|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 2834 p4p, 128 weight class) and Leo Kovarov (ranked 3355 p4p, 150 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
 |
|
 |
| 165 cm
22
137 lbs
6 - 4 - 0 |
|
167 cm
21
139 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Ron Honeybunn and Francis DeMontford.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovarov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kovarov moves into range and clinches up with Barbosa.
Barbosa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kovarov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Barbosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kovarov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kovarov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kovarov tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa lands a jab-cross combination.
It looks like Leo Kovarov has been cut.
Kovarov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barbosa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barbosa throws a counter high kick but Kovarov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Kovarov is looking to clinch but Barbosa is avoiding it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kovarov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbosa connects with a nice looking jab.
Barbosa lands with a kick to the temple. Kovarov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kovarov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barbosa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kovarov.
Nice uppercut lands for Barbosa. That snapped Kovarov's head back.
Kovarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barbosa misses with a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot by Barbosa.
Marcelo Barbosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbosa jabs at Kovarov's body.
Barbosa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barbosa lands a really nice looking cross but Kovarov seems unphased.
Barbosa misses with a head kick.
Kovarov throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Barbosa misses.
Kovarov ducks right into an uppercut from Barbosa.
Kovarov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kovarov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kovarov slips under a jab from Barbosa.
Kovarov scores with a takedown into Barbosa's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovarov wanted to stand there but Barbosa had control of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Barbosa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kovarov passes into side control.
Kovarov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Barbosa looks to move to half guard but instead Kovarov has passed into mount! Damn!
Kovarov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Barbosa is in all sorts of trouble here.
Barbosa wants to hold on but Kovarov pushes him away.
Barbosa is squirming around, avoiding Kovarov's attempts to control the action.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Barbosa looks a forlorn figure.
Kovarov manages to capitalize on a mistake by Barbosa to take his back!
Kovarov throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Barbosa!
Kovarov punishes Barbosa with strikes from the back mount.
Barbosa tries to escape the position.
Kovarov looking for the RNC.
Barbosa is in bad spot here.
Kovarov slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Barbosa is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kovarov is not going to allow Barbosa to sit and survive in this position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Barbosa.
Barbosa tries to escape but Kovarov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kovarov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Barbosa is defending well though. Kovarov let's go of the attempt for now.
You can see the frustration on Barbosa's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kovarov trying to control.
Kovarov looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa wants to control his opponent's hands but Kovarov gets his hands free.
Barbosa is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kovarov gets his way!
Barbosa wants to control his opponent's hands but Kovarov gets his hands free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Marcelo Barbosa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leo Kovarov's cut.
That's time! Barbosa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Kovarov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kovarov showed some decent athleticism there.
Barbosa is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barbosa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kovarov has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Barbosa to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Kovarov is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Barbosa pulls down on the head and he's put Kovarov to sleep! This one is all over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Marcelo Barbosa!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
57% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
