PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kusok Govna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Govna comes to the cage accompanied by Morbid Angel - Day of Suffering. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Govna
vs
Gardner

190 cm
26
250 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

188 cm
24
230 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

PEGASUS FIGHT WEAR ( $ 7 and Laundering 90% )

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kusok Govna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Govna.
Govna on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Govna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gardner darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Govna!
Govna just misses with a punch to the body.
Govna goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Govna fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gardner has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Govna throws a nice looking combination but Gardner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Govna.
Govna blocks a head kick by Gardner.
Gardner connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Govna throws a wild body kick that Gardner sees coming a mile off.
Govna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gardner was well out of range. Poor timing from Govna.
Govna walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A solid body kick from Gardner.
Gardner lands a high kick!
Govna throws a leg kick that misses.
Govna moves out of range as Gardner throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner stuffs the takedown.
Govna has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gardner finds it's way round the side to connect with Govna's head.
Gardner takes a swing at Govna's ribcage but misses.
Gardner lands a glancing blow to the side of Govna's head.
Gardner misses with a head kick.
Gardner connects with the punch.
Gardner scores with a jab to the head.
Gardner just misses with a punch to the body.
Govna throws out a leg kick but Gardner moves out of range and Govna only half commits.
Gardner misses with a shot to the body
and Govna counters with a right hand to the body.
Josh Gardner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gardner misses with a right hand
and Govna counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Gardner.
Govna staying out of range there.
Gardner dodges the punch combination from Govna.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Govna misses with a straight left.
Govna shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gardner but Gardner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Govna swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gardner - that will leave a mark!
Gardner misses the shot to the body.
Govna shoots for a double leg takedown but Gardner sprawls well. He's pushed Govna'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 Kusok Govna. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gardner.
Govna blocks the body kick.
Gardner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gardner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gardner is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Gardner is looking to stand up but Govna isn't so interested in that idea.
Govna stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gardner swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Govna is one step ahead there.

