PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Laborina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cain Laborina told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kovalev
vs
Laborina

180 cm
22
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

176 cm
24
180 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Finnish Elite Supplements (q150 $15!!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Kovalev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cain Laborina!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Laborina moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Laborina fails to land.
Kovalev prevents a body shot from Laborina.
Laborina pushes off an throws an elbow but Kovalev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Kovalev dodges an elbow strike from Laborina.
Laborina working aggressively here.
Laborina throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina lands with a light punch inside.
Laborina misses with a punch to the body.
Laborina throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Laborina working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Laborina.
A head punch on the inside from Laborina fails to land.
Laborina throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kovalev blocks an uppercut.
Laborina misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Laborina has a couple of punches blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laborina stops a takedown attempt from Kovalev.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Laborina takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Laborina throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from Laborina.
Laborina misses with a body punch.
Kovalev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Laborina avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kovalev managing to block the knees to the body from Laborina.
Laborina tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kovalev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Laborina avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kovalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laborina throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Laborina throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina tries to throw a body punch but Kovalev avoids it by throwing Laborina back against the cage.
Laborina lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laborina tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laborina trying to stall but Kovalev improves his position.
Kovalev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Laborina.
Laborina tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kovalev wants a takedown but no success here.
Laborina misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Kovalev lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Kovalev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Kovalev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Laborina manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev stopping the sweep attempt from Laborina.
Laborina controls Kovalev momentarily but Kovalev frees himself.
Laborina has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Laborina keeping moving, preventing Kovalev from controlling successfully.
Kovalev looking to pass the guard.
Laborina is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Laborina throws a jab but it's blocked by Kovalev.

That's four 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.
Kovalev misses with a takedown
and Laborina counters with a straight right hand.
Kovalev tries for a takedown but Laborina circles away easily
and Kovalev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kovalev with a poor takedown
and Laborina counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Kovalev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kovalev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Laborina has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kovalev is breathing heavily.
Laborina slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kovalev 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.
Kovalev wants to control from the top but Laborina keeps moving.
Laborina is trying to keep Kovalev in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laborina connects with the punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Laborina, right into the meat.
Laborina misses with a hook

and Kovalev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kovalev wants to control from the top but Laborina keeps moving.
Kovalev stopping the sweep attempt from Laborina.

Kovalev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Laborina dives on top into guard.

Kovalev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kovalev has his foot on Laborina's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Laborina works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Laborina avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kovalev working for a triangle but Laborina defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laborina stays in close to Kovalev's body and controls the position.
Laborina trying to control but Kovalev is working from the bottom.

Kovalev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Laborina engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kovalev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Laborina tries to free his leg and advance position but Kovalev is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kovalev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Laborina has picked Kovalev up and slammed him! Kovalev can't keep hold of the triangle and Laborina manages to pass to side control!
Kovalev prevents Laborina from improving position.
Kovalev is looking to reverse the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kovalev tries to buck Laborina off but Laborina is having none of it.
Kovalev is not content to let Laborina control the position.
Kovalev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kovalev is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laborina wants to stand but Kovalev has his arm trapped.
Laborina remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Kovalev tries to buck Laborina off but Laborina is having none of it.
Laborina moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cain Laborina wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kovalev shoots in but Laborina avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kovalev with a poor takedown
and Laborina counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kovalev thinking.
Laborina scores with a nice strike.
A nice leg kick lands there from Laborina.
Laborina ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Laborina instigates a clinch.
Laborina scores with a shot to the side of Kovalev's head.
Kovalev blocks the elbow strike.
Kovalev wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kovalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laborina lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.
Laborina digs a right hand underneath Kovalev's ribcage. Kovalev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Laborina swings wildly with an uppercut but Kovalev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laborina controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laborina has a couple of punches blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Laborina showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Kovalev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Laborina counters with a low kick, right behind Kovalev 's knee.

Laborina closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kovalev tries for a takedown but Laborina manages to get underhooks.
Laborina is working Kovalev over against the ropes.
Laborina lands a body punch.
A hook to the body from Laborina.
A nice left hand lands by Laborina.
Laborina lands a right hand.
Laborina tries to land knees in the clinch but Kovalev avoids the damage to the body.
Laborina lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kovalev.
Laborina lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.
Laborina swings wildly with an uppercut but Kovalev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Laborina.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalev blocks an elbow strike from Laborina.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalev wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kovalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laborina lands a body punch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Laborina just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kovalev's brow.
A right hand to the body from Laborina.
Laborina lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Laborina lands a body shot in the clinch.
Laborina doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Laborina lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kovalev or not.
Laborina lands a right hand.
A short left from Laborina.
Laborina trying to land knees to the body.
Laborina cracks Kovalev with a nice body shot.
Laborina misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laborina lands a hook that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.
Laborina misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Laborina.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Laborina.
A right hook to the body lands for Laborina.
Laborina lands a nice uppercut.
Laborina gets through Kovalev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Laborina.
A short right from Laborina.
Laborina lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.

Kovalev is rocked!
Laborina stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Laborina throws an elbow but misses.
Laborina presses Kovalev against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laborina pushes Kovalev back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laborina misses with a hook from the clinch.
Laborina lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.
Oh Kovalev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Laborina tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kovalev avoids it.
Laborina has Kovalev pushed against the ropes.
Kovalev seems to have got his legs back now.
A short body shot lands from Laborina as the two fighters clinch.
Laborina lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kovalev backwards.
A right hand to the body from Laborina.
Laborina working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Laborina lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Laborina has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Laborina misses with a hook to the ribs.
Laborina lands with a short shot to the head.
Laborina stops a takedown attempt from Kovalev.
Laborina lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laborina lands with a right to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Laborina.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Laborina lands a left hand.
Laborina digs a right hand underneath Kovalev's ribcage. Kovalev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Laborina just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kovalev's brow.
Laborina softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Laborina lands an uppercut.
Laborina landing knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laborina trying to land knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Laborina.
Kovalev dodges an elbow strike from Laborina.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Laborina really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Laborina misses with a short punch on the inside.
Laborina lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kovalev can't get the takedown.
Laborina scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Laborina misses with a punch on the inside.
Laborina stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Laborina has a couple of punches blocked by Kovalev.
Laborina lands a body shot.
Kovalev tries to score a body lock takedown but Laborina shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Laborina working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Laborina lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Ivan Kovalev has been cut.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Laborina stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Laborina lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laborina cracks Kovalev with a nice body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Laborina.
A right hand to the body from Laborina.
Laborina is struggling to control the position.
Cain Laborina seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Laborina scores with a shoulder strike.
Laborina working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Laborina is working Kovalev over against the ropes.
Kovalev tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kovalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A body shot lands from Laborina.
Laborina lands a body shot.
Laborina throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laborina lands with a light punch inside.
Laborina lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laborina lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
A right handed body shot lands from Laborina.
Laborina lands a nice uppercut.
Laborina pushes Kovalev back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Laborina working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kovalev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Laborina pulls his leg out and moves away.
Laborina connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Laborina fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kovalev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Laborina moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kovalev walks straight into a right hand from Laborina - that's dropped him! Laborina jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Kovalev from any more punishment! Kovalev complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Cain Laborina! Cain Laborina retains his welterweight title!