PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yevgeni Raduchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexsandr Kovrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yevgeni Raduchenko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Raduchenko
vs
Kovrov

178 cm
20
187 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
194 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yevgeni Raduchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexsandr Kovrov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovrov misses with a looping left.
Kovrov throws a lazy right hand but Raduchenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Raduchenko is defended easily by Kovrov.

Raduchenko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kovrov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kovrov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Raduchenko is controlling him well.
Raduchenko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kovrov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Raduchenko is controlling him well.
Kovrov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Raduchenko scores with a couple of short elbows.
The strikes coming from Raduchenko are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Raduchenko fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Raduchenko trying to control the action but Kovrov is working from the bottom.
Kovrov is working to avoid the ground and pound but Raduchenko connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovrov is pushing Raduchenko's head away, looking to escape. Raduchenko manages to hold on to the position though.
Kovrov taking a bit of punishment here - Raduchenko scoring with strikes.

Raduchenko tries for a kimura but Kovrov is defending well.

Raduchenko working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Raduchenko working the ground and pound.

Raduchenko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kovrov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Raduchenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kovrov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Raduchenko is putting a hurting on Kovrov here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko in side control lands a decent elbow.
Raduchenko landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kovrov is trying to buck Raduchenko off.
Raduchenko working the ground and pound.

Kovrov throws Raduchenko to one side and escapes!
Raduchenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kovrov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Raduchenko makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kovrov really felt that one!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Kovrov.
Raduchenko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Raduchenko there as he acknowledges the shot.
Raduchenko slips a jab and a cross from Kovrov.
Raduchenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovrov.
Kovrov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Raduchenko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kovrov's guard.
Raduchenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kovrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raduchenko drops back looking for a leg! Kovrov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kovrov manages to kick Raduchenko off! Raduchenko jumps back into Kovrov's guard.
Raduchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Kovrov is retaining full guard.
Kovrov wants to stand and escape but Raduchenko is having none of it.
Kovrov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Kovrov wants to get back to his feet but Raduchenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Raduchenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Raduchenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Raduchenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kovrov is keeping the position for now.
Raduchenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Raduchenko won't allow Kovrov to get back to his feet.
Raduchenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Raduchenko 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 four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kovrov wants to get back to his feet but Raduchenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Raduchenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Kovrov pushes Raduchenko off and scrambles back to his feet.
Raduchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kovrov.
Raduchenko blocks a jab.
Raduchenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kovrov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Raduchenko misses with an uppercut.
Alexsandr Kovrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovrov slips a jab from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko throws a front kick aimed at Kovrov's knee but Kovrov avoids it well.
Alexsandr Kovrov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raduchenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raduchenko dives in and grabs Kovrov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kovrov pushes down on Raduchenko's head and hops out.

Raduchenko shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Raduchenko cracks Kovrov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Raduchenko scores with a takedown into Kovrov's guard.

Kovrov has his feet on Raduchenko's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kovrov misses with a body kick.
Kovrov throws a lazy right hand but Raduchenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A lazy left from Kovrov finds it's target.
Kovrov misses with a wild combination.
Kovrov throws a hook but Raduchenko avoids it easily.
Kovrov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raduchenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raduchenko thows a leg kick but Kovrov checks it
and Kovrov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kovrov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Raduchenko momentarily.
Raduchenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kovrov.
Kovrov cracks Raduchenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Raduchenko slips a jab and a cross from Kovrov.
Kovrov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Raduchenko misses with a right hand
and Kovrov counters with an outside leg kick.
Raduchenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kovrov throws a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Raduchenko.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Raduchenko.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kovrov. Raduchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kovrov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raduchenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovrov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kovrov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovrov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Raduchenko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raduchenko prevents Kovrov from getting back to his feet.
Raduchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovrov being controlled here, momentarily.
Raduchenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Raduchenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Raduchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kovrov keeping moving, preventing Raduchenko from controlling successfully.

Raduchenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Raduchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raduchenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Raduchenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raduchenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Raduchenko thows a big elbow that misses.
Kovrov wants to stand up but Raduchenko is controlling him.
Kovrov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raduchenko.
Raduchenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Raduchenko is in close to Kovrov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Raduchenko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Raduchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yevgeni Raduchenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raduchenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Raduchenko stops Kovrov from standing up.
Raduchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovrov wants to get back to his feet but Raduchenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Raduchenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Raduchenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kovrov's head.
Kovrov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raduchenko throwing strikes from guard but Kovrov blocks nicely.
Kovrov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Raduchenko is controlling him.
Raduchenko sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kovrov's guard.

Raduchenko is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yevgeni Raduchenko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Raduchenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kovrov throws a head kick but Raduchenko moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Raduchenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Kovrov which made him look bad.
Raduchenko misses with a takedown attempt - Kovrov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raduchenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovrov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovrov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovrov looks to score with a jab to the body but Raduchenko is just out of range.
Kovrov swinging wildly here.
Kovrov throws a series of punches but Raduchenko avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovrov tries a head kick but it misses.

Raduchenko shoots in and bounces Kovrov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Raduchenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kovrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Raduchenko is working hard here to advance position.
Raduchenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Raduchenko wants to control from the top but Kovrov keeps moving.
Kovrov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kovrov wants to stand up but Raduchenko is controlling him.
Kovrov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kovrov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Raduchenko is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kovrov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Raduchenko manages to pass to side control.
Kovrov is trying to stand up here but Raduchenko is controlling him well.
Kovrov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raduchenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Raduchenko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Raduchenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kovrov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Raduchenko uses his free foot to push down on Kovrov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kovrov.
Kovrov is squirming around, avoiding Raduchenko's attempts to control the action.
Raduchenko landing punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raduchenko unloads with some shots from mount but Kovrov bucks and avoids them well.
Kovrov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Raduchenko breaks from Kovrov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Raduchenko lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
A nice elbow there by Raduchenko.

Kovrov is rocked!

Raduchenko jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kovrov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kovrov tries to escape but Raduchenko is in control.
Yevgeni Raduchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Raduchenko controls the position from side control.

Raduchenko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Raduchenko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kovrov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raduchenko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kovrov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Raduchenko asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Raduchenko is trying to get an arm triangle but Kovrov is defending well.
Raduchenko is looking to take a break and control but Kovrov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Raduchenko cracks Kovrov with an elbow. That is naaassty.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yevgeni Raduchenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raduchenko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yevgeni Raduchenko!