PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Moldovanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Radek Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moldovanov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Just close your eyes. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Moldovanov
vs
Kowalski

178 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Moldovanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Radek Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Kowalski works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Moldovanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Moldovanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kowalski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kowalski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Moldovanov has momentary wrist control but Kowalski slips an elbow through the middle.
Kowalski advances to half guard.
Moldovanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Moldovanov is staying active underneath Kowalski, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura but Moldovanov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kowalski to get the leverage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moldovanov punching from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moldovanov punching from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Kowalski seems content to control.
Moldovanov wants to improve his position but Kowalski is controlling well.
Kowalski lands with a punch from half guard.
Kowalski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Moldovanov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Moldovanov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Moldovanov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kowalski lands strikes from half guard.
Kowalski trying to control the action but Moldovanov is working from the bottom.
Moldovanov is trying to control but can't.
Kowalski slips a nice elbow through Moldovanov's hands, connecting with Moldovanov's forehead.
Kowalski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moldovanov keeps working.
Kowalski might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Moldovanov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kowalski working Moldovanov over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moldovanov keeps working.
Moldovanov is looking to improve his position.
Moldovanov is trying to maintain the position but Kowalski is very close to passing his half guard.

Moldovanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Moldovanov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Moldovanov is trying to get back to full guard.
Moldovanov is breathing heavily.
Kowalski looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kowalski trying to control the action but Moldovanov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura but Moldovanov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kowalski to get the leverage.
Moldovanov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kowalski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Moldovanov's head.

Kowalski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kowalski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Moldovanov is looking for a triangle here but Kowalski uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kowalski scoring with punches from side control.
Kowalski working the body and head with strikes.
Moldovanov is trying to control Kowalski's posture but Kowalski avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Moldovanov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Moldovanov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moldovanov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moldovanov trying to remain calm as Kowalski controls from the top position.
Moldovanov taking a bit of punishment here - Kowalski scoring with strikes.
Kowalski working away.
Kowalski scoring with punches from side control.
Kowalski in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kowalski working the head and body with strikes.
Kowalski trying to control the action but Moldovanov is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kowalski landing a few strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Radek Kowalski dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kowalski throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Moldovanov was covering up waiting for the punch and Kowalski finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kowalski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Moldovanov misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Moldovanov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Radek Kowalski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kowalski landing strikes.
Moldovanov is looking for a sweep.
Kowalski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moldovanov keeps working.
Kowalski working away.
Moldovanov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kowalski's best efforts.

Moldovanov looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kowalski is nestled in close to Moldovanov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to take a break and control but Moldovanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kowalski lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kowalski lands a nice short elbow.

Kowalski is trying to work for a kimura but Moldovanov is defending well.

Moldovanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kowalski connects with a nice short shot to Moldovanov's temple.
Moldovanov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kowalski scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kowalski lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kowalski looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moldovanov trying to control but Kowalski postures up.

Moldovanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kowalski seems to be looking for submissions.

Kowalski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Moldovanov sees it coming and defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kowalski winds up and cracks Moldovanov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kowalski is nestled in close to Moldovanov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Moldovanov manages to get to full guard.

Kowalski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski connects with a couple of short punches.
Kowalski with a nice head shot there.

Kowalski drops back looking for a leg! Moldovanov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Moldovanov manages to kick Kowalski off! Kowalski jumps back into Moldovanov's guard.
Kowalski lands a couple of digs.
Kowalski with a nice head shot there.

Moldovanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kowalski controlling from the top position.
Moldovanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kowalski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kowalski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Moldovanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kowalski with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalski wants to control from the top but Moldovanov keeps moving.
Kowalski lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kowalski not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Radek Kowalski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Moldovanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kowalski avoids the head kick by Moldovanov.
Kowalski blocks a head kick by Moldovanov.
Moldovanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Moldovanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kowalski clinches with his opponent.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kowalski manages to pull guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kowalski has his hands on Moldovanov's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kowalski seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Moldovanov wants to stand but Kowalski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Radek Kowalski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Moldovanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kowalski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski closes the distance and clinches up with Moldovanov, looking for a takedown. Kowalski pushes Moldovanov against the cage but Moldovanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Kowalski gets a clinch.
Kowalski lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Kowalski breaks from the clinch.

Moldovanov moves into range and clinches up with Kowalski.
Moldovanov prevents the takedown attempt.
Alexey Moldovanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Radek Kowalski.

Moldovanov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kowalski is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Moldovanov to the mat. Moldovanov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Moldovanov has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Kowalski should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Moldovanov has tightened it up now! Kowalski should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Alexey Moldovanov!