PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marko Rakic (ranked 2324 p4p, 3968 weight class) and Andor Kovacs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakic comes to the cage accompanied by Right Above It. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rakic
vs
Kovacs

184 cm
27
195
10 - 9 - 0

182 cm
27
192
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Marko Rakic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Andor Kovacs!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovacs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Rakic feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rakic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kovacs trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakic slips nicely into half guard.
Rakic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kovacs wants to improve his position but Rakic is controlling well.
Rakic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovacs is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Rakic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kovacs with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacs on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kovacs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rakic.
Rakic not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kovacs felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kovacs can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kovacs trying to control here.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
Rakic drops an elbow to the side of Kovacs's head.
Rakic throwing shots but Kovacs is blocking nicely.
Rakic throwing shots but Kovacs is blocking nicely.
Kovacs taking some punishment here, with Rakic in his half guard.
Rakic 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.
Kovacs is positioning himself well to prevent Rakic advancing to mount.
Rakic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
Rakic throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
Rakic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rakic working the head and body with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rakic lands a nice short elbow.
Rakic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
Rakic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rakic throwing shots but Kovacs is blocking nicely.
Rakic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kovacs defending well though.
Kovacs really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rakic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakic.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rakic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rakic throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rakic is thwarting Kovacs's attempts to control the position.
Rakic working Kovacs over with strikes.
Rakic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kovacs keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kovacs is looking to improve his position.
Rakic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rakic thows a huge punch but Kovacs dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs tries to get to full guard but Rakic has control of the leg.
Rakic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rakic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kovacs knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rakic is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kovacs!
Kovacs wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Rakic.
Rakic sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Rakic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kovacs misses with an uppercut.
Rakic avoids the body shot from Kovacs.
Rakic looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rakic dodges the punch combination from Kovacs.
Kovacs throws the left hand but Rakic avoids the punch easily.
A leg kick checked by Rakic.
Rakic went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kovacs throws a jab when Rakic was well out of range.
Rakic tries to counter with a takedown but Kovacs is quick to defend against it.
Rakic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovacs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kovacs appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Rakic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kovacs is fending him off so far but Rakic persists. Nope, Kovacs circles away and we're back to standing.

Kovacs moves into range and clinches up with Rakic.
A head punch on the inside from Kovacs fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rakic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rakic pulls guard successfully.
Rakic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kovacs can do to turn this around?
Rakic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rakic trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacs not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rakic keeping full guard, as Kovacs tries to pass.
Rakic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovacs is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kovacs showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Marko Rakic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rakic wants to sweep here but Kovacs controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kovacs throws a shot from downtown. Rakic moves away and avoids it.
Kovacs throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rakic.
Kovacs throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rakic slips under a jab from Kovacs.
Rakic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Kovacs darts in and clinches Rakic up against the cage.
Rakic misses with a punch to the body.
Rakic tries to break the clinch but Kovacs is controlling the position.
Kovacs fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rakic struggles to land a body shot inside as Kovacs controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rakic misses with a body punch.
Kovacs presses Rakic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rakic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kovacs goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Rakic breaks the clinch.
Kovacs throws a series of punches but Rakic avoids them all with ease.
Kovacs fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Rakic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rakic shoots and misses
and Kovacs counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Marko Rakic has been cut.
Kovacs throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kovacs connects with a leg kick.

Kovacs closes the distance and pushes Rakic back into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kovacs fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakic goes for a takedown attempt but Kovacs pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rakic tries for a takedown but Kovacs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kovacs connects with a body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Rakic shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kovacs manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rakic lands a couple of digs.
Rakic is looking to work some ground and pound but Kovacs has wrist control.
Rakic postures up in Kovacs's guard and throws a big left but Kovacs blocks it.
Rakic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rakic throws a big right hand that misses.
Rakic throwing strikes but missing.
Rakic cracks Kovacs with a solid left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andor Kovacs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marko Rakic'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!

Kovacs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rakic on the side of the head.
Andor Kovacs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rakic throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kovacs stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rakic misses with a takedown attempt - Kovacs sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kovacs lands a nice shot that snaps Rakic's head back.
Rakic dives in for a single leg takedown but Kovacs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rakic tries to break free but Kovacs pushes him back against the cage.
Kovacs lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Rakic lands a takedown into guard.

Kovacs has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Rakic has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovacs dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kovacs fails to land.
Rakic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Rakic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovacs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Andor Kovacs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kovacs closes the distance and pushes Rakic back into the cage.
Good body shot from Kovacs.
Kovacs throws a punch but it's blocked by Rakic.
Kovacs goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Kovacs.
Kovacs misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kovacs misses with a punch on the inside.
Rakic is trying to pull guard but Kovacs has him pressed against the cage.
Kovacs lands a right hand.
Kovacs lands a left hand.
Kovacs prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rakic is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovacs has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs working aggressively here.
Kovacs can't find room to land a body shot as Rakic controls the action.
Andor Kovacs seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rakic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kovacs misses with some punches.
Kovacs lands a shoulder strike.
Kovacs tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kovacs.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rakic tries to work over Kovacs's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rakic throws a head punch that misses.
Kovacs lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rakic backwards.
Rakic blocks a body shot from Kovacs.
Kovacs is stalling here.
Kovacs can't find room to land a body shot as Rakic controls the action.
Kovacs lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kovacs instigates a clinch.
Rakic trying to stall but Kovacs improves his position.
Rakic blocks an uppercut.

Rakic breaks from the clinch.
Kovacs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rakic.
Kovacs is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rakic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovacs throws out the jab.
Rakic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rakic on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kovacs throws a nice looking combination but Rakic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rakic changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rakic shoots in for a takedown but Kovacs shows good takedown defense.

Kovacs clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovacs misses with an uppercut.
Rakic takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kovacs connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kovacs gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rakic to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kovacs bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rakic's guard.

Rakic seems keen to control Kovacs's posture.
Kovacs won't allow Rakic to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andor Kovacs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovacs has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!