PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabricio Werdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolai Kovalenko will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Werdum
vs
Kovalenko

193 cm
18
239 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

205 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fabricio Werdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Werdum.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kovalenko sprawls well. Kovalenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Werdum gets slowly back to his feet.
Kovalenko looks to land a combination but Werdum avoids it well.
Good shot there by Kovalenko.
Werdum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Werdum bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Werdum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalenko.

Kovalenko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Werdum wants to control from the top but Kovalenko keeps moving.
Werdum trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Werdum isn't so interested in that idea.
Kovalenko keeping full guard, as Werdum tries to pass.
Kovalenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Werdum. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovalenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Werdum pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kovalenko is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kovalenko drops Werdum with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Werdum looks back up at him and smiles so Kovalenko waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

It looks like Fabricio Werdum has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalenko cracks Werdum with a left hook right on the temple and Werdum goes down! He's out! Referee! Stop the fight! Kovalenko lands a few more punches before the dopey ref steps in - hopefully Werdum is OK!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nikolai Kovalenko!