PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gregh Parunausha (ranked 6543 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Kovalev (ranked 24714 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Parunausha
vs
Kovalev

199 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
24
135 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

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, Gregh Parunausha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Kovalev!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kovalev tries to clinch there but Parunausha circles away.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Parunausha shoots for a double leg takedown but Kovalev sprawls well. He's pushed Parunausha's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kovalev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sloppy strikes from Kovalev. Those never looked like landing.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Parunausha blocks a head kick by Kovalev.

Parunausha closes the distance and pushes Kovalev back into the cage.
Parunausha is stalling here.
Parunausha fails to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kovalev manages to break the clinch.
Parunausha goes for a double leg but Kovalev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kovalev continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregh Parunausha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.
Parunausha shoots in but Kovalev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Parunausha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kovalev defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalev throws a sloppy head kick and Parunausha moves out of range easily.
Parunausha shoots in but no luck this time.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Parunausha has a takedown stuffed.
Kovalev tries a head kick but it misses.
Parunausha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kovalev.
Kovalev misses with a hook.
Kovalev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Parunausha fails to land the takedown.
Kovalev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Parunausha rushes Kovalev and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Kovalev has eaten all the pies!
Kovalev looks winded!

Kovalev manages to break the clinch.
Parunausha tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kovalev swivels and escapes.
Kovalev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Parunausha dodges the punch combination from Kovalev.
A head kick misses from Kovalev.
As Kovalev backs away, Parunausha returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Mike Kovalev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalev slaps away a takedown attempt from Parunausha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
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!
Parunausha tries a head kick but it misses.
Parunausha avoids the head kick by Kovalev.
Kovalev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Parunausha wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kovalev delivers a nice body kick.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Parunausha takes the fight into the clinch.
Kovalev fails to pull guard.
Kovalev tries to break the clinch but Parunausha is controlling the position.
Parunausha has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kovalev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kovalev is looking to break free of the clinch but Parunausha has double underhooks.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.

Parunausha gets a clinch.
Parunausha lands a left hand.

Kovalev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovalev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kovalev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Parunausha.
Kovalev keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick by Kovalev misses
letting Parunausha counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Parunausha clinches with his opponent.
Parunausha pressing his opponent against the cage.

Kovalev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Parunausha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Parunausha lands a two punch combo.
Kovalev lands a head kick. Parunausha smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kovalev throws a head kick that misses.
Kovalev thows a leg kick but Parunausha checks it

and Parunausha counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kovalev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kovalev is trying to break free.

Kovalev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kovalev is defended easily by Parunausha.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mike Kovalev will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Parunausha fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Parunausha tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kovalev defends well and Parunausha ends up having to push Kovalev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Parunausha shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregh Parunausha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Parunausha shoots for a takedown but Kovalev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kovalev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Parunausha wants to clinch.
Parunausha tries to clinch but Kovalev is having none of it.
Kovalev throws a head kick but Parunausha moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Parunausha tries to avoid it but Kovalev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Parunausha to the ground. Parunausha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalev misses with a few strikes there.

Parunausha gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kovalev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kovalev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalev throws a head kick but Parunausha moves out of range.
Kovalev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovalev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.

Parunausha gets a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Parunausha.
Parunausha really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Parunausha is looking for a takedown.
Kovalev keeps control of Parunausha as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Parunausha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kovalev avoids it.

Kovalev manages to break the clinch.
Parunausha shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Parunausha looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice sprawl there from Kovalev as Parunausha shoots in.
Kovalev is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovalev forces Parunausha back against the cage and clinches.
Kovalev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kovalev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovalev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Parunausha half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kovalev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Parunausha tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
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!
Parunausha slips a jab and a cross from Kovalev.
A head kick misses from Kovalev.

Parunausha shoots in and bounces Kovalev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Parunausha trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovalev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Parunausha looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Parunausha stands up from Kovalev's guard - Parunausha perhaps looking for a knockout.
Parunausha darts in looking for a takedown but Kovalev gets double underhooks and turns Parunausha into the cage.
Kovalev misses with a body kick.
Parunausha pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kovalev throws a head kick but Parunausha moves out of range.
Parunausha attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Parunausha tries to keep at a distance but Kovalev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.
Kovalev misses with a few strikes there.
Kovalev stalks Parunausha and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Parunausha's face. Parunausha staggers backwards, shaken.
Kovalev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Parunausha.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.
Kovalev misses with a head kick.
Parunausha drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kovalev sprawls and moves away.
Parunausha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovalev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Parunausha gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Parunausha manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Kovalev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Parunausha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

No luck for Parunausha with that takedown attempt.

Parunausha has closed the distance and engaged Kovalev in a clinch.

Kovalev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovalev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Parunausha tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kovalev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kovalev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Parunausha's calf.
Kovalev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovalev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gregh Parunausha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalev tries a head kick but it misses.
Parunausha tries to clinch up.
Kovalev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Parunausha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Parunausha takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kovalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Parunausha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kovalev sprawls well. Kovalev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Parunausha gets slowly back to his feet.
Parunausha darts in looking for a takedown but Kovalev gets double underhooks and turns Parunausha into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregh Parunausha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalev shoots in looking for a takedown but Parunausha manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kovalev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

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

Parunausha gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Kovalev pushes Parunausha off and gets back to his feet.
Kovalev blocks a head kick by Parunausha.
Kovalev throws a head kick but Parunausha moves out of range.
Kovalev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalev tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Parunausha closes the distance and clinches.
Parunausha looking to slow down the pace here.
Kovalev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Parunausha just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.
Parunausha closes the distance and clinches up with Kovalev, looking for a takedown. Parunausha pushes Kovalev against the cage but Kovalev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kovalev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Parunausha dodges the punch combination from Kovalev.
Kovalev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Parunausha has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kovalev after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovalev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Parunausha dives in for a single leg takedown but Kovalev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kovalev throws a body kick that misses.
Kovalev throws a sloppy head kick and Parunausha moves out of range easily.
It looked like Parunausha wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kovalev tries to clinch
and Parunausha counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Parunausha avoids the head kick by Kovalev.
Parunausha looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kovalev is fending him off so far but Parunausha persists. Nope, Kovalev circles away and we're back to standing.
Kovalev lands a head kick. Parunausha smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kovalev throws a sloppy head kick and Parunausha moves out of range easily.
Kovalev loads up on a big right hand but Parunausha slips the punch.
Mike Kovalev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Parunausha darts in looking for a takedown but Kovalev gets double underhooks and turns Parunausha into the cage.

Kovalev closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovalev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Parunausha shoots in for a double leg but Kovalev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kovalev throws a head kick but Parunausha moves out of range.
Parunausha throws a big counter combination but Kovalev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kovalev tries to clinch up.
Parunausha misses with a head kick.
Parunausha blocks a head kick by Kovalev.
Parunausha tries a head kick but it misses.
Despite the aggression on Kovalev's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Parunausha fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovalev avoids it really well and circles away.
Parunausha blocks a head kick by Kovalev.
Gregh Parunausha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Kovalev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Parunausha lands a jab to Kovalev's midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Kovalev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovalev 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

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