PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Slaven Donnech (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giril Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kovalenko has chosen Judas Priest - Grinder as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Donnech
vs
Kovalenko

178 cm
25
185 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
195 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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Grappling Pro Gear
Vandal fight Boutique -ACME- *$5 tee!*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Slaven Donnech!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Giril Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalenko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Donnech moves out of range of the body kick from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch.
Kovalenko throws an overhand right that lands on Donnech's shoulder, as Donnech tries to avoid the shot.
Donnech slips under a jab from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Donnech moves away.
Donnech gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovalenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kovalenko swinging wilding here.
Donnech avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kovalenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Donnech.
Kovalenko swinging wilding here.
Giril Kovalenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko loads up on a big right hand but Donnech slips the punch.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch but Donnech is avoiding it.
Kovalenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Donnech lands a lovely overhand right.
Donnech has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A jab from Kovalenko misses.
Giril Kovalenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Donnech displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovalenko throws out the jab.

Donnech closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kovalenko to the mat! Kovalenko manages to get full guard.
Kovalenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Donnech!
Kovalenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko controlling from mount.
Kovalenko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Donnech is looking to escape.
Kovalenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko lands a heavy elbow.
Donnech sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kovalenko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Donnech does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Donnech is looking for a sweep. Kovalenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kovalenko trying to control from Donnech's half guard. Donnech has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Donnech has his foot on Kovalenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kovalenko works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Donnech is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Donnech avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Donnech looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kovalenko has picked Donnech up and slammed him! Donnech can't keep hold of the triangle and Kovalenko manages to pass to side control!
Kovalenko trying to control the position but Donnech is working away.
Kovalenko moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kovalenko cracks Donnech with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giril Kovalenko dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Donnech checks a leg kick nicely.
A left lands for Kovalenko.

Donnech shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Donnech thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kovalenko pulls Donnech in close to his closed guard and prevents Donnech from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kovalenko is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Donnech preventing the sweep.
Donnech trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovalenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Donnech looking to sit in guard and control but Kovalenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kovalenko wants to control from the top but Donnech keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kovalenko looks to throw the jab but Donnech is out of range.
Donnech keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Donnech fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovalenko avoids it really well and circles away.
Donnech dodges the punch combination from Kovalenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kovalenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Donnech.
Kovalenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Donnech.

Donnech shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kovalenko's guard.
Kovalenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Kovalenko, not yet.
Donnech trying to control but Kovalenko is working from the bottom.

Donnech drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kovalenko dives on top into guard.
Kovalenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovalenko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kovalenko thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice sprawl there from Kovalenko as Donnech shoots in.
Donnech slips under a jab from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko misses with a two punch combination.
Giril Kovalenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danga de danga de dang - Kovalenko scores with a four punch combination!
Kovalenko tries to clinch but Donnech is having none of it.
The fighters circling - Kovalenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Donnech shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kovalenko sprawls well. Kovalenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Donnech gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko lands with a hook. Donnech tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko scores with a hook to the body. Donnech takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Kovalenko misses the body punch

and Donnech counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Kovalenko has his feet on Donnech's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kovalenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Donnech slips under a jab from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko leaves Donnech with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovalenko misses with a two punch combination.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giril Kovalenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Donnech swats away the attempt to clinch by Kovalenko.

Donnech moves into range and clinches up with Kovalenko.
Donnech on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kovalenko with a knee to the head.
Donnech tries to pull guard but Kovalenko holds him up against the cage and eventually Donnech drops back down to his feet.
Donnech fails to pull guard.
Kovalenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kovalenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kovalenko tries to land knees in the clinch but Donnech avoids the damage to the body.
Kovalenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Donnech controls his hands.
Kovalenko trying to land knees to the body.
Kovalenko misses with a punch to the body.
Donnech tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kovalenko smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko lands with a straight right. Donnech didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko closes the distance looking to clinch

and Donnech counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Donnech is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kovalenko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kovalenko has escaped and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kovalenko throwing strikes but missing.
Kovalenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Donnech is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Donnech won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kovalenko landing with the ground and pound.
Kovalenko trying to control but Donnech is working from the bottom.
Kovalenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Donnech has his foot on Kovalenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kovalenko works his way back into a safe position though.

