PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Samart Bukaew (ranked 3124 p4p, 409 weight class) and Michał Kowalkiewicz (ranked 357 p4p, 51 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Bukaew
vs
Kowalkiewicz

186 cm
26
186
8 - 2 - 0

195 cm
40
188
38 - 11 - 1

World class boxer
Granite chin

World class MT
Good gas tank

The Pharmacy Phuket
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samart Bukaew!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Michał Kowalkiewicz!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch
and Bukaew counters with a low kick, right behind Kowalkiewicz 's knee.
A telegraphed right hand from Bukaew misses the target.
Bukaew moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bukaew looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kowalkiewicz cracks Bukaew with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bukaew misses with a straight right.
Bukaew misses with a hook. Kowalkiewicz ducked under it nicely.
Kowalkiewicz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bukaew lands a leg kick that knocks Kowalkiewicz off balance momentarily.
Kowalkiewicz 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.
Kowalkiewicz lands a really nice looking cross but Bukaew seems unphased.
Samart Bukaew seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bukaew connects with a leg kick.
Bukaew throws the left hand but Kowalkiewicz avoids the punch easily.
Kowalkiewicz checks a leg kick nicely.
Bukaew waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kowalkiewicz.
Bukaew misses with a left hand
and Kowalkiewicz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bukaew connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukaew looks to land a left hand but Kowalkiewicz moved out of range nicely.
Kowalkiewicz tries to counter with a clinch but Bukaew shakes him off and moves away.

Kowalkiewicz rushes Bukaew and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bukaew lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Kowalkiewicz.
Bukaew blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kowalkiewicz working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kowalkiewicz.
Bukaew is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kowalkiewicz's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Bukaew fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Bukaew breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bukaew.
Bukaew throws a looping overhand right but Kowalkiewicz ducks down to avoid it.
Bukaew throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bukaew with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalkiewicz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bukaew paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bukaew cracks Kowalkiewicz with an open hand slap.
Kowalkiewicz defending well as Bukaew loads up on a big left hand.
Kowalkiewicz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bukaew throws out the jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bukaew. That's going to slow Kowalkiewicz down.
Kowalkiewicz takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Kowalkiewicz has closed the distance and engaged Bukaew in a clinch.
Kowalkiewicz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukaew's elbow.
Kowalkiewicz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kowalkiewicz lands a hook that snaps the head of Bukaew backwards.
Bukaew presses Kowalkiewicz against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kowalkiewicz lands a hook that snaps the head of Bukaew backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalkiewicz lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukaew's elbow.
Bukaew throws a punch but it's blocked by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a hook to the ribs.
A frustrated look appears on Bukaew's face as he tries to break the clinch.
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 Samart Bukaew will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A leg kick checked by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz wants to counter with a clinch but Bukaew pushes him away.
Kowalkiewicz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bukaew uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bukaew. That's going to slow Kowalkiewicz down.
Kowalkiewicz's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Bukaew dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukaew goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bukaew thumps Kowalkiewicz with a low kick.
Kowalkiewicz misses with an uppercut. Bukaew saw that one coming.

Kowalkiewicz rushes Bukaew and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kowalkiewicz blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bukaew.

Bukaew escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kowalkiewicz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bukaew connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kowalkiewicz loads up on a big right hand but Bukaew slips the punch.
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!
Kowalkiewicz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bukaew moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukaew attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A nice side step and Kowalkiewicz releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Kowalkiewicz has managed to clinch.
Kowalkiewicz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bukaew or not.

Bukaew manages to break the clinch.
Bukaew will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bukaew turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bukaew throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kowalkiewicz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bukaew gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bukaew tries to land a leg kick but Kowalkiewicz saw it coming and moves away.
Bukaew throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kowalkiewicz on the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Bukaew throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Kowalkiewicz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Michał Kowalkiewicz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Bukaew escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A low kick from Bukaew misses
and Kowalkiewicz counters with a good low kick that Bukaew was not able to check.
Bukaew moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukaew misses the jab.
Kowalkiewicz thinks about the counter body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalkiewicz throws a head kick that misses.
Samart Bukaew is winning the standup battle so far.
Bukaew pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kowalkiewicz is out of range and Bukaew settles back down.
Bukaew throws a big shot that misses.
Bukaew fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kowalkiewicz manages to avoid it.
Bukaew throws a head kick but Kowalkiewicz moves out of range.
Bukaew throws a head kick but Kowalkiewicz moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Kowalkiewicz.

Bukaew gets tackled into the cage by Kowalkiewicz. Kowalkiewicz maintains the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kowalkiewicz struggles to land a body shot inside as Bukaew controls his hands.
Bukaew blocks an uppercut.

Bukaew breaks the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Samart Bukaew will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bukaew scores with a hook to the body. Kowalkiewicz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bukaew stuns Kowalkiewicz with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bukaew smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bukaew connects with a leg kick.
Bukaew lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kowalkiewicz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bukaew slips a jab from Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz throws a shot from downtown. Bukaew moves away and avoids it.
Kowalkiewicz might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kowalkiewicz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kowalkiewicz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukaew jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kowalkiewicz looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kowalkiewicz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bukaew, as that shot connected.
Bukaew scores with a jab. Kowalkiewicz acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bukaew scores with a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bukaew.
Bukaew scores with a jab.
Kowalkiewicz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bukaew connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kowalkiewicz scrambles back to his feet.
Kowalkiewicz tries to close the distance and clinch but Bukaew swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bukaew throws out a loose jab but Kowalkiewicz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bukaew wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A shot to the liver by Bukaew. Beautiful body shot.

