PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Filipenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Lobanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lobanov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Primitive. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Filipenko
vs
Lobanov

181 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight 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, Pavel Filipenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Lobanov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filipenko shoots and misses
and Lobanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Filipenko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lobanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lobanov misses with a few strikes there.
Lobanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Filipenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Lobanov.
Filipenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lobanov counters with a body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pavel Filipenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lobanov rushes Filipenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Filipenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Lobanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Filipenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lobanov walks away with a smile on his face. Filipenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Lobanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lobanov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lobanov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Filipenko avoiding damage as Lobanov throws knees to the body.
Lobanov is pressed up against the cage. Filipenko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lobanov down to the mat. Lobanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lobanov wants to clinch up but Filipenko keeps it at a distance.
Filipenko with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lobanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lobanov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lobanov gets underhooks to prevent Filipenko's takedown attempt.
Lobanov throws an elbow but it misses.
Lobanov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Filipenko is breathing heavily.

Lobanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lobanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Filipenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lobanov prevents it.

Lobanov breaks from the clinch.

Lobanov has Filipenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Lobanov slows down the pace here.
Lobanov throws an elbow but it misses.
Lobanov lands an elbow just above Filipenko 's eye.

It looks like Pavel Filipenko has been cut.
Lobanov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Filipenko fails to pull guard.
Filipenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lobanov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Filipenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Lobanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Filipenko tries to circle away but Lobanov has him pinned against the cage.
Filipenko wants a takedown but no success here.
Lobanov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lobanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Filipenko.
Filipenko dodges an elbow strike from Lobanov.
Stalling in the clinch from Lobanov.
Lobanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lobanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobanov landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Lobanov manages to break the clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lobanov. Filipenko shrugs it off though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lobanov thuds his shin into the meat of Filipenko's side.

Lobanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Filipenko managing to block the knees to the body from Lobanov.
Lobanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lobanov crunches a lovely knee into Filipenko's ribcage.
Lobanov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lobanov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Still in the clinch, Lobanov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lobanov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lobanov lands a knee to the body.
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Filipenko avoids it.
A nice left hand lands by Lobanov.

Lobanov manages to break the clinch.

Lobanov clinches.
Lobanov is struggling to control the position.
Lobanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Filipenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lobanov breaks from the clinch.
Lobanov tries to clinch but Filipenko moves out of range.

Lobanov gets a clinch.
Filipenko goes for a takedown attempt but Lobanov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lobanov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Filipenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Lobanov fakes the leg kick and cracks Filipenko in the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lobanov. That's going to slow Filipenko down.
Lobanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Lobanov clinches up with Filipenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Lobanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Filipenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lobanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lobanov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Filipenko dodges an elbow strike from Lobanov.
Filipenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lobanov fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lobanov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lobanov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Lobanov breaks the clinch.

Filipenko has Lobanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Filipenko avoids a wild elbow strike from Lobanov.

Lobanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Filipenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lobanov avoids it really well and circles away.
Filipenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lobanov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Lobanov pushes Filipenko up against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lobanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Filipenko gets tackled into the cage by Lobanov. Lobanov maintains the clinch.
Lobanov misses with a knee strike.
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lobanov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lobanov pushes off an throws an elbow but Filipenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Lobanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pavel Filipenko's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lobanov darts in and clinches Filipenko up against the cage.
Lobanov stalls.
Lobanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lobanov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Filipenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lobanov has him pressed against the cage.
Filipenko managing to block the knees to the body from Lobanov.
Lobanov looking to throw knees to the head but Filipenko is blocking nicely.
Filipenko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lobanov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Filipenko tries to pull guard but Lobanov won't allow it.
Filipenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Filipenko avoids it.
Filipenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lobanov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pavel Filipenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lobanov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lobanov breaks from the clinch.
Filipenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lobanov.
Lobanov misses with a hook.

Filipenko tries to keep at a distance but Lobanov has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lobanov breaks the clinch.

