PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Shovkovskyj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Beeboy Batongbakal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Shovkovskyj
vs
Batongbakal

180 cm
23
195 lbs
6 - 6 - 1

184 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 6 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Valentin Shovkovskyj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Beeboy Batongbakal!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Shovkovskyj has closed the distance and engaged Batongbakal in a clinch.
Batongbakal wants to get back to striking at distance but Shovkovskyj won't allow it.
I was talking to Shovkovskyj's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Batongbakal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shovkovskyj avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shovkovskyj wants a takedown but no success here.
Shovkovskyj can't get the takedown.
Shovkovskyj wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valentin Shovkovskyj. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shovkovskyj pulls guard.
Batongbakal wants to stand but Shovkovskyj has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Shovkovskyj controls Batongbakal momentarily but Batongbakal frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Batongbakal controls the pace.
Batongbakal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shovkovskyj is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shovkovskyj is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shovkovskyj.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Shovkovskyj tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Batongbakal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shovkovskyj shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Batongbakal but Batongbakal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Batongbakal! But no joy.
Shovkovskyj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Batongbakal doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Shovkovskyj fails with a takedown attempt.
Batongbakal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shovkovskyj defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Batongbakal counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Batongbakal is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batongbakal wants to pass the guard but Shovkovskyj is defending well.
Shovkovskyj moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Batongbakal won't allow Shovkovskyj to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beeboy Batongbakal dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shovkovskyj looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Batongbakal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Shovkovskyj closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shovkovskyj lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batongbakal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position from guard on top but Batongbakal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Batongbakal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shovkovskyj. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Shovkovskyj drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shovkovskyj jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position from guard on top but Batongbakal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shovkovskyj trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position from guard on top but Batongbakal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shovkovskyj trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Valentin Shovkovskyj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shovkovskyj.
Shovkovskyj shoots in and drives through. Batongbakal sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valentin Shovkovskyj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shovkovskyj is trying hard to land a takedown here. Batongbakal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj shoots in for a takedown but Batongbakal shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Batongbakal as Shovkovskyj shoots in.
Batongbakal throws a fast counter high kick but Shovkovskyj manages to duck under it in time.
Shovkovskyj fails with the takedown.
And Batongbakal tries to counter it with a takedown but Shovkovskyj pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shovkovskyj is defended easily by Batongbakal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shovkovskyj shoots in for a takedown but Batongbakal shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Batongbakal steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Shovkovskyj.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shovkovskyj shoots in looking for a takedown. Batongbakal tries to sprawl out of it but Shovkovskyj keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Batongbakal 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.

A close second round but Beeboy Batongbakal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shovkovskyj fails with a takedown attempt.
Batongbakal feints a counter leg kick.
Shovkovskyj fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And Batongbakal tries to counter it with a takedown but Shovkovskyj pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shovkovskyj shoots in looking for a takedown. Batongbakal tries to sprawl out of it but Shovkovskyj keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Batongbakal manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Batongbakal is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valentin Shovkovskyj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shovkovskyj changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Batongbakal tries to avoid it but Shovkovskyj manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Batongbakal to the ground. Batongbakal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Batongbakal changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shovkovskyj tries for a takedown but Batongbakal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Batongbakal drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shovkovskyj defends it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shovkovskyj.

That's two 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.
Shovkovskyj throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Batongbakal's waist but Batongbakal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shovkovskyj off to one side.
Valentin Shovkovskyj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shovkovskyj tries for a takedown but Batongbakal circles away easily
and Batongbakal counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batongbakal leaves Shovkovskyj with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shovkovskyj tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Batongbakal swivels and escapes.
Shovkovskyj darts in looking for a takedown but Batongbakal gets double underhooks and turns Shovkovskyj into the cage.
Shovkovskyj tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Batongbakal decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shovkovskyj's guard.
Beeboy Batongbakal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batongbakal looking to pass the guard.
Batongbakal looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shovkovskyj wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Beeboy Batongbakal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batongbakal winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Beeboy Batongbakal!