PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luka Kovacic (ranked 5772 p4p, 547 weight class) and Bimby Aquino (ranked 25247 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Kovacic
vs
Aquino

193 cm
20
246 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
265 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luka Kovacic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bimby Aquino!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ben Hemmingworth and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovacic goes for a double leg but Aquino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Aquino continues to drive forward.
Aquino uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kovacic.
A big right from Kovacic misses.
Kovacic misses with a takedown
and Aquino counters with a two punch combo.
Kovacic throws a lazy uppercut
and Aquino counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kovacic fails to land with a series of punches.

Aquino tries to keep at a distance but Kovacic has taken the fight into the clinch.

Aquino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Kovacic.
Luka Kovacic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovacic wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aquino swats away the attempt to clinch by Kovacic.
The fighters circling - Kovacic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aquino only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Aquino thuds his shin into the meat of Kovacic's side.
Kovacic tries to clinch up but Aquino circles away and keeps his distance.
Aquino unleashes a big counter combination but Kovacic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Aquino should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kovacic looks to clinch
and Aquino counters with a left and a right that stings Kovacic.
Kovacic closes the distance but Aquino moves to the side
and Aquino counters with a left and a right that stings Kovacic.
Kovacic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovacic closes the distance and pushes Aquino back into the cage.

Aquino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovacic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovacic moves in looking to clinch but Aquino pushes him off.
Aquino throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kovacic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovacic misses with a few strikes there.
Kovacic throws a series of punches but Aquino moves out of range.
Kovacic tries to clinch there but Aquino circles away.
Aquino throws a front kick that sends Kovacic stumbling back into the cage.
Kovacic is breathing heavily.
Aquino explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kovacic misses with a takedown attempt - Aquino sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luka Kovacic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aquino has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kovacic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aquino has him pressed against the cage.
Kovacic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Aquino goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Kovacic breaks the clinch.

Aquino darts in and clinches Kovacic up against the cage.
Kovacic prevents a takedown attempt there.

Aquino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aquino fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovacic avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aquino gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've been informed that Aquino has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Aquino wants a takedown.

Aquino breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Aquino as Kovacic shoots in.
Aquino is looking for the big counter here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Aquino or perhaps it was just good defense by Kovacic, which made it look bad.
Kovacic misses with an uppercut.
Aquino is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bimby Aquino dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kovacic throws a nice looking combination but Aquino bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovacic is looking to clinch.
Kovacic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As Kovacic backs off Aquino throws a huge counter combo but Kovacic manages to avoid it all.
Kovacic wants to clinch.
Aquino avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aquino takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Kovacic has closed the distance and engaged Aquino in a clinch.
Kovacic tries to circle away but Aquino has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovacic manages to break the clinch.
Aquino tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kovacic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aquino somewhat.
Kovacic moves in looking to clinch but Aquino pushes him off.
Good standup being displayed there by Kovacic as he connects with a hook.
Kovacic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Aquino counters with a one-two to the body.
Aquino takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kovacic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Aquino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aquino fails to land with a series of punches.
Kovacic dives in and grabs Aquino's left leg, looking for a takedown. Aquino pushes down on Kovacic's head and hops out.
Aquino tries to counter by closing the distance.
Aquino circles away from the clinch attempt
and Aquino counters with a low kick, right behind Kovacic 's knee.
Bimby Aquino seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice straight punches there by Kovacic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kovacic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aquino shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kovacic as he jumps to the side.
Aquino slips a jab from Kovacic.
Aquino unleashes a big counter combination but Kovacic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kovacic throws a nice looking combination but Aquino bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kovacic tries to close the distance and clinch but Aquino swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kovacic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kovacic wants to clinch up but Aquino keeps it at a distance.
Kovacic stuffs the takedown attempt from Aquino. Aquino gets slowly back to his feet.
Luka Kovacic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bimby Aquino.

Aquino closes the distance and pushes Kovacic back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aquino tries for a takedown. No joy.
Aquino drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aquino is breathing heavily.

Kovacic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kovacic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Aquino did well to prevent Kovacic getting side control.

Kovacic stands up and beckons Aquino to join him on the feet.
Kovacic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aquino circles away.
Aquino is looking for the big counter here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kovacic's corner calls for a 1-2. Kovacic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovacic wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luka Kovacic dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kovacic lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Luka Kovacic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kovacic lands a big right hand that sends Aquino crashing to the mat! Kovacic stays standing though and waves Aquino back to his feet!

Aquino is rocked!
Kovacic misses with a double jab.
Aquino drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kovacic defends it well.
Aquino is still on wobbly legs! Can Kovacic finish him?

Kovacic closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kovacic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aquino seems to have recovered his senses.
Kovacic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aquino darts in looking for a takedown but Kovacic gets double underhooks and turns Aquino into the cage.
Aquino throws a wild body kick that Kovacic sees coming a mile off.
Aquino doesn't manage to clinch there - Kovacic circles away.
Kovacic tries to clinch
and Aquino counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovacic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Aquino counters with a left and a right that stings Kovacic.
Aquino keeps the fight on the outside.
Aquino lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kovacic is looking to clinch but Aquino is avoiding it.
Aquino unleashes a big counter combination but Kovacic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kovacic wants to clinch up but Aquino keeps it at a distance.
Aquino misses with a head kick.
Kovacic slaps away a takedown attempt from Aquino, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kovacic or perhaps it was just good defense by Aquino, which made it look bad.
Aquino is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovacic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Despite the aggression on Aquino's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kovacic tries to clinch there but Aquino circles away.
Kovacic moves in looking to clinch but Aquino pushes him off.
Kovacic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Aquino manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kovacic fails with an attempt to clinch.

Aquino clinches.
Kovacic prevents the takedown attempt.
Luka Kovacic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bimby Aquino.
Aquino prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aquino drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kovacic pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovacic has his takedown stuffed

and Aquino counters by moving into the clinch.
Kovacic misses with some punches.
Kovacic is trying to break the clinch but Aquino is controlling him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kovacic.
Kovacic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aquino.

Aquino breaks from the clinch.
Kovacic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Aquino counters with a one-two to the body.
Kovacic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aquino unleashes a big counter combination but Kovacic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aquino closes the distance and pushes Kovacic back into the cage.

Aquino pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kovacic throws a poor cross that misses

and Aquino counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Aquino.
Aquino is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kovacic pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Aquino breaks from the clinch.
Aquino takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kovacic throws out a loose jab but Aquino uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kovacic misses with a double jab
and Aquino counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aquino delivers a nice body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bimby Aquino.
I think Aquino 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bimby Aquino!