PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Benton MacKaye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

MacKaye
vs
Kovalev

160 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Benton MacKaye!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexei Kovalev!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacKaye on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jab, jab by Kovalev - just one landing.
MacKaye looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kovalev throws a combination. MacKaye tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

MacKaye instigates a clinch.
MacKaye blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
MacKaye blocks an uppercut.
MacKaye jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kovalev walks away with a smile on his face. MacKaye gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
MacKaye throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kovalev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
MacKaye throws a poor cross that misses
and Kovalev counters with a three punch combo that has MacKaye backing up. MacKaye nods at Kovalev to acknowledge the strikes.
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!
Kovalev cracks MacKaye with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
MacKaye swings and misses with a shot to the body
and MacKaye takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

MacKaye closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The strikes coming from MacKaye are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
MacKaye sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kovalev is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kovalev can't do much from the bottom here.
Kovalev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with MacKaye. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacKaye misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
MacKaye working away.
Kovalev is being controlled here.

MacKaye wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kovalev, who protects the arm well.
MacKaye staying calm.
MacKaye throws a strike aimed at the side of Kovalev's head but Kovalev avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacKaye tries to move to mount but Kovalev blocks the move with his legs.

MacKaye has an Americana. Kovalev didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! MacKaye is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if MacKaye hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Benton MacKaye!
Benton MacKaye thanked the fans post fight for their support.