PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie Cantu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volodymich Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volodymich Kovalev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cantu
vs
Kovalev

211 cm
20
161 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

182 cm
24
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronnie Cantu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Volodymich Kovalev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantu shoots in for a takedown but Kovalev shows good takedown defense.
Kovalev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cantu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kovalev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cantu wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kovalev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kovalev tries to score a body lock takedown but Cantu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cantu is trying to force a seperation but Kovalev has the dominant position.
Cantu tries to break the clinch but Kovalev is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalev slowing the pace effectively.
Cantu wants to break free but Kovalev has control.

Cantu breaks from the clinch.
Cantu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kovalev counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Ronnie Cantu has been cut.
Kovalev shoots in for a takedown but Cantu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cantu appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kovalev shoots in and drives through. Cantu sprawls well.
Ronnie Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volodymich Kovalev.
Cantu with a poor takedown

and Kovalev moves into the clinch.
Cantu wants to get back to striking at distance but Kovalev won't allow it.
Kovalev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short body shot lands from Kovalev as the two fighters clinch.
Kovalev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cantu walks away with a smile on his face. Kovalev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kovalev pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovalev closes the distance and clinches.
Kovalev is looking to break free of the clinch but Cantu has double underhooks.
Cantu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kovalev has Cantu pressed against the cage, preventing Cantu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kovalev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cantu after a bit of a struggle.
Cantu is trying to push Kovalev away but Kovalev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kovalev tries to pull guard but Cantu holds him up against the cage and eventually Kovalev drops back down to his feet.

Cantu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovalev has a takedown stuffed.
Cantu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kovalev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cantu looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kovalev!
Cantu 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.
Cantu tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kovalev is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cantu connects with a decent elbow.
Kovalev on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Kovalev manages to get back to half guard.

Cantu wants to work for an arm triangle but Kovalev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kovalev is looking to escape.
Kovalev trying to control from the bottom.
Kovalev is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantu thows a huge punch but Kovalev dodges it nicely.
Cantu slips a nice elbow through Kovalev's hands, connecting with Kovalev's forehead.
Cantu prevents Kovalev from improving his position.
Kovalev is holding on to half guard well.

Cantu is working for a kimura but Kovalev is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cantu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Volodymich Kovalev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ronnie Cantu's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kovalev closes the distance and clinches.
Kovalev wants a takedown but no success here.
Kovalev keeps control of Cantu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Cantu breaks from the clinch.

Kovalev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cantu is trying to defend but Kovalev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cantu trying to hold on to Kovalev's head to control him but Kovalev postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cantu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kovalev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovalev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kovalev not doing much here.
Kovalev works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kovalev controlling the position easily from mount.

Kovalev is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Cantu to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Cantu shrugs it off.
Cantu really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cantu is wriggling around trying to escape.
Volodymich Kovalev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kovalev controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovalev goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cantu turns into him and now he's in Kovalev's guard.

Kovalev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kovalev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kovalev wants to pass the guard but Cantu is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalev advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kovalev prevents Cantu from standing back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kovalev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kovalev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kovalev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cantu sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Volodymich Kovalev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ronnie Cantu's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cantu shoots in but Kovalev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cantu is defended easily by Kovalev.
Kovalev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kovalev stuffs the takedown attempt from Cantu. Cantu gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronnie Cantu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalev dives in for a single leg takedown but Cantu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalev closes the distance and clinches up with Cantu, looking for a takedown. Kovalev pushes Cantu against the cage but Cantu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cantu wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kovalev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kovalev stalks Cantu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cantu's face. Cantu staggers backwards, shaken.
Kovalev dives in for a single leg takedown but Cantu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantu fails with the takedown
and Kovalev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalev misses with a takedown attempt - Cantu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Cantu tries to keep at a distance but Kovalev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cantu misses with a knee to the head.
Cantu can't break the clinch.
Kovalev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cantu is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovalev has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantu is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovalev has double underhooks.
Kovalev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cantu gets underhooks to prevent Kovalev's takedown attempt.
Cantu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kovalev is trying to pull guard but Cantu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kovalev is trying to drag Cantu to the mat but Cantu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Kovalev decides to pull guard.
Kovalev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev wants to sweep here but Cantu controlling him for the moment.
Cantu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kovalev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cantu's guard.

Kovalev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kovalev stands and throws Cantu's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kovalev remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ronnie Cantu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volodymich Kovalev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kovalev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volodymich Kovalev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kovalev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volodymich Kovalev!