PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Samran Darweshi (ranked 3196 p4p, 23971 weight class) and Kyle Kovingten (ranked 380 p4p, 618 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Darweshi
vs
Kovingten

193 cm
34
188
16 - 8 - 0

181 cm
25
174
16 - 5 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samran Darweshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Kyle Kovingten!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That kick from Kovingten tenderised Darweshi's leg. Darweshi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Darweshi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Darweshi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Darweshi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kovingten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kovingten has closed the distance and engaged Darweshi in a clinch.

Darweshi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovingten has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Darweshi is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Kovingten has taken the fight to the clinch.
Darweshi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Darweshi takes a shot to the head.
Darweshi is trying to force a seperation but Kovingten has the dominant position.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Darweshi blocks an uppercut.
Darweshi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kovingten backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darweshi.
Kovingten lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kovingten breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Darweshi moves away from the strike by Kovingten.
A head kick by Kovingten misses
and Darweshi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kovingten thinking.
Kovingten throws the kick towards the body but Darweshi avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Darweshi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovingten lands with a kick to the temple. Darweshi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kovingten with the inside leg kick.
Darweshi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kovingten.
Kovingten scores with a spinning back kick!
Kovingten works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kovingten displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darweshi throws out the jab.
Kovingten lands with a cross.
Kovingten lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Darweshi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Darweshi is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Kovingten clinches up against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovingten lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Kovingten creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kovingten keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Darweshi's efforts to push away.
Kovingten misses with the head strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovingten escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Darweshi takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Kovingten rushes Darweshi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kovingten effectively controlling the action here.

Darweshi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Darweshi drops his hands momentarily and Kovingten takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Darweshi avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Darweshi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Darweshi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kovingten.
Kovingten ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kovingten throws a leg kick that is checked
and Darweshi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice uppercut there from Kovingten.
Kovingten scores with the left hand. Darweshi knows he should have avoided that one.
Kovingten throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Darweshi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Kovingten rushes Darweshi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kovingten dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Kovingten throws a head kick that half lands.
Kovingten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darweshi lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Darweshi dodges the punch combination from Kovingten.
Darweshi tries to counter by clinching up but Kovingten breaks away and moves out of range.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kovingten. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Darweshi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kovingten throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kovingten misses with a lunging right hand
and Darweshi counters with a right hand to the body.
Kovingten uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darweshi.
Kovingten throws a series of punches but Darweshi avoids them all with ease.
Kyle Kovingten seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovingten looks to land a right hand but Darweshi moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovingten slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kovingten throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kovingten connects with a looping right hand.
Kovingten bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Darweshi's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darweshi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darweshi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kovingten.
Darweshi moves out of range of the strikes.
Kovingten throws a sloppy head kick and Darweshi moves out of range easily.
It looked like Darweshi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Darweshi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Darweshi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kovingten bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Darweshi's head backwards.

Kovingten forces Darweshi back against the ropes and clinches.
Kovingten effectively controlling the action here.
Kovingten looking to stall.

Kovingten breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Darweshi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kovingten.
Kovingten connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovingten lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darweshi ducks under a wild hook from Kovingten.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovingten staying out of range there.
Darweshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovingten tries to land a front kick but Darweshi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
As Kovingten looks to move away, Darweshi throws a big counter combo but Kovingten just gets out of the way.

