PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Avalon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hessu Kovaluu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Avalon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Avalon
vs
Kovaluu

187 cm
25
203 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Avalon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hessu Kovaluu!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovaluu checks a low kick from Avalon.
Avalon throws a body punch but Kovaluu moves out of range.
Avalon just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovaluu throws a looping overhand right but Avalon ducks down to avoid it.
Avalon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Avalon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Avalon lands a nice shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Avalon. Kovaluu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Avalon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Avalon moves in looking to clinch but Kovaluu pushes him off.
Avalon throws a right and a left that both miss.
James Avalon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Avalon. That snapped Kovaluu's head back.
Avalon connects with a leg kick. Kovaluu looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sloppy strikes from Avalon. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovaluu tries to move into range but Avalon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Avalon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fighters circling - Kovaluu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Avalon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James Avalon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Avalon fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kovaluu is out of range.
Kovaluu lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Good standup being displayed there by Avalon as he connects with a hook.
Avalon scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Avalon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kovaluu moves away.
Avalon scoring well with a low kick there.

Avalon closes the distance and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Avalon as the two fighters clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short uppercut from Avalon.
Avalon leaning against his opponent.
Avalon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovaluu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Avalon.
Kovaluu throws a punch but it's blocked by Avalon.
Kovaluu is trying to maintain a safe position but Avalon gets an underhook and turns Kovaluu into the cage.
Avalon pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kovaluu can't get the takedown.
Avalon dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avalon unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kovaluu lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Avalon lands a body punch.
Avalon pressing his opponent against the cage.

Avalon jumps guard and drags Kovaluu to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kovaluu trying to control but Avalon is working from the bottom.
Avalon managing to control the position.
Avalon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Avalon managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovaluu trying to control the position from guard on top but Avalon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Avalon has a closed guard, preventing Kovaluu from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Hessu Kovaluu.
Kovaluu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovaluu throws a hook but Avalon avoids it easily.
Avalon will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Avalon.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovaluu takes one on the button.
Kovaluu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Avalon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Avalon dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Avalon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Avalon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Avalon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Avalon misses the shot to the body.
Kovaluu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Avalon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kovaluu somewhat.
Avalon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kovaluu.
Avalon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Avalon jabs Kovaluu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kovaluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Avalon instigates a clinch.
Kovaluu wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avalon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kovaluu tries to break free but Avalon pushes him back against the cage.
Kovaluu wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Avalon is working Kovaluu over against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Avalon lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kovaluu backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Avalon.
Avalon gets underhooks to prevent Kovaluu's takedown attempt.
The referee calls for Kovaluu to work.
Avalon just leaning against Kovaluu, taking a breather.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Avalon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avalon slowing the pace effectively.
Avalon lands a nice uppercut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kovaluu has Avalon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Avalon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
James Avalon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hessu Kovaluu.
Kovaluu is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kovaluu is looking for a takedown.
A short body shot lands from Avalon as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Avalon landing knees to the head.

It looks like Hessu Kovaluu has been cut.
Kovaluu is breathing heavily.
Avalon scores with a shot to the side of Kovaluu's head.
Avalon lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kovaluu backwards.
Avalon prevents Kovaluu from breaking the clinch.
Avalon with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Avalon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kovaluus head.
Kovaluu takes a shot to the head.
Avalon lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kovaluu backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avalon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Avalon is working Kovaluu over against the cage.
Avalon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short right from Avalon.
Avalon content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Avalon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kovaluu can do to turn this around?
Avalon lands a right hand.
A body shot lands from Avalon.
Kovaluu is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Avalon.
Avalon lands a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Avalon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avalon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kovaluu avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Avalon prevents Kovaluu from breaking the clinch.
Avalon dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short right from Avalon on the inside.
Avalon pressing his opponent against the cage.

Avalon pulls guard.

Avalon is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Kovaluu has his hands clasped together but Avalon extends an breaks Kovaluu's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Avalon.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Avalon!
An out of breath James Avalon thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.