Govna gets to his feet. Gardner looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Govna moves out of range as Gardner strikes.
Govna shoots in but no luck this time.
Gardner throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gardner comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Govna shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gardner pinned against the cage. Gardner gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gardner jabs at Govna's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner lands a nice hook to Govna's body. Govna takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Govna blocks a head kick by Gardner.
Gardner looks to score with a jab to the body but Govna is just out of range.
Govna lands a jab-cross combination.
Govna avoids a kick to the body.
Gardner throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gardner lands a body shot.
Govna tries to move into range but Gardner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Govna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Josh Gardner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gardner throws a looping overhand right but Govna ducks down to avoid it.
Govna moves out of range of the body kick from Gardner.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Govna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gardner.
Gardner lands a nice looking body kick.
Gardner is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Govna had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A punch combination from Govna misses.
Gardner stuns Govna with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Gardner dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gardner fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Govna takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big right from Gardner misses.
Gardner throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gardner scores with a shot to the body.
Govna closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Govna misses with a body kick.
Gardner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gardner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Govna moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gardner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Govna moves away.
Gardner leaves Govna with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Govna lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gardner.
Govna avoids the head kick by Gardner.
Govna shoots for a double leg takedown but Gardner sprawls well. He's pushed Govna's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gardner throws a head kick but Govna moves out of range.
Govna swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A combination from Govna does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govna fails to land with a series of punches.
Govna looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kusok Govna. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jab from Gardner.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Govna, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gardner is looking to land body kicks.
Gardner connects with a body shot.
Gardner thumps Govna with a low kick.
Gardner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gardner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gardner misses with a body kick.
Gardner works the jab nicely.
Josh Gardner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gardner slips a jab from Govna.
A good leg kick by Gardner.
Gardner throws a head kick that misses.
Gardner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Govna's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Govna fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Govna wants to clinch up but Gardner keeps it at a distance.
Govna thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kusok Govna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Govna rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gardner lands a nice looking kick to the body. Govna takes a step back to recover.
Gardner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Govna does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gardner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gardner wants it to stay on the feet.
Govna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gardner.
Govna will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Gardner as he connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Gardner. That snapped Govna's head back.
Gardner throws an overhand right that lands on Govna's shoulder, as Govna tries to avoid the shot.
Gardner lands a nice leg kick that just misses Govna's sensitive parts.
Gardner lands a nice shot to the body.
Govna misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Govna blocks the body kick.
Gardner throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Govna on the side of the head.
Govna misses with a low kick as Gardner jumps back.
Govna closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Some wild striking there from Govna.
Govna throws out a leg kick but Gardner moves out of range and Govna only half commits.
Gardner throws a wild body kick that Govna sees coming a mile off.
Govna shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gardner sprawls well. Gardner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Govna gets slowly back to his feet.
Gardner lands a head kick!
Govna needs to keep his hands up - Gardner had a free shot at his head there.
Govna takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A combination from Govna does no damage.
Nice straight punches there by Govna. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Govna.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Govna tries to clinch but Gardner is having none of it.
Govna scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gardner loads up on a big right hand but Govna slips the punch.
Govna moves away from the strike by Gardner.
Gardner throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Gardner.
Sloppy strikes from Gardner. Those never looked like landing.
Gardner lands with a right hand.
Govna shoots in but no luck this time.
Gardner lands a jab to the nose.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Govna crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gardner - the referee stops the clock and Govna gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gardner. Govna manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gardner fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gardner keeps Govna at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gardner's jab looks to have found its range, popping Govna under the eye.
Govna throws a solid leg kick but Gardner takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Govna.
Govna drops his hands momentarily and Gardner takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gardner blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Gardner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gardner lands with a right hand.
Gardner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good shot there by Gardner.
Govna shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gardner sprawls well. Gardner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Govna gets slowly back to his feet.
Govna looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gardner cracks Govna with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gardner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gardner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Govna slips a jab and a cross from Gardner.
Gardner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gardner looks to land a left hand but Govna moved out of range nicely.
Govna walks into a left hand.
Gardner scores with a sloppy right hand. Govna should have avoided that one.
Govna shoots in for a double leg but Gardner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Govna looks to land a combination but Gardner avoids it well.
Nice uppercut lands for Gardner. That snapped Govna's head back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gardner misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner misses with a body kick.
Gardner bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Govna throws a series of punches but Gardner moves out of range.
Gardner scores with a jab to the head.
Gardner throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gardner throws an overhand right that lands on Govna's shoulder, as Govna tries to avoid the shot.
Govna looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gardner is fending him off so far but Govna persists. Nope, Gardner circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kusok Govna. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body kick there by Gardner.
Govna closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gardner scoring well with a low kick there.
Gardner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Govna looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gardner fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Govna has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gardner.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Govna misses with a wild combination.
Gardner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gardner scores with a push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Gardner.
Gardner moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A head kick from Gardner lands but Govna takes it in his stride.
Govna looks to land a right hand but Gardner moved out of range.
A shot to the liver by Govna. Beautiful body shot.
Gardner throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Govna takes one on the button.
Gardner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gardner jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gardner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Govna takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gardner misses with a looping right.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gardner.
Gardner throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Govna misses with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner works Govna's body with a nice hook.
Gardner misses the shot to the body.
Govna slips a jab from Gardner.
Gardner misses the jab.
Govna misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gardner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Govna takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Govna misses with the combination.
Gardner lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gardner lands with an overhand left.
Gardner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Govna.
Govna uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gardner.
Govna moves out of range as Gardner throws a body kick.
Govna rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gardner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner scores with a kick to the midsection.
Jab, jab by Gardner - just one landing.
Govna is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Govna with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gardner to score with a decent uppercut.

Govna is rocked!
Gardner misses with an uppercut.
Oh Govna is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Govna takes a body punch but keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Govna ducks under a wild hook from Gardner.
Gardner throws a lazy right hand but Govna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gardner throws a big shot that misses.
Govna ducks under a wild hook from Gardner.
Nice defenses there by Govna.
Kusok Govna has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Govna seems to have got his legs back now.
Gardner looks to land a right hand but Govna moved out of range.
Gardner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Govna tries to bum rush Gardner with a series of wild strikes but Gardner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Josh Gardner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
No luck for Govna with that takedown attempt.
Gardner scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gardner.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gardner misses with an attempted mid kick.
Govna throws a right hand that Gardner ducks under and follows up with a left that Gardner also avoids with ease.
Gardner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gardner pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Govna back to the cage. Gardner follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gardner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Gardner!