PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomi comes to the cage accompanied by Slaap lekker!. Povetkin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mother Russia. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gomi
vs
Povetkin

175 cm
25
167 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
165 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Punishment Nutrition - New products in stock!
Punishment Nutrition - New products in stock!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kenny Gomi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Povetkin!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Gomi misses
enabling Povetkin to counter with a crisp jab.
Gomi misses with a lunging right hand
and Gomi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Povetkin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Povetkin.

Gomi breaks from the clinch.
Gomi lands with a shot to the body.
Povetkin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice body kick there by Gomi.
Povetkin throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gomi.

Povetkin tries to sprawl but Gomi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Povetkin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gomi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin is trying to keep Gomi in close.
Gomi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Povetkin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Povetkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gomi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Povetkin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Povetkin throws out a leg kick but Gomi moves out of range and Povetkin only half commits.
Gomi misses with a hook. Povetkin ducked under it nicely.
Gomi moves out of range of the leg kick from Povetkin.

That's two 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.
Povetkin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gomi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Alexander Povetkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gomi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Povetkin counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gomi with a hook.

Gomi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gomi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Povetkin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Povetkin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gomi trying to mount his opponent but Povetkin defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin is looking for a sweep. Gomi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Povetkin is trying to maintain the position but Gomi is very close to passing his half guard.
Povetkin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gomi.
Gomi is looking to advance position but Povetkin won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gomi has his takedown stuffed
and Povetkin counters with a body kick that stops Gomi in his tracks momentarily.
Povetkin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gomi. That did some damage!
Povetkin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Povetkin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gomi checks it well.
Povetkin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gomi on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin avoids the head kick by Gomi.
Povetkin thows a leg kick but Gomi checks it

and Gomi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gomi tries to free his leg and advance position but Povetkin is retaining full guard.
Gomi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gomi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Povetkin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Povetkin wants to sweep here but Gomi controlling him for the moment.
Gomi prevents Povetkin from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gomi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Povetkin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Povetkin trying to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alexander Povetkin wasn't active enough on the ground.
Gomi shoots for a double leg takedown but Povetkin sprawls well. He's pushed Gomi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Povetkin leaves Gomi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gomi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
Povetkin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Povetkin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Gomi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Povetkin is in a horrible position here. Gomi smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Gomi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Povetkin is on top in guard.
Povetkin is looking to stand up but Gomi won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Povetkin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Povetkin throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Gomi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gomi jabs Povetkin right on the nose. Povetkin blinks but takes it well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Povetkin. That's going to slow Gomi down.

Gomi shoots in and gets a takedown into Povetkin's guard.
Povetkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gomi thows a big elbow that misses.
Povetkin wants to stand and escape but Gomi is having none of it.
Gomi with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin keeping full guard, as Gomi tries to pass.

Gomi 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.
Gomi throwing strikes but missing.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Gomi from controlling successfully.
Gomi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Povetkin is keeping the position for now.
Povetkin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Povetkin wants to sweep but no luck.
Gomi 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Povetkin's head.
Gomi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Povetkin has his feet on Gomi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Gomi throws a jab but it's blocked by Povetkin.
Gomi thows a leg kick but Povetkin checks it
and Povetkin counters with a nice leg kick.
Povetkin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gomi punishes Povetkin's body with a nice straight punch.

Gomi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Povetkin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gomi scores with a couple of short elbows.
Povetkin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gomi's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin is looking for a sweep. Gomi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gomi wants to take a breather but Povetkin is having none of it.
Povetkin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gomi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gomi wants to pass the guard but Povetkin is defending well.
Povetkin wants to get back to full guard.
Povetkin is trying to stand.
Povetkin trying to control here.
Povetkin is breathing heavily.
Gomi trying to control from half guard but Povetkin is working away.

Gomi seems to be working for a kimura but Povetkin defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Horrible takedown by Gomi or perhaps it was just good defense by Povetkin which made him look bad.
Povetkin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gomi throws a wild body kick that Povetkin sees coming a mile off.
Povetkin throws a leg kick which misses Gomi's front leg but catches the back leg as Gomi tries to avoid it.
Povetkin is looking to chop away at Gomi's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Povetkin swivels and escapes.
Gomi swats away the attempt to clinch by Povetkin.
Gomi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Povetkin counters with an outside leg kick.
Povetkin connects with a leg kick. Gomi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gomi misses the body punch
and Povetkin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A solid leg kick lands there for Povetkin.
Povetkin throws a leg kick but Gomi checks it.
Povetkin is looking to land body kicks.
Gomi misses with an uppercut
and Povetkin counters with an outside leg kick.
A left and a right from Gomi both land. Nice combination.
Povetkin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gomi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gomi throws an off balance right hand
and Povetkin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gomi's knee momentarily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Povetkin enables Gomi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Povetkin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Povetkin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Povetkin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gomi is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin wants to stand but Gomi is controlling the position.
Gomi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gomi is looking to work some ground and pound but Povetkin has wrist control.
Povetkin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Alexander Povetkin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Gomi scores with a head kick.
Gomi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Povetkin sprawls well. Povetkin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gomi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Povetkin cracks the inside of Gomi's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi checks a low kick from Povetkin.
Povetkin doesn't manage to clinch there - Gomi circles away.
Gomi has his takedown stuffed
and Povetkin counters with an outside leg kick.
Gomi scores with a leg kick.
Povetkin throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gomi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Povetkin counters with a nice body shot.
Gomi misses with a shot to the body
and Povetkin counters with a nice body kick.
A low kick from Gomi is predictable there
and Povetkin counters with a low kick, right behind Gomi 's knee.
Povetkin tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gomi is able to avoid easily.
Povetkin throws a low kick but Gomi avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Gomi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gomi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Povetkin throws a push kick but Gomi slaps the foot to one side.
Povetkin connects with the punch.
Povetkin is looking to slow Gomi down with leg kicks.
Gomi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gomi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Povetkin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Povetkin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Povetkin moves into the clinch.
Povetkin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Povetkin has Gomi pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Povetkin really dominated that round.
That's time! Gomi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gomi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Povetkin delivers a nice body kick.
Gomi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gomi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
An inside leg kick from Povetkin misses.
Povetkin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gomi misses with the body kick
and Povetkin counters with a nice uppercut.
Povetkin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gomi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Povetkin - the referee stops the clock and Gomi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Povetkin. Gomi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Povetkin does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Crunch! Gomi slams his shin into Povetkin's torso.
Povetkin throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Alexander Povetkin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi swats away the attempt to clinch by Povetkin.
Gomi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Good work by Gomi as he checks the leg kick.
Povetkin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A big left from Gomi misses.
Povetkin thumps Gomi with a low kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Povetkin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gomi swings widly with a right hand

