PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zhan Dhelan (ranked 1254 p4p, 67 weight class) and Leo Kovarov (ranked 1584 p4p, 79 weight class). Leo Kovarov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Dhelan
vs
Kovarov

150 cm
29
145 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

167 cm
28
146 lbs
10 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
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 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zhan Dhelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Kovarov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dhelan shoots for a takedown but Kovarov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kovarov misses with a hook.
Kovarov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Dhelan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kovarov throws out a counter right but Dhelan avoids it with no problem.
Kovarov misses with the combination.
Dhelan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dhelan tries to move into range but Kovarov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dhelan throws a big shot that misses.
Kovarov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Dhelan misses with a right hand
letting Kovarov counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dhelan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kovarov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As Dhelan backs off Kovarov throws a huge counter combo but Dhelan manages to avoid it all.
Dhelan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dhelan walks into a stiff left hand from Kovarov.

Kovarov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dhelan successfully pulls guard.
Kovarov wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dhelan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kovarov postures up and lands a big shot to Dhelan's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovarov throwing strikes but missing.

Dhelan had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kovarov defends it easily.
Kovarov wants to get up but he can't break Dhelan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Dhelan has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Kovarov doesn't defend quickly enough and Dhelan has managed to lock this one up! Can Kovarov escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Dhelan on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Zhan Dhelan!
Zhan Dhelan spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.