PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adil Ek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Filip Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Filip Kowalski has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ek
vs
Kowalski

190 cm
24
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Adil Ek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Filip Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ek fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kowalski avoids it really well and circles away.
Kowalski wants to clinch.
A head kick by Ek misses

and Kowalski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A bit of stalling here from Ek.

Kowalski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ek misses with a low kick.
Ek misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ek clinches up with Kowalski and pushes him back against the cage.
Ek avoiding damage as Kowalski throws knees to the body.
Kowalski stops a takedown attempt from Ek.

Kowalski gets control of Ek's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kowalski will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ek trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ek is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kowalski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Ek stands up and waves to Kowalski to follow him.
Ek fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kowalski avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adil Ek. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ek shoots for a takedown but Kowalski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Ek rushes Kowalski and presses him up against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ek tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kowalski smiles and moves away.
Adil Ek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kowalski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ek.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ek fails to land the takedown.
Kowalski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kowalski wants to clinch up but Ek keeps it at a distance.
Ek walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kowalski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ek misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kowalski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ek manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Ek with that takedown attempt.
Ek throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kowalski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski scores a nice knee to the body.

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

Ek gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kowalski breaks the clinch.
Kowalski is looking to clinch but Ek is avoiding it.
Ek defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kowalski.
Ek works over Kowalski's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ek displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kowalski.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ek tries to avoid it but Kowalski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ek to the ground. Ek escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kowalski shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Adil Ek will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kowalski has Ek up against the cage in a clinch.

Kowalski manages to break the clinch.
Kowalski wants to clinch.
Ek throws a sloppy head kick and Kowalski moves out of range easily.
Ek tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kowalski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ek somewhat.
Adil Ek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kowalski gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ek avoiding damage.
Ek wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kowalski has him pressed against the cage.
Kowalski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ek fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kowalski looks for a takedown but Ek sprawls well.

Kowalski has Ek up against the cage in a clinch.
Ek tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kowalski just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ek blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ek blocks an elbow strike from Kowalski.
Ek looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adil Ek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kowalski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ek is defending well for now.
Kowalski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ek smiles and moves away.
Kowalski leaves Ek with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Ek clinches with his opponent.
Kowalski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kowalski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ek pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski takes a shot to the head.
Kowalski tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ek avoids it.
Kowalski tries to stall but Ek uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ek can't break the clinch.
Ek working hard to break the clinch.
Ek fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kowalski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ek is defending well.
Kowalski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ek fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ek is defended easily by Kowalski.

Kowalski closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski landing knees to the body.
Ek avoids a wild elbow strike from Kowalski.
Ek is trying to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling him.
Kowalski jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ek walks away with a smile on his face. Kowalski gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kowalski slips a jab and a cross from Ek.
Kowalski tries to clinch there but Ek circles away.

Kowalski drives through and clinches with Ek against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ek has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kowalski after a bit of a struggle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kowalski misses with an elbow strike.
Ek lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Kowalski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kowalski tries to close the distance and clinch but Ek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kowalski closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kowalski lands in his opponent's guard.
Kowalski throwing strikes from guard but Ek blocks nicely.
Kowalski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Ek is looking for a triangle but Kowalski pushes his legs off easily.
Ek avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kowalski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kowalski is looking to work some ground and pound but Ek has wrist control.
Ek 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.
Kowalski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to stand up but Ek won't let him.
Kowalski throwing strikes from guard but Ek blocks nicely.
Kowalski stops Ek from standing up.
Kowalski throws an elbow that misses. Ek uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kowalski's guard. Nice move by Ek!
Kowalski is looking to stand up but Ek isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ek wanted to stand there but Kowalski had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Filip Kowalski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ek circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ek counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Kowalski checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ek shoots for a double leg takedown but Kowalski sprawls well. He's pushed Ek's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kowalski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ek, pushing him back against the cage.
Kowalski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kowalski struggles to land a body shot inside as Ek controls his hands.
Ek gets underhooks to prevent Kowalski's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ek is defending well for now.
Ek has had enough of the clinch but Kowalski keeps him there for the moment.
Kowalski prevents Ek from breaking the clinch.
Ek blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kowalski jumps guard but Ek stands there with Kowalski around his waist. Kowalski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ek blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kowalski is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ek pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Adil Ek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Filip Kowalski.
Kowalski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kowalski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ek is trying to force a seperation but Kowalski has the dominant position.
Ek lands a nice shot to the body.
Kowalski wants to take the fight to the mat but Ek manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kowalski tries to score a body lock takedown but Ek shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ek tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kowalski smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski moves forwards but Ek connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kowalski shoots for a double leg takedown but Ek sprawls well. He's pushed Kowalski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kowalski doesn't manage to clinch there - Ek circles away.
Ek misses with a takedown attempt - Kowalski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalski tries to clinch but Ek moves away

and Ek counters by moving into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kowalski misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ek.

And that's the end of the fight!
Filip Kowalski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kowalski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Filip Kowalski!
Filip Kowalski very nearly forgot to thank - - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - - amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.