PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miso Kovac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Velimir Rasic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasic has chosen Lepa Brana, Hajde da se volimo as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kovac
vs
Rasic

192 cm
25
237 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Miso Kovac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Velimir Rasic!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kovac gets a clinch.
Rasic wants a takedown.
Kovac tries to circle away but Rasic has him pinned against the cage.
Rasic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kovac is defending well.
Rasic wants to take the fight to the mat but Kovac manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Miso Kovac has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Velimir Rasic.
Rasic keeps control of Kovac as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kovac stops a takedown attempt from Rasic.
Kovac gets underhooks to prevent Rasic's takedown attempt.
Rasic wants a takedown.
Kovac gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rasic.
Kovac is looking to break free of the clinch but Rasic has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasic has Kovac pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kovac manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kovac is trying to force a seperation but Rasic has the dominant position.
Kovac is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rasic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovac pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovac lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kovac misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rasic.
Kovac tries to land knees in the clinch but Rasic avoids the damage to the body.
Rasic is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kovac to keep the fight standing.
Kovac can't break the clinch.
Rasic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovac pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rasic tries to score a body lock takedown but Kovac shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kovac as Rasic tries to tie him up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kovac.
Kovac gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rasic.
Kovac is looking to break free of the clinch but Rasic has double underhooks.
Kovac is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovac pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rasic doesn't manage to clinch there - Kovac circles away.
Rasic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kovac as he jumps to the side.
Good shot there by Kovac.

Kovac moves into the clinch.
A body shot lands from Kovac.
Kovac wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rasic has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kovac's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kovac gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rasic.
Kovac can't break the clinch.
Rasic wants to take the fight to the mat but Kovac manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Kovac breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovac rushes Rasic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rasic wants to take the fight to the mat but Kovac manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Kovac breaks from the clinch.
Kovac fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rasic misses with a takedown attempt - Kovac sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kovac stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovac wants it to stay on the feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kovac!
Rasic looks winded!

Rasic gets tackled into the cage by Kovac. Kovac maintains the clinch.
Rasic looking for a takedown.
Rasic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovac pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Kovac pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rasic misses with a takedown attempt
and Kovac counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rasic thinking.

Kovac forces Rasic back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovac is trying to break the clinch but Rasic is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasic tries to pull guard but Kovac won't allow it.
Rasic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kovac's efforts to push away.

Kovac pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rasic wants to take the fight to the mat but Kovac manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Kovac breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kovac clinches.
Kovac is looking to break free of the clinch but Rasic has double underhooks.
Kovac stops a takedown attempt from Rasic.
Rasic has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kovac after a bit of a struggle.
Kovac wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rasic keeps control of Kovac as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miso Kovac dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kovac lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Kovac darts in and clinches Rasic up against the cage.
Kovac prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kovac creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kovac is trying to break free.
Rasic fails to pull guard.
Kovac is trying to force a seperation but Rasic has the dominant position.
Kovac pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rasic is looking to take this one to the mat.
Miso Kovac has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Velimir Rasic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasic has Kovac pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kovac manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kovac has had enough of the clinch but Rasic keeps him there for the moment.
Kovac working hard to break the clinch.
Kovac pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Miso Kovac has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rasic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovac pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovac lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rasic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kovac avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kovac is trying to force a seperation but Rasic has the dominant position.
A left hand lands to the body for Kovac.
Rasic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kovac prevents it.
Rasic is breathing heavily.

Kovac escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovac scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Velimir Rasic has been cut.
Kovac lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Kovac rushes Rasic and presses him up against the cage.

Kovac breaks from the clinch.
Miso Kovac is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kovac closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kovac.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rasic trying to stall but Kovac improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovac's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovac getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Miso Kovac is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovac works over Rasic's head and body with a nice combination.
Kovac lands with a nice combination. Rasic backs away looking to recover.
Rasic shoots for a double leg takedown but Kovac sprawls well. He's pushed Rasic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rasic shoots for a takedown but Kovac saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kovac lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Kovac moves into the clinch.
Rasic wants a takedown.

Kovac breaks from the clinch.
Kovac scores with a three punch combo!
Kovac lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rasic backs up against the cage.

Kovac moves into the clinch.
Kovac prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kovac is pressed up against the cage. Rasic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kovac down to the mat. Kovac avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovac has closed the distance and engaged Rasic in a clinch.
Rasic tries to score a body lock takedown but Kovac shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rasic as Kovac tries to tie him up.

Kovac manages to break the clinch.

Kovac clinches.
Kovac is trying to push Rasic away but Rasic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rasic is working for takedown but Kovac is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kovac is trying to push Rasic away but Rasic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rasic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kovac gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rasic tries for a takedown but Kovac manages to get underhooks.
Kovac misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovac gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rasic.

Kovac escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovac lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kovac throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rasic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kovac scores with a hook to the body. Rasic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rasic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kovac avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Kovac escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
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!

Kovac forces Rasic back against the cage and clinches.
Kovac trying to control the position but instead, Rasic has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kovac into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miso Kovac dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Velimir Rasic's cut.
That's time! Kovac's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A combination from Kovac does no damage.

Rasic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rasic lands in his opponent's guard.
Kovac avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kovac wants to get back to his feet but Rasic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rasic landing some decent shots from guard.
Rasic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kovac works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovac keeping moving, preventing Rasic from controlling successfully.
Rasic is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasic wants to pass the guard but Kovac is keeping the position.
Rasic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kovac wants to stand but Rasic is controlling the position.
Rasic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rasic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kovac's half guard.
Rasic looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rasic is just content to waste time from the top position. Kovac takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasic looking to sit in guard and control but Kovac gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kovac gets to his feet - Rasic follows without any prompting.
A shot to the liver by Kovac. Beautiful body shot.
Kovac throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rasic.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovac throws a series of punches but Rasic avoids them all with ease.
Rasic fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovac avoids it really well and circles away.

Rasic feints and as Kovac raises his hands in defense, Rasic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasic wants to control from the top but Kovac keeps moving.
Kovac will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kovac is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rasic is controlling him.
Rasic is pushing down on Kovac's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kovac is fighting to maintain full guard but Rasic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rasic is looking to take a break and control but Kovac is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kovac is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rasic can do to turn this around?
Nice strikes from Rasic there.

Rasic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kovac sees it coming and defends easily.
Rasic with the ground and pound but Kovac uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Velimir Rasic has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasic trying to control but Kovac is working from the bottom.
Rasic landing with the ground and pound.
Rasic lands a couple of elbows.
Kovac is looking to stand up but Rasic isn't so interested in that idea.
Rasic with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rasic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Velimir Rasic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Miso Kovac is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rasic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kovac is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Velimir Rasic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovac has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:26
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:26
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miso Kovac!
Velimir Rasic was interviewed post fight and said 'Da je sreće bilo, pustio sam Miši, ipak je on legenda Dalmacije'.