Kowalkiewicz moves into range and clinches up with Bukaew.
Bukaew is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kowalkiewicz can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kowalkiewicz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kowalkiewicz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kowalkiewicz slowing the pace effectively.
A bit of stalling here from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukaew's elbow.
Kowalkiewicz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukaew's elbow.

Bukaew manages to break the clinch.
Kowalkiewicz lands a slapping body shot.
Kowalkiewicz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bukaew fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bukaew scores with a jab to the head.
Bukaew looks to throw the jab but Kowalkiewicz is out of range.
Kowalkiewicz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kowalkiewicz tests Bukaew's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bukaew avoids the body shot from Kowalkiewicz.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Samart Bukaew clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bukaew connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A good leg kick by Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bukaew. Bukaew obviously looking to wear him down.
Kowalkiewicz takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bukaew misses with a looping left.
Bukaew looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bukaew swings widly with a right hand
and Kowalkiewicz counters with a low kick, right behind Bukaew 's knee.
Bukaew swings widly with a right hand
and Kowalkiewicz counters with a straight right hand.
Bukaew keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch up but Bukaew circles away and keeps his distance.
Kowalkiewicz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bukaew.
Nice uppercut there from Kowalkiewicz.

It looks like Samart Bukaew has been cut.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Samart Bukaew is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukaew waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kowalkiewicz.
A jab from Bukaew finds it's way through Kowalkiewicz's defenses.
Kowalkiewicz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kowalkiewicz throws a body shot but no joy.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz staying out of range there.
Kowalkiewicz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalkiewicz moves out of range of the leg kick from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bukaew scores with a nice head shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kowalkiewicz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bukaew looks to score with a jab to the body but Kowalkiewicz is just out of range.
Kowalkiewicz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bukaew wants to slow Kowalkiewicz down by chopping away at his legs.
Kowalkiewicz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Bukaew misses
enabling Kowalkiewicz to counter with a crisp jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Bukaew.
Bukaew scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kowalkiewicz in his tracks.
Kowalkiewicz throws a push kick but Bukaew slaps the foot to one side.
Bukaew fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kowalkiewicz.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bukaew fakes the leg kick and cracks Kowalkiewicz in the body.
Kowalkiewicz moves out of range of the leg kick from Bukaew.
Bukaew moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKowalkiewicz.

Kowalkiewicz closes the distance and clinches.
Kowalkiewicz scores with a shot to the side of Bukaew's head.
Kowalkiewicz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bukaew has a couple of punches blocked by Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Bukaew seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kowalkiewicz can turn it around.
Bukaew working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Samart Bukaew had his way with Michał Kowalkiewicz in that round.
The cut man is working on Samart Bukaew's cut.
That's time! Bukaew's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bukaew takes a swing at Kowalkiewicz's ribcage but misses.
Bukaew displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kowalkiewicz throws out the jab.
Bukaew swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bukaew moves out of range of the strikes.
Bukaew scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kowalkiewicz doesn't seem bothered though.
Bukaew fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kowalkiewicz is out of range.
Bukaew jabs Kowalkiewicz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bukaew scores with a leg kick.
Bukaew swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kowalkiewicz appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch there but Bukaew circles away.
Kowalkiewicz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bukaew moves away.
Bukaew is looking to counter punch.
Bukaew throws a leg kick that misses.
Kowalkiewicz wants to counter with a clinch but Bukaew pushes him away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bukaew.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukaew connects with a body shot.
Bukaew throws a sloppy head kick and Kowalkiewicz moves out of range easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bukaew.
Kowalkiewicz misses with a low kick.
Kowalkiewicz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bukaew lands with a hook. Kowalkiewicz tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kowalkiewicz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bukaew.
Bukaew tries to work over Kowalkiewicz's front leg with a kick but Kowalkiewicz checks it.
Bukaew thuds his right hand into Kowalkiewicz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bukaew connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bukaew falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kowalkiewicz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bukaew misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukaew looks to score with a jab to the body but Kowalkiewicz is just out of range.
Jab, jab by Bukaew - just one landing.
A lazy left from Bukaew finds it's target.
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!
Bukaew walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kowalkiewicz checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bukaew lands a nice shot that snaps Kowalkiewicz's head back.
Kowalkiewicz swings for the body but Bukaew moves out of range.
Bukaew pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bukaew throws a good cross that connects.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bukaew.
An inside leg kick from Bukaew misses.
Kowalkiewicz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Michał Kowalkiewicz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kowalkiewicz keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samart Bukaew showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bukaew, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Samart Bukaew!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Samart Bukaew!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Samart Bukaew!

Samart Bukaew wins by unanimous decision!
Samart Bukaew retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Samart Bukaew thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.