PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Shovkovskyj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ching Dan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Shovkovskyj
vs
Dan

180 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Valentin Shovkovskyj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ching Dan!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Dirk Anderson and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dan tries for a takedown but Shovkovskyj circles away easily
and Shovkovskyj counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dan stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dan is defended easily by Shovkovskyj.
Nice takedown defense from Shovkovskyj. No joy for Dan on that attempt.
Valentin Shovkovskyj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ching Dan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dan moves into the clinch.
Shovkovskyj has been working on his balance at Foot Loves, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Dan.
A frustrated look appears on Dan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Shovkovskyj scores a nice knee to the body.
Dan tries to land knees in the clinch but Shovkovskyj avoids the damage to the body.
Dan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shovkovskyj is defending well.

Shovkovskyj pulls guard successfully.
Shovkovskyj not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dan wants to stand and escape but instead Shovkovskyj has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Shovkovskyj trying to control the position from guard on top but Dan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shovkovskyj is looking to advance position but Dan has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Shovkovskyj is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dan wants to control the pace but Shovkovskyj is squirming around nicely.
Shovkovskyj can't escape the position.
Shovkovskyj is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Shovkovskyj keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dan trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dan working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Shovkovskyj slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Dan tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Well, if Dan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Dan looks winded!
Shovkovskyj is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shovkovskyj slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dan stopping the sweep attempt from Shovkovskyj.
Dan is looking to stand up but Shovkovskyj won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Shovkovskyj closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dan to the mat! Dan manages to get full guard.
Dan pulls Shovkovskyj in close to his closed guard and prevents Shovkovskyj from doing any damage or advancing position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shovkovskyj 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Shovkovskyj dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shovkovskyj defends it nicely.
Dan with a poor takedown

and Shovkovskyj counters with a takedown into side control.

Shovkovskyj wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dan, who protects the arm well.

Shovkovskyj looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shovkovskyj looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Shovkovskyj looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dan gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Dan is desperately trying to improve his position but Shovkovskyj has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shovkovskyj wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Dan wants to try and get back to his feet.
Dan is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dan is breathing heavily.

Shovkovskyj has control of Dan's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Dan regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Dan sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Shovkovskyj is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shovkovskyj is working for a kimura but Dan is defending it quite comfortably.
Dan is trying to stand back up but Shovkovskyj is controlling him
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shovkovskyj lands a nice short elbow.
Shovkovskyj winds up and cracks Dan with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shovkovskyj is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dan can do to turn this around?
Dan is trying to stand back up but Shovkovskyj is controlling him
Nice strikes from Shovkovskyj there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Dan is refusing to be controlled, as Shovkovskyj sits in half guard.

Shovkovskyj is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dan is just riding it out for now. Shovkovskyj eventually gives up the hold.

Shovkovskyj is looking for a kimura here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shovkovskyj is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dan sees it coming and defends easily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Shovkovskyj dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shovkovskyj shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dan as he avoids it easily.

Dan moves into the clinch successfully.
Dan slowing the pace effectively.

Shovkovskyj turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shovkovskyj manages to end up in side control.
Shovkovskyj working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shovkovskyj wants to control for a moment but Dan uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Shovkovskyj is thwarting Dan's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dan is trying to get back to full guard.

Shovkovskyj is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dan is looking to escape.
Dan preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Dan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Shovkovskyj is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dan is just riding it out for now. Shovkovskyj eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice strikes from Shovkovskyj there.

Shovkovskyj wants to work for an arm triangle but Dan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Shovkovskyj looking for a submission but Dan manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Dan keeping moving, preventing Shovkovskyj from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shovkovskyj.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Dan rushes Shovkovskyj and presses him up against the cage.
Dan drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shovkovskyj pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dan closes the distance and clinches up with Shovkovskyj, looking for a takedown. Dan pushes Shovkovskyj against the cage but Shovkovskyj circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Dan forces Shovkovskyj back against the cage and clinches.
Shovkovskyj drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dan gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Shovkovskyj works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Dan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Valentin Shovkovskyj is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position from guard on top but Dan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ching Dan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Shovkovskyj showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shovkovskyj, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Shovkovskyj!
Valentin Shovkovskyj seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.