PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Horner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Horner has chosen Roky Erickson - Stand For The Fire Demon as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Mike Horner enters the cage!

Kovalov
vs
Horner

170 cm
29
196 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

180 cm
27
196 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Balco Boys Battle Gear

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 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Horner!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kovalov throws a leg kick
and Horner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kovalov scores with a hook.
Kovalov throws a head kick but Horner moves out of range.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Horner as he jumps to the side.
Horner lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Antonio Kovalov has been cut.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Horner sprawls well. Horner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kovalov gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Kovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kovalov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kovalov throws the kick towards the body but Horner avoids it.
Kovalov fails with the takedown.
Kovalov misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov lands a glancing blow to the side of Horner's head.

Horner gets tackled into the cage by Kovalov. Kovalov maintains the clinch.
Kovalov wants a takedown but no success here.
Horner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kovalov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovalov taking a breather.
Horner wants to break free but Kovalov has control.
Kovalov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Horner is defending well for now.
Kovalov tries to land knees in the clinch but Horner avoids the damage to the body.
Kovalov blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Horner.
Horner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Horner swings wildly with an uppercut but Kovalov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Horner's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Horner misses with the head strike.
Horner lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kovalov backwards.

Kovalov breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov fakes the leg kick and cracks Horner in the body.
Kovalov throws a jab but it's blocked by Horner.
Antonio Kovalov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Horner.
Mike Horner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Horner avoids it really well and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horner misses with a kick to the body.
Horner ducks under a wild hook from Kovalov.
Kovalov misses with a body punch
and Horner counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Horner thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kovalov if he has to take too many more of those.
Kovalov is looking to clinch but Horner is avoiding it.
Kovalov throws a lazy right hand but Horner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Horner as he jumps to the side.
Kovalov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horner misses with a low kick.
Kovalov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Horner is out of range.
Kovalov throws a looping overhand right but Horner ducks down to avoid it.
Horner cracks Kovalov with a good jab.
Kovalov swings widly with a right hand
and Kovalov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kovalov throws a looping overhand right but Horner ducks down to avoid it.
Kovalov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Horners jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kovalov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kovalov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovalov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Horner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A good leg kick by Horner.
Horner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Horner cracks Kovalov with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalov swings for the body but Horner moves out of range.
Horner staying out of range there.
Kovalov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kovalov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kovalov misses with an uppercut
and Horner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kovalov tries to clinch but Horner moves out of range.
Kovalov throws a shot from downtown. Horner moves away and avoids it.
Kovalov throws a leg kick
and Horner counters with an outside leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Horner. No joy for Kovalov on that attempt.
Kovalov is breathing heavily.
A left lands for Kovalov.
Horner defending well as Kovalov loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovalov misses with a right hand
and Horner counters with a thumping low kick.
Horner has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kovalov throws an off balance right hand
and Horner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kovalov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Horner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Kovalov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kovalov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Horner counters with a nice leg kick.
Mike Horner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horner scores with a nice strike.
Horner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Horner stuffs the takedown attempt from Kovalov. Kovalov gets slowly back to his feet.
Horner turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Kovalov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Kovalov throws a right hand that misses
and Horner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Horner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horner lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kovalov throws a right hand that misses
and Kovalov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kovalov closes the distance but Horner moves to the side
and Horner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Kovalov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Horner manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kovalov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kovalov is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Horner get's back to his feet.
Kovalov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Horner swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kovalov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Horner counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Horner counters with a series of strikes. Kovalov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovalov scores with a hook to the body. Horner takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kovalov lands a nice shot to the body.
A jab from Kovalov misses.
Kovalov takes a swing at Horner's ribcage but misses.
Horner throws a jab but it's blocked by Kovalov.
Horner throws a head kick but Kovalov moves out of range.
Kovalov avoids a kick to the body.
Horner walks into a stiff left hand from Kovalov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horner throws the kick towards the body but Kovalov avoids it.
Horner throws a push kick but Kovalov slaps the foot to one side.
Kovalov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A low kick from Kovalov is predictable there
and Horner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Kovalov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Horner can't do much from the bottom here.
Kovalov trying to control the position but Horner is working away.
Kovalov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Kovalov crashes against the mat.
Kovalov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kovalov 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.
Kovalov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kovalov is trying to ground and pound but Horner uses the momentary lack of control by Kovalov to regain half guard.
Horner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kovalov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Horner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horner won't allow Kovalov to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Horner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Antonio Kovalov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Horner staying out of range there.
Kovalov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horner lands a nice looking body kick.
Kovalov shoots in and drives through. Horner sprawls well.

Kovalov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Horner manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kovalov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kovalov throws and elbow that misses. Horner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kovalov's guard. Nice move by Horner!
Kovalov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Horner has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kovalov is proving hard to escape from.
Kovalov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Horner is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovalov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Horner escapes and throws Kovalov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kovalov is trying to control Horner's posture but Horner avoids it.

Horner stands up and beckons Kovalov to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov looks for a takedown but Horner sprawls well.
Kovalov tries to clinch up but Horner circles away and keeps his distance.
Kovalov misses with an uppercut
and Kovalov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Horner lands a jab to the head.
Horner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kovalov.
A punch lands to the side of Kovalov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Horner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kovalov.
Horner connects with a leg kick. Kovalov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalov misses with a kick to the body
and Horner counters with a nice uppercut.
Horner shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kovalov eats them both and turns towards Horner to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A shot to the body from Kovalov misses
and Horner counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov misses with the body kick
and Horner counters with a nice body kick.
Kovalov blocks a head kick by Horner.
Nice uppercut there from Horner.
Kovalov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Horner can pounce on him.
Horner looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kovalov misses with a hook
and Horner counters with a stiff right hand.
Horner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kovalov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Horner counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kovalov fails with the takedown
and Horner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Kovalov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horner goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Antonio Kovalov's cut is getting worse.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horner cracks Kovalov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Horner tries a low kick but Kovalov avoids it.
Antonio Kovalov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov throws a nice looking combination but Horner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovalov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Horner.
Kovalov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kovalov swings widly with a right hand
and Horner counters with a straight right hand.
Horner with a jab.
The fighters circling - Horner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horner fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kovalov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kovalov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
That kick from Horner tenderised Kovalov's leg. Kovalov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Horner, right into the meat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovalov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kovalov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Horner scores with a punch to the head.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Horner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Horner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Horner 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Horner!