PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kiyoshi Tamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexsandr Kovrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tamura's entrance music is Teriyaki boyz - Tokyo drift. A fine choice. Alexsandr Kovrov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Tamura
vs
Kovrov

176 cm
18
189 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
194 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kiyoshi Tamura!
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, Alexsandr Kovrov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovrov lands a jab-cross combination.
Kovrov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tamura backs up against the cage.

It looks like Kiyoshi Tamura has been cut.
Kovrov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kovrov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tamura avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tamura walks into a left hand.
Tamura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovrov.
Kovrov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kovrov missing with a left hand there. Tamura was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Alexsandr Kovrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovrov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kovrov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A combination from Kovrov does no damage.
Kovrov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kovrov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kovrov throws the left hand but Tamura avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovrov throws out a powerful jab.
Tamura moves in looking to clinch but Kovrov pushes him off.
Tamura tries to move into range but Kovrov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice body punch from Kovrov.
A punch combination from Kovrov misses.
Kovrov throws out a powerful jab.
Kovrov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kovrov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jab, jab by Kovrov - just one landing.
Kovrov sizes up Tamura with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kovrov throws a jab but it's blocked by Tamura.
The fighters circling - Kovrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tamura is looking to clinch but Kovrov is avoiding it.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov throws a nice looking combination but Tamura bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tamura ducks under a wild hook from Kovrov.
Tamura tries to clinch but Kovrov moves out of range.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
A big right from Kovrov misses.
Kovrov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tamura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kovrov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kovrov throws a right and a left that Tamura avoids nicely.
Kovrov lands a right hook to the body.
Kovrov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tamura tries to clinch but Kovrov moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Kovrov.
Kovrov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tamura. Tamura circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tamura wants to clinch up but Kovrov keeps it at a distance.
Tamura tries to clinch up.
Kovrov takes a swing at Tamura's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Kovrov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kovrov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovrov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tamura takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tamura is looking to clinch.
Tamura has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kovrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kovrov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamura tries to clinch but Kovrov moves out of range.
Kovrov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov swinging wildly here.
Kovrov scores with a nice head shot.
Kovrov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tamura circles away quickly and effectively.
Tamura dodges the punch combination from Kovrov.
Kovrov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Kovrov does no damage.
Kovrov lands with a right hand.
Tamura slips a jab from Kovrov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Kovrov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kiyoshi Tamura's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kovrov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tamura circles away quickly and effectively.
Tamura takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kovrov lands with a shot to the body.
Kovrov cracks Tamura with a good jab.
Kovrov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kovrov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovrov misses with the combination.
Kovrov misses with a straight right.
Kovrov lands with a cross.
Kovrov misses with a few strikes there.
Tamura tries to clinch up but Kovrov circles away and keeps his distance.
Alexsandr Kovrov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kovrov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kovrov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kovrov misses with a looping left.
Kovrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Tamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tamura's hands.
Tamura has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kovrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kovrov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tamura.
Kovrov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tamura takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kovrov cracks Tamura with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kiyoshi Tamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovrov throws a right hand that Tamura ducks under and follows up with a left that Tamura also avoids with ease.
Tamura avoids the body shot from Kovrov.
Tamura moves in looking to clinch but Kovrov pushes him off.
Tamura looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kovrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tamura tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kovrov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov lands a jab.
A nice combination there by Kovrov.
Kovrov throws a series of punches but Tamura avoids them all with ease.
Kovrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tamura.
Kovrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tamura.
Tamura dodges the punch combination from Kovrov.
Kovrov misses with a looping left.
Kovrov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kovrov lands a head shot.
Kovrov throws a series of punches but Tamura moves out of range.
Kovrov throws a nice looking combination but Tamura bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovrov scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov throws out a powerful jab.
Tamura dodges the punch combination from Kovrov.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Tamura might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Kovrov scores with a one two! Tamura had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kovrov misses with a few strikes there.
Kovrov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kovrov misses with a hook.
Tamura ducks under a wild hook from Kovrov.
Tamura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kovrov throws a jab when Tamura was well out of range.
Kovrov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tamura wants to clinch.
Tamura gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kovrov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamura bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kovrov misses the shot to the body.
Tamura walks into a straight right hand from Kovrov.
Kovrov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kovrov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kovrov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tamura manages to avoid it.
Kovrov throws a hook to the side of Tamura's head but Tamura sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovrov scores with a jab to the head.
Kovrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kovrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Tamura.
Kovrov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tamura takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kovrov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Kovrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kiyoshi Tamura's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kovrov throws a jab when Tamura was well out of range.
Kovrov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kovrov tries to bum rush Tamura with a series of wild strikes but Tamura uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kovrov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kovrov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tamura on the side of the head.
Kovrov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tamura staying out of range there.
Kovrov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kovrov sizes up Tamura with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tamura avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tamura drops his hands momentarily and Kovrov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kovrov throws a series of punches but Tamura moves out of range.
Kovrov looks to score with a jab to the body but Tamura is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovrov throws a looping overhand right but Tamura ducks down to avoid it.
Tamura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kovrov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kovrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tamura fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kovrov misses with a straight left.
Tamura tries to clinch up.
A swing and a miss from Kovrov.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov throws a series of punches but Tamura moves out of range.
Kovrov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tamura displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovrov throws out the jab.
Tamura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kovrov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamura tries to close the distance and clinch but Kovrov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kovrov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovrov jabs Tamura right on the nose. Tamura blinks but takes it well.
Tamura tries to move into range but Kovrov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kovrov swinging wildly here.
Kovrov works Tamura's body with a nice hook.
Kovrov cracks Tamura with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Kiyoshi Tamura's cut is getting worse.
Tamura showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovrov.
Kovrov looks to throw the jab but Tamura is out of range.
Tamura uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kovrov.
A punch combination from Kovrov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov throws a shot from downtown. Tamura moves away and avoids it.
Good standup being displayed there by Kovrov as he connects with a hook.
Nice jab there from Kovrov.
Kovrov swinging wildly here.
Tamura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovrov.
Kovrov misses with a two punch combination.
Kovrov looks to land a combination but Tamura avoids it well.
Tamura has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kovrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tamura is looking to clinch.
Kovrov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kovrov fails to land with a series of punches.
Tamura moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tamura wants to clinch up but Kovrov keeps it at a distance.
Kovrov throws a lazy right hand but Tamura sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch combination from Kovrov misses.
Tamura moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kovrov cracks Tamura with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kovrov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kovrov is working the combinations to good effect here.
Tamura moves out of range as Kovrov strikes.
Kovrov throws a nice looking combination but Tamura bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovrov misses with a double jab.
Kovrov lands with a cross.
Kiyoshi Tamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tamura tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kovrov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexsandr Kovrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kovrov 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 24:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 24:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexsandr Kovrov!