PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aurelius comes to the cage accompanied by Requiem For A Dream . Marcus Aurelius has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aurelius
vs
Kovalenko

195 cm
27
275 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

205 cm
26
260 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcus Aurelius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko throws a shot from downtown. Aurelius moves away and avoids it.
Kovalenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aurelius.
Aurelius misses with an uppercut. Kovalenko saw that one coming.
Kovalenko connects with a nice looking jab.
Aurelius throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kovalenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Aurelius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aurelius defending well as Kovalenko loads up on a big left hand.
Aurelius takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Aurelius moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurelius missing with a left hand there. Kovalenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kovalenko tests Aurelius's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Aurelius shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aurelius showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aurelius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kovalenko defending well though.
Aurelius 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovalenko pushes Aurelius off and gets back to his feet.
Kovalenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aurelius.
Aurelius just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovalenko throws a hook but Aurelius blocks it.
Aurelius throws an overhand right that lands on Kovalenko's shoulder, as Kovalenko tries to avoid the shot.
Aurelius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalenko manages to avoid it.
Kovalenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovalenko throws a nice looking combination but Aurelius bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovalenko throws the left hand but Aurelius avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kovalenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aurelius takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Aurelius misses with an uppercut
and Kovalenko counters with a flying knee. Nice.
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!
Aurelius loads up on a big right hand but Kovalenko slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aurelius throws a poor cross that misses
and Aurelius takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aurelius misses with a looping left.
Aurelius throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kovalenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nikolai Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aurelius takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kovalenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Aurelius misses with a body punch
and Kovalenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Aurelius manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kovalenko on his heels. He'll look to pass Kovalenko's guard now, I'm sure.
Aurelius postures up in Kovalenko's guard and throws a big left but Kovalenko blocks it.
Kovalenko keeping full guard, as Aurelius tries to pass.
Kovalenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Aurelius isn't so interested in that idea.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Aurelius accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kovalenko uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Aurelius takes a swing at Kovalenko's ribcage but misses.
Aurelius misses the shot to the body.
Aurelius misses with a lunging right hand
and Kovalenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Marcus Aurelius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aurelius scores with a hook.
Aurelius is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kovalenko's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Aurelius takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Aurelius swings for the body but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Aurelius throws a body punch but Kovalenko moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Aurelius throws a one two combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovalenko moves into range and connects with a jab.
Aurelius moves forwards but Kovalenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A big right from Aurelius misses.
Aurelius throws a right and a left that Kovalenko avoids nicely.
A jab from Aurelius misses.
Aurelius on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kovalenko stalks Aurelius and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Aurelius's face. Aurelius staggers backwards, shaken.
Aurelius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big right from Aurelius misses.
Aurelius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aurelius moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikolai Kovalenko will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Aurelius thows a body shot but no joy.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kovalenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Aurelius thows a body shot but no joy.
Kovalenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Aurelius throws a hook but Kovalenko avoids it easily.
Aurelius looks to land a left hand but Kovalenko moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kovalenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kovalenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Aurelius ducks under a wild hook from Kovalenko.
Aurelius misses with a double jab.
Kovalenko throws a looping overhand right but Aurelius ducks down to avoid it.
Aurelius on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aurelius misses with an uppercut
and Kovalenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aurelius just misses with a punch to the body.
Aurelius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kovalenko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Nice cross by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko misses with a wild combination.
Kovalenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aurelius throws out the jab.
Aurelius throws a hook but Kovalenko avoids it easily.
Aurelius gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kovalenko connects with a leg kick. Aurelius looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Aurelius drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurelius wants to control from the top but Kovalenko keeps moving.
Aurelius pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kovalenko is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovalenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kovalenko trying to control the position here.
Aurelius content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Aurelius wants to pass the guard but Kovalenko is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kovalenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Aurelius throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kovalenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kovalenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aurelius throws a big elbow that misses.
Marcus Aurelius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aurelius throws a big right hand that misses.
Kovalenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aurelius throws a strike but Kovalenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Aurelius looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovalenko stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nikolai Kovalenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aurelius looks to score with a jab to the body but Kovalenko is just out of range.
Aurelius swinging wildly here.
Aurelius just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovalenko blocks a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kovalenko tries to sprawl but Aurelius drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalenko is trying to stand up here but Aurelius is controlling him well.
Aurelius tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kovalenko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikolai Kovalenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kovalenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aurelius throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Kovalenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Aurelius swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kovalenko throws a jab when Aurelius was well out of range.
Kovalenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aurelius.
Aurelius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kovalenko.
A telegraphed right hand from Aurelius misses the target.
Aurelius throws a big shot that misses.
Aurelius cracks a nice hook into Kovalenko's ribs.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut. Aurelius saw that one coming.
Kovalenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aurelius throws an overhand right that lands on Kovalenko's shoulder, as Kovalenko tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius thows a body shot but no joy.
Kovalenko works the jab nicely.
Aurelius throws a poor cross that misses
and Kovalenko counters with a straight right hand.
Kovalenko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Aurelius staying out of range there.
Aurelius fails with a takedown attempt.
A jab from Aurelius misses.
Aurelius throws a hook to the side of Kovalenko's head but Kovalenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovalenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelius moves away.
Aurelius looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Aurelius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aurelius throws a hook to the side of Kovalenko's head but Kovalenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Kovalenko.
Kovalenko misses with a two punch combination.
Kovalenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aurelius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Aurelius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko leaves Aurelius with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalenko with a jab.
Kovalenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aurelius at a distance.
Marcus Aurelius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aurelius moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kovalenko, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko scores with the left hand. Aurelius knows he should have avoided that one.
Aurelius fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Aurelius closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Aurelius lands in his opponent's guard.
Kovalenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kovalenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aurelius is controlling him.
Aurelius trying to control but Kovalenko is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aurelius is controlling him.
Aurelius throws a strike but Kovalenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Aurelius looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kovalenko manages to get himself to full guard.
Kovalenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Kovalenko, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kovalenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovalenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kovalenko!
Nikolai Kovalenko took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Russian Top Team Nutrition for their support in the buildup to the fight.