PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Julio Chavez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Kovalchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Chavez
vs
Kovalchuk

185 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

184 cm
20
189 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Julio Chavez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Kovalchuk!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chavez looks to land a body kick but Kovalchuk moved away.
Chavez tries to clinch up.
Chavez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Chavez shoots in but Kovalchuk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kovalchuk missing with a left hand there. Chavez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Chavez wants to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Kovalchuk as Chavez shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chavez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kovalchuk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chavez somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Chavez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Kovalchuk as Chavez shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez throws a solid leg kick but Kovalchuk takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chavez.
A head kick misses from Kovalchuk.
Chavez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kovalchuk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chavez somewhat.
Kovalchuk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kovalchuk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kovalchuk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chavez.
Chavez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chavez throws a hook but Kovalchuk avoids it easily.
Chavez tries to clinch but Kovalchuk moves out of range.

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.
Kovalchuk cracks Chavez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Chavez closes the distance and clinches up with Kovalchuk, looking for a takedown. Chavez pushes Kovalchuk against the cage but Kovalchuk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Chavez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Chavez fails with a takedown attempt.
Chavez tries to clinch up.
Kovalchuk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chavez was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovalchuk.
Nice straight punches there by Kovalchuk. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kovalchuk.
Chavez has a takedown stuffed.
Kovalchuk looks to throw the jab but Chavez is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchuk punishes Chavez's body with a nice straight punch.
Chavez shoots in for a double leg but Kovalchuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kovalchuk stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovalchuk wants it to stay on the feet.
Chavez has a takedown stuffed.
Chavez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovalchuk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chavez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Chavez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kovalchuk circles away.

Kovalchuk looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Chavez wants to sweep here but Kovalchuk controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chavez is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kovalchuk gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Chavez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kovalchuk.
Chavez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kovalchuk counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Chavez!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kovalchuk is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Kovalchuk getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Chavez wants to clinch

and Kovalchuk counters with a single leg into guard. Chavez didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kovalchuk dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

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

Chavez has one foot on Kovalchuk's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Chavez misses with a takedown attempt

and Kovalchuk counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Kovalchuk stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Kovalchuk throws out a loose jab but Chavez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Kovalchuk misses its intended target.

Kovalchuk shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kovalchuk showed some decent athleticism there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chavez wants to control but Kovalchuk is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalchuk wants to get back to his feet.

Kovalchuk postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Chavez to stand up.
Chavez clinches but Kovalchuk breaks the clinch
and Kovalchuk counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Chavez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kovalchuk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chavez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Chavez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ilya Kovalchuk has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kovalchuk gets to his feet. Chavez looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kovalchuk misses with a looping right.
Chavez misses with a takedown attempt

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Chavez's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Chavez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalchuk is looking to stand up but Chavez won't let him.
Chavez controls Kovalchuk momentarily but Kovalchuk frees himself.
Chavez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovalchuk is one step ahead there.
Kovalchuk would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovalchuk stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Chavez misses with a takedown
and Kovalchuk counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Chavez misses with a takedown attempt

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Kovalchuk gets to his feet. Chavez looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Chavez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kovalchuk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kovalchuk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chavez misses with a takedown

and Kovalchuk counters with a shoot takedown. Chavez fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kovalchuk stands and steps away. Chavez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Chavez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kovalchuk counters with a stiff right hand.
Chavez looks to clinch

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kovalchuk tries to stand but Chavez is controlling from the bottom.

Kovalchuk stands up from guard. Let's bang!
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Chavez. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Kovalchuk is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chavez with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kovalchuk is looking to stand up but Chavez won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kovalchuk 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Chavez wants to clinch but Kovalchuk slips to the side

and Kovalchuk counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kovalchuk is looking to stand up but Chavez won't let him.
Chavez controls Kovalchuk momentarily but Kovalchuk frees himself.
Kovalchuk tries to stand but Chavez is controlling from the bottom.
Kovalchuk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Chavez looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovalchuk stands and steps away. Chavez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Chavez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kovalchuk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Chavez misses with a takedown attempt

and Kovalchuk counters with a takedown into side control.

Kovalchuk decides to stand up, so the ref orders Chavez to his feet.
Chavez has his takedown stuffed

and Kovalchuk counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Chavez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chavez is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kovalchuk is controlling him well.
Chavez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chavez wants to get back to his feet.

Kovalchuk decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Chavez has his takedown stuffed
and Kovalchuk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Chavez closes the distance but Kovalchuk moves to the side

so Kovalchuk counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kovalchuk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kovalchuk is looking to stand up but Chavez won't let him.

Kovalchuk got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chavez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kovalchuk has managed to get both his arms back between Chavez's legs - danger averted.
Chavez looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchuk preventing the sweep.
Kovalchuk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kovalchuk stands and steps away. Chavez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kovalchuk scores with a hook.
Ilya Kovalchuk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kovalchuk misses with a series of wild punches.
Chavez darts in trying to clinch
and Kovalchuk counters with a straight right hand.
Chavez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kovalchuk counters with a shoot takedown. Chavez fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovalchuk stands up and waves to Chavez to follow him.
Chavez fails with the takedown
letting Kovalchuk counter with a right hand.
Chavez fails with the takedown

and Kovalchuk counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Chavez!
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!
Kovalchuk controlling from the full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Kovalchuk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kovalchuk has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 24:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 24:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Kovalchuk!