|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Paige (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Kovalchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paige comes to the cage accompanied by Led Zeppelin- Immigrant Song. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
 |
|
 |
| 188 cm
20
199 lbs
2 - 1 - 0 |
|
184 cm
20
189 lbs
8 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
|
BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined |
|
| |
|
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
2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Paige!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Kovalchuk!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paige misses with a few strikes there.
Paige lands with a nice body punch.
Kovalchuk works Paige's body with a nice hook.
Paige throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kovalchuk avoids the body shot from Paige.
Chris Paige seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalchuk connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Paige momentarily.
Paige misses with a body kick.
Paige misses with a series of wild punches.
Paige lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Paige throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Paige misses with a head kick.
Paige thows a body shot but no joy.
Paige misses the shot to the body.
Kovalchuk scores with a jab to the body.
Kovalchuk thows a body shot but no joy.
Paige is looking to land body kicks.
Kovalchuk just misses with a punch to the body.
Paige misses with a looping left.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalchuk fails with the takedown.
Kovalchuk misses with a body punch
and Paige counters with a nice leg kick.
Paige takes one on the button.
A swing and a miss from Paige.
Kovalchuk sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kovalchuk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paige.
Paige misses with a body kick.
Paige on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Paige lands a right hook to the body.
Kovalchuk closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kovalchuk lands in his opponent's guard.
Paige working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk drops back, looking for a kneebar! Paige looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Paige looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Paige!
Kovalchuk tries to bench press Paige off him but Paige keeps the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paige working away.
Paige wants to control for a moment but Kovalchuk uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Kovalchuk controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Paige works his way into side control.
Paige is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kovalchuk is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kovalchuk is looking for a sweep.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paige tries to advance to mount but Kovalchuk denies him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paige tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kovalchuk tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Kovalchuk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kovalchuk is not content to let Paige control the position.
Kovalchuk stops Paige from passing to mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Paige lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Paige throws a leg kick but Kovalchuk sees it coming and moves out of range.
Paige takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Paige scores with a jab to the head.
Paige misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kovalchuk counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Paige bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Paige throws a leg kick but Kovalchuk sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Paige pushes Kovalchuk away with a front kick.
Paige keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Paige tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paige throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kovalchuk throws a right and a left that Paige avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Chris Paige dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Paige misses with a head kick.
Kovalchuk throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paige.
A shot to de liver by Kovalchuk. Beautiful body shot.
Kovalchuk on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Paige. Paige obviously looking to wear him down.
Paige is looking to wear down Kovalchuk with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Paige takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kovalchuk avoids the head kick by Paige.
Paige falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kovalchuk counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Paige's guard now.
Paige is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Paige looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Paige seems keen to control Kovalchuk's posture.
Paige controls Kovalchuk momentarily but Kovalchuk frees himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Paige lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kovalchuk!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalchuk tries to lock up and control but Paige gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kovalchuk is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kovalchuk sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kovalchuk trying to control but Paige postures up.
Kovalchuk tries to get to full guard but Paige has control of the leg.
Paige seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kovalchuk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Paige is thwarting Kovalchuk's attempts to control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kovalchuk is positioning himself well to prevent Paige advancing to mount.
Paige is looking to take a break and control but Kovalchuk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kovalchuk is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Paige wants to take a breather but Kovalchuk is having none of it.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kovalchuk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Paige.
Kovalchuk shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kovalchuk is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Paige works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paige tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paige can't keep his opponent in guard - Kovalchuk advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Paige is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kovalchuk is trying to control. Paige wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kovalchuk thows a huge punch but Paige dodges it nicely.
Paige is trying to get back to full guard.
Kovalchuk wants to control but Paige is keeping him busy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kovalchuk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paige swivels and escapes.
Paige throws a body punch but Kovalchuk moves out of range.
Kovalchuk connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovalchuk closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Paige throws a quick inside leg kick.
Paige defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kovalchuk.
Danga de danga de dang - Paige scores with a four punch combination!
A jab from Paige does it's job there.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Paige - that will leave a mark!
A chopping leg kick lands by Paige.
Kovalchuk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paige as he avoids it easily.
Chris Paige has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilya Kovalchuk.
Paige lands a nice hook to Kovalchuk's body. Kovalchuk takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kovalchuk gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Kovalchuk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Paige tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kovalchuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Paige.
Kovalchuk closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Paige did well to prevent Kovalchuk getting side control.
Kovalchuk lands strikes from half guard.
Kovalchuk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kovalchuk takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kovalchuk tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Paige is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kovalchuk scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kovalchuk throwing shots but Paige is blocking nicely.
Paige wants to improve his position but Kovalchuk is controlling well.
Paige makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Paige.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalchuk wants to pass the guard but Paige is keeping the position.
