PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lenny Kowalski (ranked 187 p4p, 1222 weight class) and Mikhail Orlov (ranked 30 p4p, 165 weight class). Mikhail Orlov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kowalski
vs
Orlov

190 cm
29
210
21 - 8 - 0

196 cm
37
205
35 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Carnage Clothing
SynCity Fightwear

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lenny Kowalski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikhail Orlov!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalski blocks a jab.
Kowalski blocks a head kick by Orlov.
Orlov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Lenny Kowalski has been cut.
Orlov swinging wildly here.
Orlov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A head kick from Orlov lands but Kowalski takes it in his stride.
Orlov misses with a double jab.
Kowalski ducks under a wild hook from Orlov.
Kowalski slips a jab from Orlov.
Mikhail Orlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orlov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kowalski throwing a counter right hand but Orlov manages to avoid it.
A jab from Orlov misses.
Orlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Kowalski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Orlov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kowalski moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orlov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kowalski on the side of the head.
Orlov feints a jab promting Kowalski to slip. Orlov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kowalski slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Orlov throws a body punch but Kowalski moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kowalski.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kowalski!

It looks like Mikhail Orlov has been cut.
Orlov swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kowalski avoids the head kick by Orlov.
Orlov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kowalski avoids the head kick by Orlov.
Kowalski is looking to counter with head kicks.
Orlov throws a sloppy head kick and Kowalski moves out of range easily.
Kowalski slips under a jab from Orlov.
Orlov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Orlov throws a head kick that misses.
Kowalski scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mikhail Orlov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Orlov.
Orlov tries to bum rush Kowalski with a series of wild strikes but Kowalski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kowalski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Orlov tries to roll over but Kowalski keeps him under control.
Kowalski is trying to control. Orlov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Orlov tries to roll over but Kowalski keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orlov actively working from the bottom here.

Orlov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kowalski works his way into side control.
Kowalski scoring with punches and elbows.
Orlov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Kowalski presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Kowalski prevents Orlov from getting the reversal.
Orlov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kowalski.
Kowalski landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Orlov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Kowalski is working for a submission of some sort.
Kowalski wants to control but Orlov is keeping him busy.

Kowalski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Orlov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kowalski pulls his head out easily.
Orlov tries to kick Kowalski off but Kowalski keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kowalski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Orlov tries to roll over but Kowalski keeps him under control.
Kowalski moves into full mount! Orlov won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlov working to try and regain half guard.
Kowalski scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Orlov?
Orlov is working to get back to half guard.
Orlov wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
What can Orlov do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kowalski is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Orlov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kowalski scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Orlov staying busy and making it hard for Kowalski to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lenny Kowalski will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Orlov misses the target.
Mikhail Orlov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kowalski feints and as Orlov raises his hands in defense, Kowalski changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Orlov wants to stand up but Kowalski is controlling him.
Kowalski looking to pass the guard.
Orlov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kowalski looking to sit in guard and control but Orlov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kowalski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orlov content to stall in guard here.

Kowalski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Orlov is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski wants to sweep here but Orlov controlling him for the moment.
Orlov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kowalski is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kowalski trying to pass the guard but Orlov defending well.
Kowalski is keen to just control but Orlov is a slippery customer.
Kowalski trying to pass the guard but Orlov defending well.
Orlov tries to roll over but Kowalski keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Orlov wants to get back to his feet.
Kowalski is looking to take a break and control but Orlov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Orlov actively working from the bottom here.
Orlov is looking to improve his position.
Kowalski works his way into side control.
Orlov sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski wants to take a breather but Orlov is having none of it.

Kowalski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Orlov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kowalski.
Lenny Kowalski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kowalski throwing shots but Orlov is blocking nicely.

Kowalski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Orlov is just riding it out for now. Kowalski eventually gives up the hold.
Orlov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Orlov is not content to let Kowalski control the position.
Orlov wants to improve his position but Kowalski is controlling well.
Orlov is still trying to improve position.
Orlov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Orlov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kowalski is trying to control the position but Orlov postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kowalski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kowalski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Kowalski dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kowalski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orlov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kowalski is just out of range.
Kowalski connects with a leg kick.
Kowalski misses with a body kick.
Kowalski throws a low kick but it's checked well by Orlov.
Orlov takes one to the chin there.
Kowalski throws a chopping leg kick but Orlov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Orlov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kowalski was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kowalski fails with a takedown attempt.
Orlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kowalski feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Orlov takes a swing at Kowalski's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orlov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kowalski scores with a head kick.
Kowalski digs a good hook to Orlov's body.
Orlov misses with a hook.
A big right from Orlov misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orlov. Kowalski does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orlov darts in and clinches Kowalski up against the cage.
Orlov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kowalskis head.
Kowalski lands a left hand.
Kowalski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Orlov's elbow.
Orlov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kowalski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Orlov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kowalski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kowalski.
Orlov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kowalski is defending well for now.
A body shot lands from Orlov.
Orlov lands a body shot.
Kowalski wants a takedown.
Orlov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kowalskis head.
Kowalski misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Orlov fails to land.
Kowalski misses with a body punch.
Orlov tries a knee to the head but Kowalski blocks it.

Kowalski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kowalski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalski connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kowalski fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lenny Kowalski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kowalski is looking to wear down Orlov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kowalski just misses with a punch to the body.
Orlov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kowalski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lenny Kowalski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orlov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Orlov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kowalski's head backwards.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kowalski buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kowalski misses with the combination.
Orlov tries to bum rush Kowalski with a series of wild strikes but Kowalski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mikhail Orlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kowalski dodges the punch combination from Orlov.
Orlov throws a series of punches but Kowalski avoids them all with ease.

Kowalski closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kowalski lands in his opponent's guard.
Kowalski stays in close to Orlov's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Orlov is looking for a triangle but Kowalski pushes his legs off easily.

Orlov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kowalski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kowalski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Orlov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kowalski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Orlov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Orlov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kowalski controls the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kowalski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Orlov prevents Kowalski from improving position.
Orlov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kowalski prevents Orlov from improving his position.
Orlov keeps trying to improve his position.
Kowalski wants to pass the guard but Orlov is defending well.
Mikhail Orlov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kowalski takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Orlov moves into full guard.
Kowalski passes Orlov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lenny Kowalski.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kowalski, 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lenny Kowalski!
An out of breath Lenny Kowalski thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.