PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teemu Maijanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Kovalov
vs
Maijanen

170 cm
26
196 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

185 cm
23
196 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

-GTI- Divine Clothing

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 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Teemu Maijanen!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maijanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kovalov.
Kovalov throws a hook but Maijanen avoids it easily.
Kovalov takes a swing at Maijanen's ribcage but misses.
Maijanen shoots in and drives through. Kovalov sprawls well.
Maijanen defending well as Kovalov loads up on a big left hand.
Maijanen shoots in and drives through. Kovalov sprawls well.
Maijanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalov.
A jab from Kovalov misses.
Maijanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab from Kovalov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalov misses with a body shot.
Kovalov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kovalov throws a head kick that misses.
Kovalov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maijanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kovalov defends it nicely.
Antonio Kovalov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teemu Maijanen.
Kovalov throws a body punch but Maijanen moves out of range.
Maijanen throws a head kick that misses.

Kovalov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Maijanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kovalov cracks Maijanen with a big right hand but Maijanen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Maijanen taking punishment in the form of punches.
Maijanen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Maijanen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kovalov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kovalov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kovalov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kovalov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maijanen manages to get himself to full guard.

Maijanen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kovalov defends well.
Kovalov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kovalov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Maijanen has his foot on Kovalov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kovalov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kovalov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kovalov wants to control from the top but Maijanen keeps moving.

Maijanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maijanen looks gassed!
Kovalov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kovalov advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maijanen is looking to reverse the position.
Kovalov advances to full mount.
Maijanen is trying desperately to improve position.
Kovalov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Maijanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kovalov wants to control the pace but Maijanen is squirming around nicely.
Maijanen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Maijanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kovalov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kovalov working over Maijanen with some ground and pound. Maijanen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maijanen is trying to get back to full guard.
Kovalov not doing much here.
Kovalov wants to pass to mount but Maijanen is defending the position.
Maijanen has hold of Kovalov's hands but Kovalov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Maijanen looking for submissions off his back.
Kovalov controlling the action here.

Maijanen looking for submissions off his back.
Kovalov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Kovalov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maijanen has his takedown stuffed

and Kovalov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kovalov.
Kovalov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kovalov stands and throws Maijanen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Maijanen is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalov scores with punches from side control.
Kovalov trying to control the position but Maijanen is working away.
Maijanen looks to move to half guard but instead Kovalov has passed into mount! Damn!
Maijanen regains half guard.

Maijanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kovalov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maijanen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov wants to take a breather but Maijanen is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kovalov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kovalov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Maijanen looking for submissions off his back.
Maijanen is not content to let Kovalov control the position.

Maijanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maijanen is not content to let Kovalov control the position.
Maijanen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kovalov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Maijanen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kovalov has picked Maijanen up and slammed him! Maijanen can't keep hold of the triangle and Kovalov manages to pass to side control!
Maijanen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kovalov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kovalov wants to control but Maijanen is keeping him busy.
Kovalov working the ground and pound.
Kovalov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Antonio Kovalov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Kovalov throws a hook to the side of Maijanen's head but Maijanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovalov throws a shot from downtown. Maijanen moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maijanen walks into a jab.

Kovalov scores with a takedown into Maijanen's guard.
Kovalov trying to control the position from guard on top but Maijanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maijanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kovalov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kovalov with a nice head shot there.
Kovalov is in close to Maijanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kovalov stands and throws Maijanen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kovalov is looking to take a break and control but Maijanen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maijanen is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov lands an elbow.
Maijanen is looking for a sweep.
Kovalov controlling the position from side mount.
Kovalov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Maijanen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kovalov controlling the action here.
Kovalov trying to control from half guard but Maijanen is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Kovalov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Maijanen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kovalov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maijanen somewhat.
A slow jab from Kovalov misses its intended target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kovalov, as that shot connected.
Maijanen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Maijanen avoids the head kick by Kovalov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Kovalov misses its intended target.

Maijanen gets caught flat footed, as Kovalov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kovalov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maijanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kovalov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Maijanen looking for subs off his back but Kovalov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Antonio Kovalov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maijanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kovalov uses his free foot to push down on Maijanen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Maijanen.
Maijanen is desperately trying to improve his position but Kovalov has a good base and remains in mount.
Kovalov lands a nice shot to the head.
Maijanen is looking to get to half guard.
Kovalov trying to control but Maijanen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov controlling the pace for now.
Kovalov lands with some strikes.
Maijanen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kovalov tries to control but Maijanen wriggling away.
Maijanen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Maijanen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Maijanen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kovalov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kovalov works over Maijanen with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maijanen is looking for a triangle but Kovalov pushes his legs off easily.
Kovalov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kovalov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kovalov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Maijanen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kovalov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kovalov lands a couple of digs.
Kovalov pushes down on Maijanen's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maijanen is pressing down on Kovalov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Maijanen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kovalov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Maijanen.
Maijanen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kovalov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kovalov lands some shots froms side control.
Maijanen is looking for a sweep.
Kovalov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Teemu Maijanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maijanen taking a bit of punishment here - Kovalov scoring with strikes.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Kovalov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Maijanen is not content to let Kovalov control the position.
Maijanen is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Kovalov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kovalov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Kovalov!