PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peter Kovalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kovalev
vs
Thomas

191 cm
23
245 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

200 cm
27
275 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Peter Kovalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Evan Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalev throws a series of punches but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Kovalev on that attempt.
Thomas is looking for the big counter here.
Kovalev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thomas counters with a nice uppercut.
Kovalev closes the distance and clinches up with Thomas, looking for a takedown. Kovalev pushes Thomas against the cage but Thomas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thomas tries to land a body kick
and Kovalev counters with a series of strikes. Thomas will be more careful next time no doubt.

Kovalev closes the distance and clinches.
Kovalev tries to pull guard but Thomas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Kovalev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kovalev breaks from the clinch.
Kovalev is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Kovalev and Thomas goes tumbling to the canvas! Kovalev follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.

It looks like Evan Thomas has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kovalev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kovalev's back!

Thomas is looking for the choke from the back position but Kovalev is controlling his hands well.
Kovalev is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Thomas is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kovalev knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kovalev for a finish.
Kovalev wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kovalev defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thomas is looking for the choke from the back position but Kovalev is controlling his hands well.
Kovalev wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Kovalev showing good submission defense here.
Kovalev trying to get back to his feet but Thomas is in full control for now.

Thomas has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Kovalev! Can he survive? No! He's out! Thomas gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Evan Thomas!
Our winner, Evan Thomas, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Peter Kovalev spoke after the fight, saying 'this aint the last u seen of me!!!'.