PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Leo Kovarov (ranked 2582 p4p, 135 weight class) and Vladimir MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov (ranked 3131 p4p, 166 weight class). MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4V90AmXnguw kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! This should be a great matchup!

Kovarov
vs
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov

167 cm
22
139 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
27
142 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vladimir MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kovarov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kovarov lands in his opponent's guard.
Kovarov passes MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kovarov is taking a breather. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Kovarov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov tries to get to full guard but Kovarov has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovarov stalling away here and it's allowed MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kovarov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov tries to get to full guard but Kovarov has control of the leg.

MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kovarov pulls his head out easily.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov trying to control but Kovarov postures up.
Kovarov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kovarov seems to be working for a kimura but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov defends the submission attempt.
Kovarov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov controlling the action here.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kovarov.
Kovarov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kovarov content just to control the position here.

Kovarov looking for a guillotine from mount but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is having none of it.

Kovarov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kovarov scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov tries to control but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov wriggling away.
Kovarov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
A nice elbow there by Kovarov.

Kovarov wants to finish this one by submission but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kovarov.
Kovarov with the ground and pound from mount.
Kovarov tries to control but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov wriggling away.
Kovarov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kovarov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov?
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kovarov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov stopping the sweep attempt from Kovarov.
Kovarov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kovarov working for a triangle but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov defends it easily.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov wants to control from the top but Kovarov keeps moving.

Kovarov working for a triangle but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Kovarov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kovarov doesn't manage to clinch there - MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov circles away.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov throws a counter combo.

Kovarov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kovarov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kovarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kovarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kovarov trying to control the action but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is working from the bottom.
Kovarov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is not content to let Kovarov control the position.

Kovarov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov tries to bench press Kovarov off him but Kovarov keeps the position.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is still trying to improve position.
Kovarov is looking to take a break and control but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kovarov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov down.
Kovarov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov to see if he's OK.

Kovarov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov has escaped the position, nice work there.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kovarov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is not content to let Kovarov control the position.
Kovarov working the ground and pound.
Kovarov working away.

Kovarov is trying to get an arm triangle but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is defending well.

Kovarov is trying to get an arm triangle but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is defending well.
Kovarov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kovarov tries to score with some ground and pound. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov is looking for a sweep.
Kovarov working away.
Kovarov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Kovarov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kovarov landing strikes.
Kovarov working the ground and pound.

Kovarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kovarov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov can do to turn this around?

Kovarov decides to stand back up. Kovarov steps back and let's MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov tries to avoid it but Kovarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov to the ground. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kovarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov throws an off balance right hand
and Kovarov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kovarov closes the distance and clinches up with MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov, looking for a takedown. Kovarov pushes MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov against the cage but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov misses the shot to the body.
Kovarov stuffs the takedown.
MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov wants to clinch up but Kovarov keeps it at a distance.

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

Kovarov successfully pulls guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kovarov is looking for a triangle but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov pushes his legs off easily.

Kovarov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kovarov is trying to control the position but MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov postures up.

Kovarov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Kovarov is tightening it up a little... MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! MagomedsharipovNurmagomedov taps out! Nice BJJ there by Kovarov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Leo Kovarov!