PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Striking Sparbot (ranked 5574 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 10474 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sparbot
vs
Kovalenko

199 cm
50
252 lbs
54 - 19 - 1

205 cm
48
260 lbs
60 - 43 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 54 - 19 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Striking Sparbot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 60 - 43 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut. Sparbot saw that one coming.
Kovalenko misses with a left hand

and Sparbot counters with a crisp one two that drops Kovalenko! Sparbot thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Kovalenko to his feet! Kovalenko is in big trouble!
Sparbot tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kovalenko defends well and Sparbot ends up having to push Kovalenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kovalenko swinging wildly here.

Sparbot has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sparbot fails to pull guard.

Kovalenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovalenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Kovalenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Sparbot went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kovalenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Sparbot moves into the clinch successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sparbot has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kovalenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Striking Sparbot. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko has had enough of the clinch but Sparbot keeps him there for the moment.
Sparbot stalling in the clinch.

Kovalenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kovalenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sparbot was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sparbot shoots in looking for a takedown. Kovalenko tries to sprawl out of it but Sparbot keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kovalenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kovalenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovalenko misses with a straight right.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sparbot was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sparbot shoots in for a takedown but Kovalenko shows good takedown defense.
Sparbot shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kovalenko as he jumps to the side.
Sparbot tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kovalenko defends well and Sparbot ends up having to push Kovalenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovalenko lands with a right hand.
Kovalenko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kovalenko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sparbot back to the cage. Kovalenko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kovalenko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sparbot under the eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalenko leaves Sparbot with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kovalenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sparbot.
Kovalenko lands a jab to the nose.
Sparbot showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalenko.
It looked like Sparbot was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kovalenko.
Sparbot fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sparbot tries to clinch but Kovalenko is having none of it.
Kovalenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparbot tries for a takedown but Kovalenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kovalenko! But no joy.
Kovalenko tests Sparbot's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sparbot throws a head kick that misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kovalenko, as that shot connected.
No joy there for Kovalenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A left and a right from Kovalenko both land. Nice combination.

Sparbot drives through and clinches with Kovalenko against the cage.
Kovalenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sparbot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Sparbot.
Kovalenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sparbot circles away quickly and effectively.
Sparbot swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kovalenko throws a body punch but Sparbot moves out of range.
Kovalenko throws the left hand but Sparbot avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalenko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kovalenko on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kovalenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Sparbot defending well as Kovalenko loads up on a big left hand.
Sparbot tried to counter with a leg kick but Kovalenko avoided it.
Sparbot tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kovalenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kovalenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sparbot pushes off an throws an elbow but Kovalenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Sparbot's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovalenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sparbot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kovalenko dominated that round.
That's time! Sparbot's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sparbot avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kovalenko works over Sparbot's head and body with a nice combination.
Kovalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Sparbot shoots in for a double leg but Kovalenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sparbot shoots in and drives through. Kovalenko sprawls well.
Kovalenko connects with a looping right hand.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kovalenko in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kovalenko misses with a wild body shot.
Kovalenko misses with a looping right.
Sparbot appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kovalenko jabs at Sparbot's body.
Kovalenko lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kovalenko.
Sparbot moves to clinch but Kovalenko breaks away
and Kovalenko counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sparbot takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sparbot tries to land a front kick but Kovalenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kovalenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kovalenko loads up on a big right hand but Sparbot slips the punch.
Sparbot half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko throws a combination. Sparbot tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sparbot dives in for a single leg takedown but Kovalenko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Striking Sparbot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko misses with a straight right.
Nikolai Kovalenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sparbot seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kovalenko lands a jab to the nose.
Sparbot goes for a double leg but Kovalenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kovalenko continues to drive forward.

Sparbot clinches.
Sparbot trying to land knees to the body.
Kovalenko is trying to break free.
Sparbot is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kovalenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sparbot avoiding damage.

Kovalenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovalenko wants it to stay on the feet.
Kovalenko throws a sloppy head kick and Sparbot moves out of range easily.
Sparbot moves in looking to clinch but Kovalenko pushes him off.
Kovalenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kovalenko lands with a nice combination. Sparbot backs away looking to recover.
Kovalenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kovalenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kovalenko looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sparbot tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kovalenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolai Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalenko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sparbot back to the cage. Kovalenko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kovalenko misses with a low kick.
Sparbot tries to clinch up but Kovalenko circles away and keeps his distance.
Kovalenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Kovalenko lands.
Kovalenko missing with a left hand there. Sparbot was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sparbot looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A jab from Kovalenko misses.
Sparbot darts in looking for a takedown but Kovalenko gets double underhooks and turns Sparbot into the cage.
Kovalenko lands with an uppercut that bounces Sparbot off the cage and back into range.
Kovalenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kovalenko misses with a double jab.
Kovalenko misses with the combination.
Sparbot thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kovalenko connects with a crisp jab.
Sparbot shoots in but Kovalenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Kovalenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sparbot is looking to counter with head kicks.
Kovalenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sparbot shoots for a takedown but Kovalenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kovalenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalenko lands a jab to the nose.
Kovalenko throws a hook to the side of Sparbot's head but Sparbot sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovalenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kovalenko.
Sparbot shoots in for a takedown but Kovalenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sparbot is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kovalenko lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kovalenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kovalenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sparbot.
Sparbot tries to clinch up but Kovalenko circles away and keeps his distance.

Sparbot instigates a clinch.
Sparbot scores with a shoulder strike.
Sparbot can't get the takedown.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sparbot. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Sparbot is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovalenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sparbot looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kovalenko is trying to force a seperation but Sparbot has the dominant position.
Sparbot unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kovalenko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalenko blocks a body shot from Sparbot.
Come on Sparbot - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kovalenko can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sparbot breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice cross by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kovalenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Sparbot darts in and clinches Kovalenko up against the cage.
Sparbot misses with the head strike.
Sparbot is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovalenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Striking Sparbot. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sparbot.

Kovalenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovalenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sparbot misses with a takedown attempt - Kovalenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kovalenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sparbot's head.
Sparbot is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovalenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sparbot takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalenko throws a series of strikes that have Sparbot backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparbot has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kovalenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Sparbot's head.
Kovalenko throws a lazy right hand but Sparbot sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kovalenko throws a right hand that Sparbot ducks under and follows up with a left that Sparbot also avoids with ease.
Kovalenko throws a shot from downtown. Sparbot moves away and avoids it.
Sparbot wants to clinch.
Kovalenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kovalenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sparbot attempts a counter takedown but Kovalenko avoids it well and moves away.
Kovalenko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kovalenko tries to score with a low kick but Sparbot moves his leg out of the way.
Sparbot drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kovalenko sprawls and moves away.
Kovalenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fighters circling - Kovalenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sparbot fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kovalenko, pushing him back against the cage.
Sparbot tries to score a body lock takedown but Kovalenko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sparbot's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sparbot keeps control of Kovalenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kovalenko prevents a body shot from Sparbot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kovalenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Striking Sparbot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolai Kovalenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sparbot misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kovalenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovalenko 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kovalenko!
A relieved looking Nikolai Kovalenko thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.