is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filipovic can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rock controls the pace.
Filipovic wants to stand up but Rock is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock trying to control but Filipovic is working from the bottom.
Filipovic keeping full guard, as Rock tries to pass.
Rock controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Michal Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rock tries to score a power double leg takedown but Filipovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rock somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nice jab there from Filipovic.
Rock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Filipovic.
Filipovic moves out of range as Rock strikes.
Rock scores with a jab. Filipovic acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rock.
Rock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rock moves out of range of the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock misses with a hook.
Filipovic cracks a nice hook into Rock's ribs.
Rock shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Filipovic sprawls well. Filipovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rock gets slowly back to his feet.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rock.
Rock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Filipovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Rock. Rock gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Rock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Rock misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Michal Filipovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Rock shoots in but no luck this time.
Rock walks forward, straight into a front kick from Filipovic.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Rock is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Filipovic.
Filipovic scores with a jab.
Filipovic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Filipovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rock jabs Filipovic right on the nose. Filipovic blinks but takes it well.
Filipovic lands a slapping body shot.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Rock will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Filipovic moves out of range of the strikes.
Filipovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Rock. Rock gets slowly back to his feet.
Filipovic throws a front kick that sends Rock stumbling back into the cage.
The fighters circling - Rock throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rock's head.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Rock tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Filipovic defends well and Rock ends up having to push Filipovic into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rock.
Filipovic tries to circle away but Rock has him pinned against the cage.
Rock taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Filipovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Rock gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Filipovic is staying active underneath Rock, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rock keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet.
Rock with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rock stops Filipovic from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Abu Rock overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rock is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Filipovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rock blocks a head kick by Filipovic.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rock shoots in looking for a takedown but Filipovic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rock's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Rock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Filipovic.
A nice combination there by Filipovic.
A solid leg kick lands there for Filipovic.
Rock has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Filipovic throws a head kick but Rock moves out of range.
Filipovic blocks a jab.
Rock avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Filipovic connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rock shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Filipovic as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Filipovic as Rock shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Filipovic dips to his left and cracks Rock with an uppercut!
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Filipovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rock scores with a punch to the head.

Rock bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rock is looking to take a break and control but Filipovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Filipovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rock is controlling him well.
Abu Rock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rock lands a few punches from side control.
Filipovic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Michal Filipovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rock is putting a hurting on Filipovic here, landing some big shots from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Filipovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Filipovic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

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