PBP Commentary

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

Gracie
vs
Filipovic

170 cm
23
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

174 cm
20
150 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arnold Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Junior Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Filipovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Filipovic throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Filipovic misses with the combination.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Filipovic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Filipovic.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Filipovic pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.

Filipovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie works his way into full mount!
Filipovic tries to buck Gracie off but he can't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie works his way to his opponent's back.
Filipovic trying to get back to his feet but Gracie is in full control for now.

Gracie looking for the RNC.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Filipovic is trying to get back to his feet but Gracie has full control of the position and if anything, Filipovic has just worked his way into a worse spot.

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.

Gracie patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet.
Filipovic is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Gracie off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Filipovic has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic holding both Gracie 's hands and preventing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Filipovic is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Filipovic feints and then cracks Gracie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gracie down.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a straight left.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Filipovic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Filipovic lands with a nice body kick.
Filipovic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Filipovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Filipovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Junior Filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filipovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Filipovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Filipovic throws a front kick that sends Gracie stumbling back into the cage.
Filipovic throws a leg kick which misses Gracie's front leg but catches the back leg as Gracie tries to avoid it.
Arnold Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Junior Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Gracie is rocked!
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Filipovic.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Filipovic.
Filipovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
An inside leg kick lands from Filipovic.
A nice leg kick lands there from Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a jab to the nose.
Filipovic feints and then cracks Gracie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gracie down.
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A combination from Filipovic does no damage.
Filipovic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gracie if he has to take too many more of those.
Junior Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Filipovic.
Filipovic cracks the inside of Gracie's front leg.
A cross from Filipovic lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.
Filipovic misses with a wild combination.
Filipovic throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Filipovic lands a nice looking body kick.
Filipovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Filipovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Filipovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Gracie will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Filipovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a kick to the side of the head.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Filipovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot by Filipovic.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Filipovic, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Filipovic against the cage but Filipovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior 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.

A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Filipovic throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Filipovic swinging wildly here.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice leg kick lands there from Filipovic.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Filipovic slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gracie crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Filipovic - the referee stops the clock and Gracie gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Filipovic. Gracie manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A solid body kick from Filipovic.
Some wild striking there from Filipovic.
Filipovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Filipovic scores with a nice body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Filipovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A nice leg kick lands there from Filipovic.
Filipovic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Filipovic feints and then cracks Gracie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gracie down.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Filipovic lands a big head kick that sends Gracie tumbling to the mat! Filipovic takes a step backwards and waves Gracie back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie takes a kick to the side of the head.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body kick there by Filipovic.
Filipovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Filipovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
Filipovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Filipovic misses with a few strikes there.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gracie's sensitive parts.
Filipovic lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Filipovic throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Filipovic thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gracie will feel that in the morning.
Filipovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Filipovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gracie's head.
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Filipovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Filipovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Filipovic misses the shot to the body.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic misses with a two punch combination.
Filipovic throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gracie on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gracie's head.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Filipovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A solid body kick from Filipovic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Filipovic scores with a push kick.
A solid body kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Gracie on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gracie takes a step back to recover.
Filipovic misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Filipovic really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Filipovic cracks the inside of Gracie's front leg.
Filipovic thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Filipovic.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Filipovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Filipovic scores with a leg kick.
Filipovic lands a front kick.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Filipovic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic swinging wildly here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Filipovic feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A solid body kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the ribs.
A punch combination from Filipovic misses.
Filipovic works over Gracie's head and body with a nice combination.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Filipovic. Gracie shrugs it off though.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Filipovic explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Filipovic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
A right-left combo lands from Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a leg kick which misses Gracie's front leg but catches the back leg as Gracie tries to avoid it.
Filipovic scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
A slapping body kick lands there for Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
Filipovic swinging wildly here.
Filipovic pushes Gracie away with a front kick.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gracie shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Filipovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Filipovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Filipovic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arnold Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a nice looking body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Filipovic. Gracie shrugs it off though.
Filipovic lands a two punch combo.
A slapping leg kick lands for Filipovic.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Filipovic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gracie takes a kick to the side of the head.
Filipovic lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gracie takes a step back to recover.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Filipovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Filipovic dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice body kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Good leg kick by Filipovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Filipovic tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Filipovic just misses with a punch to the body.

Gracie shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Filipovic's guard.
Gracie prevents Filipovic from getting back to his feet.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Filipovic is looking to escape.

Filipovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Filipovic.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Gracie quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Gracie but it's paid off an Filipovic is forced to tap! Nice work by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Arnold Gracie!
Arnold Gracie retains his featherweight title!