PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Mirko Filipovic has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Mirko Filipovic seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Filipovic
vs
Kuznetsov

188 cm
29
227 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

182 cm
22
220 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mirko Filipovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Filipovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov cracks Filipovic with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Filipovic with a series of wild strikes but Filipovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kuznetsov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Filipovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Filipovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuznetsov on the ground.
Filipovic parries the strikes from Kuznetsov easily there. Kuznetsov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Filipovic to escape.
Filipovic is not content to let Kuznetsov control the position.
Filipovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kuznetsov is controlling him well.
Kuznetsov landing strikes.
Kuznetsov prevents Filipovic from escaping the position.
Kuznetsov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuznetsov tries for a kimura but Filipovic is defending well.

Kuznetsov is trying to get an arm triangle but Filipovic is defending well.

Kuznetsov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Filipovic defending against the ground and pound.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Filipovic is keeping him busy.
Filipovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but Filipovic slips to the side and avoids it well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Filipovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Filipovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Filipovic looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Filipovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Filipovic throws a head kick that misses.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filipovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuznetsov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuznetsov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
No luck for Kuznetsov with that takedown attempt.
Filipovic throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetsov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Filipovic pinned against the cage. Filipovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A big left from Filipovic misses.
Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Filipovic sprawls well. Filipovic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kuznetsov gets slowly back to his feet.
Mirko Filipovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic scores with a head kick.

It looks like Ivan Kuznetsov has been cut.
Filipovic misses with a looping right.

Kuznetsov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kuznetsov looks winded!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuznetsov is trying to work for a kimura but Filipovic is defending well.
Filipovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Filipovic is trying to escape back to his feet but Kuznetsov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
We've been informed that Kuznetsov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Filipovic tries to escape but Kuznetsov is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kuznetsov connects with a decent elbow.
Filipovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kuznetsov is controlling him well.
Filipovic is not content to let Kuznetsov control the position.
Filipovic wants to get back to his feet but Kuznetsov drags him back down.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Filipovic throws a nice looking combination but Kuznetsov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Filipovic scores with a head kick. Kuznetsov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick by Filipovic - that's a beauty! Kuznetsov is out but he's somehow still standing... he's going... going... gone. Like a drunk walking down the middle of the road, the inevitable face plant follows and the delayed knockout arrives. Even Filipovic can't help but laugh at the bizarre end to this one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Mirko Filipovic!
Ivan Kuznetsov spoke after the fight, saying 'Thanks God!'.