PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Natanael Valdez (ranked 4026 p4p, 2810 weight class) and Attila Kovacs (ranked 0 p4p, 308 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.

Valdez
vs
Kovacs

170 cm
22
200
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
200
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Natanael Valdez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Attila Kovacs!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick from Kovacs lands but Valdez takes it in his stride.

It looks like Natanael Valdez has been cut.
Kovacs throws a sloppy head kick and Valdez moves out of range easily.
Valdez really is a fat lump.
Kovacs circles away from the clinch attempt.
A head kick misses from Kovacs.
Valdez dodges the punch combination from Kovacs.
Kovacs defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valdez.
Valdez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kovacs with a hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Valdez is defended easily by Kovacs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovacs moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Kovacs gets tackled into the cage by Valdez. Valdez maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Valdez has Kovacs pressed against the cage, preventing Kovacs from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Valdez stalling in the clinch.
Kovacs prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Natanael Valdez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Valdez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Valdez with that takedown attempt.
Kovacs swings away with a body shot that misses

and Valdez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Valdez pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs stands and steps away. Valdez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kovacs throws a head kick that Valdez semi-blocks.

Kovacs instigates a clinch.
Kovacs gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valdez.
Valdez displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kovacs up against the cage.
Kovacs wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kovacs breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kovacs. Valdez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Valdez shoots for a double leg takedown but Kovacs sprawls well. He's pushed Valdez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Valdez tries to move into range but Kovacs moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kovacs lands with a straight right. Valdez didn't see that one coming.
Kovacs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Valdez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kovacs tries to break free but Valdez pushes him back against the cage.
Valdez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kovacs prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kovacs is trying to break the clinch but Valdez is controlling him.
Valdez tries for a takedown but Kovacs manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovacs scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Crunch! Kovacs slams his shin into Valdez's torso.
Valdez is breathing heavily.
Kovacs throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovacs throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Valdez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Valdez tries to clinch but Kovacs is having none of it.
Kovacs lands with a straight right. Valdez didn't see that one coming.
Kovacs scores with a jab.
Kovacs throws a sloppy head kick and Valdez moves out of range easily.
Valdez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kovacs.
Kovacs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovacs wants it to stay on the feet.
Kovacs fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kovacs pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Valdez back to the cage. Kovacs follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Attila Kovacs dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Natanael Valdez's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kovacs scores with a shot to the body.
Kovacs connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovacs misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valdez feinted with a counter takedown.
Kovacs ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Valdez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovacs avoids it really well and circles away.
Kovacs misses with a few strikes there.
Kovacs tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovacs keeps the fight on the outside.
Kovacs throws a series of punches but Valdez avoids them all with ease.
Kovacs throws a right and a left that both miss.
Valdez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kovacs has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kovacs throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Attila Kovacs seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacs throws the left hand but Valdez avoids the punch easily.
Valdez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Valdez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kovacs misses with a head kick.
Kovacs fails to land with a series of punches.
A little feinted left hand from Valdez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kovacs is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Valdez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Valdez gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kovacs.
Kovacs throws a head kick that misses.
Kovacs defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valdez.
Valdez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kovacs counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Natanael Valdez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kovacs wants to clinch up but Valdez keeps it at a distance.
Kovacs throws a good cross that connects.
Kovacs plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A head kick misses from Kovacs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valdez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kovacs defends it nicely.
Kovacs scores with a kick to the midsection.
Valdez wants to clinch up but Kovacs keeps it at a distance.
Kovacs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kovacs throws a sloppy body shot
and Valdez counters with a two punch combo.
Kovacs misses with a jab to the body
and Valdez counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Natanael Valdez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovacs feints a jab promting Valdez to slip. Kovacs then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Valdez slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Valdez tries to clinch up.
Kovacs digs a good hook to Valdez's body.

Kovacs clinches up against the cage.
Kovacs is looking to break free of the clinch but Valdez has double underhooks.
Valdez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kovacs tries to circle away but Valdez has him pinned against the cage.

Valdez jumps guard and drags Kovacs to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valdez is working an open guard so Kovacs takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Valdez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kovacs lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kovacs.
Valdez misses with a takedown attempt
and Kovacs makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kovacs throws a right and a left that Valdez avoids nicely.
Kovacs scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovacs throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kovacs is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Valdez rather than just go for the knockout.
Kovacs cracks Valdez with a good jab.
Kovacs misses with a jab, cross combination.
Valdez on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kovacs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Attila Kovacs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Natanael Valdez'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. This is the final round!

Kovacs fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kovacs goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Valdez dodges the punch combination from Kovacs.
Kovacs throws out a powerful jab.
Valdez with a poor takedown
and Kovacs counters with a stiff right hand.
Kovacs is looking to clinch.
Kovacs stalks Valdez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Valdez's face. Valdez staggers backwards, shaken.
Kovacs throws a front kick that sends Valdez stumbling back into the cage.
Kovacs misses with a double jab.
Kovacs pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovacs swings for the body but Valdez moves out of range.
Valdez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valdez closes the distance and clinches.
Kovacs tries to circle away but Valdez has him pinned against the cage.
Valdez is trying to pull guard but Kovacs turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Valdez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The referee is keeping an eye on Valdez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Valdez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kovacs smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Natanael Valdez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovacs lands a nice hook to Valdez's body. Valdez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kovacs scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs feints a jab promting Valdez to slip. Kovacs then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Valdez slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Valdez wants to clinch up but Kovacs keeps it at a distance.
Kovacs feints a counter leg kick.
Valdez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Valdez slips a jab and a cross from Kovacs.
Kovacs circles away from the clinch attempt.
Valdez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kovacs counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kovacs scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kovacs throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Valdez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valdez tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kovacs counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez shoots for a double leg takedown but Kovacs sprawls well. He's pushed Valdez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kovacs throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Valdez.
Nice sprawl there from Kovacs as Valdez shoots in.
Kovacs throws out a counter right but Valdez avoids it with no problem.
Kovacs throws a right hand that Valdez ducks under and follows up with a left that Valdez also avoids with ease.
Kovacs throws a right hand that Valdez ducks under and follows up with a left that Valdez also avoids with ease.

Kovacs clinches up with Valdez and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Kovacs.
Kovacs wants to break the clinch but can't.
Valdez will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Valdez manages to break the clinch.
Kovacs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valdez misses with a takedown attempt - Kovacs sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Despite the aggression on Kovacs's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs works over Valdez's head and body with a nice combination.
Attila Kovacs is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kovacs is looking to land body kicks.
Valdez misses with a takedown
and Kovacs counters with a right hand to the body.
Jab from Kovacs.
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!
A head kick from Kovacs lands but Valdez takes it in his stride.

Kovacs moves into the clinch successfully.
Valdez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kovacs tries to break free but Valdez pushes him back against the cage.
Natanael Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valdez tries a body shot but Kovacs blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Attila Kovacs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovacs 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Attila Kovacs!