PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Konovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Spezza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Konovalov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is CJClip - No reason to live but we do it. 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.

Konovalov
vs
Spezza

189 cm
23
170 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
162 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrey Konovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Spezza!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Konovalov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Spezza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Spezza works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Konovalov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Spezza as he avoids it easily.
Spezza misses with a right hand
letting Konovalov counter with a right hand.
Konovalov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spezza was well out of range. Poor timing from Konovalov.
We've been hearing reports that Konovalov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Konovalov has his takedown stuffed
and Spezza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Konovalov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spezza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrey Konovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Konovalov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Konovalov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Konovalov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Spezza has escaped the position, nice work there.
Konovalov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konovalov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Konovalov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Konovalov in side control, throwing shots but Spezza defends.

Konovalov swings around for an armbar but Spezza sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Konovalov's guard.
Spezza looking to pass the guard.
Spezza has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Nights Watch MMA Academy. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Spezza controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Konovalov 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.
Konovalov keeping moving, preventing Spezza from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Konovalov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spezza can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Konovalov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spezza doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spezza manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spezza drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Spezza jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Spezza avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Konovalov looking for a guillotine here but Spezza defends easily.
Spezza wants to control from the top but Konovalov keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Konovalov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spezza wants to control from the top but Konovalov keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Konovalov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Konovalov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Spezza is working to get back to half guard.
Spezza slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Konovalov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Spezza doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Konovalov.
Spezza is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Konovalov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Konovalov's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spezza controlling well, preventing Konovalov from escaping the position.
Konovalov breaks Spezza's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Konovalov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Spezza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Konovalov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Konovalov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Spezza looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Spezza looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Spezza!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Konovalov is trying to work for a sweep but Spezza has mounted him!
Spezza looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Konovalov dominated that round.
That's time! Konovalov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Spezza lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Konovalov goes for a double leg but Spezza avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Spezza continues to drive forward.
Spezza works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Spezza tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spezza working aggressively here.
Konovalov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Spezza pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Konovalov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrey Konovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good body shot from Spezza.
Konovalov blocking some punches.
Konovalov wants to take the fight to the mat but Spezza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Konovalov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Spezza fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Konovalov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spezza. That's going to slow Konovalov down.
Konovalov shoots in looking for a takedown. Spezza tries to sprawl out of it but Konovalov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spezza manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Konovalov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Spezza defends it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spezza lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Spezza swings widly with a right hand
and Konovalov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konovalov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Spezza on the side of the head.
Konovalov is looking to clinch.
Konovalov doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Spezza counter with a right hand.
Spezza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Konovalov.
Konovalov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spezza swivels and escapes.
Spezza throws a shot from downtown. Konovalov moves away and avoids it.
Spezza throws a poor cross that misses
letting Konovalov counter with a right hand.
Spezza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spezza misses with an uppercut

and Konovalov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Konovalov.
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!

Konovalov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Konovalov manages to end up in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Konovalov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spezza is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Spezza struggling a bit here.
Spezza is trying to get back to half guard.
Konovalov working the strikes but Spezza uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Konovalov throwing shots but Spezza is blocking nicely.
Spezza is trying to maintain the position but Konovalov is very close to passing his half guard.

Konovalov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Spezza doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Konovalov.
Konovalov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spezza taking some punishment here, with Konovalov in his half guard.
Spezza has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Konovalov is working away from the top position though.
Spezza is trying to get back to full guard.

Konovalov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Spezza sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Konovalov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spezza defending well though.

Konovalov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Spezza is just riding it out for now. Konovalov eventually gives up the hold.
Spezza is looking for a sweep. Konovalov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Spezza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Spezza.
Spezza sizes up Konovalov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Spezza rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Konovalov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Konovalov staying out of range there.
Konovalov scores with a body shot.
Spezza throws a hook to the side of Konovalov's head but Konovalov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Andrey Konovalov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spezza loads up on a big right hand but Konovalov slips the punch.
Konovalov connects with a looping right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Konovalov.
Konovalov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Konovalov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Konovalov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Andrey Konovalov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spezza is working to avoid the ground and pound but Konovalov connects with a decent elbow.

Konovalov swings around for an armbar but Spezza sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Konovalov's guard.
Konovalov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Spezza controls the pace.

Konovalov has an active guard here but Spezza has managed to pass into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Konovalov is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spezza seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Konovalov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Konovalov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spezza pulls his head out easily.

Konovalov actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spezza is looking for a kimura but Konovalov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Spezza to get the leverage.
Spezza trying to control the action but Konovalov is working from the bottom.
Spezza tries to pass to full mount but Konovalov defends it.

Konovalov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spezza pulls his head out easily.
Spezza is trying to control. Konovalov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Konovalov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Konovalov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Spezza seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Konovalov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Spezza prevents Konovalov from improving his position.
Spezza wants to take a breather but Konovalov is having none of it.

Konovalov looking for submissions off his back.
Konovalov gets back to full guard.
Konovalov keeping moving, preventing Spezza from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Konovalov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Spezza wants to control from the top but Konovalov keeps moving.
Spezza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Konovalov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Spezza passes into side control.
Spezza trying to control the position but Konovalov is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spezza has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Konovalov!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jason Spezza.
I think Spezza 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Spezza!
Jason Spezza decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.