PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between imants legzda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

legzda
vs
Povetkin

190 cm
22
258 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

188 cm
22
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, imants legzda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Povetkin!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Povetkin connects with the punch.
Povetkin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Povetkin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. legzda defends it nicely.

legzda closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by legzda.
legzda stops a takedown attempt from Povetkin.
imants legzda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Povetkin.
legzda throws a punch but it's blocked by Povetkin.

Povetkin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Povetkin or perhaps it was just good defense by legzda which made him look bad.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin is having none of it.
Povetkin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts legzda as he jumps to the side.
legzda scores with a decent looking hook.
legzda misses with an uppercut.

legzda clinches up with Povetkin and pushes him back against the cage.
legzda misses with some punches.
Povetkin drops down looking for an ankle pick but legzda pulls his leg out and moves away.
legzda is looking to clinch but Povetkin is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin moves out of range.
Povetkin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Povetkin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts legzda as he jumps to the side.
legzda could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Povetkin looks gassed!
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin is having none of it.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin moves out of range.
legzda tries to clinch up but Povetkin circles away and keeps his distance.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin is having none of it.
legzda throws a nice looking combination but Povetkin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
imants legzda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
legzda is looking to clinch.
legzda moves in looking to clinch but Povetkin pushes him off.
legzda tries to clinch up.
Povetkin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - legzda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin moves out of range.
Povetkin slips a straight right by legzda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
legzda tries to clinch up.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin is having none of it.
legzda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Povetkin.
legzda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Povetkin shoots in but no luck this time.
legzda swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Povetkin counters with a takedown into side control.
legzda is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Povetkin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Povetkin throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Povetkin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
legzda is trying to buck Povetkin off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Povetkin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has legzda pinned against the cage. legzda gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
legzda closes the distance but Povetkin moves to the side

and Povetkin counters by clinching up.
legzda prevents Povetkin from breaking the clinch.
Povetkin blocks an uppercut.
legzda lands a nice uppercut.
legzda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
legzda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

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

Povetkin is looking for a triangle but legzda pushes his legs off easily.
legzda postures up in Povetkin's guard and throws a big left but Povetkin blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
legzda preventing the sweep.
legzda postures up and lands a big shot to Povetkin's brow.
legzda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as legzda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
legzda postures up in Povetkin's guard and throws a big left but Povetkin blocks it.
legzda working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
legzda tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
legzda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Povetkin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin is having none of it.
legzda closes the distance but Povetkin moves to the side

and Povetkin counters with a takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Povetkin trying to control the action but legzda is working from the bottom.
legzda wants to get back to his feet but Povetkin drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Povetkin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

No luck for Povetkin with that takedown attempt.
legzda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Povetkin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Povetkin fails in his attempt to clinch.
legzda is looking to clinch but Povetkin is avoiding it.

legzda gets a clinch.
Povetkin tries to pull guard but legzda holds him up against the cage and eventually Povetkin drops back down to his feet.
Povetkin has a couple of punches blocked by legzda.
legzda prevents the takedown attempt.
imants legzda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Povetkin.
Povetkin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but legzda has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Povetkin.
Povetkin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. legzda fights it off and pushes away nicely.
legzda cracks Povetkin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
legzda closes the distance looking to clinch

and Povetkin counters with a shoot takedown. legzda fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

legzda scrambles and gets back to his feet.
legzda tries to clinch there but Povetkin circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
legzda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Povetkin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Povetkin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - legzda scores with a four punch combination!
Povetkin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

legzda gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Still in the clinch, legzda scores with a nice short uppercut.
legzda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
legzda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Povetkin backwards.
Povetkin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but legzda pulls him back up using the underhooks.
legzda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from legzda.
legzda throws a punch but it's blocked by Povetkin.
legzda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
legzda lands a shoulder strike.
legzda scores with a shot to the side of Povetkin's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin jumps guard but legzda stands there with Povetkin around his waist. Povetkin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
legzda misses with some punches.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
legzda misses with a hook from the clinch.
legzda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
legzda misses with some punches.
legzda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Povetkin breaks from the clinch.
Povetkin swats away the attempt to clinch by legzda.
legzda is looking to clinch.
legzda slaps away a takedown attempt from Povetkin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
legzda tries to clinch up.
legzda wants to clinch.
Povetkin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

legzda has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short left from legzda.
Povetkin wants a takedown but no success here.
legzda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Povetkin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
legzda gets through Povetkin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
legzda lands a left hand that snaps the head of Povetkin backwards.
Povetkin blocking some punches.
Povetkin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. legzda smiles and moves away.
imants legzda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
legzda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Povetkin.
legzda tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Povetkin counters with a single leg into guard. legzda didn't expect that.
legzda is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Povetkin is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
legzda keeping moving, preventing Povetkin from controlling successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

legzda has his feet on Povetkin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Povetkin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
legzda looks like he's trying to stand up.

Povetkin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and legzda defends it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
legzda looks like he's trying to stand up.
Povetkin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that imants legzda will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

legzda wants to clinch.
Povetkin shoots in but no luck this time.
legzda wants to clinch but Povetkin slips to the side

and Povetkin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in legzda's guard.

legzda has his feet on Povetkin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
legzda wants to clinch

so Povetkin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

legzda pushes Povetkin off and scrambles back to his feet.
Povetkin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. legzda defends it nicely.
Povetkin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Povetkin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Povetkin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Povetkin drops back looking for a leg! legzda is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and legzda manages to kick Povetkin off! Povetkin jumps back into legzda's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

legzda has his feet on Povetkin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
legzda tries to clinch
and Povetkin counters with a body kick.
legzda scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
legzda slaps away a takedown attempt from Povetkin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
imants legzda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Povetkin.
Povetkin circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Povetkin counter with a right hand.
Povetkin shoots for a takedown but legzda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Povetkin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
legzda tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Povetkin counters with a series of strikes. legzda will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
legzda darts in trying to clinch

and Povetkin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for legzda!
Povetkin sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Povetkin wants to take his opponent's back but legzda doesn't allow it.

legzda bucks Povetkin off and manages to get back to his feet!
legzda leaves Povetkin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
legzda tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice combination there by legzda.
imants legzda is winning the standup battle so far.
Povetkin fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
legzda tries to clinch but Povetkin moves away
and Povetkin counters with a nice kick to the body.
legzda fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin misses with a takedown attempt - legzda sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
legzda tries to clinch up
and Povetkin counters with a nice body kick.
Povetkin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A punch combination from Povetkin misses.
legzda tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Povetkin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Povetkin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Povetkin tries to stand but can't do so whilst legzda controls his leg.
legzda is trying to stand.

legzda pushes Povetkin off and gets back to his feet.
Povetkin shoots in and drives through. legzda sprawls well.
legzda is looking to clinch.
Povetkin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? legzda is fending him off so far but Povetkin persists. Nope, legzda circles away and we're back to standing.
Povetkin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
legzda slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
legzda tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Povetkin to counter with a crisp jab.
Povetkin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around legzda's waist but legzda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Povetkin off to one side.

legzda closes the distance and clinches.
Povetkin wants a takedown but no success here.
A short left from legzda.
legzda misses with some punches.
legzda misses with a hook from the clinch.
legzda misses with a hook from the clinch.
legzda misses with a punch on the inside.
legzda misses with a punch on the inside.
Povetkin tries to pull guard but legzda holds him up against the cage and eventually Povetkin drops back down to his feet.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Povetkin effectively controlling the action here.
Povetkin can't break the clinch.
legzda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
legzda lands with a short head shot on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Povetkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Povetkin 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Povetkin!