PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hell Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McEnroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Filipovic
vs
McEnroe

155 cm
25
175 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

184 cm
19
179 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hell Filipovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John McEnroe!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McEnroe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McEnroe works Filipovic's body with a nice hook.
McEnroe looks to land a combination but Filipovic avoids it well.

Filipovic shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McEnroe manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McEnroe wants to stand but Filipovic is controlling the position.
Our spies down at at Cozad The Island inform us that McEnroe has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
McEnroe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Filipovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Filipovic throws an elbow that misses. McEnroe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Filipovic's guard. Nice move by McEnroe!

McEnroe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Filipovic wants to hit a switch here but McEnroe passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Filipovic there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McEnroe wants to stand but Filipovic is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
McEnroe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Filipovic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Filipovic really is a fat lump.
Filipovic is in all sorts of trouble here.
McEnroe is looking to stand but Filipovic has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

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.
Filipovic is desperately trying to improve his position but McEnroe has a good base and remains in mount.
McEnroe wants to stand but Filipovic is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Filipovic sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
McEnroe wants to stand up but Filipovic is controlling the position.

Filipovic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McEnroe trying to advance position but Filipovic counters by regaining guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Filipovic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Filipovic wants to stand up but McEnroe is controlling him.
Filipovic has a closed guard, preventing McEnroe from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Filipovic dodges the punch combination from McEnroe.
A left lands for McEnroe.
McEnroe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. McEnroe darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Filipovic gets a clinch.

McEnroe breaks the clinch.
Filipovic shoots in looking for a takedown but McEnroe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filipovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McEnroe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McEnroe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Filipovic.
McEnroe lands a jab to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McEnroe feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Filipovics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Filipovic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McEnroe as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hell Filipovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McEnroe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Filipovic momentarily.
McEnroe connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McEnroe dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McEnroe scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Filipovic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McEnroe sprawls well. McEnroe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Filipovic gets slowly back to his feet.
McEnroe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McEnroe throws out a powerful jab.
McEnroe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McEnroe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice body punch from McEnroe.
McEnroe throws a good cross that connects.
Danga de danga de dang - McEnroe scores with a four punch combination!
A jab lands there for McEnroe.
Hell Filipovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McEnroe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Filipovic momentarily.
McEnroe bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Filipovic's head backwards.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McEnroe clobbers Filipovic with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McEnroe lands with a good body shot.
McEnroe works Filipovic's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic takes one on the button.

Filipovic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McEnroe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Filipovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McEnroe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Filipovic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Filipovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Filipovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Filipovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McEnroe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Filipovic doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McEnroe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Filipovic with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hell Filipovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McEnroe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A left lands for McEnroe.
McEnroe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McEnroe lands the left hand.
John McEnroe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McEnroe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Filipovic doesn't seem bothered though.

Filipovic gets a takedown into half guard.
Hell Filipovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Filipovic throwing shots but McEnroe is blocking nicely.
Filipovic not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McEnroe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Filipovic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Filipovic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Filipovic is looking for a kimura but McEnroe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Filipovic to get the leverage.
Filipovic throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Filipovic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Filipovic throwing shots but McEnroe is blocking nicely.
Filipovic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McEnroe defending well though.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Filipovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McEnroe's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McEnroe has hold of Filipovic's hands but Filipovic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Filipovic missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Filipovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McEnroe's head.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McEnroe misses with a two punch combination.
Filipovic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
McEnroe stuffs the takedown attempt from Filipovic. Filipovic gets slowly back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from McEnroe.
Filipovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McEnroe feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Filipovics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McEnroe lands the left hand.
Filipovic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McEnroe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Filipovic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McEnroe sprawls well. McEnroe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Filipovic gets slowly back to his feet.
Filipovic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Filipovic gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McEnroe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Filipovic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Filipovic ducks right into an uppercut from McEnroe.
McEnroe connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McEnroe scores with a jab to the body.
McEnroe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Filipovic shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McEnroe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Filipovic swings around for an armbar but McEnroe sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Filipovic's guard.

Filipovic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McEnroe wants to stand and escape but instead Filipovic has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

McEnroe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Filipovic postures up in McEnroe's guard and throws a big left but McEnroe blocks it.
Filipovic postures up in McEnroe's guard and throws a big left but McEnroe blocks it.

Filipovic drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McEnroe dives on top into guard.

McEnroe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Filipovic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McEnroe has managed to get both his arms back between Filipovic's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McEnroe wants to stand and escape but instead Filipovic has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Filipovic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Filipovic postures up in McEnroe's guard and throws a big left but McEnroe blocks it.
Filipovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McEnroe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McEnroe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McEnroe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Filipovic is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Filipovic is looking to work some ground and pound but McEnroe has wrist control.
Filipovic throws a big elbow that misses.
Filipovic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Filipovic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McEnroe is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McEnroe has escaped and now he's on top!

McEnroe wants to stand and escape but instead Filipovic has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Filipovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Filipovic postures up in McEnroe's guard and throws a big left but McEnroe blocks it.
McEnroe wants to stand and escape but Filipovic is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Filipovic or perhaps it was just good defense by McEnroe, which made it look bad.
Filipovic looks for a takedown but McEnroe sprawls well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John McEnroe.
I've got McEnroe 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John McEnroe!
A relieved looking John McEnroe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.