PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Donnie Larkin (ranked 789 p4p, 850 weight class) and Andor Kovacs (ranked 120 p4p, 127 weight class). Andor Kovacs told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Larkin
vs
Kovacs

181 cm
34
188
20 - 9 - 0

182 cm
30
192
10 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

UNDEFEATED

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 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donnie Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Andor Kovacs!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Francis DeMontford and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovacs misses with a series of wild punches.
Kovacs connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Larkin slips a jab and a cross from Kovacs.
Larkin throws a push kick but Kovacs slaps the foot to one side.
Kovacs is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Larkin with a body shot.
Larkin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Larkin shoots in looking for a takedown but Kovacs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Larkin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kovacs misses with a double jab
and Larkin counters with a two punch combo.
Larkin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Larkin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kovacs throws a series of punches but Larkin moves out of range.
Kovacs tries to bum rush Larkin with a series of wild strikes but Larkin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Larkin. Kovacs does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kovacs throws a right hand that Larkin ducks under and follows up with a left that Larkin also avoids with ease.
Kovacs throws a hook to the side of Larkin's head but Larkin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Larkin does no damage.
Larkin throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kovacs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Larkin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovacs avoids the head kick by Larkin.
Andor Kovacs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larkin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovacs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kovacs darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Larkin ducks right into an uppercut from Kovacs.
Kovacs throws an overhand right that lands on Larkin's shoulder, as Larkin tries to avoid the shot.
Kovacs fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kovacs misses the jab.
Kovacs displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Larkin throws out the jab.
Larkin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Larkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Andor Kovacs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovacs misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovacs throws a series of punches but Larkin avoids them all with ease.
Larkin throws a body punch but Kovacs moves out of range.
Larkin misses the shot to the body.
Larkin misses with a looping right.
Larkin plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kovacs lands a jab.
Larkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Kovacs was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses.
Larkin moves out of range of the strikes.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kovacs sprawls well. Kovacs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Larkin gets slowly back to his feet.
Larkin moves out of range as Kovacs strikes.
Kovacs throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
Kovacs doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Larkin scores with a nice head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Kovacs misses.
Kovacs throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Larkin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Larkin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A jab from Kovacs finds it's way through Larkin's defenses.
Larkin blocks a head kick by Kovacs.
Larkin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kovacs's head.
Kovacs lands with an uppercut that bounces Larkin off the cage and back into range.
Larkin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovacs.
Larkin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Larkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Larkin blocks a jab.
Kovacs's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Larkin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kovacs scrambles back to his feet.
Larkin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Larkin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovacs lands a jab-cross combination.

Larkin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kovacs sprawls well initially but Larkin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Larkin lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin prevents Kovacs from improving his position.
Kovacs is looking to control Larkin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kovacs avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Larkin is trying to work for a kimura but Kovacs is defending well.
Larkin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kovacs does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Larkin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Larkin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kovacs doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Larkin.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andor Kovacs will probably get the nod.
That's time! Larkin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kovacs misses the shot to the body.
Larkin throws the kick towards the body but Kovacs avoids it.
Kovacs misses with an uppercut.
Kovacs connects with a good right hand that stumbles Larkin. Larkin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Larkin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovacs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Larkin is looking for a counter combo.
Kovacs scores with a hook.
Kovacs staying out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kovacs.
Kovacs scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Larkin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovacs.
Larkin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovacs throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Larkin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
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!
Larkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Larkin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kovacs to score with a decent uppercut.
Larkin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Donnie Larkin has been cut.
Kovacs misses the jab.
Kovacs misses with an uppercut.
Kovacs misses with a leg kick

and Larkin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Larkin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Larkin trying to control the action but Kovacs is working from the bottom.
Larkin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kovacs is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Larkin.
Larkin lands with a punch from half guard.
Kovacs trying to control from the bottom.
Larkin lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Larkin is thwarting Kovacs's attempts to control the position.
Larkin trying to control the action but Kovacs is working from the bottom.
Larkin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs is looking for a sweep. Larkin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Well, if Larkin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kovacs throws a one two combo.
Kovacs throws a jab but it's blocked by Larkin.
A punch combination from Kovacs misses.
Kovacs throws an overhand right that lands on Larkin's shoulder, as Larkin tries to avoid the shot.
Larkin is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kovacs moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kovacs lands a nice leg kick that just misses Larkin's sensitive parts.
Larkin lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Andor Kovacs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Larkin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Kovacs dodges the ground and pound from Larkin.
Kovacs seems a little lost for a moment, as Larkin dominates the positioning.
Larkin scores with punches from side control.
Larkin is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kovacs's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kovacs is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larkin trying to control the action but Kovacs is working from the bottom.
Larkin working the body and head with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andor Kovacs will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Donnie Larkin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Larkin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kovacs unleashes a big counter combination but Larkin bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kovacs punishes Larkin's body with a nice straight punch.
Kovacs clobbers Larkin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kovacs lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Larkin circles away quickly and effectively.
Kovacs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovacs wants it to stay on the feet.
Larkin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovacs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donnie Larkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovacs throws a hook but Larkin blocks it.
Larkin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kovacs just manages to avoid it.
Larkin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovacs lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Larkin misses the shot to the body.
Kovacs lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Larkin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kovacs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacs keeps Larkin under control for a moment.
Kovacs is looking to reverse the position.
Kovacs parries the strikes from Larkin easily there. Larkin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kovacs to escape.
Larkin throwing strikes but Kovacs manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kovacs wants to stand but Larkin has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Donnie Larkin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kovacs is looking to stand up but Larkin won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kovacs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Larkin.
Larkin misses with the combination.
Donnie Larkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kovacs connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Larkin misses with a head kick.
Kovacs moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kovacs scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kovacs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovacs slaps away a takedown attempt from Larkin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Andor Kovacs seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kovacs on the side of the head.
Larkin takes a swing at Kovacs's ribcage but misses.
Kovacs throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Larkin stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kovacs!
Andor Kovacs is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Larkin shoots in for a double leg but Kovacs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovacs tests Larkin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Donk. Kovacs catches Larkin right on the button with a cross.
Larkin fails to land with a series of punches.
Larkin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kovacs.
Kovacs lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Larkin misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovacs looks to score with a jab to the body but Larkin is just out of range.
Larkin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kovacs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Larkin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kovacs connects with a body shot.
Kovacs ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Larkin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovacs.
A counter left hand to the body from Larkin misses its target.
Larkin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kovacs uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Larkin.
Larkin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kovacs with a hook.
Kovacs swinging wildly here.
Larkin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovacs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andor Kovacs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovacs 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andor Kovacs!
In his post fight interview, Andor Kovacs started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.