PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kovalenko
vs
Smith

205 cm
40
260 lbs
54 - 26 - 0

199 cm
25
255 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Mohito Fightwear
Spartan Nutrition

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 54 - 26 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Smith!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Kovalenko.
Smith feints the counter takedown.
A slow jab from Kovalenko misses its intended target.
Smith dives in and grabs Kovalenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kovalenko pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
Kovalenko misses with a body shot
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith shoots and misses
and Kovalenko counters with a left and a right that stings Smith.
Kovalenko misses with a head kick.
Kovalenko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kovalenko there as he acknowledges the shot.

Kovalenko is rocked!
Kovalenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Kovalenko misses with a wild combination.
Kovalenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovalenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovalenko.
Smith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Smith's coach down at Gym of the Gods was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Smith's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Kovalenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nikolai Kovalenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Smith.
Kovalenko misses with a wild combination.
Smith takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kovalenko leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kovalenko circles away.
Kovalenko went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nikolai Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalenko lands a head kick. Smith smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kovalenko lands with a nice body kick.

Kovalenko drops Smith with a beautiful combination! Smith stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Kovalenko is looking for the KO!

Smith is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith is still on wobbly legs! Can Kovalenko finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko lands with a precision combination! Left, right, uppercut and Smith falls flat on his face, eyes wide open but he's out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:07 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Nikolai Kovalenko!
An out of breath Nikolai Kovalenko thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.