and Povetkin counters by clinching up.
Povetkin has a couple of punches blocked by Gomi.
Povetkin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.
Povetkin swings wildly with an uppercut but Gomi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gomi or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin works on Gomi's body with a couple of short punches.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Stalling in the clinch from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Povetkin controlling the action here for a moment.
Povetkin lands a body punch.
Povetkin has a couple of punches blocked by Gomi.
Povetkin lands with a right to the head.
Povetkin tries to throw a body punch but Gomi avoids it by throwing Povetkin back against the cage.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gomi blocking some punches.
Povetkin lands a hook to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Povetkin.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a right hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin has a couple of punches blocked by Gomi.
Povetkin lands with a left to the head.
Povetkin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Povetkin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gomi.
Povetkin lands a shot to the body.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
Gomi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Povetkin lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Povetkin as the two fighters clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Povetkin.
A nice left hand lands by Povetkin.
Povetkin presses Gomi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Povetkin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Povetkin.
Povetkin misses with a punch on the inside.
Povetkin throws a punch but it's blocked by Gomi.
Povetkin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Povetkin lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Gomi blocks an uppercut.
Povetkin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gomi.
Povetkin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Povetkin throws a head punch that misses.
Povetkin misses with a body punch.
Povetkin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Povetkin misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin lands with a light punch inside.
Povetkin digs a right hand underneath Gomi's ribcage. Gomi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Povetkin tries to stall but Gomi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Povetkin lands a left hand.
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gomi backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Povetkin misses with a hook from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Gomi blocks an uppercut.
Gomi blocks a body shot from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a right to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Povetkin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gomi blocks a body shot from Povetkin.
Gomi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gomi tries to pull guard but Povetkin holds him up against the cage and eventually Gomi drops back down to his feet.
Povetkin is leaning against Gomi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Povetkin working aggressively here.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Povetkin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Povetkin dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gomi checks a leg kick.
A low kick from Gomi misses
and Povetkin counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Povetkin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gomi manages to avoid it.
Gomi checks the leg kick.
Povetkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Povetkin.
Povetkin moves out of range as Gomi strikes.

Povetkin clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin working aggressively here.
Povetkin scores with a hook to the body.
Povetkin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Povetkin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Povetkin.
Gomi digs a right hand into Povetkin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Povetkin's gas tank.
Gomi is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gomi gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Povetkin wants to stand but Gomi is controlling the position.

Povetkin pushes Gomi off and scrambles back to his feet.
A shot to the body from Gomi misses

and Povetkin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Povetkin.
Gomi lands a body shot.
Alexander Povetkin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Gomi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gomi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gomi scores with a sloppy right hand. Povetkin should have avoided that one.
Gomi connects with a jab.
Povetkin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Povetkin throws a leg kick which misses Gomi's front leg but catches the back leg as Gomi tries to avoid it.
Povetkin misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Povetkin moves away.
Gomi connects with a right hand. Povetkin shakes it off.
Povetkin throws a low kick, looking for Gomi's leg but Gomi calmly moves out of range.
Gomi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Povetkin's waist but Povetkin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gomi off to one side.
Povetkin throws a lazy head kick

and Gomi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Povetkin's guard.
Povetkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Povetkin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Povetkin tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi wants to pass the guard but Povetkin is keeping the position.
Gomi trying to control but Povetkin is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Povetkin is looking to stand up but Gomi isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Povetkin throws a head kick that misses
and Gomi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gomi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Povetkin manages to avoid it.
Gomi moves forwards but Povetkin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gomi misses with a takedown attempt
and Povetkin counters with a good low kick that Gomi was not able to check.
Gomi looks to throw the jab but Povetkin is out of range.
Povetkin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Povetkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Povetkin wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenny Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters circling a little - Povetkin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

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.

Gomi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Povetkin is trying to defend but Gomi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Povetkin is trying to get back to full guard.
Gomi lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Povetkin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gomi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gomi is pressing down on Povetkin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Povetkin is holding on for now.
Povetkin tries to kick Gomi off but Gomi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Gomi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Povetkin defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Gomi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gomi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 47:47
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Kenny Gomi retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!