Kovingten rushes Darweshi and presses him up against the ropes.
Darweshi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kovingten has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Darweshi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Darweshi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Darweshi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Darweshi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kovingten looks to land a body kick but Darweshi moved away.
Darweshi staying out of range there.
Kovingten stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Darweshi throws a shot from downtown. Kovingten moves away and avoids it.
Kovingten pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Kovingten instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kovingten showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kovingten throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jab, jab by Kovingten - just one landing.
Kovingten changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kovingten fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Darweshi.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Darweshi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kovingten scores with a nice hook to the head.
Darweshi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kovingten's elbow.
Kovingten swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kovingten lands a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Darweshi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovingten throws a hook to the side of Darweshi's head but Darweshi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovingten connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice inside leg kick there by Kovingten. That's going to slow Darweshi down.
Darweshi loads up on a big right hand but Kovingten slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovingten lands a jab to Darweshi's midsection.
Kovingten paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kovingten lands with a nice body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Darweshi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kovingten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darweshi moves away.
Kovingten darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Darweshi is rocked!
Kovingten scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Darweshi doesn't seem bothered though.
Darweshi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Oh Darweshi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kovingten stuns Darweshi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Darweshi seems to have got his legs back now.
Kovingten tries to land a front kick but Darweshi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kovingten throws a lazy head kick
and Darweshi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A bone on bone clash there as Darweshi blocks the leg kick.
Kovingten misses with an uppercut.
Darweshi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Darweshi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kovingten. Kovingten obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten throws a leg kick which misses Darweshi's front leg but catches the back leg as Darweshi tries to avoid it.
No joy there for Kovingten, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Darweshi ducks under a wild hook from Kovingten.
Kovingten connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Darweshi's hands.
Kovingten throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Kovingten clinches with his opponent.
Darweshi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Kovingten breaks from the clinch.
A nice combination there by Kovingten.
Kovingten tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kyle Kovingten seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kovingten lands with an uppercut that bounces Darweshi off the ropes and back into range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kovingten rushes Darweshi and presses him up against the ropes.
Darweshi can't break the clinch.
Darweshi blocks an uppercut.
Kovingten lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kovingten really dominated that round.
That's time! Darweshi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kovingten swings widly with a right hand
and Darweshi counters with a straight right hand.
Kovingten delivers a nice body kick.
Kovingten swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kovingten misses with a body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Darweshi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kovingten scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
An inside leg kick lands from Kovingten.
Darweshi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Kovingten finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kovingten throws a sloppy head kick and Darweshi moves out of range easily.
Darweshi throws a counter high kick but Kovingten was just alert enough to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A cross from Kovingten lands.
Darweshi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kovingten lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kovingten with a nice calf kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kovingten rushes Darweshi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kyle Kovingten seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Darweshi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kovingten's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovingten lands a left hand that snaps the head of Darweshi backwards.
Darweshi is trying to break the clinch but Kovingten has him pressed against the ropes.
Kovingten lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Darweshi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kovingten is keeping busy.
Kovingten lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short right from Kovingten on the inside.
Darweshi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kovingten has a couple of punches blocked by Darweshi.
Darweshi is trying to push Kovingten away but Kovingten has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Darweshi tries to break the clinch but Kovingten is controlling the position.
Kovingten gets through Darweshi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Kovingten.
Still in the clinch, Kovingten scores with a nice short uppercut.

Kovingten manages to break the clinch.
Darweshi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kovingten.
Darweshi walks into a stiff left hand from Kovingten.
Darweshi's corner calls for a 1-2. Darweshi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kovingten - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kovingten misses with a kick to the body.
A low kick lands for Kovingten.
Kovingten lands with a nice combination. Darweshi backs away looking to recover.
Kovingten connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kovingten lands a nice hook to Darweshi's body. Darweshi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Darweshi blocks a head kick by Kovingten.
Darweshi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kovingten feints and then cracks Darweshi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Darweshi down.
Kovingten misses with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kovingten. That's going to slow Darweshi down.
Kovingten connects with a leg kick.
Kovingten lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Darweshi backs up against the ropes.

Kovingten has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kovingten dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A slow jab from Kovingten misses its intended target.
Kovingten cracks Darweshi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A good leg kick by Kovingten.
Kovingten paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Kovingten fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Darweshi, pushing him back against the ropes.
Darweshi misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darweshi.

Kovingten escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovingten throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kovingten cracks Darweshi with a perfect right hand that drops him to the mat! Darweshi is sitting up but I can't see if he's OK from my position. The referee's count has reached 5,6,7 and Darweshi is still not up. Can he make it? 8,9,10! He's out! Darweshi could not beat the count!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Kyle Kovingten!
Kyle Kovingten was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.