PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick Tunkles (ranked 24724 p4p, 5067 weight class) and Oleg Kovolak (ranked 632 p4p, 533 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tunkles
vs
Kovolak

189 cm
19
205
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
211
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Tunkles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Oleg Kovolak!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Kovolak lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tunkles doesn't seem phased though.
Tunkles pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kovolak is out of range and Tunkles settles back down.
Tunkles throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovolak throws a body punch but Tunkles moves out of range.
Tunkles seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Tunkles swinging wildly here.
Tunkles throws a right hand that Kovolak ducks under and follows up with a left that Kovolak also avoids with ease.
Tunkles throws a body shot but no joy.
Kovolak gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tunkles.

It looks like Oleg Kovolak has been cut.
We've been informed that Kovolak has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nice uppercut there from Kovolak.
Tunkles throws a jab but it's blocked by Kovolak.
Kovolak misses with a looping right.
Tunkles tries to land a leg kick but Kovolak saw it coming and moves away.
Tunkles tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tunkles takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovolak dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tunkles throws out a loose jab but Kovolak uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovolak avoids the head kick by Tunkles.
No joy there for Kovolak, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kovolak rushes Tunkles and presses him up against the cage.
Kovolak tries a body shot but Tunkles blocks it.
A short right from Kovolak on the inside.
Kovolak tries a body shot but Tunkles blocks it.
Kovolak misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Kovolak.
Kovolak lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kovolak lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kovolak misses with some punches.
Tunkles tries to circle away but Kovolak has him pinned against the cage.
Kovolak is stalling here.
Tunkles jumps guard but Kovolak turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovolak lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tunkles blocks an uppercut.
Kovolak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tunkles tries to circle away but Kovolak has him pinned against the cage.
Kovolak has a couple of punches blocked by Tunkles.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tunkles has Kovolak pressed against the cage.
A hook to the body from Kovolak.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tunkles.
Kovolak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tunkles is trying to force a seperation but Kovolak has the dominant position.
Kovolak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tunkles has had enough of the clinch but Kovolak keeps him there for the moment.
Come on Kovolak - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Tunkles pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovolak trying to control but Tunkles is working from the bottom.
Tunkles is looking to sweep but instead, Kovolak has passed into half guard.
Tunkles pushes Kovolak off but Kovolak dives into side control.
Kovolak wants to control but Tunkles is keeping him busy.
Tunkles wants to control but Kovolak postures up.
Tunkles is not content to let Kovolak control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kovolak staying calm.
Kovolak wants to control but Tunkles is keeping him busy.
Tunkles can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Kovolak dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oleg Kovolak's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tunkles tries to clinch but Kovolak moves out of range.

