PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 3056 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jabari Jelani (ranked 4828 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kovalenko
vs
Jelani

205 cm
48
260 lbs
63 - 43 - 0

185 cm
49
275 lbs
36 - 49 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 63 - 43 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 49 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jabari Jelani!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jelani looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovalenko throwing a counter right hand but Jelani manages to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jelani is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jelani.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Jelani has eaten all the pies!
Jelani feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kovalenko's calf.
An inside leg kick lands from Kovalenko.
Jelani takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

It looks like Jabari Jelani has been cut.
Kovalenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kovalenko scores with a hook.
Kovalenko definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Kovalenko.
Jelani tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kovalenko swivels and escapes.
Kovalenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jelani takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Good standup being displayed there by Kovalenko as he connects with a hook.
Kovalenko jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kovalenko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Jelani has time to react.
Jelani looks to land a combination but Kovalenko avoids it well.
Jelani closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kovalenko connects with a single shot there.
Kovalenko connects with a high kick.
Kovalenko digs a good hook to Jelani's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jelani takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nikolai Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jelani shoots in and drives through. Kovalenko sprawls well.
Kovalenko is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Jelani throws a front kick aimed at Kovalenko's knee but Kovalenko avoids it well.
Kovalenko sizes up Jelani with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kovalenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kovalenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kovalenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kovalenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovalenko lands a nice looking body shot.
Kovalenko is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Jelani with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kovalenko counters with a left and a right that stings Jelani.
Nikolai Kovalenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jabari Jelani.
Jelani walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kovalenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalenko thuds a left hand into Jelani's body.
Kovalenko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kovalenko swinging wildly here.
Jelani unleashes a big counter combination but Kovalenko bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Kovalenko as Jelani shoots in.
Kovalenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kovalenko duly obliges.

Jelani is rocked!
Jelani looks winded!
Kovalenko is really turning it up, unleashing another crisp combination which drops Jelani like a ton of bricks! The referee dives in to stop the fight, saving Jelani from another fist facial!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikolai Kovalenko!
During a confident post fight interview, Nikolai Kovalenko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Jabari Jelani spoke after the fight, saying 'I'll be back !'.