PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Medzy KitaKul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kovalev
vs
KitaKul

150 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Kovalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Medzy KitaKul!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Kovalev.

Kovalev closes the distance and pushes KitaKul back into the cage.
Kovalev can't break the clinch.

Kovalev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovalev tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalev feints a jab promting KitaKul to slip. Kovalev then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. KitaKul slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Kovalev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kovalev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
KitaKul is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
KitaKul is not content to let Kovalev control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
KitaKul can't do much from the bottom here.
Kovalev could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
I wouldn't like to be where KitaKul is right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalev working away.
An elbow from Kovalev crashes against the mat.
KitaKul can't do much from the bottom here.
KitaKul avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kovalev.
You can see the frustration on KitaKul's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
KitaKul has one of Kovalev's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

Kovalev decides to stand back up. Kovalev steps back and let's KitaKul get back to his feet.
Kovalev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And KitaKul tries to counter it with a takedown but Kovalev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
KitaKul takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Kovalev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with KitaKul, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kovalev.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And KitaKul tries to counter it with a takedown but Kovalev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kovalev thows a left - swing and a miss!

Kovalev clinches with his opponent.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.
Kovalev throws a head kick but KitaKul moves out of range.
And KitaKul tries to counter it with a takedown but Kovalev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kovalev throws a sloppy head kick and KitaKul moves out of range easily.
Kovalev is breathing heavily.
Kovalev tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalev throws a sloppy head kick and KitaKul moves out of range easily.
KitaKul tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
KitaKul avoids the head kick by Kovalev.
KitaKul feints the counter takedown.
A head kick misses from Kovalev.
KitaKul feints the counter takedown.

Kovalev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
KitaKul is trying to drag Kovalev to the mat but Kovalev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kovalev prevents the takedown attempt.
Kovalev is pressed up against the cage. KitaKul has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kovalev down to the mat. Kovalev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mike Kovalev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Medzy KitaKul.
Kovalev throws a head kick but KitaKul moves out of range.
And KitaKul tries to counter it with a takedown but Kovalev pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Kovalev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
KitaKul is positioning himself well to prevent Kovalev advancing to mount.
Let's hope that KitaKul has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if KitaKul can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
KitaKul is trying to maintain the position but Kovalev is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalev thows a huge punch but KitaKul dodges it nicely.
Kovalev tries to stand but can't do so whilst KitaKul controls his leg.
KitaKul has his hands clasped together around Kovalev's back. He's all about the action.
KitaKul blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kovalev.
KitaKul moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
KitaKul controlling Kovalev's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Kovalev dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kovalev lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mike Kovalev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.
KitaKul feints the counter takedown.
Kovalev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sloppy strikes from Kovalev. Those never looked like landing.
KitaKul with the counter takedown but Kovalev avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Kovalev.
A head kick misses from Kovalev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
KitaKul blocks a head kick by Kovalev.
Mike Kovalev is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kovalev has managed to clinch.
KitaKul is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kovalev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

KitaKul lands a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
KitaKul is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kovalev working a defensive guard here.
KitaKul controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
Kovalev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
KitaKul avoids the head kick by Kovalev.
Kovalev throws a head kick that misses.
KitaKul drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kovalev defends it well.
Kovalev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

KitaKul gets tackled into the cage by Kovalev. Kovalev maintains the clinch.

KitaKul gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
KitaKul not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
KitaKul's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
KitaKul is continuing to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from KitaKul.
Mike Kovalev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kovalev throws a head kick but KitaKul moves out of range.
A lazy body kick from Kovalev

and KitaKul decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kovalev's guard.
Kovalev wants to get back to his feet but KitaKul is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
KitaKul is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Kovalev dominated that second round.
That's time! Kovalev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kovalev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
KitaKul is trying to control but can't.
KitaKul is holding on to half guard well.
Kovalev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kovalev is looking for a kimura but KitaKul is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kovalev to get the leverage.
Kovalev wants to pass the guard but KitaKul is defending well.
Kovalev prevents KitaKul from improving his position.
KitaKul keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The adventures of KitaKul the control monster continue. Boring.
Kovalev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kovalev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
KitaKul is staying active underneath Kovalev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kovalev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that KitaKul can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
KitaKul wants to get back to full guard.
Kovalev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kovalev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kovalev tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Kovalev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
KitaKul keeping control of the position.
Kovalev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

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.
KitaKul preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.

Kovalev closes the distance and pushes KitaKul back into the cage.

KitaKul lands a takedown into guard.
KitaKul seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
More stalling from KitaKul.
KitaKul with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yet more stalling tactics from KitaKul.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kovalev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on KitaKul if he has to take too many more of those.

Kovalev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kovalev is trying to get an arm triangle but KitaKul is defending well.
KitaKul has one of Kovalev's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
KitaKul avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kovalev.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
KitaKul manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Medzy KitaKul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Kovalev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kovalev decides to stand and escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Kovalev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kovalev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight for Mike Kovalev!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Mike Kovalev!
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight for Mike Kovalev!

Mike Kovalev wins by unanimous decision!
The defeated Medzy KitaKul had this to say: 'fuck you all, i hate you all suckers and potato face's'.