PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Filip Mirkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor Pappas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Mirkovic
vs
Pappas

190 cm
27
217 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
205 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Filip Mirkovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Connor Pappas!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mirkovic throws a good cross that connects.
Some wild striking there from Mirkovic.
Sloppy strikes from Mirkovic. Those never looked like landing.
Mirkovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pappas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Pappas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mirkovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Mirkovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mirkovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pappas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pappas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Pappas fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Mirkovic's coaches at have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pappas postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mirkovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirkovic is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

Pappas working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Pappas tries to advance to mount but Mirkovic denies him.

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.
Pappas landing a few strikes.
Pappas throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pappas throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pappas prevents Mirkovic from escaping the position.
Pappas misses with the ground and pound.
Pappas trying to control the action but Mirkovic is working from the bottom.
Mirkovic tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The ground and pound from Pappas seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovic is looking for a sweep.
Pappas cracks Mirkovic with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Pappas looks up at the clock and then as Mirkovic takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Pappas smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Pappas trying to control the action but Mirkovic is working from the bottom.
Mirkovic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Pappas asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Pappas throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Pappas working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pappas creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mirkovic sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Pappas.
Pappas lands an elbow.
Pappas working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Pappas in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Pappas throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mirkovic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Pappas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mirkovic on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Mirkovic taking punishment in the form of punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pappas working the ground and pound.
Mirkovic is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Pappas has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Pappas looks up at the clock and then as Mirkovic takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Pappas smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Pappas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mirkovic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pappas tries to avoid it but Mirkovic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pappas to the ground. Pappas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pappas with the counter takedown but Mirkovic avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Pappas. No joy for Mirkovic on that attempt.
Mirkovic scores with a jab. Pappas acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Pappas closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mirkovic to the mat! Mirkovic manages to get full guard.
Pappas with a nice head shot there.
Pappas prevents Mirkovic from getting back to his feet.
Pappas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mirkovic is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pappas postures up in Mirkovic's guard and throws a big left but Mirkovic blocks it.
Mirkovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pappas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pappas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mirkovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pappas manages to avoid it.
Mirkovic misses with a two punch combination.
Mirkovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Pappas with the counter takedown but Mirkovic avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pappas looks for a takedown but Mirkovic sprawls well.
Pappas fails with a takedown attempt.
Mirkovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pappas circles away quickly and effectively.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pappas.
Filip Mirkovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Pappas.

Pappas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Mirkovic's guard.
Pappas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mirkovic's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mirkovic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Pappas slips a nice elbow through Mirkovic's hands, connecting with Mirkovic's forehead.

Mirkovic has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Pappas is on him like a limpet, forcing Mirkovic back against the cage.
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!
Mirkovic is trying to push Pappas away but Pappas has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pappas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mirkovic pulls his leg out and moves away.
Pappas misses with a takedown attempt - Mirkovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pappas has a takedown stuffed.
Mirkovic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Pappas drives through with a takedown into guard.

Mirkovic has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Pappas has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovic tries to circle away but Pappas has him pinned against the cage.
Mirkovic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pappas.
Pappas wants to take the fight to the mat but Mirkovic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mirkovic wants to get back to striking at distance but Pappas won't allow it.
Pappas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mirkovic pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mirkovic takes a swing at Pappas's ribcage but misses.
Pappas fails with a takedown attempt.

Mirkovic closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovic jumps guard but Pappas turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mirkovic displaying some good clinch control by pressing Pappas up against the cage.
Pappas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mirkovic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pappas prevents Mirkovic from breaking the clinch.

Pappas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Pappas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mirkovic's guard.
Pappas with the ground and pound but Mirkovic uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Pappas passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Filip Mirkovic will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Mirkovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pappas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Pappas misses with a takedown attempt
and Mirkovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Mirkovic.
Pappas swats away the attempt to clinch by Mirkovic.
Mirkovic misses with a few strikes there.
Sloppy strikes from Mirkovic. Those never looked like landing.
Pappas dives in and grabs Mirkovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mirkovic pushes down on Pappas's head and hops out.
Mirkovic leaves Pappas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Filip Mirkovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Pappas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pappas shoots in for a takedown but Mirkovic shows good takedown defense.
Pappas shoots in and drives through. Mirkovic sprawls well.
Pappas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mirkovic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mirkovic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pappas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirkovic looking to slow down the pace here.
Pappas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mirkovic prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mirkovic is pressed up against the cage. Pappas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mirkovic down to the mat. Mirkovic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Filip Mirkovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mirkovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mirkovic misses with a wild combination.
Mirkovic lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mirkovic throws a good cross that connects.
Pappas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mirkovic misses with a takedown attempt

and Pappas counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pappas throwing strikes but missing.
Pappas passes into half guard.
Pappas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mirkovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pappas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is thwarting Mirkovic's attempts to control the position.
Pappas trying to advance position but Mirkovic counters by regaining guard.
Mirkovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pappas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mirkovic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pappas stands and throws Mirkovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mirkovic taking punishment in the form of punches.

Pappas is trying to get an arm triangle but Mirkovic is defending well.
Pappas postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirkovic regains half guard there - taking advantage of Pappas's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Mirkovic trying to control here.
Pappas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mirkovic has hold of Pappas's hands but Pappas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mirkovic is refusing to be controlled, as Pappas sits in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Filip Mirkovic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mirkovic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Filip Mirkovic!