PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Otryad Kovboev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Melianko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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?

Kovboev
vs
Melianko

205 cm
24
264 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

202 cm
22
280 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Cobra Kai Nutrition (St. Pete's Best)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Otryad Kovboev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Melianko!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Melianko misses.
Melianko throws a right hand that Kovboev ducks under and follows up with a left that Kovboev also avoids with ease.

Kovboev moves into the clinch successfully.
Kovboev landing knees to the body.
Melianko looks gassed!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovboev goes for a takedown attempt but Melianko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kovboev closes the distance and clinches.
Kovboev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Melianko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Kovboev.

It looks like Fedor Melianko has been cut.
Kovboev utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kovboev obliges.
Kovboev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kovboev crunches a lovely knee into Melianko's ribcage.
Kovboev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kovboev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kovboev stalling against the cage.
Kovboev lands a knee to the body.
Kovboev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kovboev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kovboev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Melianko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Kovboev manages to break the clinch.
Melianko takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kovboev lands with a kick to the temple. Melianko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kovboev throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fedor Melianko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovboev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Kovboev has managed to clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Melianko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kovboev successfully pulls guard.
Kovboev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Melianko.
Melianko postures up in Kovboev's guard and throws a big left but Kovboev blocks it.
Kovboev keeping moving, preventing Melianko from controlling successfully.
Kovboev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Melianko's guard.
Melianko controls Kovboev momentarily but Kovboev frees himself.

Kovboev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kovboev throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kovboev lands with a nice body kick.
Kovboev lands a head kick!
Kovboev throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kovboev lands a good knee to the midsection. Melianko won't want to take too many of those.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Knees in the clinch landing for Kovboev.
Kovboev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Melianko wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kovboev breaks the clinch.
Melianko tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kovboev throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kovboev misses with a head kick.
Melianko digs a good body shot into Kovboev's ribs.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kovboev. Melianko shrugs it off though.
Kovboev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Melianko throws out the jab.
Kovboev lands a high kick!
Melianko throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Kovboev.
Kovboev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kovboev defending well as Melianko loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev connects with a high kick.
Melianko thows a body shot but no joy.
Kovboev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kovboev. That's going to slow Melianko down.
Kovboev lands a head kick. Melianko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Melianko misses with a body shot.
Kovboev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Melianko's head.
Kovboev lands with a kick to the temple. Melianko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Melianko clobbers Kovboev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kovboev lands with a slapping head kick.
Melianko misses with a wild combination.
Melianko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kovboev.
A combination from Melianko does no damage.
A head kick from Kovboev lands but Melianko takes it in his stride.
Melianko sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev lands a head kick!
Melianko throws a sloppy body shot
and Kovboev counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kovboev lands a head kick!
A punch combination from Melianko misses.
Kovboev throws a nice head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lazy body kick from Melianko
and Kovboev counters with a head kick. That will keep Melianko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Melianko throws a lazy right hand but Kovboev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Melianko misses with an uppercut. Kovboev saw that one coming.
Melianko takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kovboev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melianko.
Melianko throws a sloppy head kick
and Kovboev counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Melianko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kovboev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melianko.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kovboev just misses with a punch to the body.
Kovboev lands a high kick!
Kovboev throws a head kick that half lands.
Melianko takes a head kick and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otryad Kovboev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Melianko'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.

Kovboev gets a clinch.
Kovboev can't get the takedown.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kovboev closes the distance and pushes Melianko back into the cage.
Kovboev scores a nice knee to the body.
Melianko wants to break free but Kovboev has control.
Melianko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A knee to the head by Kovboev.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kovboev.
Melianko managing to block the knees to the body from Kovboev.
Melianko is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovboev has double underhooks.
Kovboev lands a shot to the body.
Otryad Kovboev has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Melianko is trying to break free.

Kovboev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kovboev moves into the clinch.
Melianko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kovboev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kovboev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Melianko's efforts to push away.
Kovboev digs a right hand into Melianko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Melianko's gas tank.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kovboev lands a knee to the body.
Melianko working hard to break the clinch.
Kovboev has Melianko pressed against the cage.
Melianko working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovboev utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Melianko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kovboev scores a nice knee to the body.
Melianko wants to break free but Kovboev has control.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Melianko tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kovboev counters with a head kick.
Melianko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kovboev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Melianko's head.
Kovboev defending well as Melianko loads up on a big left hand.
Kovboev throws a head kick that half lands.

Kovboev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kovboev breaks from the clinch.
Melianko takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kovboev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Melianko throws out the jab.
Kovboev dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Melianko. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kovboev has taken the fight to the clinch.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kovboev drives through and clinches with Melianko against the cage.
Kovboev landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Melianko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kovboev.
Kovboev just leaning against Melianko, taking a breather.

