PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Evgeny Filimoshkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Stone has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Evgeny Filimoshkin's chin.

Filimoshkin
vs
Stone

190 cm
19
189 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeny Filimoshkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Stone!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stone lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tom Stone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filimoshkin looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Stone shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Stone thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Filimoshkin's head.
Stone not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stone 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.

Stone decides to stand and escape the position.
Filimoshkin moves in looking to clinch but Stone pushes him off.

Stone gets a takedown into half guard.
Stone seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Filimoshkin wants to control but Stone is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stone has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stone slips a nice elbow through Filimoshkin's hands, connecting with Filimoshkin's forehead.
Stone working over Filimoshkin with some ground and pound. Filimoshkin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Stone is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Filimoshkin is just riding it out for now. Stone eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone is looking to take a break and control but Filimoshkin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Stone in particular looking to stall.
Stone 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stone trying to mount his opponent but Filimoshkin defends it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Filimoshkin trying to hold on to Stone's head to control him but Stone postures up.

That's two 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.
Stone scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Stone decides to stand and escape the position.
Stone displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Stone throws a series of punches but Filimoshkin avoids them all with ease.
Stone misses with the combination.
Stone lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Filimoshkin tries to sprawl but Stone drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Filimoshkin is staying active underneath Stone, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Filimoshkin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Stone stands up from half guard.
Some wild striking there from Stone.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stone lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Filimoshkin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Stone lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Stone clinches up with Filimoshkin and pushes him back against the cage.

Stone has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Filimoshkin is trying to keep an underhook but Stone manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Stone landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Filimoshkin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stone lands a nice short elbow.
Filimoshkin is trying to get back to full guard.

Stone gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Filimoshkin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Stone to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone landing some decent shots from guard.
Stone controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stone wants to pass the guard but Filimoshkin is keeping the position.

Filimoshkin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stone stands up from Filimoshkin's guard - Stone perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Stone shoots in and bounces Filimoshkin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Stone dominated that round.
That's time! Filimoshkin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stone moves into range and clinches up with Filimoshkin.
Stone is working for takedown but Filimoshkin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Filimoshkin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Stone ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stone no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Filimoshkin wants to control from the top but Stone keeps moving.
Stone throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stone scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Stone drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Stone decides to stand back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Stone shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Stone gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stone misses with a few strikes there.

Filimoshkin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Filimoshkin lands in his opponent's guard.
Filimoshkin is looking to work some ground and pound but Stone has wrist control.
Stone wants to sweep here but Filimoshkin controlling him for the moment.
Stone lands some strikes from the bottom.

Stone looking for a guillotine here but Filimoshkin defends easily.
Stone is trying to control the position but Filimoshkin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Filimoshkin's guard.
Filimoshkin punching from the bottom.
Stone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stone is looking to work some ground and pound but Filimoshkin has wrist control.
Filimoshkin wants to sweep but no luck.

Stone decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Filimoshkin misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stone lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Stone shoots in and bounces Filimoshkin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stone controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Stone lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Stone avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Filimoshkin is looking to stand up but Stone isn't so interested in that idea.

Filimoshkin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stone has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stone stands up and waves to Filimoshkin to follow him.
Stone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stone looks to land a combination but Filimoshkin avoids it well.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stone.
Filimoshkin gets back to half guard.
Tom Stone has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stone decides to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stone misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Stone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Stone keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Filimoshkin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Stone throws a combination. Filimoshkin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Stone moves into range and clinches up with Filimoshkin.
Stone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Filimoshkin just stands there and leans against the cage.

Stone ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stone no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Stone kicks Filimoshkin off and gets to his feet.

Stone darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Stone decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Evgeny Filimoshkin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stone dips to his left and cracks Filimoshkin with an uppercut!

Stone is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Filimoshkin's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filimoshkin is looking to escape.
Filimoshkin wants to control but Stone is keeping busy.
Filimoshkin is looking for a sweep. Stone is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Filimoshkin taking some punishment here, with Stone in his half guard.
Ground and pound from Stone.

Stone is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stone wants to stand up but Filimoshkin manages to regain full guard.
Stone preventing the sweep.

Filimoshkin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stone thows a big elbow that misses.
Stone is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Stone stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A right-left combo lands from Stone.
Filimoshkin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stone pinned against the cage. Stone gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Stone gets the takedown into side control.
Filimoshkin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Filimoshkin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stone tries for a kimura but Filimoshkin is defending well.
Filimoshkin parries the strikes from Stone easily there. Stone is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Filimoshkin to escape.
Filimoshkin is trying to control Stone's posture but Stone avoids it.
Stone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Filimoshkin keeps working.
Filimoshkin taking punishment in the form of punches.
Filimoshkin is trying to improve his position.
Stone is working Filimoshkin over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Filimoshkin can't do much from the bottom here.
Filimoshkin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Stone is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Stone wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Filimoshkin, who protects the arm well.
The ground and pound from Stone seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Stone lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Stone stands up.
Evgeny Filimoshkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tom Stone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stone swinging wildly here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Stone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stone has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Stone!