Paige avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kovalchuk postures up.
Kovalchuk preventing the sweep.
Kovalchuk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kovalchuk trying to control the position from guard on top but Paige is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paige working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk drops back, looking for a kneebar! Paige looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Paige looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Paige!
Paige is staying tight to Kovalchuk's torso, preventing him from escaping.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kovalchuk is trying to buck Paige off.
Paige is looking to take a break and control but Kovalchuk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kovalchuk is looking for a sweep.
Paige tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Kovalchuk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paige is looking to take a break and control but Kovalchuk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ilya Kovalchuk has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paige works to advance to full mount. Kovalchuk defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kovalchuk tries to reverse the position but Paige maintains control.
Paige fails to move to back control.
Kovalchuk is working to get back to half guard.
Paige controlling the pace for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Paige takes Kovalchuk's back.
Kovalchuk is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Paige gets his way!
Kovalchuk trying to control the hands but Paige won't let him.
Kovalchuk is trying to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kovalchuk defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Paige's arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Chris Paige did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Kovalchuk feints and as Paige raises his hands in defense, Kovalchuk changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Paige looking for a sweep. Not yet Paige, not yet.
Kovalchuk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paige working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk connects with a couple of short punches.
Kovalchuk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Paige keeping moving, preventing Kovalchuk from controlling successfully.
Kovalchuk is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kovalchuk decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Paige, up you get!
Paige throws a head kick that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalchuk scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Paige throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paige scoring well with a low kick there.
Paige just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovalchuk changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Paige looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Paige is looking for a sweep.
Paige regains half guard.
Kovalchuk throwing shots but Paige is blocking nicely.
Kovalchuk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paige is refusing to be controlled, as Kovalchuk sits in half guard.
Kovalchuk wants to stand but Paige has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Paige wants to get back to full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paige is working hard here to advance position.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kovalchuk misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paige throws a left and a right that both miss
so Kovalchuk counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kovalchuk forces his way into half guard.
Kovalchuk takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kovalchuk trying to control from half guard but Paige is working away.
Kovalchuk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kovalchuk trying to control the action but Paige is working from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kovalchuk in particular looking to stall.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchuk is just content to waste time from the top position. Paige takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kovalchuk stays in close to Paige's body and controls the position.
Paige trying to control the position.
Paige keeping full guard, as Kovalchuk tries to pass.
Kovalchuk scoring with punches to the head and body.
Paige wants to sweep but no luck.
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.
Kovalchuk wants to pass the guard but Paige is keeping the position.
Kovalchuk trying to control the position from guard on top but Paige is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paige working a defensive guard here.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Paige with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Paige fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kovalchuk checks it well.
Paige throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Paige misses with a body shot.
Paige fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalchuk manages to avoid it.
Paige tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalchuk thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Kovalchuk dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Kovalchuk connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kovalchuk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kovalchuk blocks a head kick by Paige.
Kovalchuk misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Paige counters with a thumping low kick.
Kovalchuk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Paige.
Kovalchuk throws a hook to the side of Paige's head but Paige sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovalchuk throws a hook but Paige blocks it.
Kovalchuk gets a takedown into half guard.
Kovalchuk seems to be looking for submissions.
Paige is looking for a sweep. Kovalchuk is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kovalchuk is working for a kimura but Paige is defending it quite comfortably.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paige tries to get to full guard but Kovalchuk has control of the leg.
Kovalchuk missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Paige wants to improve his position but Kovalchuk is controlling well.
Kovalchuk not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paige wants to get back to full guard.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Paige misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Paige misses the target.
Kovalchuk shoots for a double leg takedown but Paige sprawls well. He's pushed Kovalchuk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's two 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.
Kovalchuk stuns Paige with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kovalchuk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paige circles away.
Kovalchuk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paige moves away.
Kovalchuk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Paige. That snapped Kovalchuk's head back.
Paige tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paige takes a swing at Kovalchuk's ribcage but misses.
Kovalchuk throws a sloppy body shot
and Paige counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Paige throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paige is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Paige throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kovalchuk avoids the head kick by Paige.
Paige throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchuk misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Paige counters with a straight right hand.
Kovalchuk scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kovalchuk grinds an elbow into Paige's temple.
Paige takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Paige tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Kovalchuk easily slips into full mount!
Kovalchuk looking to finish with strikes here!
Kovalchuk misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kovalchuk scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Paige?
Kovalchuk with a couple of short strikes.
Kovalchuk is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kovalchuk landing shots from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paige is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kovalchuk controlling the pace for now.
Kovalchuk lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kovalchuk wants to control the pace but Paige is squirming around nicely.
Paige is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Kovalchuk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovalchuk 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Kovalchuk!
Ilya Kovalchuk is the new middleweight champion!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
83% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
