PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake McThai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mirko Filipovic had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Mirko Filipovic could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Blake McThai's chin.

Filipovic
vs
McThai

188 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
21
212 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Determined

xXx - iForce Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mirko Filipovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Blake McThai!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McThai swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McThai tried to score with a low kick but Filipovic checks it.
McThai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McThai misses with a low kick.
McThai throws a low kick but Filipovic moves out of range easily.
Filipovic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Filipovic tries to clinch up.

Filipovic gets the takedown into side control.
McThai wants to control but Filipovic postures up.
McThai gets back to half guard.
McThai wants to control but Filipovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McThai moves into full guard.
McThai trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McThai has his hands on Filipovic's head, controlling the position.
McThai trying to control the position.
Filipovic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McThai controlling Filipovic's posture.
McThai throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic postures up.
Filipovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McThai on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Blake McThai.
Filipovic checks a leg kick.
McThai thumps Filipovic with a low kick.
McThai swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McThai throws a solid leg kick but Filipovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McThai.
McThai throws a right hand that misses
and Filipovic counters with a three punch combo that has McThai backing up. McThai nods at Filipovic to acknowledge the strikes.

Filipovic shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McThai napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Filipovic is breathing heavily.
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!
McThai has one of Filipovic's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
McThai manages to work his way to half guard, despite Filipovic's best efforts.
McThai regains full guard. Nicely done.
Filipovic looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McThai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McThai looking to control.
Filipovic wants to control from the top but McThai keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McThai looking to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Filipovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Filipovic shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Filipovic showed some decent athleticism there.
McThai is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McThai's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Filipovic in particular looking to stall.
McThai slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McThai is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake McThai dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Filipovic gets a takedown into half guard.
McThai desperately trying to maintain half guard.
McThai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McThai punching from the bottom - just letting Filipovic know he's still in a fight.
McThai managing to control the position.
McThai throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic looking to pass the guard.
McThai throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
McThai trying to strike off his back.
McThai is trying to keep Filipovic in close.
McThai has his hands on Filipovic's head, controlling the position.
McThai is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Blake McThai.
McThai attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Filipovic blocks a low kick nicely.
McThai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McThai tries a low kick but Filipovic avoids it.

Filipovic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McThai is pressing down on Filipovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McThai pulls Filipovic in close to his closed guard and prevents Filipovic from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McThai trying to strike off his back.
McThai trying to strike off his back.
McThai doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McThai pulls Filipovic in close to prevent any damage.
McThai is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McThai is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McThai throws a front kick aimed at Filipovic's knee but Filipovic avoids it well.
Filipovic blocks a leg kick.
McThai throws a leg kick but Filipovic sees it coming and moves out of range.
McThai attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Filipovic shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Filipovic showed some decent athleticism there.
McThai regains full guard. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McThai is trying to control the position but Filipovic postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake McThai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Filipovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McThai lands with a thumping leg kick.
Filipovic keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Filipovic checks a leg kick nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Filipovic checks a leg kick.
McThai misses with a leg kick.
McThai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Filipovic is out of range.
McThai misses with a low kick as Filipovic jumps back.
McThai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Filipovic moves out of range of the leg kick from McThai.
Blake McThai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McThai throws out a leg kick but Filipovic moves out of range and McThai only half commits.

Filipovic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McThai to the ground. Filipovic is now in McThai's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McThai seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McThai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McThai is pulling down on Filipovic's head. It's preventing any offense from Filipovic, at least for the moment.
McThai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Blake McThai has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McThai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Filipovic is out of range and McThai settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by McThai.
Filipovic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McThai. McThai obviously looking to wear him down.
McThai attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McThai throws a leg kick but Filipovic sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McThai throws a leg kick but Filipovic checks it.
McThai will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A clash of legs there as Filipovic blocks the low kick.

McThai gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Filipovic to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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!
McThai is pulling down on Filipovic's head to control his posture.
McThai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McThai is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Blake McThai.
Filipovic keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McThai throws a low kick but Filipovic avoids it.
McThai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Filipovic.
McThai motions for Filipovic to come forward. McThai throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McThai shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McThai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Filipovic is out of range.
Filipovic checks a low kick from McThai.
McThai will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Blake McThai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McThai is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McThai tried to score with a low kick but Filipovic checks it.
McThai throws a solid leg kick but Filipovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McThai.
McThai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Filipovic is out of range and McThai settles back down.
The fight stays on the outside here - Filipovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McThai tries to score with a low kick but Filipovic moves his leg out of the way.
McThai avoids a punch combination nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from McThai.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McThai throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Filipovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Mirko Filipovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blake McThai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Filipovic checks a leg kick nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake McThai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McThai 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake McThai!