PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Abalajon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcin Kowalczyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Abalajon
vs
Kowalczyk

189 cm
21
226 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

201 cm
23
242 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George Abalajon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marcin Kowalczyk!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kowalczyk lets loose with a powerful body kick. Abalajon will feel that in the morning.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch up.
Abalajon throwing a counter right hand but Kowalczyk manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It looked like Abalajon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abalajon avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Abalajon crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kowalczyk - the referee stops the clock and Abalajon gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kowalczyk. Abalajon manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Marcin Kowalczyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abalajon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kowalczyk fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abalajon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abalajon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Kowalczyk has Abalajon up against the cage in a clinch.
Kowalczyk misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Kowalczyk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Abalajon.
Abalajon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Abalajon keeps the fight on the outside.
Abalajon wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Abalajon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abalajon throws a right and a left that Kowalczyk avoids nicely.
Abalajon takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like George Abalajon has been cut.
Abalajon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A counter left hand to the body from Abalajon misses its target.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.
Abalajon appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kowalczyk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kowalczyk misses with a head kick.
It looked like Abalajon was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch
and Abalajon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kowalczyk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abalajon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kowalczyk closes the distance but Abalajon moves to the side
and Abalajon counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk doesn't manage to clinch there - Abalajon circles away.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Abalajon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A quick step to the side and Abalajon tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalczyk lands a front kick.
Kowalczyk throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Abalajon.

Abalajon looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Abalajon controls from within his opponent's guard.

Abalajon gets to his feet. Kowalczyk looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abalajon scores with a hook.
Abalajon lands a jab to the head.
Kowalczyk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Abalajon throwing a counter right hand but Kowalczyk manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but Abalajon moves out of range.
It looked like Abalajon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kowalczyk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kowalczyk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kowalczyk tries to close the distance and clinch but Abalajon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As Kowalczyk backs away, Abalajon returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Abalajon lands a high kick!
Kowalczyk closes the distance but Abalajon moves to the side
and Abalajon makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Abalajon lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Abalajon will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on George Abalajon's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kowalczyk wants to clinch up but Abalajon keeps it at a distance.
Nice body punch from Abalajon.
Abalajon misses with a low kick.
Abalajon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Abalajon misses the target.
Abalajon throws a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk tries to close the distance and clinch but Abalajon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like Abalajon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abalajon keeps the fight on the outside.
A counter left hand to the body from Abalajon misses its target.
Abalajon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.
As Kowalczyk tries to get set, Abalajon tries to push him back and clinch up but Kowalczyk manages to avoid the attempt.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk moves in looking to clinch but Abalajon pushes him off.
Abalajon looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kowalczyk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abalajon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Abalajon misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk is looking to clinch.
It looked like Abalajon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kowalczyk.

Kowalczyk rushes Abalajon and presses him up against the cage.
Abalajon is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Abalajon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kowalczyk can do to turn this around?
Abalajon is trying to break free.
Stalling in the clinch from Abalajon.
Abalajon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Abalajon wants to break free but Kowalczyk has control.
Kowalczyk throws a knee to the head but misses.

Kowalczyk manages to break the clinch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kowalczyk.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abalajon dodges the punch combination from Kowalczyk.
Abalajon digs a good body shot into Kowalczyk's ribs.
Kowalczyk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abalajon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abalajon appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kowalczyk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kowalczyk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
George Abalajon is winning the standup battle so far.

Kowalczyk pushes Abalajon up against the cage in a clinch.
Kowalczyk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abalajon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kowalczyk wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk misses with a knee strike.
Abalajon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kowalczyk has him pressed against the cage.
Kowalczyk misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abalajon.
Kowalczyk with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kowalczyk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kowalczyk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.
Abalajon throwing a counter right hand but Kowalczyk manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk misses with a leg kick
and Abalajon counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kowalczyk thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk moves in looking to clinch but Abalajon pushes him off.
It looked like Abalajon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abalajon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kowalczyk at a distance.
Marcin Kowalczyk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kowalczyk closes the distance looking to clinch
and Abalajon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch
and Abalajon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kowalczyk throws a push kick but Abalajon slaps the foot to one side.

Kowalczyk takes the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Abalajon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kowalczyk is trying to force a seperation but Abalajon has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that George Abalajon will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on George Abalajon's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab from Abalajon does it's job there.
Abalajon is looking to wear down Kowalczyk with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Abalajon lands with a nice body punch.
Abalajon throws a series of punches but Kowalczyk avoids them all with ease.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch up.
Abalajon is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abalajon.
Kowalczyk closes the distance looking to clinch
and Abalajon counters with a three punch combo that has Kowalczyk backing up. Kowalczyk nods at Abalajon to acknowledge the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch up
and Abalajon counters with a three punch combo that has Kowalczyk backing up. Kowalczyk nods at Abalajon to acknowledge the strikes.
Kowalczyk misses with a kick to the body
and Abalajon counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk moves in looking to clinch but Abalajon pushes him off.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but Abalajon is having none of it.
Kowalczyk swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Abalajon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kowalczyk at a distance.
Abalajon shoots in for a double leg but Kowalczyk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch up but Abalajon circles away and keeps his distance.
Abalajon is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kowalczyk wants to clinch but Abalajon slips to the side
and Kowalczyk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Abalajon blocks a head kick by Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a body punch but Abalajon moves out of range.
Abalajon fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kowalczyk just manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Abalajon swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kowalczyk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kowalczyk misses
and Abalajon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Abalajon swats away the attempt to clinch by Kowalczyk.
Abalajon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kowalczyk sprawls and moves away.
Kowalczyk throws a left and a right that both miss
and Abalajon counters with a left to the body.
Kowalczyk takes one to the side of the head.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch there but Abalajon circles away.
Abalajon tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kowalczyk manages to circle out of the way.
Kowalczyk takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kowalczyk has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
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!
Kowalczyk takes a swing at Abalajon's ribcage but misses.
Abalajon lands a body shot.

Kowalczyk instigates a clinch.
Abalajon taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk trying to control the position but instead, Abalajon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kowalczyk into the cage.

Abalajon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but Abalajon moves away
and Abalajon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Abalajon thuds his right hand into Kowalczyk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Kowalczyk clinches.
Abalajon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kowalczyk has him pressed against the cage.
Abalajon working hard to break the clinch.
George Abalajon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abalajon is defending well for now.
Kowalczyk tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abalajon's elbow.
Kowalczyk working aggressively here.
Abalajon keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kowalczyk's efforts to push away.
Abalajon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Abalajon wants to break free but Kowalczyk has control.
Kowalczyk is looking to break free of the clinch but Abalajon has double underhooks.
Marcin Kowalczyk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Abalajon manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Abalajon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abalajon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Abalajon!