PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sonny Giovanni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giril Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Giovanni comes to the cage accompanied by Til I Collapse [ Eminem ]. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kovalenko's choice of entrance music: Judas Priest - Grinder. Sonny Giovanni could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Giril Kovalenko's chin.

Giovanni
vs
Kovalenko

186 cm
26
199 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
195 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

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 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sonny Giovanni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Giril Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko misses with a few strikes there.
Kovalenko swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Giovanni counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Giovanni.
Kovalenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Giovanni is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Giovanni throws a head kick but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Kovalenko throws a one two combo.
Kovalenko misses with a hook. Giovanni ducked under it nicely.
Kovalenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Giovanni scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sonny Giovanni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Giovanni checks a low kick from Kovalenko.

Kovalenko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovalenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Giovanni works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovalenko is working Giovanni over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Giovanni can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kovalenko controls the pace.
Kovalenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kovalenko stopping the sweep attempt from Giovanni.
Kovalenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovalenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Giovanni pulls Kovalenko in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Giovanni is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two 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.
Kovalenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kovalenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Giovanni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kovalenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kovalenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kovalenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovalenko trying to control but Giovanni is working from the bottom.
Kovalenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni trying to control the position.
Kovalenko throwing strikes from guard but Giovanni blocks nicely.
Giovanni utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Giovanni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Giovanni is trying to keep Kovalenko in close.
Kovalenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Giovanni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kovalenko throws a strike but Giovanni rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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.
Kovalenko is trying to keep Giovanni in close.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Giovanni isn't so interested in that idea.
Kovalenko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kovalenko thowing shots but they're missing.
Giovanni tries to lock up and control but Kovalenko gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Giril Kovalenko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Giovanni fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kovalenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kovalenko needs to keep his hands up - Giovanni had a free shot at his head there.
Giovanni wants to clinch.
Kovalenko with a nice cross.
Nice uppercut there from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko fails with the takedown.
Sloppy strikes from Kovalenko. Those never looked like landing.
Giovanni throws a body punch but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Giril Kovalenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovalenko's corner calls for a 1-2. Kovalenko obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kovalenko blocks a head kick by Giovanni.
Giovanni dips to his left and cracks Kovalenko with an uppercut!
Kovalenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Giovanni circles away.
Giovanni bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Giovanni lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovalenko swinging wildly here.
Kovalenko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Giovanni. Giovanni circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Giovanni defends it nicely.
Sonny Giovanni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giril Kovalenko.
Kovalenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Giovanni pinned against the cage. Giovanni gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kovalenko is breathing heavily.
Kovalenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Giovanni but Giovanni pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Giovanni stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Giovanni wants it to stay on the feet.
Giovanni fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kovalenko.
Giovanni gets back to half guard.
Giovanni manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kovalenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Giovanni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Giovanni is working hard here to advance position.
Kovalenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Giovanni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovalenko won't allow Giovanni to sweep him here.
Kovalenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Giovanni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovalenko is one step ahead there.
Giovanni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kovalenko throwing strikes from guard but Giovanni blocks nicely.
Kovalenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Giovanni has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kovalenko landing some decent shots from guard.
Kovalenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Kovalenko trying to control but Giovanni is working from the bottom.
Kovalenko throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Giovanni is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Giovanni looking to sit in guard and control but Kovalenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giril Kovalenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Giovanni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kovalenko misses with a hook. Giovanni ducked under it nicely.
Kovalenko misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Kovalenko misses.
Kovalenko scores with a kick to the midsection.
Kovalenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Giovanni counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Giovanni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kovalenko moves in looking to clinch but Giovanni pushes him off.
Kovalenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Giovanni connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovalenko looks to land a combination. Giovanni sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Jab, jab by Giovanni - just one landing.
Giovanni misses with a body shot

and Kovalenko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kovalenko.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalenko postures up and lands a big shot to Giovanni's brow.
Kovalenko postures up in Giovanni's guard and throws a big left but Giovanni blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Giovanni works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovalenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Giovanni utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Giovanni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kovalenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Giovanni has wrist control.
Kovalenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Giovanni is on top in guard.
Giovanni stopping the sweep attempt from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Giovanni isn't so interested in that idea.
Sonny Giovanni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Giril Kovalenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Kovalenko has his hands on Giovanni's head, controlling the position.
Kovalenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Giovanni is one step ahead there.

Kovalenko has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Giovanni off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Sonny Giovanni is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Giovanni tries to avoid it but Kovalenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Giovanni to the ground. Giovanni escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kovalenko shoots in for a takedown but Giovanni shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kovalenko ducks right into an uppercut from Giovanni.
Kovalenko throws a right hand that misses
and Giovanni counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Giovanni scores with a jab. Kovalenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni scores with a punch to the head.
Giovanni works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Giovanni scores with a jab to the body.
Giovanni works Kovalenko's body with a nice hook.
Giovanni lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Giovanni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Giovanni lands with a slapping head kick.
Giovanni lands with a nice body punch.
Giril Kovalenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kovalenko takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Giovanni punishes Kovalenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Kovalenko drops his hands momentarily and Giovanni takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Giovanni feints and then cracks Kovalenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kovalenko down.
Giovanni works Kovalenko's body with a nice hook.
Kovalenko ducks right into an uppercut from Giovanni.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Giovanni - that will leave a mark!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Giovanni connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovalenko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Giovanni. Beautiful body shot.
Kovalenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Giovanni scores with a push kick.
Giovanni turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kovalenko shoots in for a double leg but Giovanni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sonny Giovanni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giril Kovalenko.
A jab from Giovanni does it's job there.
Giovanni jabs Kovalenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kovalenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Giovanni lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kovalenko circles away quickly and effectively.
A nice inside leg kick there by Giovanni. That's going to slow Kovalenko down.
A shot to the liver by Giovanni. Beautiful body shot.
Giovanni fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A looping hook to the body misses from Giovanni. Kovalenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovalenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Giovanni jabs Kovalenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sonny Giovanni is winning the standup battle so far.
Giovanni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalenko manages to avoid it.
Giovanni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sonny Giovanni showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kovalenko 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giril Kovalenko!