PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abo Lanch (ranked 4621 p4p, 158 weight class) and Giennadij Kovalov (ranked 6294 p4p, 185 weight class). Lanch's entrance music is Down River. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kovalov's choice of entrance music: СЛОТ - 200 кВт. Giennadij Kovalov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Lanch
vs
Kovalov

194 cm
25
290 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

225 cm
18
282 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Abo Lanch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Giennadij Kovalov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lanch throws a push kick but Kovalov slaps the foot to one side.
Kovalov blocks the body kick.
Lanch avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lanch avoids the body shot from Kovalov.
Lanch tries to bum rush Kovalov with a series of wild strikes but Kovalov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lanch showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalov.
Kovalov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Lanch gets a double leg takedown into Kovalov's guard.
Lanch wants to control from the top but Kovalov keeps moving.
Kovalov keeping full guard, as Lanch tries to pass.

Kovalov has his feet on Lanch's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalov throws a body punch but Lanch moves out of range.
Lanch throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kovalov on the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kovalov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As Kovalov looks to move away, Lanch throws a big counter combo but Kovalov just gets out of the way.
Kovalov looks to land a combination but Lanch avoids it well.

Kovalov moves into range and clinches up with Lanch.

Lanch has Kovalov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Lanch pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kovalov tumbling to the mat - Lanch dives into Kovalov's guard.

Kovalov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Lanch goes for a takedown attempt but Kovalov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lanch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalov tries to clinch up.
Kovalov misses with a body shot.
Lanch looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Lanch scores with a push kick.
Kovalov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lanch.
Lanch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Some wild striking there from Kovalov.
Kovalov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lanch circles away quickly and effectively.
Kovalov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kovalov looks winded!

Lanch looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lanch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lanch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lanch trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lanch decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lanch rushes Kovalov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lanch tries for a takedown but Kovalov manages to get underhooks.

Lanch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kovalov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Lanch closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lanch jumps guard but Kovalov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abo Lanch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lanch.
Lanch wants a takedown.

Kovalov manages to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lanch looking to pass the guard.
Kovalov keeping moving, preventing Lanch from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lanch slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Lanch might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kovalov wants to stand and escape but Lanch is having none of it.

Kovalov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Lanch tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kovalov smiles and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Giennadij Kovalov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kovalov tries to close the distance and clinch but Lanch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lanch shoots in for a takedown but Kovalov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kovalov tries to clinch but Lanch moves out of range.
Abo Lanch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lanch throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kovalov swinging wildly here.
Lanch throws a wild body kick that Kovalov sees coming a mile off.
Kovalov moves out of range of the body kick from Lanch.
Kovalov misses with a series of wild punches.

Lanch throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kovalov was covering up waiting for the punch and Lanch finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Kovalov pushes Lanch off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lanch pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lanch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Giennadij Kovalov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kovalov avoids a kick to the body.
Kovalov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lanch.
A head kick misses from Lanch.
Kovalov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kovalov jabs Lanch to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lanch takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kovalov connects with a body shot that sends Lanch's belly button to the back.

Oooooh!!! Kovalov has knocked Lanch down with a huge combo! Kovalov steps away and waves a wobbly Lanch back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Abo Lanch has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalov lands with a right that hurts Lanch. Lanch looks to clinch but Kovalov throws a short knee that drops Lanch. This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch and Knee). Giennadij Kovalov!
A less than humble Giennadij Kovalov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.