PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joel Vance (ranked 25189 p4p, 0 weight class) and Attila Kovacs (ranked 5934 p4p, 422 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vance
vs
Kovacs

181 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

225 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Joel Vance!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Attila Kovacs!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kovacs closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kovacs breaks from the clinch.

Kovacs throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Vance was covering up waiting for the punch and Kovacs finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Vance controls Kovacs momentarily but Kovacs frees himself.
Kovacs really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vance. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vance tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kovacs is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kovacs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vance is trying to control the position but Kovacs postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kovacs stands and steps away. Vance gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Kovacs closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vance's guard.

Vance has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kovacs off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
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!
Vance shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kovacs as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovacs has Vance up against the cage in a clinch.

Kovacs ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kovacs no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kovacs wants to sweep here but Vance controlling him for the moment.
Vance throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vance throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vance prevents Kovacs from getting back to his feet.
Kovacs has Vance pulled in close to control his posture.
Kovacs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vance scoring with some ground and pound.
Vance lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kovacs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vance is one step ahead there.
Kovacs manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vance manages to get himself to full guard.

Kovacs won't allow Vance to sweep him here.
Kovacs sitting in guard here, content to control.
Vance working a defensive guard here.
Vance tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kovacs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovacs sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vance wants to stand but Kovacs is controlling the position.
Kovacs wants to pass the guard but Vance is keeping the position.
Vance is trying to keep Kovacs in close.
Vance lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kovacs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vance.
Vance throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vance missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vance throws a big elbow that misses.
Vance with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kovacs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Vance is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

Kovacs is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vance defends well.

Kovacs is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Vance presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kovacs lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Kovacs pulls guard.

Kovacs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vance landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Attila Kovacs dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kovacs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A good leg kick by Kovacs.

Kovacs shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Vance pushes Kovacs off and gets back to his feet.
Vance has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vance there as he acknowledges the shot.
Attila Kovacs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovacs scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vance shoots for a takedown but Kovacs saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kovacs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vance.
And Kovacs tries to counter it with a takedown but Vance pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kovacs slaps away a takedown attempt from Vance, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Vance. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovacs drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kovacs works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vance tries to roll over but Kovacs keeps him under control.
Vance wants to control but Kovacs is keeping busy.
Kovacs sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Vance on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kovacs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vance is looking to get back to full guard here but Kovacs has managed to pass to side control instead.

Kovacs looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kovacs stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A head kick misses from Kovacs.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kovacs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vance trying to remain calm as Kovacs controls from the top position.
Vance is trying to get back to half guard.
Check out the look on Kovacs's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vance is looking for a sweep.

Kovacs stands up.
Vance shoots in for a takedown but Kovacs shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vance avoids the head kick by Kovacs.
Vance was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Kovacs closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vance quickly recovers to half guard.
Vance trying to hold on to Kovacs's head to control him but Kovacs postures up.
Vance wants to improve his position but Kovacs is controlling well.

Kovacs is trying to work for a kimura but Vance is defending well.

Kovacs stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovacs throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Vance was covering up waiting for the punch and Kovacs finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kovacs must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vance trying to control the position.
Kovacs is pushing down on Vance's leg trying to pass to half guard. Vance is fighting to maintain full guard but Kovacs has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kovacs slows the pace down in half guard.
Kovacs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vance keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Attila Kovacs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kovacs uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kovacs leaves Vance with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kovacs throws a head kick that misses.
Kovacs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vance tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kovacs closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kovacs ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kovacs no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Attila Kovacs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kovacs bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Vance's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovacs trying to control but Vance is working from the bottom.

Vance looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vance can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kovacs controls the pace.
Vance wants to sweep here but Kovacs controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vance is working hard here to advance position.
Kovacs with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kovacs engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kovacs stands and steps away. Vance gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kovacs closes the distance and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Kovacs.
Vance goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kovacs prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Vance. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovacs is leaning against Vance and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vance is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kovacs gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Kovacs turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Kovacs advances to full mount.
Kovacs controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vance looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Kovacs lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Kovacs patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Kovacs really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Vance.
Kovacs is continuing to stall.
Vance looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kovacs.
Vance tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
I really don't envy Vance right now.
Kovacs is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Kovacs gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Kovacs gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Kovacs apologises and we restart here on the feet.

Kovacs looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Vance!
Kovacs content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kovacs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vance keeps working.
Joel Vance has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Attila Kovacs is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vance takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Attila Kovacs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kovacs has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Attila Kovacs!