PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Fedorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fedorov comes into the arena with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8kANB2XBYU&feature=related blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Fedorov
vs
Kovalev

190 cm
19
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandr Fedorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Kovalev!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kovalev.
Kovalev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kovalev fails with the takedown.
Aleksandr Fedorov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kovalev.

Fedorov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kovalev sprawls well initially but Fedorov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fedorov is keen to just control but Kovalev is a slippery customer.
Kovalev is looking for a sweep. Fedorov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kovalev is staying active underneath Fedorov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kovalev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fedorov wants to get back to his feet.

Kovalev looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Fedorov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kovalev has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kovalev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute 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.
Kovalev tries for a takedown but Fedorov circles away easily

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

Fedorov has hold of one of Kovalev's legs. Kovalev is fighting the takedown attempt but Fedorov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Kovalev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fedorov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kovalev looks gassed!
Fedorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovalev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Kovalev working for a triangle but Fedorov defends it easily.
Fedorov wants to control from the top but Kovalev keeps moving.
Fedorov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fedorov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fedorov throwing strikes but missing.
Fedorov tries to stand but Kovalev is controlling from the bottom.

Kovalev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fedorov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fedorov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fedorov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fedorov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fedorov tries to free his leg and advance position but Kovalev is retaining full guard.

Fedorov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kovalev, up you get!
Kovalev fails with the takedown

so Fedorov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fedorov is looking to stand up but Kovalev won't let him.
Fedorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovalev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kovalev has his foot on Fedorov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fedorov works his way back into a safe position though.
Fedorov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Fedorov stands and steps away. Kovalev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

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

and Fedorov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fedorov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kovalev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kovalev actively working from the bottom here.
Fedorov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kovalev on the ground.

Kovalev actively working from the bottom here.

Kovalev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kovalev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fedorov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fedorov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Kovalev looking for submissions off his back.
Fedorov is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Fedorov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kovalev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Fedorov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Kovalev looking for a guillotine here but Fedorov defends easily.
Fedorov trying to control but Kovalev is working from the bottom.

Kovalev is looking for a triangle but Fedorov pushes his legs off easily.

Kovalev has his foot on Fedorov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fedorov works his way back into a safe position though.

Fedorov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kovalev, up you get!

Fedorov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fedorov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Fedorov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fedorov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Fedorov is posturing up here but Kovalev has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Fedorov tries to roll out but it's too tight and Fedorov has to tap! Slick submission there by Kovalev!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ivan Kovalev!