Lobanov rushes Filipenko and presses him up against the cage.
Nikolay Lobanov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Lobanov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Lobanov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lobanov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Filipenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lobanov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lobanov pushes off an throws an elbow but Filipenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Filipenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lobanov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Filipenko gets tackled into the cage by Lobanov. Lobanov maintains the clinch.
Lobanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lobanov digs a right hand underneath Filipenko's ribcage. Filipenko let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Lobanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipenko drives through and clinches with Lobanov against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lobanov breaks from the clinch.
Lobanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lobanov drives through and clinches with Filipenko against the cage.

Lobanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Filipenko doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lobanov moves into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Lobanov.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lobanov obliges.

Lobanov manages to break the clinch.

Lobanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lobanov is pushing Filipenko up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Filipenko managing to block the knees to the body from Lobanov.
Lobanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Filipenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Filipenko avoids it.

Filipenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lobanov uses from the top position.
Lobanov trying to control but Filipenko is working from the bottom.
Lobanov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipenko is trying to control the position but Lobanov postures up.
Lobanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lobanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lobanov looking to pass the guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lobanov wants to control from the top but Filipenko keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nikolay Lobanov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Lobanov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four 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.
Lobanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Filipenko is defending well for now.

Lobanov manages to break the clinch.
Filipenko throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Filipenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Lobanov clinches with his opponent.
Lobanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Filipenko is defending well for now.
Lobanov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A head punch on the inside from Filipenko fails to land.
Lobanov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lobanov throws an elbow but it misses.
Lobanov scores a nice knee to the body.
Lobanov effectively controlling the action here.
Lobanov tries a knee to the head but Filipenko blocks it.
Filipenko wants a takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lobanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lobanov stalling in the clinch but Filipenko improves position.

Lobanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck for Filipenko with that takedown attempt.

Lobanov moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Lobanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pavel Filipenko's cut.
That's time! Filipenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Filipenko misses with a takedown

and Lobanov counters by clinching up.
Filipenko taking a breather.
Lobanov misses with a knee to the head.
Filipenko dodges an elbow strike from Lobanov.
Lobanov tries to work over Filipenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Filipenko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lobanov misses with a knee strike.
Lobanov missing with knees to the body.
Lobanov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Filipenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Filipenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lobanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Filipenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lobanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pavel Filipenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Lobanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lobanov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filipenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lobanov moves into the clinch.
Lobanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Filipenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lobanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lobanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Lobanov has managed to clinch.

Lobanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lobanov wants to clinch up but Filipenko keeps it at a distance.

Filipenko scores with a takedown into Lobanov's guard.
Lobanov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Filipenko wanted to stand there but Lobanov had control of the position.
Filipenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lobanov is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lobanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lobanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Lobanov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Lobanov scores with a nice head shot.
Lobanov thuds his right hand into Filipenko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Filipenko rushes Lobanov and presses him up against the cage.
Lobanov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lobanov trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lobanov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lobanov obliges.

Lobanov breaks from the clinch.
Lobanov is looking to slow Filipenko down with leg kicks.

Lobanov has managed to clinch.

Lobanov breaks the clinch.
Lobanov scores with a nice body kick.
Filipenko with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lobanov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Filipenko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lobanov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Nikolay Lobanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lobanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lobanov cracks the inside of Filipenko's front leg.
Lobanov thows a body kick. Filipenko tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Filipenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lobanov.
Lobanov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lobanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lobanov has managed to clinch.

Lobanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Filipenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lobanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Lobanov has closed the distance and engaged Filipenko in a clinch.
Lobanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Filipenko.
Filipenko can't break the clinch.
Filipenko tries a body shot but Lobanov blocks it.
Lobanov lands a nice knee to the body.
Filipenko letting Lobanov take a breather here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lobanov.
Lobanov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lobanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Filipenko avoids the damage to the body.
Pavel Filipenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lobanov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lobanov takes a shot to the head.
Filipenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Filipenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lobanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Filipenko doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Lobanov counters with a nice leg kick.
Filipenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lobanov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Lobanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lobanov 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Lobanov!