PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kisada Hida (ranked 1523 p4p, 82 weight class) and Leo Kovarov (ranked 1814 p4p, 90 weight class). Hida comes to the cage accompanied by Noisestorm - Crab Rave. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hida
vs
Kovarov

160 cm
23
140 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

167 cm
24
146 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kisada Hida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovarov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hida was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovarov.
Kovarov misses with a body shot.
Hida scores with a jab to the body.
Hida scores with a body shot.
Kovarov scores with a body shot.
Kovarov lands with a shot to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hida enables Kovarov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hida manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Kovarov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kovarov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovarov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hida looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovarov is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hida has momentary wrist control but Kovarov slips an elbow through the middle.

Kovarov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hida is trying to keep Kovarov in close.
Hida avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hida looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kovarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hida works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hida wants to sweep here but Kovarov controlling him for the moment.
Kovarov throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hida is pulling down on Kovarov's head to control his posture.
Kovarov is looking to stand up but Hida won't let him.
Kovarov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hida on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hida tries to get out of the position.
Hida controls Kovarov momentarily but Kovarov frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kovarov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hida throws a body shot but no joy.
We've been told by Hida's head coaches at Rokugan that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kovarov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hida's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kovarov.
A shot to the liver by Hida. Beautiful body shot.
Hida is looking to wear down Kovarov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kovarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovarov misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Hida to counter with a crisp jab.
Kisada Hida is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovarov throws a shot to the body.
Hida misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kovarov.
Hida is looking to chop away at Kovarov's legs.
Kovarov with the counter takedown but Hida avoids it easily.
Hida fails to land with a series of punches.

Kovarov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovarov trying to control the action but Hida is working from the bottom.
Kovarov prevents Hida from escaping the position.
Kovarov wants to control but Hida is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kovarov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Hida is trying to control Kovarov's posture but Kovarov avoids it.
Kovarov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Kovarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
You can see the frustration on Hida's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hida is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kovarov connects with a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Kovarov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kovarov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kovarov. Hida does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hida swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hida takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kovarov scores with a hook.
Hida throws a hook but Kovarov avoids it easily.
Hida lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hida throws a body shot but no joy.
Leo Kovarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the body from Hida misses
and Kovarov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kovarov lunges at Hida with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hida's hand.
Kovarov tries to clinch up but Hida circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovarov throws a good cross that connects.
Kovarov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hida appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kovarov misses with a wild combination.
Kovarov scores with a body shot.
Kovarov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kovarov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kovarov cracks a nice hook into Hida's ribs.
Hida looks to score with a jab to the body but Kovarov is just out of range.
Kovarov wants to counter with a clinch but Hida pushes him away.
Kovarov just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Hida wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hida. Kovarov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kovarov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kovarov throws a hook to the side of Hida's head but Hida sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kovarov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kovarov lands a body shot.
Hida throws a right hand that Kovarov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kovarov also avoids with ease.
Kovarov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hida throws a body punch but Kovarov moves out of range.
Kovarov feints the counter takedown.
Kovarov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hida throws a body shot but no joy.
Kovarov misses with a series of wild punches.
Hida appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kovarov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hida misses the shot to the body.
Kovarov shoots in looking for a takedown but Hida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kovarov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kisada Hida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Kovarov.
Hida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovarov misses with an uppercut.
Hida throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kovarov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice uppercut lands for Hida. That snapped Kovarov's head back.

It looks like Leo Kovarov has been cut.
Hida takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov misses with a leg kick
and Hida counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hida listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kovarov tries to bum rush Hida with a series of wild strikes but Hida uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot to the body from Hida misses
and Kovarov counters with a left to the body.
Hida lunges at Kovarov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kovarov's hand.
Leo Kovarov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovarov looks to land a combination but Hida avoids it well.
Hida looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hida swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Kovarov as he connects with a hook.
Kovarov feints and then cracks Hida's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hida down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leo Kovarov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Leo Kovarov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kovarov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kovarov ducks under a wild hook from Hida.
Kovarov missing with a left hand there. Hida was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kovarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kovarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovarov manages to avoid it.
Hida misses with a wild body shot.
A little jabbing left from Kovarov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hida on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovarov throws an off balance right hand
and Hida counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hida misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hida fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kovarov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hida drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovarov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hida is able to avoid easily.
Kovarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovarov darts in looking for a takedown but Hida gets double underhooks and turns Kovarov into the cage.
Kovarov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovarov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovarov manages to avoid it.
Kovarov avoids the body shot from Hida.
Hida misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hida lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hida swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovarov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hida was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kovarov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hida momentarily.

Kovarov pushes Hida up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hida escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kovarov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kovarov lands a glancing blow to the side of Hida's head.
Kovarov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovarov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kisada Hida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leo Kovarov.
Kovarov slips a jab and a cross from Hida.
Kovarov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
No joy there for Kovarov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kovarov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hida lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hida fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovarov manages to avoid it.
Kovarov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kovarov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kovarov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hida manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kovarov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hida manages to avoid it.
Kisada Hida has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hida misses with a double jab.
Hida is looking to chop away at Kovarov's legs.
Kovarov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hida misses with a body shot.
Hida misses the jab.
Kovarov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hida takes one to the chin there.
Kovarov throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kovarov rushes Hida and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Good body shot from Hida.
Hida lands an uppercut.
Leo Kovarov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kovarov scores a nice knee to the body.
A short right from Hida.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kisada Hida.
Well Kovarov 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Kovarov!
Kisada Hida spoke after the fight, saying 'I wonder why his fists keeps getting bigger until I got hit.'.