PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chimo Kowalchuck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leandro Ataides (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Leandro Ataides enters the cage!

Kowalchuck
vs
Ataides

190 cm
23
250 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

195 cm
23
265 lbs
10 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chimo Kowalchuck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leandro Ataides!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ataides moves in looking to clinch but Kowalchuck pushes him off.

Kowalchuck gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ataides is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kowalchuck changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ataides fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kowalchuck looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Kowalchuck has managed to clinch.
Kowalchuck wants a takedown.
Ataides throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kowalchucks head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ataides working aggressively here.

Ataides tightens his grip and picks Kowalchuck up, before dumping him to the ground. Kowalchuck manages to land in guard.
Kowalchuck utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kowalchuck is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kowalchuck trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ataides landing some decent shots from guard.
Ataides postures up in Kowalchuck's guard and throws a big left but Kowalchuck blocks it.
Ataides in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ataides throws a strike but Kowalchuck rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kowalchuck trying to control but Ataides is working from the bottom.
Ataides wants to get back to his feet but Kowalchuck passes into half guard.
Kowalchuck not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalchuck stops Ataides from getting back to his feet.
Ataides has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kowalchuck thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ataides's head.
Ataides is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Kowalchuck.

Ataides kicks off Kowalchuck and gets to his feet.
Ataides fails with a takedown attempt.

Ataides closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kowalchuck did well to prevent Ataides getting side control.
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!
Kowalchuck is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kowalchuck gets full guard.
Ataides working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Ataides got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kowalchuck has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ataides has managed to get both his arms back between Kowalchuck's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ataides works over Kowalchuck with some ground and pound from guard.
Ataides is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ataides accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kowalchuck working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ataides.

Kowalchuck is looking for a triangle but Ataides pushes his legs off easily.

Ataides avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ataides working some strikes from top position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ataides working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ataides keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kowalchuck's head.
Ataides working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ataides missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ataides postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ataides closes the distance and clinches up with Kowalchuck, looking for a takedown. Ataides pushes Kowalchuck against the cage but Kowalchuck circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ataides decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kowalchuck is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kowalchuck is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ataides pulls his head out easily.
Kowalchuck is not content to let Ataides control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ataides misses the shot to the body.

Kowalchuck fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ataides sprawls well initially but Kowalchuck persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ataides tries to kick Kowalchuck off but Kowalchuck keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kowalchuck missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Ataides pushes Kowalchuck off and gets back to his feet.
Kowalchuck shoots for a takedown but Ataides saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ataides swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ataides avoids the body shot from Kowalchuck.
Ataides shoots in for a takedown but Kowalchuck shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kowalchuck throws a body punch but Ataides moves out of range.

Ataides shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ataides was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The strikes coming from Ataides are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ataides in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kowalchuck manages to get back to half guard.
Ataides trying to control the action but Kowalchuck is working from the bottom.
Ataides misses with a head shot. Kowalchuck uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kowalchuck wants to sweep but no luck.
Ataides throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two 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.

Kowalchuck is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ataides trying to control the position from guard on top but Kowalchuck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ataides content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ataides is looking to work some ground and pound but Kowalchuck has wrist control.
Ataides with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ataides working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kowalchuck's head.
Ataides is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Leandro Ataides seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kowalchuck clinches up against the cage.
Kowalchuck blocks a body shot from Ataides.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kowalchuck.
Kowalchuck is trying to drag Ataides to the mat but Ataides just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short right from Ataides.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ataides is trying to stall.
Ataides lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ataides leaning against his opponent.
Kowalchuck blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ataides lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ataides tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ataides is working Kowalchuck over against the cage.
Ataides lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ataides scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kowalchuck goes for a takedown attempt but Ataides pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chimo Kowalchuck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ataides uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kowalchuck.
Ataides connects with a body shot.
Ataides tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ataides darts in looking for a takedown but Kowalchuck gets double underhooks and turns Ataides into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kowalchuck fails to land the takedown.
Ataides fails with the takedown.
Ataides shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalchuck tries to sprawl out of it but Ataides keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalchuck manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leandro Ataides showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ataides takes a jab right on the kisser.

Kowalchuck bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ataides is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kowalchuck is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kowalchuck stands up and beckons Ataides to his feet.

Kowalchuck shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ataides pushes Kowalchuck off looking to stand but Kowalchuck dives back in and keeps control.
Kowalchuck is trying to control the action in half guard but Ataides is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kowalchuck thows a huge punch but Ataides dodges it nicely.
Kowalchuck throwing shots but Ataides is blocking nicely.
Ataides blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kowalchuck.
Kowalchuck prevents Ataides from standing back up.
Kowalchuck landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ataides pushes Kowalchuck off looking to stand but Kowalchuck dives back in and keeps control.

Ataides makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ataides uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kowalchuck.

Ataides gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Ataides is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Kowalchuck has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ataides is trying to keep an underhook but Kowalchuck manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kowalchuck tries to pass to full mount but Ataides defends it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ataides has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kowalchuck is on him like a limpet, forcing Ataides back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ataides.
Ataides gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kowalchuck.
Leandro Ataides seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ataides - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ataides changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kowalchuck fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kowalchuck throws a push kick but Ataides slaps the foot to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ataides.

Ataides gets a clinch.
Kowalchuck blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ataides lands a right hand.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kowalchuck tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Chimo Kowalchuck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalchuck drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kowalchuck drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chimo Kowalchuck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ataides misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leandro Ataides is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kowalchuck has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ataides is trying to keep an underhook but Kowalchuck manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Ataides is looking to escape.
Kowalchuck tries to stand and escape but Ataides is controlling the position.
Kowalchuck thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ataides's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chimo Kowalchuck showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ataides 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leandro Ataides!