PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Kleinsasser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Otryad Kovboev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kleinsasser
vs
Kovboev

188 cm
22
245 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

205 cm
22
264 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Melvin Kleinsasser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Otryad Kovboev!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovboev checks a leg kick.
Kleinsasser throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kovboev throws a sloppy head kick
and Kleinsasser finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kleinsasser connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kovboev throws a head kick but Kleinsasser moves out of range.
Kovboev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kovboev closes the distance but Kleinsasser moves to the side
and Kleinsasser counters with a nice leg kick.
Kovboev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovboev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kleinsasser. Kleinsasser obviously looking to wear him down.
Kovboev misses with a kick to the body
and Kleinsasser counters with a low kick, right behind Kovboev 's knee.
Kovboev looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kleinsasser tries to land a leg kick but Kovboev saw it coming and moves away.
Good work by Kovboev as he checks the leg kick.
Kleinsasser dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kovboev. That did some damage!

Kleinsasser gets a clinch.
Kleinsasser effectively controlling the action here.
Kovboev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kleinsasser.
Kleinsasser effectively controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kleinsasser jumps guard and drags Kovboev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kleinsasser looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kleinsasser not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kovboev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kleinsasser. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kleinsasser wants to sweep here but Kovboev controlling him for the moment.

Kleinsasser escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kovboev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kovboev preventing the sweep.
Kleinsasser is working hard here to advance position.
Kovboev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kovboev wants to stand but Kleinsasser has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two 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.
Kleinsasser doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kleinsasser is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kovboev wants to stand but Kleinsasser has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kovboev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kleinsasser throws a leg kick that misses.
Kovboev tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kleinsasser makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kleinsasser throws a sloppy head kick and Kovboev moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kleinsasser throws a sloppy head kick and Kovboev moves out of range easily.
Kleinsasser swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kleinsasser is looking to score with low kicks.

Kovboev tries to keep at a distance but Kleinsasser has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kovboev is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kovboev managing to block the knees to the body from Kleinsasser.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kleinsasser shoots in and bounces Kovboev off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Kovboev is looking to stand up but Kleinsasser isn't so interested in that idea.
Kleinsasser sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kovboev's guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kleinsasser is pressing down on Kovboev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kovboev is holding on for now.
Kleinsasser not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kleinsasser content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kovboev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kleinsasser scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kovboev wants to get back to his feet.

Kleinsasser seems to be looking for submissions.
Kovboev won't allow Kleinsasser to pass to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kovboev wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kovboev throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Kleinsasser dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A nice leg kick lands there from Kovboev.

Kleinsasser drives through and clinches with Kovboev against the ropes.
Kovboev trying to land knees to the body.
Kovboev tries to land knees in the clinch but Kleinsasser avoids the damage to the body.
Kovboev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kleinsasser.
Kovboev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kleinsasser blocks it with crossed arms.

Kleinsasser breaks from the clinch.
Kleinsasser thows a leg kick but Kovboev checks it
and Kovboev counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kleinsasser is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kleinsasser slips under a jab.
Kleinsasser throws the kick towards the body but Kovboev avoids it.

Kleinsasser closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kleinsasser lands in his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kleinsasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovboev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kovboev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kleinsasser is controlling him.
Kovboev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kleinsasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovboev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kleinsasser stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kovboev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kovboev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kleinsasser is controlling him.
Kovboev trying to keep a closed guard but Kleinsasser is proving a slippery customer.
Kleinsasser slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick misses from Kovboev.
Kovboev throws a body kick that misses.
Kovboev blocks a leg kick.
Otryad Kovboev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A shot to the body from Kleinsasser misses
and Kovboev counters with a head kick. That will keep Kleinsasser thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Kovboev misses with a head kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Kleinsasser blocks the leg kick.
Kovboev misses with the body kick

and Kleinsasser counters with a single leg into guard. Kovboev didn't expect that.
Kovboev keeping moving, preventing Kleinsasser from controlling successfully.
Kleinsasser trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kleinsasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovboev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev wants to stand but Kleinsasser is controlling the position.
Kovboev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kleinsasser won't allow Kovboev to sweep him here.
Kleinsasser with a flurry of punches that miss.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kleinsasser misses with a head kick.
A head kick by Kovboev misses
and Kleinsasser counters with a thumping low kick.
Kleinsasser avoids the head kick by Kovboev.
Kovboev clinches but Kleinsasser breaks the clinch

and Kleinsasser counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kovboev won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev taking punishment in the form of punches.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kleinsasser works to advance to full mount. Kovboev defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kovboev's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Kleinsasser punishing his opponent with strikes.

Kleinsasser looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kleinsasser landing shots from mount.
Kleinsasser wants to control the pace but Kovboev is squirming around nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kovboev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kleinsasser is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Kleinsasser dominated that second round.
That's time! Kleinsasser's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kovboev forces Kleinsasser back against the ropes and clinches.
Kleinsasser gets underhooks to prevent Kovboev's takedown attempt.

Kleinsasser pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kleinsasser throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kovboev clinches but Kleinsasser breaks the clinch
and Kleinsasser counters with an outside leg kick.
Kovboev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kleinsasser checks a leg kick.
Kovboev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kovboev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Otryad Kovboev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kleinsasser moves out of range as Kovboev throws a body kick.
Otryad Kovboev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovboev throws a sloppy head kick

and Kleinsasser counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kleinsasser.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovboev keeping moving, preventing Kleinsasser from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kleinsasser scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kleinsasser trying to control but Kovboev is working from the bottom.
Kovboev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kleinsasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovboev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kovboev is looking to stand back up but Kleinsasser counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kovboev.
Kovboev wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kovboev throws a lazy head kick
and Kleinsasser counters with a nice body kick.

Kleinsasser fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kovboev sprawls well initially but Kleinsasser persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kovboev is trying to stand.

Kleinsasser seems to be working for a kimura but Kovboev defends the submission attempt.
Kovboev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kovboev is trying to stand.
Kovboev keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Kleinsasser wants to control but Kovboev is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev is looking to escape.
Kleinsasser drops an elbow to the side of Kovboev's head.
Kleinsasser trying to control from half guard but Kovboev is working away.
Kovboev is trying to control but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kovboev throws a head kick but Kleinsasser moves out of range.
Kleinsasser scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kleinsasser throws a sloppy head kick and Kovboev moves out of range easily.
Kleinsasser tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kovboev swivels and escapes.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kovboev!
Kleinsasser takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kleinsasser takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kleinsasser avoids the head kick by Kovboev.
Kovboev clinches but Kleinsasser breaks the clinch
and Kleinsasser counters with a nice kick to the body.
A leg kick checked by Kovboev.
Kovboev wants to clinch
and Kleinsasser counters with a good, hard body kick but Kovboev shrugs it off.
Kleinsasser lands a head kick. Kovboev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kovboev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kovboev misses with a head kick.
Kovboev misses with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kleinsasser throws a head kick but Kovboev moves out of range.

Kleinsasser fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kovboev, pushing him back against the ropes.
Otryad Kovboev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Melvin Kleinsasser is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kleinsasser manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Melvin Kleinsasser.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kleinsasser, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Kleinsasser!