PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abe Reles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Reles
vs
Kovalev

178 cm
19
193 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abe Reles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rocky Kovalev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reles fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalev manages to avoid it.

Reles scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Reles 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.
Well, if Reles is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kovalev has hold of Reles's hands but Reles slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Reles is looking to advance position but Kovalev won't allow it.
Reles working over Kovalev with some ground and pound. Kovalev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Reles missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Reles stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reles not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reles 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.
Kovalev is trying to maintain the position but Reles is very close to passing his half guard.
Reles tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kovalev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Reles throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Kovalev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Reles is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Reles scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev has hold of Reles's hands but Reles slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Reles is thwarting Kovalev's attempts to control the position.
Kovalev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
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!
Reles slips a nice elbow through Kovalev's hands, connecting with Kovalev's forehead.
Reles controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kovalev is looking for a sweep. Reles is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Reles is looking to take a break and control but Kovalev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Reles thows a huge punch but Kovalev dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reles stalling.
Reles takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kovalev tries to roll over but Reles keeps him under control.
Reles lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kovalev looks gassed!
Reles wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kovalev keeps working.
Reles seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Reles lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reles trying to control from half guard but Kovalev is working away.
Kovalev is in trouble now - Reles has advanced to mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reles landing shots from mount.

Kovalev is rocked!
Kovalev takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Reles's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Abe Reles!