PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Allessandro Vasiliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fyodor Kovalkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Vasiliev might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to "The Hand That Feeds" by NIN. On his way into the cage it seems that Allessandro Vasiliev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Allessandro Vasiliev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Vasiliev
vs
Kovalkin

199 cm
20
248 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

198 cm
22
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Allessandro Vasiliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Fyodor Kovalkin!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasiliev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kovalkin paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kovalkin shoots in and bounces Vasiliev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Vasiliev keeping full guard, as Kovalkin tries to pass.
Vasiliev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovalkin is one step ahead there.
Kovalkin won't allow Vasiliev to get back to his feet.
Vasiliev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Vasiliev tries to get out of the position.
Vasiliev seems keen to control Kovalkin's posture.
Kovalkin won't allow Vasiliev to sweep him here.
Kovalkin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovalkin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vasiliev has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kovalkin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kovalkin advances to full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kovalkin wants to take Vasiliev's back here but Vasiliev is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Vasiliev tries to hold on but Kovalkin pushes him away.
Kovalkin mounts Vasiliev! Really nice guard pass there!
Vasiliev stops Kovalkin from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Kovalkin looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vasiliev is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Vasiliev is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Kovalkin is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Vasiliev to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Vasiliev shrugs it off.
Kovalkin moves to the back position.
Vasiliev is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kovalkin looking to break Vasiliev's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Vasiliev remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kovalkin will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kovalkin keeps control of the position as Vasiliev tries to break free.
Kovalkin is looking to control Vasiliev but Vasiliev is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Vasiliev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kovalkin on the ground.
Vasiliev is really stuck here.
Kovalkin trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Kovalkin working for a choke but Vasiliev is defending well.
Vasiliev trying to control the hands but Kovalkin won't let him.

That's four 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.

Kovalkin working for the choke.
Vasiliev wants to escape the position.
Vasiliev wants to get back to his feet.
Vasiliev is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasiliev controlling Kovalkin 's hands.
Vasiliev trying to control the hands but Kovalkin won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fyodor Kovalkin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A right-left combo lands from Vasiliev.

It looks like Fyodor Kovalkin has been cut.
Kovalkin fails with the takedown.
Vasiliev fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kovalkin is out of range.
Vasiliev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kovalkin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vasiliev somewhat.

Vasiliev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kovalkin is trying to defend but Vasiliev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kovalkin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasiliev content to control rather than advance.
Vasiliev seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Kovalkin wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Vasiliev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kovalkin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vasiliev.
Vasiliev is pressing down on Kovalkin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kovalkin is holding on for now.
Vasiliev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasiliev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kovalkin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vasiliev.
Kovalkin won't allow Vasiliev to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kovalkin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vasiliev.
Vasiliev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kovalkin is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Allessandro Vasiliev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fyodor Kovalkin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kovalkin has his takedown stuffed

and Vasiliev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kovalkin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kovalkin wants to get back to his feet but Vasiliev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vasiliev wants to stand but Kovalkin is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kovalkin keeping full guard, as Vasiliev tries to pass.
Kovalkin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasiliev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Vasiliev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kovalkin is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Vasiliev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Vasiliev moves in looking to clinch but Kovalkin pushes him off.
Vasiliev has his takedown stuffed

and Kovalkin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vasiliev!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalkin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vasiliev is looking to escape.
Vasiliev squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Kovalkin is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Vasiliev to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Vasiliev shrugs it off.
Vasiliev can't escape the position.
Vasiliev tries to hold on but Kovalkin pushes him away.

Kovalkin is working for a guillotine from mount but Vasiliev frees his head quite easily.

Kovalkin is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Vasiliev can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vasiliev is desperately trying to improve his position but Kovalkin has a good base and remains in mount.

Kovalkin is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Vasiliev has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Kovalkin looking for a guillotine from mount but Vasiliev is having none of it.
Vasiliev wants to hold on but Kovalkin pushes him away.
Vasiliev is working to get back to half guard.

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 Allessandro Vasiliev.
I think Vasiliev 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Allessandro Vasiliev!