Kovolak closes the distance and clinches.
Tunkles has had enough of the clinch but Kovolak keeps him there for the moment.
Kovolak leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tunkles is trying to force a seperation but Kovolak has the dominant position.
Tunkles wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kovolak taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kovolak prevents Tunkles from breaking the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kovolak in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kovolak will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tunkles up against the cage.
A short right from Kovolak.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovolak holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kovolak stalling against the cage.
Tunkles's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovolak leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Oleg Kovolak.
Tunkles lands with a good body shot.
Tunkles pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Tunkles misses the target.
Tunkles changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Kovolak gets a clinch.
Tunkles tries to break the clinch but Kovolak is controlling the position.
Kovolak misses with the head strike.
Kovolak lands a shot to the body.
Kovolak looking to slow down the pace here.
Kovolak is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kovolak throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tunkles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kovolak throws a head punch that misses.
A hook to the body from Tunkles.
Tunkles blocks an uppercut.
Tunkles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kovolak has Tunkles pressed against the cage, preventing Tunkles from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tunkles working hard to break the clinch.
Kovolak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kovolak leaning his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kovolak scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kovolak throws a punch but it's blocked by Tunkles.
Kovolak misses with the head strike.
Kovolak has Tunkles pressed against the cage, preventing Tunkles from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tunkles is trying to force a seperation but Kovolak has the dominant position.
A bit of stalling here from Tunkles.
Kovolak displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tunkles up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunkles is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovolak has double underhooks.
Kovolak keeps control of Tunkles as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tunkles blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tunkles lands with a short shot to the head.
Tunkles is trying to break free.
Tunkles working hard to break the clinch.
Tunkles tries to circle away but Kovolak has him pinned against the cage.
Tunkles is trying to force a seperation but Kovolak has the dominant position.
Kovolak misses with a punch to the body.
Kovolak digs a right hand underneath Tunkles's ribcage. Tunkles let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kovolak lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Oleg Kovolak seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kovolak.
Kovolak misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kovolak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Tunkles breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oleg Kovolak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunkles throws a body punch but Kovolak moves out of range.
A slow jab from Tunkles misses its intended target.
Kovolak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tunkles moves away.
Tunkles looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tunkles throws out a loose jab but Kovolak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rick Tunkles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from Kovolak misses.
Kovolak lands with a shot to the body.
Kovolak tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tunkles was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovolak.
Tunkles misses with a low kick.
Kovolak let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kovolak misses with a combination
and Tunkles counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tunkles displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kovolak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tunkles moves away.
Kovolak is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tunkles rather than just go for the knockout.
Tunkles takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Kovolak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Oleg Kovolak's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kovolak keeps the fight on the outside.
No joy there for Tunkles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tunkles misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tunkles throws a nice looking combination but Kovolak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tunkles misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kovolak misses with a jab to the body
and Tunkles counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Nice combo by Tunkles! Oh, that's hurt him - Kovolak falls to the canvas and Tunkles follows him into side control.

Kovolak is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovolak wants to control but Tunkles postures up.
Kovolak is still in real trouble! Can Tunkles finish him?
Kovolak is looking to reverse the position.
Kovolak seems to have recovered his senses.
Kovolak manages to get back to half guard.
Tunkles thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kovolak's head.
Tunkles missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kovolak is pressing down on Tunkles's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tunkles postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tunkles throwing strikes from guard but Kovolak blocks nicely.
Kovolak is trying to keep Tunkles in close.

Tunkles gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tunkles closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kovolak circles away.
It seemed like Kovolak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tunkles tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kovolak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kovolak looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kovolak misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tunkles.
Kovolak throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tunkles.
Kovolak misses with a two punch combination.
Tunkles throws a series of punches but Kovolak moves out of range.
Tunkles throws a body kick that misses.
Tunkles takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovolak walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tunkles moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That has opened up Oleg Kovolak's cut even more.
Tunkles wants to clinch up but Kovolak keeps it at a distance.
Tunkles displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovolak throws out the jab.
Tunkles fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovolak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tunkles circles away quickly and effectively.
Kovolak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kovolak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A punch combination from Tunkles misses.
Kovolak is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kovolak misses with a double jab.
Tunkles wants to clinch
and Kovolak counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rick Tunkles seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tunkles scores with a nice strike.
Kovolak fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tunkles looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunkles swats away the attempt to clinch by Kovolak.
Tunkles tries to close the distance and clinch but Kovolak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kovolak is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tunkles with a body shot.
A jab from Tunkles misses.
Nice shot by Tunkles.
Tunkles looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovolak throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Tunkles misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kovolak. Tunkles does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Tunkles misses the target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tunkles.

The cut above Oleg Kovolak's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Kovolak just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Tunkles misses.
Tunkles tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunkles misses with a right hand
and Kovolak counters with a nice uppercut.
Rick Tunkles is winning the standup battle so far.
Tunkles fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tunkles fails with the takedown.
Rick Tunkles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kovolak misses the shot to the body.
No joy there for Tunkles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Oleg Kovolak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kovolak with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovolak fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tunkles manages to avoid it.
Kovolak misses with a wild body shot.
Tunkles swings for the body but Kovolak moves out of range.
Tunkles looks for a takedown but Kovolak sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Tunkles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovolak misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Tunkles showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kovolak has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleg Kovolak!
An out of breath Oleg Kovolak thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.