PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giennadij Kovalov (ranked 23889 p4p, 24266 weight class) and Troy Orion (ranked 174 p4p, 176 weight class). Kovalov comes into the arena with СЛОТ - 200 кВт blaring out of the sound system. The key to victory for Giennadij Kovalov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kovalov
vs
Orion

225 cm
21
282
4 - 2 - 0

203 cm
20
285
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Giennadij Kovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Troy Orion!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orion shoots in looking for a takedown. Kovalov tries to sprawl out of it but Orion keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kovalov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kovalov throws a right and a left that Orion avoids nicely.

Orion shoots in and gets a takedown into Kovalov's guard.
Orion sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Orion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Orion postures up and lands a big shot to Kovalov's brow.

Orion drops back looking for a leg! Kovalov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kovalov manages to kick Orion off! Orion jumps back into Kovalov's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orion wants to control from the top but Kovalov keeps moving.
Orion has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Orion with a nice head shot there.
Kovalov is breathing heavily.
Orion loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Orion scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Orion stays in close to Kovalov's body and controls the position.
Kovalov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Orion is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Orion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Orion working some strikes from top position.
Kovalov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Orion is looking to work some ground and pound but Kovalov has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orion lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Orion is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Orion trying to control but Kovalov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Orion throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Troy Orion seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orion lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kovalov circles away quickly and effectively.
Orion dives in for a single leg takedown but Kovalov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Kovalov gets caught flat footed, as Orion shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Orion throwing strikes but missing.
Orion postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Orion is looking to work some ground and pound but Kovalov has wrist control.
Orion controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Orion keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kovalov's head.
Orion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kovalov keeping moving, preventing Orion from controlling successfully.
Kovalov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Orion working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kovalov's head.
Kovalov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Orion on the ground.
Kovalov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Orion postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Orion is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kovalov is rocked!
Orion postures up in Kovalov's guard and throws a big left but Kovalov blocks it.
Oh Kovalov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Orion gets to his feet and stands over Kovalov, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Kovalov felt that one! Orion unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Kovalov from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Troy Orion!
Troy Orion decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Giennadij Kovalov spoke after the fight, saying 'сука блять!'.