PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ching Chang Bing Bang (ranked 1234 p4p, 77 weight class) and Leo Kovarov (ranked 1973 p4p, 118 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Chang Bing Bang
vs
Kovarov

173 cm
30
148 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

167 cm
28
146 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ching Chang Bing Bang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovarov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kovarov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kovarov misses the shot to the body.
Bing Bang throwing a counter right hand but Kovarov manages to avoid it.
Kovarov takes a swing at Bing Bang's ribcage but misses.
As Kovarov looks to move away, Bing Bang throws a big counter combo but Kovarov just gets out of the way.
Kovarov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bing Bang as he avoids it easily.
Kovarov throws a looping overhand right but Bing Bang ducks down to avoid it.
Bing Bang checks a low kick from Kovarov.
Bing Bang tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kovarov manages to circle out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovarov misses with the combination.
Bing Bang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kovarov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovarov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kovarov working the ground and pound.
Bing Bang is pushing Kovarov's head away, looking to escape. Kovarov manages to hold on to the position though.
Bing Bang is looking for a sweep.
Kovarov working the ground and pound but Bing Bang is defending the strikes.
Bing Bang tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Kovarov decides to stand back up. Kovarov steps back and let's Bing Bang get back to his feet.
Ching Chang Bing Bang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovarov misses with a two punch combination.
Bing Bang tried to counter with a leg kick but Kovarov avoided it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov darts in looking for a takedown but Bing Bang gets double underhooks and turns Kovarov into the cage.
Ching Chang Bing Bang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Kovarov.

Kovarov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bing Bang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bing Bang knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kovarov on the ground.
Bing Bang is working hard here to advance position.
Kovarov trying to control the action but Bing Bang is working from the bottom.
Kovarov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bing Bang controlling the position well.
Bing Bang is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bing Bang is looking to get back to full guard here but Kovarov has managed to pass to side control instead.
Bing Bang is trying to control Kovarov's posture but Kovarov avoids it.
Bing Bang tries to bench press Kovarov off him but Kovarov keeps the position.
Bing Bang manages to get back to half guard.
Bing Bang is looking for a sweep. Kovarov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bing Bang is looking to get back to full guard here but Kovarov has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kovarov is looking to take a break and control but Bing Bang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bing Bang is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Bing Bang tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kovarov working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bing Bang is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kovarov misses with the ground and pound.
Kovarov working the ground and pound from side control.
Bing Bang is trying to control Kovarov's posture but Kovarov avoids it.
Bing Bang sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kovarov is working for a kimura but Bing Bang is defending it quite comfortably.
Bing Bang wants to control but Kovarov is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kovarov lands strikes from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bing Bang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kovarov.
Bing Bang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kovarov throwing shots but Bing Bang is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Kovarov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kovarov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bing Bang moves away.
Bing Bang throwing a counter right hand but Kovarov manages to avoid it.
Kovarov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bing Bang was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovarov.
Kovarov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bing Bang manages to avoid it.
Kovarov throws a low kick but Bing Bang avoids it.

Kovarov looking to score a takedown here. Bing Bang is defending well but Kovarov drives through and ends up in Bing Bang's guard.
Leo Kovarov has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kovarov stopping the sweep attempt from Bing Bang.
Kovarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Kovarov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kovarov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bing Bang counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bing Bang showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovarov.
Bing Bang fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kovarov just manages to avoid it.
Kovarov misses the jab.
Ching Chang Bing Bang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Kovarov misses.
Kovarov misses with a hook.
Kovarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kovarov scores with a leg kick.
Kovarov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bing Bang defends well and Kovarov ends up having to push Bing Bang into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Kovarov shoots in and bounces Bing Bang off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Bing Bang has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kovarov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Bing Bang misses with a punch to the body.

Kovarov breaks from the clinch.
A shot to the liver by Kovarov. Beautiful body shot.
Kovarov misses with a double jab

and Bing Bang counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Bing Bang.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bing Bang.

Bing Bang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovarov throws a right hand that Bing Bang ducks under and follows up with a left that Bing Bang also avoids with ease.
Bing Bang appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kovarov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bing Bang rather than just go for the knockout.
Kovarov fails with the takedown.
As Kovarov tries to get set, Bing Bang tries to push him back and clinch up but Kovarov manages to avoid the attempt.
Ching Chang Bing Bang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Kovarov.
Kovarov misses with a looping right.
Kovarov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov misses with a combination
and Kovarov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Leo Kovarov has been cut.
Kovarov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kovarov shoots in but no luck this time.
As Kovarov backs away, Bing Bang returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Bing Bang uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kovarov.
Bing Bang uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovarov.
Kovarov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leo Kovarov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Leo Kovarov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kovarov shoots in for a takedown but Bing Bang shows good takedown defense.
Kovarov lands a head shot.

Kovarov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Bing Bang pushes Kovarov off looking to stand but Kovarov dives back in and keeps control.
Bing Bang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kovarov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bing Bang looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bing Bang wants to get back to full guard.
Bing Bang avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kovarov.
Bing Bang trying to control but Kovarov postures up.
Kovarov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bing Bang is trying to get back to full guard.
Bing Bang is trying to maintain the position but Kovarov is very close to passing his half guard.

Kovarov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bing Bang has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kovarov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bing Bang is trying to get back to full guard.
Bing Bang is trying to maintain the position but Kovarov is very close to passing his half guard.
Bing Bang wants to improve his position but Kovarov is controlling well.
Bing Bang controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bing Bang tries to get to full guard but Kovarov has control of the leg.
Bing Bang moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kovarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ching Chang Bing Bang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kovarov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kovarov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bing Bang's head.
Bing Bang wants to stand and escape but Kovarov is having none of it.
Bing Bang pulls Kovarov in close to prevent any damage.
Bing Bang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kovarov gets to his feet - Bing Bang follows without any prompting.
Kovarov shoots in for a double leg but Bing Bang sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bing Bang throws a big counter combination but Kovarov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bing Bang connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Leo Kovarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Kovarov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bing Bang went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kovarov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It appears Bing Bang was looking to counter with a kick there.

Kovarov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Bing Bang manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bing Bang.

Kovarov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bing Bang uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kovarov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bing Bang passes into half guard.
Kovarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bing Bang is controlling the pace.
Leo Kovarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovarov wants to control but Bing Bang is keeping busy.
Kovarov won't allow Bing Bang to pass to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kovarov tries to roll over but Bing Bang keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Leo Kovarov.
I've got Kovarov 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Kovarov!