PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Domagoj Kovacic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Garza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Kovacic
vs
Garza

175 cm
24
165 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

179 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Domagoj Kovacic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rico Garza!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garza misses with a few strikes there.
Garza misses with a low kick.
Garza throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kovacic counters with a leg kick.
Garza's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Garza duly obliges.

It looks like Domagoj Kovacic has been cut.
Kovacic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Kovacic shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Garza napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Garza is trying to buck Kovacic off.
Kovacic wants to stand but Garza has his arm trapped.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Garza is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Garza prevents Kovacic from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garza is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Garza takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Garza is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kovacic asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Kovacic wants to control but Garza is keeping him busy.
Garza is trying to buck Kovacic off.
Garza looks gassed!

Garza explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Kovacic thumps Garza with a low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovacic breaks the clinch.

Kovacic throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Garza was covering up waiting for the punch and Kovacic finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Garza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Garza wants to stand but Kovacic is controlling the position.
Kovacic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Garza on the ground.
Garza keeping moving, preventing Kovacic from controlling successfully.
Garza is looking to stand up but Kovacic isn't so interested in that idea.
Kovacic trying to control the position from guard on top but Garza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Domagoj Kovacic just wasn't active enough.
Some bone on bone action there as Kovacic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovacic looking to score a takedown here. Garza is defending well but Kovacic drives through and ends up in Garza's guard.
Kovacic wants to control from the top but Garza keeps moving.

Garza pushes Kovacic off and scrambles back to his feet.
Garza on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Garza misses with a low kick.
No joy there for Garza, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kovacic blocks a leg kick.

Kovacic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kovacic lands in his opponent's guard.
Kovacic is in close to Garza's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Garza keeping moving, preventing Kovacic from controlling successfully.
Kovacic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Garza is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Kovacic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Garza wants to slow Kovacic down by chopping away at his legs.
Garza avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Garza misses with a double jab
and Kovacic counters with a left and a right that stings Garza.
Garza tried to score with a low kick but Kovacic checks it.
That kick from Garza tenderised Kovacic's leg. Kovacic is trying to keep his angry face on.
That kick from Kovacic tenderised Garza's leg. Garza is trying to keep his angry face on.
Garza throws a leg kick but Kovacic sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Garza fails to land with a series of punches.

Kovacic closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Garza to the mat! Garza manages to get full guard.
Garza wants to get back to his feet but Kovacic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rico Garza will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Domagoj Kovacic's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kovacic closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Garza to the mat! Garza manages to get full guard.

Garza pushes Kovacic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Garza thows a leg kick but Kovacic checks it
and Kovacic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kovacic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Garza.
Rico Garza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garza stalks Kovacic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kovacic's face. Kovacic staggers backwards, shaken.
Kovacic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Garza misses with a double jab.
Garza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kovacic doesn't manage to clinch there - Garza circles away.
Garza tries to land a leg kick but Kovacic saw it coming and moves away.
Kovacic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A bone on bone clash there as Kovacic blocks the leg kick.
A low kick from Garza is predictable there
and Kovacic counters with a two punch combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kovacic drives through with a takedown into guard.
Garza wants to stand and escape but Kovacic is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garza kicks Kovacic off and gets to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Garza enables Kovacic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Garza manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kovacic wants to control from the top but Garza keeps moving.
Kovacic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Garza's guard.
Kovacic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Garza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kovacic is controlling him.
Kovacic wants to control from the top but Garza keeps moving.

Garza kicks Kovacic off and gets to his feet.
Garza swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Kovacic scores with a four punch combination!
Garza feints and then cracks Kovacic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kovacic down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Garza lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A left and a right from Kovacic both land. Nice combination.
Rico Garza is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garza tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kovacic is able to avoid easily.

Kovacic forces Garza back against the ropes and clinches.

Kovacic breaks from the clinch.
Garza motions for Kovacic to come forward. Garza throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Garza misses with the combination.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kovacic checks a leg kick.
Kovacic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Garza tries a low kick but Kovacic avoids it.
Garza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Garza throws a front kick aimed at Kovacic's knee but Kovacic avoids it well.

Kovacic throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Garza was covering up waiting for the punch and Kovacic finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garza wants to stand and escape but Kovacic is having none of it.
Kovacic wants to control from the top but Garza keeps moving.
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.

Garza uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Garza is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kovacic.
Garza scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Kovacic drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kovacic tries to stand but Garza is controlling his head.
Kovacic lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Garza bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A solid leg kick lands there for Garza.
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!

Kovacic darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Garza makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Garza slips a jab and a cross from Kovacic.
Garza 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.
Garza finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Garza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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 Domagoj Kovacic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Domagoj Kovacic's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Garza gets caught flat footed, as Kovacic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kovacic trying to control but Garza is working from the bottom.

Garza uses the ropes to get back to his feet.
Kovacic tries to clinch but Garza moves out of range.

Kovacic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Garza quickly recovers to half guard.

Garza makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kovacic checks the leg kick.
Garza misses with a low kick.
Garza looks to land a combination but Kovacic avoids it well.

Kovacic gets a takedown into half guard.
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!

Garza manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kovacic doesn't manage to clinch there - Garza circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovacic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Garza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garza closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Garza tries to bum rush Kovacic with a series of wild strikes but Kovacic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Garza tries to work over Kovacic's front leg with a kick but Kovacic checks it.
Kovacic connects with a solid leg kick.
Garza looks to land a combination but Kovacic avoids it well.
Garza throws a leg kick but Kovacic moved away.
Rico Garza seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kovacic drives through with a takedown into Garza's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Garza pushes Kovacic off and scrambles back to his feet.
A combination from Kovacic does no damage.
A combination from Kovacic does no damage.
Garza feints and then cracks Kovacic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kovacic down.
Garza tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kovacic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Garza tries to bum rush Kovacic with a series of wild strikes but Kovacic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Garza misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kovacic scoring well with a low kick there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A low kick from Garza is predictable there
and Kovacic counters with a left and a right that stings Garza.
Garza will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Garza finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Kovacic drives through with a takedown into Garza's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Garza pushes Kovacic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Garza lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Garza shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kovacic eats them both and turns towards Garza to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Kovacic feints and as Garza raises his hands in defense, Kovacic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Garza pushes Kovacic off and scrambles back to his feet.
Garza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A slapping leg kick lands for Garza.
Kovacic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Garza paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garza attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Kovacic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Garza's guard.
Kovacic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Garza's guard.
Garza wants to stand and escape but Kovacic is having none of it.
Garza keeping full guard, as Kovacic tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garza has a closed guard, preventing Kovacic from standing up.

Garza kicks Kovacic off and gets to his feet.

Kovacic looking to score a takedown here. Garza is defending well but Kovacic drives through and ends up in Garza's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kovacic is controlling him.

Garza is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Garza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Garza takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovacic crunches a lovely knee into Garza's ribcage.
Kovacic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Garza.
Garza wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kovacic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garza's efforts to push away.
Garza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Domagoj Kovacic.
I think Kovacic 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rico Garza!