PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 4810 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jabari Jelani (ranked 5426 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolai Kovalenko has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kovalenko
vs
Jelani

205 cm
48
260 lbs
61 - 43 - 0

185 cm
48
275 lbs
35 - 48 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 61 - 43 - 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 35 - 48 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jabari Jelani!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jelani closes the distance and clinches up with Kovalenko, looking for a takedown. Jelani pushes Kovalenko against the cage but Kovalenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jelani takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jelani pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sloppy strikes from Kovalenko. Those never looked like landing.
Kovalenko scores with the left hand. Jelani knows he should have avoided that one.
Kovalenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kovalenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kovalenko tests Jelani's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kovalenko scores with a head kick. Jelani tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Jelani shoots for a takedown but Kovalenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jelani takes one to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovalenko lunges at Jelani with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Jelani's hand.
Kovalenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jelani moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jelani misses with a body kick.
Jelani looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nikolai Kovalenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jabari Jelani.
Jelani has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kovalenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Jelani's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jelani looks for a takedown but Kovalenko sprawls well.
Jelani fails to land the takedown.
Kovalenko definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kovalenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kovalenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kovalenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kovalenko misses with a wild combination.
Kovalenko scores with a three punch combo!
Kovalenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice straight punches there by Kovalenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kovalenko.
Kovalenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kovalenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kovalenko is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jelani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kovalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Jelani has eaten all the pies!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Kovalenko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jelani doesn't seem phased though.
Kovalenko pushes Jelani away with a front kick.
Jelani takes one to the side of the head.
Jelani gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kovalenko digs a good hook to Jelani's body.
Kovalenko cracks Jelani with a right hand to the side of the head.
Jelani fails with the takedown
and Kovalenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Jelani misses with a body punch
and Kovalenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kovalenko works Jelani's body with a nice hook.
Jelani looks winded!
Kovalenko swinging wildly here.
Kovalenko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kovalenko scores with a jab.
Kovalenko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jelani's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko looks to land a combination. Jelani sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jelani's calf.
Kovalenko scores with a one two! Jelani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Good exchange - Kovalenko coming out on top.
Jelani throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Kovalenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Kovalenko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kovalenko jabs at Jelani's body.
A shot to the liver by Kovalenko. Beautiful body shot.
Kovalenko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good exchange - Kovalenko coming out on top.
Nikolai Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jelani on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kovalenko catches Jelani with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jelani looks to land a combination but Kovalenko avoids it well.
Kovalenko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jelani momentarily.

Jelani is rocked!
Kovalenko connects with a nice cross there... Jelani is looking wobbly and Kovalenko recognises it - he's rushed in and lands two more brutal shots that send Jelani to the canvas, out cold! A brutal finish to the fight - Kovalenko jumps onto the cage to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Nikolai Kovalenko!
A victorious Nikolai Kovalenko thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Jabari Jelani was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll be back !'.