PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanadi De Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kovalov
vs
De Santana

170 cm
31
196 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

185 cm
33
198 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Wanadi De Santana!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Santana is looking to clinch but Kovalov is avoiding it.
De Santana chopping away at his opponent's legs.
De Santana throws a nice inside leg kick.
De Santana tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kovalov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
De Santana throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

De Santana moves into range and clinches up with Kovalov.
De Santana tries to work over Kovalov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kovalov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kovalov is trying to force a seperation but De Santana has the dominant position.
De Santana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kovalov.
De Santana controlling the action here for a moment.
Kovalov is trying to force a seperation but De Santana has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Santana lands a hook to the side of the head.
De Santana misses with a hook to the ribs.
De Santana tries a body shot but Kovalov blocks it.
Kovalov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. De Santana avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
De Santana is working Kovalov over against the cage.
De Santana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kovalov's elbow.
Kovalov prevents a body shot from De Santana.
De Santana scores a nice knee to the body.
Kovalov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kovalov as the two fighters clinch.
De Santana scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santana stalling the fight.
De Santana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovalov is looking to break free of the clinch but De Santana has double underhooks.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as De Santana takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
De Santana tries to land knees in the clinch but Kovalov avoids the damage to the body.
De Santana lands an elbow that stopped Kovalov in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Antonio Kovalov has been cut.
Kovalov lands a shot to the body.
De Santana misses with a hook to the ribs.
De Santana will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kovalov up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santana tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kovalov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. De Santana is defending well for now.
De Santana misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Kovalov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kovalov takes the fight into the clinch.
De Santana pushes Kovalov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santana throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovalov.
De Santana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kovalov backwards.
De Santana lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kovalov backwards.
De Santana misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De Santana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
De Santana displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kovalov up against the cage.
De Santana is leaning against Kovalov 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.
Kovalov trying to land knees to the body.
Kovalov stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanadi De Santana dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Kovalov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

De Santana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kovalov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kovalov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A combination from Kovalov does no damage.
De Santana wants to slow Kovalov down by chopping away at his legs.
Kovalov tries to score a power double leg takedown but De Santana sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kovalov somewhat.
De Santana keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

De Santana moves into range and clinches up with Kovalov.
De Santana lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kovalov backwards.
De Santana goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov wants to break the clinch but can't.
De Santana gets underhooks to prevent Kovalov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Kovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Santana taking a breather.
De Santana keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kovalov's efforts to push away.
Kovalov is trying to stall.
De Santana throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kovalovs head.
Kovalov stalls.
De Santana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kovalov avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santana taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
De Santana lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
De Santana misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De Santana being controlled against the cage.
De Santana misses with an elbow over the top.
De Santana can't find room to land a body shot as Kovalov controls the action.
Kovalov tries to land knees in the clinch but De Santana avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santana swings wildly with an uppercut but Kovalov uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Santana lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kovalov backwards.
De Santana tries a body shot but Kovalov blocks it.
De Santana misses with a body punch.
Kovalov tries a knee to the head but De Santana blocks it.
De Santana managing to block the knees to the body from Kovalov.
A short body shot lands from De Santana as the two fighters clinch.
De Santana stalling.
Kovalov prevents a body shot from De Santana.
Kovalov is trying to break the clinch but De Santana is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santana looking to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kovalov.
A right handed body shot lands from De Santana.
De Santana tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kovalov letting De Santana take a breather here.

Kovalov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Santana throws out a powerful jab.
Kovalov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before De Santana can pounce on him.
De Santana throws a push kick but Kovalov slaps the foot to one side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovalov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanadi De Santana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Antonio Kovalov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

De Santana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
De Santana throws a head kick but Kovalov moves out of range.
De Santana wants to slow Kovalov down by chopping away at his legs.
De Santana tries to clinch but Kovalov moves away
and Kovalov counters with an inside leg kick.
Kovalov avoids a kick to the body.
De Santana throws a front kick that sends Kovalov stumbling back into the cage.
De Santana tries to clinch
and Kovalov counters with a two punch combo.
An inside leg kick from De Santana misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalov drops De Santana with a huge uppercut! De Santana drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Kovalov is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Antonio Kovalov!
Antonio Kovalov gave a mention to Balco Boys - Hilo in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).