PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Thomas (ranked 4604 p4p, 4539 weight class) and Volodimir Kovalenko (ranked 461 p4p, 553 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thomas
vs
Kovalenko

195 cm
18
260
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
223
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Flawless Victory Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Volodimir Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko lands a jab to Thomas's midsection.
Thomas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kovalenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kovalenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thomas doesn't seem bothered though.
Kovalenko digs a good body shot into Thomas's ribs.
Thomas tries to clinch up but Kovalenko circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas shoots in but Kovalenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kovalenko tests Thomas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thomas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kovalenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kovalenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thomas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kovalenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kovalenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kovalenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Thomas is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko lands the left hand.
Thomas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Thomas tries for a takedown but Kovalenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kovalenko is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Thomas had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Kovalenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kovalenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thomas doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice shot lands for Kovalenko.
Thomas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice shot lands for Kovalenko.
A head kick misses from Thomas.
Nice straight punches there by Kovalenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kovalenko.
Thomas takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalenko scores with a jab to the body.
Volodimir Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalenko lands with a nice body punch.
A punch lands to the side of Thomas 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kovalenko lands a right hook to the body.
Thomas is breathing heavily.
Thomas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko with a hook.
A cross from Kovalenko lands.
Kovalenko lands with a cross.

Thomas is rocked!
Kovalenko lands the left hand.
Oh Thomas is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kovalenko darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kovalenko but Kovalenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko connects with a good straight punch right through the guard and follows up with a right hook and a left hook! That last one sent Thomas tumbling to the canvas! Kovalenko pours on the pressure with more strikes and the referee has no hesitation diving in to stop the fight! Thomas was done - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Volodimir Kovalenko!