PBP Commentary

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

Gardner
vs
Filipovic

195 cm
23
255 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rulon Gardner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mirko Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner fails with the takedown.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filipovic throws a head kick that half lands.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Filipovic.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Rulon Gardner has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Filipovic stuffs the takedown.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Filipovic, right into the meat.
Gardner is breathing heavily.
Filipovic throws a sloppy head kick and Gardner moves out of range easily.
Gardner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

A big head kick from Filipovic and Gardner is sent sprawling to the canvas!
Filipovic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gardner's guard.
Filipovic stopping the sweep attempt from Gardner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gardner's guard.
Gardner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gardner tries to get out of the position.
Filipovic stopping the sweep attempt from Gardner.
Filipovic wants to stand but Gardner has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gardner throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

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.
Filipovic wanted to stand there but Gardner had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gardner takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gardner takes it in his stride.
Gardner takes a kick to the side of the head.

A big head kick from Filipovic and Gardner is sent sprawling to the canvas!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gardner will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Filipovic won't allow Gardner to sweep him here.
Filipovic wants to stand but Gardner has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gardner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gardner thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Filipovic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gardner's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gardner shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Both fighters circling a little - Filipovic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner 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!
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gardner takes it in his stride.
Gardner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Filipovic connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic throws a nice head kick!
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gardner's head.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gardner blocks a head kick by Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gardner.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Filipovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rulon Gardner's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.

Gardner shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gardner moves into full mount! Filipovic won't be happy about that!
Gardner punching from mount but Filipovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gardner unloads with some shots from mount but Filipovic bucks and avoids them well.
Filipovic blocking the ground and pound.
Filipovic is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Filipovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gardner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Gardner there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gardner throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Filipovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Filipovic is trying to stand up.
Filipovic avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gardner.
Gardner won't let Filipovic get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Filipovic wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gardner.
You get the feeling that Filipovic really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Filipovic avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gardner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gardner unloads with some shots from mount but Filipovic bucks and avoids them well.
Filipovic wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gardner.
Gardner 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.
Gardner looking to finish with strikes here!
Gardner throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Gardner punching from mount but Filipovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gardner throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Filipovic is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gardner.
Filipovic avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gardner.
Filipovic is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Filipovic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Gardner thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four 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.
Gardner throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Filipovic because Gardner loaded up on that one.
Gardner unloads with some shots from mount but Filipovic bucks and avoids them well.
Filipovic blocking the ground and pound.
Gardner misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Filipovic wants to try and get back to his feet.
Gardner punching from mount but Filipovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
You get the feeling that Filipovic really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gardner cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gardner looking to finish Filipovic with some ground and pound. This is bad for Filipovic!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rulon Gardner's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Filipovic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gardner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gardner has a takedown stuffed.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gardner.
Filipovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Filipovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Filipovic lands a high kick!
Filipovic lands with a kick to the temple. Gardner shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gardner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic throws a leg kick which misses Gardner's front leg but catches the back leg as Gardner tries to avoid it.
Filipovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Horrible takedown by Gardner or perhaps it was just good defense by Filipovic which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rulon Gardner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Mirko Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic lands a head kick. Gardner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Filipovic throws a head kick that half lands.
Filipovic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Filipovic as he jumps to the side.
Filipovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
Gardner takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Filipovic lands a head kick!
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gardner's head.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Filipovic.
Gardner takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Filipovic scores with a nice body kick.
Filipovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gardner takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gardner takes it in his stride.
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gardner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gardner takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gardner's head.
Gardner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Filipovic throws a head kick that Gardner semi-blocks.
Filipovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Filipovic lands with a slapping head kick.
Gardner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Filipovic tries to avoid it but Gardner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Filipovic to the ground. Filipovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gardner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gardner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Filipovic is fending him off so far but Gardner persists. Nope, Filipovic circles away and we're back to standing.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Gardner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A head kick from Filipovic lands but Gardner takes it in his stride.

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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 26:29

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