Kovboev manages to break the clinch.
Kovboev has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

Kovboev rushes Melianko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kovboev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Melianko prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Otryad Kovboev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kovboev gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Melianko regains guard.
Melianko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kovboev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Melianko trying to strike off his back.
Melianko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kovboev 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melianko wants to sweep but no luck.
Melianko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kovboev stands up and waves to Melianko to follow him.
Kovboev throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kovboev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melianko.
Kovboev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melianko.
Kovboev lands with a kick to the temple. Melianko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kovboev lands with a nice body kick.
Kovboev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kovboev connects with a high kick.

Kovboev forces Melianko back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev slows down the pace here.
Kovboev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Melianko avoids it.
Melianko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kovboev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nice body punch from Kovboev - that landed with a thud.
Melianko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kovboev pulls guard effortlessly.

Kovboev kicks Melianko off and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kovboev gets a clinch.
Kovboev lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kovboev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Melianko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Melianko has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kovboev.
Melianko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Melianko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kovboev decides to pull guard.
Melianko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kovboev's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Melianko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Melianko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Melianko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otryad Kovboev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Melianko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Melianko misses with a straight right.
Kovboev throws a head kick that half lands.
Kovboev lands a head kick!
Kovboev throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Melianko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kovboev bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A head kick from Kovboev lands but Melianko takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kovboev takes the fight into the clinch.
Kovboev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Melianko can do to turn this around?
Kovboev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Melianko tries to circle away but Kovboev has him pinned against the cage.

Kovboev manages to break the clinch.
Kovboev throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovboev lands with a slapping head kick.
Kovboev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Melianko's head.
Melianko sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Kovboev clinches up with Melianko and pushes him back against the cage.
Kovboev working Melianko over with knees to the body.
Kovboev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Melianko's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovboev landing knees to the head.
Kovboev lands a nice shot to the body.
The referee calls for Kovboev to work.

Kovboev manages to break the clinch.
Kovboev lands with a slapping head kick.

Kovboev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Melianko, pushing him back against the cage.
Kovboev effectively controlling the action here.
Melianko wants to get back to striking at distance but Kovboev won't allow it.
Kovboev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Melianko has had enough of the clinch but Kovboev keeps him there for the moment.
Melianko looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kovboev connects with a knee to the head.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Melianko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kovboev lands a high kick!
Kovboev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A big right from Melianko misses.
Melianko swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Kovboev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melianko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kovboev lands a knee to the head.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kovboev lands a with a good body shot.
Melianko throws a looping overhand right but Kovboev ducks down to avoid it.
Kovboev lands with a slapping head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kovboev. That's going to slow Melianko down.
Otryad Kovboev is winning the standup battle so far.
Melianko tries to clinch
and Kovboev counters with a head kick. That will keep Melianko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Melianko missing with a left hand there. Kovboev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Melianko closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kovboev counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Melianko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Melianko throws a right and a left that Kovboev avoids nicely.

Kovboev rushes Melianko and presses him up against the cage.
Kovboev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kovboev.
Kovboev has Melianko pushed against the cage.

Kovboev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kovboev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Melianko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev lands with a nice body kick.
Melianko takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Melianko misses with a wild combination.
Kovboev lands with a slapping head kick.
Kovboev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovboev throws a nice head kick!
Kovboev throws a head kick that Melianko semi-blocks.
Melianko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kovboev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kovboev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kovboev counters with a head kick. That will keep Melianko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Kovboev ducks under a wild hook from Melianko.
Kovboev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Melianko's head.
Kovboev lands a head kick. Melianko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Melianko tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kovboev counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Melianko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Melianko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kovboev at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovboev throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Melianko avoids the head kick by Kovboev.
Melianko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovboev manages to avoid it.
Kovboev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Melianko.
Kovboev thows a body kick. Melianko tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kovboev throws a head kick that Melianko semi-blocks.
Melianko throws a looping overhand right but Kovboev ducks down to avoid it.
Melianko takes a kick to the side of the head.
Melianko thows a leg kick but Kovboev checks it

and Kovboev moves into the clinch.
Melianko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fedor Melianko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kovboev crunches a lovely knee into Melianko's ribcage.
Kovboev lands a body punch.

Kovboev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Otryad Kovboev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovboev slips a jab from Melianko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovboev connects with a high kick.

Kovboev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Melianko can't find room to land a body shot as Kovboev controls the action.
Kovboev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Melianko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Melianko misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Otryad Kovboev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kovboev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:24
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:24
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Otryad Kovboev!