PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Fedorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aliksandr Kowaljow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kowaljow is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Moskau. Sergei Fedorov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Fedorov
vs
Kowaljow

166 cm
18
197 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

200 cm
21
200 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Fedorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aliksandr Kowaljow!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fedorov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A big left from Fedorov misses.
No joy there for Kowaljow, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kowaljow throws a one two combo.

It looks like Sergei Fedorov has been cut.
Fedorov misses with a series of wild punches.
Kowaljow misses with a series of wild punches.
Fedorov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kowaljow lands a left and a right that send Fedorov crashing to the mat, dazed. Kowaljow thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Fedorov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kowaljow wants to get back to his feet.
Fedorov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Fedorov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kowaljow is trying to stand back up but Fedorov is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kowaljow is looking to get back to is feet but Fedorov passes into side control.
Kowaljow is not content to let Fedorov control the position.
Fedorov is breathing heavily.

Kowaljow bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Kowaljow gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fedorov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Kowaljow has his feet on Fedorov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fedorov throws a combination that misses
and Kowaljow counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kowaljow misses with a double jab

and Fedorov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

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!
Fedorov wants to take a breather but Kowaljow is having none of it.
Kowaljow is trying to stand up here but Fedorov is controlling him well.
Fedorov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kowaljow defending well though.
Fedorov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kowaljow tries to kick Fedorov off but Fedorov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fedorov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kowaljow on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kowaljow throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Fedorov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Fedorov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kowaljow keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fedorov.
Kowaljow throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fedorov tries to move into range but Kowaljow moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kowaljow goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fedorov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kowaljow.
Fedorov is looking to clinch.
Kowaljow lands with a straight right. Fedorov didn't see that one coming.
Kowaljow fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fedorov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kowaljow swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kowaljow jabs Fedorov right on the nose. Fedorov blinks but takes it well.
Fedorov misses with an uppercut.
Donk. Kowaljow catches Fedorov right on the button with a cross.
Kowaljow scores with a body shot.
Kowaljow misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four 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.
Fedorov tries to clinch but Kowaljow is having none of it.
Kowaljow lands with a nice combination. Fedorov backs away looking to recover.
Fedorov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kowaljow counters with a series of strikes. Fedorov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kowaljow lands with a right hand.

Kowaljow tries to keep at a distance but Fedorov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fedorov breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A frustrated look appears on Fedorov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kowaljow is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Kowaljow breaks from the clinch.
Fedorov throws the left hand but Kowaljow avoids the punch easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowaljow lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Fedorov clinches up against the cage.

Fedorov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fedorov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kowaljow circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aliksandr Kowaljow will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sergei Fedorov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kowaljow slips a jab and a cross from Fedorov.

Kowaljow gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fedorov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kowaljow is looking to stand up but Fedorov isn't so interested in that idea.
Kowaljow working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fedorov.
Fedorov won't allow Kowaljow to get back to his feet.
Fedorov controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kowaljow pushes Fedorov off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kowaljow gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fedorov prevents Kowaljow from getting back to his feet.

Fedorov stands up and waves to Kowaljow to follow him.
Kowaljow misses with a jab, cross combination.

Fedorov pushes Kowaljow up against the cage in a clinch.
Fedorov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov is trying to break the clinch but Kowaljow has him pressed against the cage.

Kowaljow breaks the clinch.
Aliksandr Kowaljow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kowaljow lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Fedorov backs up against the cage.
Kowaljow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kowaljow avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fedorov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kowaljow swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kowaljow lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Fedorov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fedorov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kowaljow circles away.
Fedorov blocks a head kick by Kowaljow.
Fedorov tries to clinch up.

Fedorov moves into range and clinches up with Kowaljow.
Fedorov throws an elbow that misses.
Fedorov tries to pull guard but Kowaljow holds him up against the cage and eventually Fedorov drops back down to his feet.
Fedorov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowaljow prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kowaljow looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fedorov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Fedorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fedorov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kowaljow walks away with a smile on his face. Fedorov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fedorov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kowaljow counters with a straight right hand.
Nice cross by Kowaljow.
Kowaljow lands with a right hand.
Fedorov lands with an uppercut that bounces Kowaljow off the cage and back into rage.
Kowaljow blocks the body kick.
Fedorov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kowaljow counters with a one-two to the body.
Kowaljow throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kowaljow with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Fedorov gets a takedown into half guard.
Fedorov stops Kowaljow from getting back to his feet.
Sergei Fedorov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fedorov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kowaljow wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fedorov lands a nice short elbow.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fedorov walks into a jab.
Kowaljow lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kowaljow dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Fedorov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sergei Fedorov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kowaljow fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kowaljow has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Fedorov tries to clinch up.
Kowaljow misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Fedorov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fedorov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kowaljow ducks under a wild hook from Fedorov.
Fedorov throws a combination. Kowaljow tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fedorov wants to clinch.
Kowaljow cracks a nice hook into Fedorov's ribs.
Kowaljow goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kowaljow misses with the combination.
Kowaljow showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fedorov.
Kowaljow fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kowaljow fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fedorov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice shot by Kowaljow.
Fedorov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowaljow misses with a combination
and Fedorov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kowaljow misses with a head kick.
Kowaljow lands a jab-cross combination.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kowaljow.
Fedorov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fedorov tries to close the distance and clinch but Kowaljow swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice straight punches there by Kowaljow. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kowaljow.
Fedorov dodges the punch combination from Kowaljow.
Kowaljow moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kowaljow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fedorov.
Fedorov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kowaljow.
Sergei Fedorov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kowaljow scores with a one two! Fedorov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kowaljow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fedorov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Fedorov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fedorov is defended easily by Kowaljow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fedorov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fedorov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fedorov postures up and lands a big shot to Kowaljow's brow.
Fedorov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fedorov stops Kowaljow from standing up.

Kowaljow is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Fedorov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fedorov tries to clinch but Kowaljow is having none of it.
Kowaljow misses with a wild combination.
Kowaljow throws a series of punches but Fedorov moves out of range.
Fedorov shoots in but no luck this time.
Fedorov is looking to clinch but Kowaljow is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov misses with a takedown attempt - Kowaljow sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fedorov misses with a combination
and Kowaljow counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kowaljow misses with a combination
enabling Fedorov to counter with a crisp jab.

Kowaljow gets caught flat footed, as Fedorov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kowaljow wants to stand up but Fedorov is controlling him.

Fedorov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kowaljow is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Fedorov, into his guard.
Kowaljow tries to stand but Fedorov is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowaljow won't allow Fedorov to sweep him here.
Kowaljow would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kowaljow prevents Fedorov from getting back to his feet.
Kowaljow is looking to stand up but Fedorov won't let him.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aliksandr Kowaljow.
I think Kowaljow 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!