PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vyacheslav Kowalchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rauno Taurkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kowalchuk
vs
Taurkonen

165 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

218 cm
19
130 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vyacheslav Kowalchuk !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rauno Taurkonen!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taurkonen misses with an uppercut.
Kowalchuk slaps away a takedown attempt from Taurkonen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Taurkonen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kowalchuk avoids it really well and circles away.
Taurkonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.

Taurkonen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kowalchuk quickly recovers to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalchuk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taurkonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taurkonen's back!
Kowalchuk has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Kowalchuk trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taurkonen trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Kowalchuk trying to control momentarily.
Taurkonen trying to control the action but Kowalchuk just sinks the hooks in.
Kowalchuk controlling well, preventing Taurkonen from escaping the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kowalchuk 's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Taurkonen tries to escape the position.
Kowalchuk tries to get the hooks in deep but Taurkonen pushed the leg off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Taurkonen trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kowalchuk 's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Taurkonen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Taurkonen surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Taurkonen can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalchuk trying to control.
Kowalchuk has the hooks in. Taurkonen is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Taurkonen trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Taurkonen trying to survive by controlling the hands.
Kowalchuk is hanging on to Taurkonen's back as he tries to escape.
Kowalchuk tries to keep control of the position but Taurkonen is staying busy.
Taurkonen tries to roll but Kowalchuk sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalchuk gets his hands free as Taurkonen looks to control.
Taurkonen looks winded!
I really don't envy Taurkonen right now.
Kowalchuk tries to keep control of the position but Taurkonen is staying busy.
You can see the frustration on Taurkonen's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taurkonen staying busy and making it hard for Kowalchuk to control.
Taurkonen looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vyacheslav Kowalchuk dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taurkonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kowalchuk is looking to counter the offense by Taurkonen and move into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Kowalchuk . No joy for Taurkonen on that attempt.
Taurkonen takes a swing at Kowalchuk 's ribcage but misses.
Rauno Taurkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taurkonen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kowalchuk circles away quickly and effectively.
Taurkonen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taurkonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taurkonen throws a looping overhand right but Kowalchuk ducks down to avoid it.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taurkonen manages to circle out of the way.
Taurkonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kowalchuk is looking to counter the offense by Taurkonen and move into the clinch.
Taurkonen is breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Taurkonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taurkonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalchuk swivels and escapes.
Vyacheslav Kowalchuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rauno Taurkonen.
Taurkonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kowalchuk is looking to counter the offense by Taurkonen and move into the clinch.
Taurkonen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kowalchuk defends well and Taurkonen ends up having to push Kowalchuk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kowalchuk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taurkonen throws out the jab.
Taurkonen misses the shot to the body.
As Taurkonen tries to get set, Kowalchuk tries to push him back and clinch up but Taurkonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Taurkonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kowalchuk stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kowalchuk wants it to stay on the feet.
Taurkonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taurkonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kowalchuk defending well as Taurkonen loads up on a big left hand.
Some wild striking there from Taurkonen.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kowalchuk sprawls well. Kowalchuk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Taurkonen gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab from Taurkonen misses.
As Taurkonen tries to get set, Kowalchuk tries to push him back and clinch up but Taurkonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Taurkonen shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalchuk tries to sprawl out of it but Taurkonen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalchuk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown but Kowalchuk shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Taurkonen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kowalchuk pinned against the cage. Kowalchuk gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.
Taurkonen takes a swing at Kowalchuk 's ribcage but misses.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kowalchuk as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Kowalchuk as Taurkonen shoots in.
Taurkonen shoots in for a double leg but Kowalchuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kowalchuk as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kowalchuk but Kowalchuk pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.
Horrible takedown attempt by Taurkonen or perhaps it was just good defense by Kowalchuk , which made it look bad.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taurkonen manages to circle out of the way.
Taurkonen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kowalchuk circles away quickly and effectively.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.
Taurkonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vyacheslav Kowalchuk is winning the standup battle so far.
Taurkonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taurkonen misses the shot to the body.
Taurkonen shoots in for a double leg but Kowalchuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taurkonen manages to circle out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vyacheslav Kowalchuk will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Taurkonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kowalchuk circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Taurkonen.
Taurkonen throws a right hand that Kowalchuk ducks under and follows up with a left that Kowalchuk also avoids with ease.
Taurkonen shoots in but Kowalchuk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.
Vyacheslav Kowalchuk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rauno Taurkonen.
Taurkonen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kowalchuk 's waist but Kowalchuk gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taurkonen off to one side.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalchuk stuffs the takedown attempt from Taurkonen. Taurkonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown but Kowalchuk shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Taurkonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taurkonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Kowalchuk sprawls well. He's pushed Taurkonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kowalchuk is looking to counter the offense by Taurkonen and move into the clinch.
Kowalchuk stuffs the takedown attempt from Taurkonen. Taurkonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Kowalchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Taurkonen loads up on a big right hand but Kowalchuk slips the punch.
Nice defenses there by Kowalchuk .
Taurkonen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kowalchuk avoids it really well and circles away.
Taurkonen closes the distance and clinches up with Kowalchuk , looking for a takedown. Taurkonen pushes Kowalchuk against the cage but Kowalchuk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.
Taurkonen tries for a takedown but Kowalchuk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taurkonen throws out a loose jab but Kowalchuk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kowalchuk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taurkonen.
Taurkonen swings for the body but Kowalchuk moves out of range.
Taurkonen throws a hook but Kowalchuk blocks it.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A big left from Taurkonen misses.
As Taurkonen tries to get set, Kowalchuk tries to push him back and clinch up but Taurkonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Taurkonen shoots in but Kowalchuk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taurkonen shoots in but Kowalchuk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taurkonen fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taurkonen darts in looking for a takedown but Kowalchuk gets double underhooks and turns Taurkonen into the cage.
Taurkonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Taurkonen tries to get set, Kowalchuk tries to push him back and clinch up but Taurkonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Taurkonen throws a looping overhand right but Kowalchuk ducks down to avoid it.
Taurkonen shoots for a takedown but Kowalchuk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kowalchuk blocks a jab.
Taurkonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kowalchuk moves away.
Taurkonen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kowalchuk sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by clinching up but Taurkonen breaks away and moves out of range.
Taurkonen throws a body punch but Kowalchuk moves out of range.
Taurkonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kowalchuk as he avoids it easily.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalchuk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taurkonen misses with an uppercut. Kowalchuk saw that one coming.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taurkonen manages to circle out of the way.
Taurkonen misses with a hook.
Taurkonen darts in looking for a takedown but Kowalchuk gets double underhooks and turns Taurkonen into the cage.
Taurkonen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kowalchuk tries to avoid it but Taurkonen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kowalchuk to the ground. Kowalchuk escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kowalchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Taurkonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kowalchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taurkonen looks to land a right hand but Kowalchuk moved out of range.
Kowalchuk tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taurkonen manages to circle out of the way.
Kowalchuk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taurkonen.
Rauno Taurkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vyacheslav Kowalchuk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A combination from Taurkonen does no damage.
Kowalchuk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vyacheslav Kowalchuk showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kowalchuk 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vyacheslav Kowalchuk !