PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Everett Covington (ranked 1084 p4p, 1105 weight class) and Alexander Korolev (ranked 146 p4p, 152 weight class). Korolev is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Holding Out For A Hero (EuroMash). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Covington
vs
Korolev

177 cm
37
174
17 - 9 - 0

180 cm
31
176
20 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

KOMBAT KLOTHING
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Everett Covington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Korolev!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Covington wants to clinch.
Korolev thows a leg kick but Covington checks it

and Covington counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Covington content to control rather than advance.
Covington throwing shots but Korolev is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Covington wants to lay and pray for a moment but Korolev keeps working.

Korolev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Covington missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Covington is looking to pass Korolev's guard but actually Korolev recovers to full guard.
Covington trying to control but Korolev is working from the bottom.
Covington 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.
Covington controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Korolev keeping moving, preventing Covington from controlling successfully.

Korolev looking for a guillotine here but Covington defends easily.
Covington has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Korolev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Covington not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Korolev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Covington has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Covington throws a combination. Korolev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Korolev throws a right and a left that Covington avoids nicely.
Covington digs a good body shot into Korolev's ribs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Korolev. That's going to slow Covington down.

Covington moves into the clinch successfully.
Covington tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Korolev's elbow.
A short right from Korolev.
Covington pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Korolev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Korolev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Covington misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Covington stalls.

Covington breaks the clinch.
Korolev connects with an inside leg kick.
Covington checks the leg kick nicely there.
Covington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Covington tries to clinch but Korolev is having none of it.
Covington blocks a low kick nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korolev. Covington does a little dance to reset his feet.
Covington feinted with a counter takedown.
Korolev loads up on a big right hand but Covington slips the punch.
A clash of legs there as Covington blocks the low kick.
Covington changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Korolev thumps Covington with a low kick.
Korolev throws a shot from downtown. Covington moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Korolev looks to land a left hand but Covington moved out of range nicely.
Korolev clobbers Covington with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A nice leg kick from Korolev, right into the meat of the thigh.
Korolev looks to score with a jab to the body but Covington is just out of range.
Covington half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Korolev. That's going to slow Covington down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Covington takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Korolev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Korolev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Covington in his tracks.
Covington wants to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Korolev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Covington on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Korolev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Korolev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Korolev misses with an uppercut. Covington saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Korolev.

Korolev gets caught napping as Covington dives in and scores a takedown. Korolev manages to retain guard.
Covington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Korolev is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Korolev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Covington is controlling him.
Covington slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev is trying to keep Covington in close.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Korolev holds on and takes a little breather.
Korolev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Covington controls the pace.
Covington wants to control from the top but Korolev keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Korolev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Korolev clobbers Covington with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Korolev swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Korolev lands a nice leg kick that just misses Covington's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Korolev misses.
Covington takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Korolev looks to land a body kick but Covington moved away.
Korolev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Covington throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Covington ducks under a wild hook from Korolev.
A counter left hand to the body from Covington misses its target.
Korolev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Alexander Korolev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Covington shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Korolev pinned against the cage. Korolev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Korolev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Covington swings for the body but Korolev moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Covington takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Covington shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Covington was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Korolev is trying to control Covington's posture but Covington avoids it.
Korolev is trying to get back to half guard.
Covington moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Covington tries to advance position but instead Korolev slips a leg back in to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Covington trying to pass the guard but Korolev defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Covington working Korolev over with strikes.
Korolev is looking to control Covington's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Korolev avoid being mounted?
Korolev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Covington moves nicely into side control.
Covington grinds an elbow into Korolev's temple.
Covington is looking to take a break and control but Korolev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Covington wants to control for a moment but Korolev uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Korolev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Covington avoids the body shot from Korolev.
Korolev dodges the punch combination from Covington.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Korolev! But no joy.
No luck for Covington with that takedown attempt.
Korolev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Covington moves away.
Korolev misses with an uppercut.
Covington half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korolev. Covington does a little dance to reset his feet.
Covington attempts a counter takedown but Korolev avoids it well and moves away.
Alexander Korolev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Korolev throws a hook but Covington blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev fails to land with a series of punches.
Covington tries to counter with a takedown but Korolev is quick to defend against it.
Covington checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Covington scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Korolev takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Covington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Korolev moves away.
Covington checks the leg kick.
Korolev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Covington attempts a counter takedown but Korolev avoids it well and moves away.
Korolev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Korolev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Covington is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Covington slips under a jab from Korolev.
It looked like Covington was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Korolev.
Korolev throws a leg kick
and Covington counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Korolev thinking.

Covington clinches up with Korolev and pushes him back against the cage.
Covington blocks an uppercut.
Korolev misses with a punch on the inside.
Covington looking for a takedown.
Korolev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Everett Covington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Covington has a couple of punches blocked by Korolev.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Covington.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Korolev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Korolev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Korolev scores with a shoulder strike.
Korolev prevents a body shot from Covington.
Korolev blocks an elbow strike from Covington.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Covington just misses with a elbow thrown towards Korolev's brow.
Covington digs a right hand into Korolev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Korolev's gas tank.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Covington tries to circle away but Korolev has him pinned against the cage.
Korolev blocks an uppercut.
Korolev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Covington.
Korolev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Korolev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Covington tries to throw a body punch but Korolev avoids it by throwing Covington back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Korolev.
Korolev lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Covington wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Korolev breaks the clinch.
Covington connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Korolev momentarily.
Covington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Korolev.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Covington.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Everett Covington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Korolev dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Covington. That did some damage!
Korolev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Covington shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Korolev throws a leg kick

and Covington counters with a shoot takedown. Korolev fights it but they end up in guard.
Korolev seems keen to control Covington's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev keeping full guard, as Covington tries to pass.
Korolev trying to control the position.
Korolev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Korolev.
I've got Korolev 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Korolev!
Alexander Korolev thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Everett Covington stepped up to the mic, saying 'Aw crap!'.