PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arvo Pentti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pentti comes to the cage accompanied by Benny Benassi & Public Enemy - Bring The Noise . Antonio Kovalov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Arvo Pentti's chin.

Pentti
vs
Kovalov

184 cm
24
197 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

170 cm
33
196 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvo Pentti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pentti paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kovalov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pentti pinned against the cage. Pentti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kovalov lands a body shot.
Pentti tries to bum rush Kovalov with a series of wild strikes but Kovalov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Danga de danga de dang - Pentti scores with a four punch combination!
Pentti slaps away a takedown attempt from Kovalov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt.
Arvo Pentti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Kovalov.
Nice shot by Pentti.
Pentti blocks a leg kick.

Pentti gets caught flat footed, as Kovalov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pentti wants to stand up but Kovalov is controlling him.
Kovalov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kovalov won't allow Pentti to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pentti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovalov wants to control from the top but Pentti keeps moving.
Kovalov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pentti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pentti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kovalov throws a big right hand that misses.
Pentti will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kovalov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kovalov won't allow Pentti to get back to his feet.
Kovalov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kovalov prevents Pentti from getting back to his feet.
Kovalov wants to pass the guard but Pentti is keeping the position.
Kovalov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kovalov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pentti is looking to stand up but Kovalov isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Pentti manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Pentti misses with a straight left.
Kovalov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pentti.
Kovalov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice defenses there by Pentti.
Kovalov has a takedown stuffed.

Kovalov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pentti tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kovalov is in Pentti's guard.
Kovalov trying to control the position from guard on top but Pentti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kovalov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pentti keeping moving, preventing Kovalov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pentti is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kovalov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Pentti avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kovalov.

Kovalov is trying to work for a kimura but Pentti is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kovalov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pentti's head.
Kovalov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pentti is trying to stand.
Kovalov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pentti does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pentti trying to hold on to Kovalov's head to control him but Kovalov postures up.
Kovalov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pentti does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kovalov is pressing down on Pentti's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pentti is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pentti wants to get back to his feet.
Kovalov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pentti wants to get back to his feet.

Kovalov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pentti wants to get back to his feet.
Kovalov drops an elbow to the side of Pentti's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovalov is looking to advance position but Pentti won't allow it.

Pentti manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kovalov lands with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Kovalov 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.

Kovalov circles away from the clinch attempt.
A jab from Kovalov misses.
Pentti tries to clinch but Kovalov moves out of range.
Pentti slips a jab from Kovalov.
Pentti connects with a crisp jab.
Pentti misses with a double jab.
Kovalov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pentti lands a nice shot that snaps Kovalov's head back.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pentti but Pentti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pentti lands with a shot to the body.
Kovalov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kovalov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kovalov moves out of range as Pentti strikes.
Kovalov misses with a looping left.
Kovalov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovalov tries to land a leg kick but Pentti saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pentti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovalov.
Kovalov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pentti counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Pentti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kovalov misses the jab.
Kovalov works Pentti's body with a nice hook.
Pentti throws a head kick but Kovalov moves out of range.
Kovalov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pentti.
Pentti misses with a body kick.
Pentti throws a series of punches but Kovalov avoids them all with ease.
A left lands for Kovalov.
Kovalov scores with a hook to the body. Pentti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice cross by Kovalov.
Kovalov missing with a left hand there. Pentti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalov tries to land a front kick but Pentti steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pentti slaps away a takedown attempt from Kovalov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arvo Pentti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Kovalov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov throws a front kick aimed at Pentti's knee but Pentti avoids it well.
Kovalov throws a good cross that connects.
Pentti dips to his left and cracks Kovalov with an uppercut!
Kovalov throws a right and a left that Pentti avoids nicely.
Kovalov shoots in but Pentti avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kovalov is breathing heavily.
Pentti scores with a nice body kick.
Pentti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pentti closes the distance but Kovalov moves to the side
and Kovalov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kovalov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Arvo Pentti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pentti keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Pentti lands a body shot.
Arvo Pentti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pentti bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kovalov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Kovalov misses.
Pentti throws a head kick that misses.
Pentti tries to clinch up.
Kovalov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Antonio Kovalov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Pentti has managed to clinch.
Pentti blocks a body shot from Kovalov.
Pentti stalling in the clinch but Kovalov improves position.

Kovalov manages to break the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pentti.
Horrible takedown by Kovalov or perhaps it was just good defense by Pentti which made him look bad.
Kovalov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kovalov moves out of range as Pentti throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov misses with a wild combination.
Pentti is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A punch lands to the side of Pentti 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pentti stuns Kovalov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pentti throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pentti wants to clinch.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A punch combination from Kovalov misses.
Pentti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalov manages to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovalov throws the left hand but Pentti avoids the punch easily.
Pentti lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kovalov backs up against the cage.
Pentti scores with a jab.
Pentti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kovalov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antonio Kovalov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kovalov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pentti pinned against the cage. Pentti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pentti is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kovalov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kovalov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pentti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pentti looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kovalov swinging wildly here.
Pentti lands a head kick!
Pentti avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kovalov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pentti pinned against the cage. Pentti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kovalov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pentti fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pentti.
Kovalov closes the distance and clinches up with Pentti, looking for a takedown. Kovalov pushes Pentti against the cage but Pentti circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arvo Pentti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Kovalov.
Kovalov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kovalov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A lazy left from Pentti finds it's target.
Pentti needs to keep his hands up - Kovalov had a free shot at his head there.
Pentti cracks Kovalov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kovalov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Pentti slips a jab and a cross from Kovalov.
Pentti takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pentti lands a jab to the nose.
Kovalov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pentti explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pentti fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kovalov on the side of the head.
Kovalov throws a body kick that misses.
Pentti cracks Kovalov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pentti connects with a crisp jab.
Pentti connects with a single shot there.
Pentti throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Pentti throws a sloppy head kick and Kovalov moves out of range easily.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown but Pentti shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kovalov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nice cross by Pentti.
Kovalov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pentti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalov manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Pentti.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pentti looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pentti throws a sloppy head kick and Kovalov moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Pentti closes the distance and clinches.
Pentti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pentti comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Pentti is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kovalov avoids the elbow strike from Pentti, against the cage.
Pentti has Kovalov pushed against the cage.
Pentti misses with a body punch.
Pentti lands an elbow that stopped Kovalov in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pentti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pentti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kovalov's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kovalov.
Pentti throws a head punch that misses.
Pentti is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kovalov is defending well for now.

Pentti breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Arvo Pentti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pentti's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kovalov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Pentti scrambles back to his feet.
Pentti throws a nice looking combination but Kovalov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovalov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kovalov tries for a takedown but Pentti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pentti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kovalov.
Antonio Kovalov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Pentti swinging wildly here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arvo Pentti showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kovalov 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Antonio Kovalov!
Antonio Kovalov very nearly forgot to thank Balco Boys - Hilo amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.