Donnech is working an open guard so Kovalenko takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donnech checks the leg kick.
Kovalenko darts in trying to clinch

and Donnech counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kovalenko is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kovalenko is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Donnech drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Donnech jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalenko wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kovalenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Donnech's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Slaven Donnech did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Kovalenko.
Donnech steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko tries to clinch up

so Donnech counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Donnech drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kovalenko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Donnech has Kovalenko in his guard.
Kovalenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Donnech swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko wants to control from the top but Donnech keeps moving.
Kovalenko looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kovalenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Donnech is working an open guard so Kovalenko takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Donnech fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovalenko avoids it really well and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Kovalenko.
Donnech fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kovalenko avoids it really well and circles away.
Kovalenko looks to clinch

and Donnech counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kovalenko wants to get back to his feet.

Donnech is working for a kimura but Kovalenko is defending it quite comfortably.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Donnech is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko tries to kick Donnech off but Donnech keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kovalenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kovalenko.
Kovalenko is looking to stand up but Donnech isn't so interested in that idea.

Kovalenko pushes Donnech off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Donnech closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kovalenko circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Donnech.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Donnech drops his hands momentarily and Kovalenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Donnech takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kovalenko throws a hook but Donnech blocks it.
Donnech checks the leg kick.
Kovalenko throws an overhand right that lands on Donnech's shoulder, as Donnech tries to avoid the shot.
Kovalenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Donnech counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Donnech.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donnech wants to control from the top but Kovalenko keeps moving.

Donnech drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kovalenko looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kovalenko looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kovalenko!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Slaven Donnech will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Donnech.
Donnech avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kovalenko missing with a left hand there. Donnech was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kovalenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Donnech fails with the takedown.
Kovalenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donnech avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kovalenko fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donnech swats away the attempt to clinch by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko throws a looping overhand right but Donnech ducks down to avoid it.

Kovalenko rushes Donnech and presses him up against the cage.
Kovalenko misses with a knee strike.
Kovalenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko tries to throw a body punch but Donnech avoids it by throwing Kovalenko back against the cage.
Kovalenko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kovalenko scores with a shot to the side of Donnech's head.
Donnech jumps guard but Kovalenko stands there with Donnech around his waist. Donnech gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Donnech blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovalenko tries a body shot but Donnech blocks it.

Kovalenko breaks the clinch.
Kovalenko throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Donnech shoots in looking for a takedown. Kovalenko tries to sprawl out of it but Donnech keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kovalenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaven Donnech. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko tries to clinch but Donnech moves away

and Donnech counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kovalenko won't be happy with that.

Donnech swings around for an armbar but Kovalenko sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Donnech's guard.
Kovalenko wants to get up but he can't break Donnech's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Slaven Donnech overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Donnech keeping moving, preventing Kovalenko from controlling successfully.
Kovalenko wants to get up but he can't break Donnech's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Donnech has his foot on Kovalenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kovalenko works his way back into a safe position though.

Kovalenko stands and steps away. Donnech gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Donnech ducks under a wild hook from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko loads up on a big right hand but Donnech slips the punch.
Kovalenko misses with a leg kick

and Donnech counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kovalenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Donnech prevents Kovalenko from getting back to his feet.
Donnech wants to control from the top but Kovalenko keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kovalenko manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Donnech shoots in but no luck this time.
Kovalenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovalenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Donnech steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kovalenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Donnech.
Kovalenko cracks Donnech with an open hand slap.
Slaven Donnech has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Donnech staying out of range there.

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 Slaven Donnech.
I think Donnech has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Giril Kovalenko!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Giril Kovalenko!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Giril Kovalenko!

Giril Kovalenko wins by unanimous decision!