PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Banzai Bunji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Bunji might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to One More Time. Filipovic has chosen duran duran - wild boys as his entrance music. Mirko Filipovic struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Banzai Bunji has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bunji
vs
Filipovic

191 cm
20
208 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

188 cm
23
220 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Banzai Bunji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filipovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bunji checks a low kick from Filipovic.
Filipovic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Filipovic misses with a few strikes there.
Filipovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Bunji drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bunji looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Filipovic is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Bunji wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Filipovic, who protects the arm well.
Filipovic is not content to let Bunji control the position.
You can see the frustration on Filipovic's face as Bunji controls the position.
Bunji 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.
Filipovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Bunji trying to control the position but Filipovic is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic is looking for a sweep.
Filipovic bucks up and tries to throw Bunji off but instead Bunji has got his back!

Bunji is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Filipovic knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Filipovic for a finish.
Filipovic trying to get back to his feet but Bunji is in full control for now.
Bunji missing with strikes.

Bunji looking for the choke but no joy.
Bunji not allowing Filipovic to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Will Bunji go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Bunji is really struggling to control Filipovic but he's trying to hold on to the position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Bunji trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Bunji is breathing heavily.
Bunji keeps control of the position as Filipovic tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic turns into Bunji and is now in his guard.
Filipovic won't allow Bunji to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bunji checks a leg kick nicely.
Filipovic throws a sloppy head kick and Bunji moves out of range easily.
Filipovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bunji.
Bunji shoots in for a takedown but Filipovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bunji is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Filipovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Filipovic.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Filipovic!
Filipovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Bunji takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Filipovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bunji momentarily.
A low kick from Bunji misses
enabling Filipovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Bunji throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Filipovic throws a shot from downtown. Bunji moves away and avoids it.
Filipovic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bunji shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Filipovic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bunji wants to stand and escape but instead Filipovic has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Bunji not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Filipovic stopping the sweep attempt from Bunji.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mirko Filipovic will probably get the nod.
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.

Filipovic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bunji.

Bunji shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bunji was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Filipovic tries to lock up and control but Bunji gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bunji looking to finish with strikes here!
Filipovic is looking to improve his position but Bunji isn't that keen on the idea.
Filipovic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bunji lands a nice shot to the head.

Bunji is working for a guillotine from mount but Filipovic frees his head quite easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bunji.
Filipovic wants to control but Bunji is having none of it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Filipovic is squirming around, avoiding Bunji's attempts to control the action.
Filipovic really wants to buck Bunji off and get back to his feet.
Bunji wants to control but instead Filipovic manages to regain half guard.
Bunji stops Filipovic from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Filipovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bunji.

Bunji bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bunji trying to control the action but Filipovic is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Filipovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bunji wants to lay and pray for a moment but Filipovic keeps working.

Filipovic throws Bunji to one side and escapes!
A good leg kick by Filipovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Filipovic. No joy for Bunji on that attempt.
Filipovic lands a nice looking body kick.
Filipovic takes one to the side of the head.

Bunji has managed to clinch.

Bunji escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bunji tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Filipovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Filipovic tries a head kick but it misses.

Bunji drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bunji trying to control the action but Filipovic is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Filipovic is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Bunji is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Bunji is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bunji avoids the attempt from Filipovic to control.
Bunji can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Filipovic is looking to escape.
Filipovic is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Banzai Bunji dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bunji throws a shot from downtown. Filipovic moves away and avoids it.
Filipovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Filipovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Filipovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bunji. That did some damage!
Bunji fails in his attempt to clinch.
Filipovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bunji.
Bunji shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Filipovic but Filipovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Bunji has managed to clinch.
Bunji is struggling to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filipovic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Filipovic prevents the takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Filipovic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Filipovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Filipovic is trying to force a seperation but Bunji has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Bunji breaks the clinch.
Filipovic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Filipovic misses with a body kick.
Filipovic misses with a head kick.
Bunji throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Filipovic moves out of range of the body kick from Bunji.
A telegraphed right hand from Bunji misses the target.
Filipovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Bunji.
Banzai Bunji is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bunji checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bunji lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Filipovic tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Bunji has closed the distance and engaged Filipovic in a clinch.

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.
Filipovic missing with knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Bunji.

Bunji pulls Filipovic into guard.
Bunji manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Filipovic manages to get himself to full guard.
Bunji wants to pass the guard but Filipovic is keeping the position.

Bunji gets to his feet - Filipovic follows without any prompting.
A head kick misses from Filipovic.
Bunji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bunji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Filipovic.
A nice leg kick lands there from Filipovic.
Filipovic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bunji moves into the clinch.

Bunji has picked Filipovic up - he's going for a ride! Bunji dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Bunji stops Filipovic from getting back to his feet.
Bunji trying to control the action but Filipovic is working from the bottom.
Bunji wants to free his trapped foot but Filipovic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bunji trying to control the action but Filipovic is working from the bottom.
Filipovic trying to control here.
Bunji missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic pushes Bunji off looking to stand but Bunji dives back in and keeps control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bunji moves in looking to clinch but Filipovic pushes him off.
Filipovic lands with a cross.
A chopping leg kick lands by Filipovic.
Filipovic tries to land a front kick but Bunji steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A jab from Bunji finds it's way through Filipovic's defenses.

Bunji rushes Filipovic and presses him up against the ropes.

Filipovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bunji avoids the head kick by Filipovic.
Bunji lands a glancing blow to the side of Filipovic's head.
Bunji displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Filipovic throws out the jab.

Bunji darts in and clinches Filipovic up against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Banzai Bunji showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bunji has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Banzai Bunji!