PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Kovatch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimi Aanekoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kovatch
vs
Aanekoski

195 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bruno Kovatch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kimi Aanekoski!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovatch shoots in but no luck this time.
Aanekoski slaps away a takedown attempt from Kovatch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aanekoski throws out a leg kick but Kovatch moves out of range and Aanekoski only half commits.

Kovatch tries to keep at a distance but Aanekoski has taken the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Aanekoski.
Aanekoski misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kovatch tries to break the clinch but Aanekoski is controlling the position.
Aanekoski throws a head punch that misses.

Kovatch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kovatch throws a series of punches but Aanekoski avoids them all with ease.
Kovatch shoots for a double leg takedown but Aanekoski sprawls well. He's pushed Kovatch's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Kovatch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovatch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kovatch looks to score with a jab to the body but Aanekoski is just out of range.
Kovatch scores with a sloppy right hand. Aanekoski should have avoided that one.

Aanekoski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Aanekoski is looking to advance position but Kovatch won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovatch is looking for a sweep. Aanekoski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Aanekoski postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Kovatch to stand up.
Kovatch tries to clinch up but Aanekoski circles away and keeps his distance.

Aanekoski clinches up against the cage.
Kovatch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aanekoski misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Aanekoski fails to land.
Aanekoski misses with some punches.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Aanekoski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kovatchs head.
Kovatch blocking some punches.
Aanekoski working aggressively here.
Kovatch drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski misses with a punch on the inside.
Aanekoski lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aanekoski.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Kovatch is looking to break free of the clinch but Aanekoski has double underhooks.
A short uppercut from Aanekoski.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Kovatch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovatch.
Aanekoski misses with some punches.
Aanekoski throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovatch.
Aanekoski lands with a left to the head.
Aanekoski lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Aanekoski fails to land.
Aanekoski working aggressively here.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aanekoski misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovatch blocking some punches.
Aanekoski throws a head punch that misses.

Kovatch pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Aanekoski tries to clinch

and Kovatch counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kovatch.
A head punch on the inside from Aanekoski fails to land.
Kovatch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kovatch is trying to force a seperation but Aanekoski has the dominant position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aanekoski.
Aanekoski lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kovatch manages to break the clinch.
Kovatch shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aanekoski moves into the clinch.
Kovatch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aanekoski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aanekoski lands a shoulder strike.
Aanekoski throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aanekoski.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Kovatch blocking some punches.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Aanekoski fails to land.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.
Aanekoski misses with a punch on the inside.
Aanekoski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Aanekoski prevents the takedown attempt.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aanekoski.
Aanekoski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aanekoski misses with a punch on the inside.
Kovatch blocking some punches.
Kovatch blocking some punches.

Kovatch breaks from the clinch.
Kovatch doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Aanekoski counters by clinching up.
Kovatch blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimi Aanekoski dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aanekoski wants to clinch up but Kovatch keeps it at a distance.
Aanekoski misses with a wild combination.
Aanekoski with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kovatch counters with a one-two to the body.
Aanekoski stuffs the takedown.
Kovatch misses with a takedown attempt

and Aanekoski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Aanekoski.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Aanekoski lands an uppercut.
Aanekoski misses with some punches.
Aanekoski misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kovatch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.
Aanekoski throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovatch.
Kovatch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kovatch.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Aanekoski is breathing heavily.
Kovatch is trying to break the clinch but Aanekoski has him pressed against the cage.

Kovatch decides to pull guard.
Kovatch lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Aanekoski!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovatch goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Aanekoski turns into him and now he's in Kovatch's guard.

Kovatch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kovatch looking for a guillotine here but Aanekoski defends easily.

Kovatch is looking for a triangle but Aanekoski pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski passes into half guard.
Kovatch is looking to escape.
Kovatch tries to get to full guard but Aanekoski has control of the leg.

Aanekoski escapes and gets back to his feet.
Kovatch looks to land a right hand but Aanekoski moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski defending well as Kovatch loads up on a big left hand.
Aanekoski clinches but Kovatch breaks the clinch
letting Kovatch counter with a right hand.
Kovatch fails with the takedown

and Aanekoski counters with a single leg into guard. Kovatch didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Kovatch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Aanekoski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kovatch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aanekoski has managed to get both his arms back between Kovatch's legs - danger averted.
Kovatch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Aanekoski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kovatch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Aanekoski controlling from the top position.
Kovatch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski passes into half guard.
Kovatch moves into full guard.

Kovatch working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Aanekoski has passed into half guard!
Aanekoski tries to pass to full mount but Kovatch defends it.
Aanekoski keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kimi Aanekoski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kovatch misses with a hook. Aanekoski ducked under it nicely.
Aanekoski tries to clinch up.
Aanekoski tries to clinch up
and Kovatch makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Aanekoski defending well as Kovatch loads up on a big left hand.
Aanekoski tries to close the distance and clinch but Kovatch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kovatch lands a jab to Aanekoski's midsection.
Kovatch throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Aanekoski counters by moving into the clinch.
Aanekoski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aanekoski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aanekoski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski keeps control of Kovatch as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aanekoski working aggressively here.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Aanekoski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kovatch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aanekoski has a couple of punches blocked by Kovatch.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aanekoski working aggressively here.
Aanekoski misses with the head strike.
Aanekoski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kovatch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aanekoski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kovatch tries to pull guard but Aanekoski won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruno Kovatch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kovatch breaks the clinch.
Kovatch with a jab.
Kovatch throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Aanekoski drives through and clinches with Kovatch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovatch blocking some punches.

Kovatch works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Kovatch throws a big right hand that misses.
Kovatch throws and elbow that misses. Aanekoski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kovatch's guard. Nice move by Aanekoski!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovatch trying to strike off his back.

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

Kovatch is working an open guard so Aanekoski takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Aanekoski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aanekoski wants it to stay on the feet.
Aanekoski fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aanekoski tries to clinch but Kovatch moves out of range.
Bruno Kovatch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aanekoski blocks a jab.

Aanekoski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kovatch blocks an uppercut.
Aanekoski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aanekoski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kovatch has hold of one of Aanekoski's legs. Aanekoski is fighting the takedown attempt but Kovatch gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kovatch won't allow Aanekoski to get back to his feet.
Kovatch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kovatch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kovatch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kovatch has gone for a leg lock! Aanekoski slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kovatch's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovatch looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Aanekoski passes into side control.
Kovatch is looking for a sweep.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Kovatch is looking for a sweep.
Kovatch is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Kovatch showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aanekoski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Kimi Aanekoski!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Kimi Aanekoski!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Kimi Aanekoski!

Kimi Aanekoski wins by unanimous decision!