PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Preston Mason (ranked 914 p4p, 53 weight class) and Leo Kovarov (ranked 1189 p4p, 66 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mason
vs
Kovarov

170 cm
24
140 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

167 cm
24
146 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Preston Mason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovarov misses with a hook. Mason ducked under it nicely.
Kovarov slips under a jab from Mason.
Kovarov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mason misses with a left hand
and Kovarov counters with a nice body shot.
Kovarov throws a sloppy head kick and Mason moves out of range easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kovarov enables Mason to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kovarov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mason trying to move into half guard but instead Kovarov has managed to sweep!

Kovarov looking to pass the guard.
Kovarov trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Mason wants to sweep here but Kovarov controlling him for the moment.
Mason trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kovarov trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kovarov manages to get himself to full guard.

Kovarov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mason slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mason with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mason postures up.
Kovarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kovarov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mason keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kovarov's head.
Our spies down at at Hardpunch (13 Elite / 1000$ inform us that Kovarov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Mason working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kovarov's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovarov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Mason has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Kovarov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Kovarov.
Mason scores with a nice strike.

Mason scores with a takedown into Kovarov's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mason is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kovarov working for a triangle but Mason defends it easily.
Mason postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mason is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mason wants to control from the top but Kovarov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kovarov keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.

Kovarov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason working some strikes from top position.
Mason trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovarov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mason keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kovarov's head.
Mason wants to control from the top but Kovarov keeps moving.
Mason stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kovarov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mason distracts Kovarov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovarov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mason cracks Kovarov with a solid left hand.
Mason scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mason chips away with some ground and pound.
Kovarov keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.
Mason is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kovarov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mason trying to control but Kovarov is working from the bottom.
Mason working some strikes from top position.
Mason postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kovarov controls Mason momentarily but Mason frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Mason dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kovarov throws a hook to the side of Mason's head but Mason sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mason looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mason throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kovarov counters with a stiff right hand.
Mason is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kovarov can do to turn this around?
Mason works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kovarov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mason.
Kovarov stuffs the takedown.
Kovarov walks into a straight right hand from Mason.
Kovarov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mason.
Preston Mason seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mason misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Preston Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovarov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovarov moves out of range as Mason strikes.
Mason fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovarov avoids it really well and circles away.
Kovarov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mason.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovarov tries to sprawl but Mason drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kovarov tries to roll over but Mason keeps him under control.
Mason winds up and cracks Kovarov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kovarov is not content to let Mason control the position.
Mason slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kovarov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kovarov is looking for a triangle here but Mason uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kovarov tries to escape but Mason is in control.
Kovarov can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason trying to control the action but Kovarov is working from the bottom.
Kovarov is trying to get back to half guard.
Mason wants to control but Kovarov is keeping him busy.
Mason scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Kovarov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Check out the look on Mason's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Mason landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mason works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mason connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kovarov some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason cracks Kovarov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mason scores with a couple of short elbows.
Mason scoring with punches from side control.
Kovarov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Mason working the body and head with strikes.
Kovarov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Mason works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Mason wants to control for a moment but Kovarov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Mason is looking to stall here but Kovarov recovers full guard.
Mason wants to control from the top but Kovarov keeps moving.
Mason landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mason got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kovarov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mason has managed to get both his arms back between Kovarov's legs - danger averted.
Kovarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mason content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Kovarov looking for a guillotine here but Mason defends easily.
Mason works over Kovarov with some ground and pound from guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mason stopping the sweep attempt from Kovarov.
Mason stands and throws Kovarov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kovarov wants to control but Mason postures up.
Kovarov taking a bit of punishment here - Mason scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Mason dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Mason scores with a jab to the body.
Kovarov leaves Mason with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mason scores with a punch to the head.
Kovarov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mason is just out of range.
Mason looks for a takedown but Kovarov sprawls well.
A jab from Mason misses.
Despite the aggression on Kovarov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kovarov swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mason is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovarov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Preston Mason. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mason shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kovarov as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovarov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mason.
Mason blocks a jab.
Mason lands with an overhand left.
Kovarov walks into a straight right hand from Mason.
Kovarov throws an overhand right that lands on Mason's shoulder, as Mason tries to avoid the shot.
Mason throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kovarov's waist but Kovarov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mason off to one side.
Kovarov moves away from the strike by Mason.

Mason darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mason trying to mount his opponent but Kovarov defends it.
Kovarov is looking to improve his position.
Kovarov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovarov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mason makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kovarov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kovarov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mason gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mason scoring with some ground and pound.
Mason with a nice head shot there.
Kovarov has momentary wrist control but Mason slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason is stalling in the full guard.

Kovarov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mason with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mason lands a couple of elbows.
Kovarov being controlled here, momentarily.
Mason working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kovarov's head.
Mason stands and throws Kovarov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kovarov taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Mason scores with punches from side control.
Mason connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kovarov some visible discomfort.
Mason is putting a hurting on Kovarov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mason working the head and body with strikes.
Mason scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kovarov to see if he's OK.
Mason working the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Kovarov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mason trying to control the position but Kovarov is working away.
Kovarov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovarov regains half guard.
Leo Kovarov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Preston Mason is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mason is nestled in close to Kovarov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Preston Mason showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mason, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

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