PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simba Burns Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burns Jr has chosen Thuggish Ruggish Bone as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Simba Burns Jr has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Nikolai Kovalenko's chin.

Kovalenko
vs
Burns Jr

205 cm
37
260 lbs
47 - 23 - 0

180 cm
36
210 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing
Grand Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 47 - 23 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kovalenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Simba Burns Jr!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Burns Jr has closed the distance and engaged Kovalenko in a clinch.

Kovalenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Burns Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Burns Jr.
Kovalenko misses with a few strikes there.
Burns Jr takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kovalenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns Jr avoids the head kick by Kovalenko.
Burns Jr appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Burns Jr is looking to clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Burns Jr. That snapped Kovalenko's head back.
Kovalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Burns Jr circles away quickly and effectively.
Kovalenko moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBurns Jr.
Kovalenko bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Burns Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kovalenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Burns Jr throws a fast counter high kick but Kovalenko manages to duck under it in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Burns Jr. Kovalenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Burns Jr ducks under a wild hook from Kovalenko.
As Kovalenko backs off Burns Jr throws a huge counter combo but Kovalenko manages to avoid it all.
A head kick misses from Burns Jr.
Burns Jr on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kovalenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Burns Jr counters with a leg kick.
Burns Jr throws a head kick but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Kovalenko avoids the head kick by Burns Jr.
Kovalenko misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kovalenko misses with a low kick.
Burns Jr shapes to counter with a head kick.
Burns Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalenko manages to avoid it.
Kovalenko throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Burns Jr's head.

Kovalenko gets tackled into the cage by Burns Jr. Burns Jr maintains the clinch.

Burns Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut.
Kovalenko misses with a wild body shot.
Kovalenko moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBurns Jr.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovalenko throws a series of punches but Burns Jr avoids them all with ease.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut
and Burns Jr counters with a body kick that stops Kovalenko in his tracks momentarily.
Kovalenko wants to slow Burns Jr down by chopping away at his legs.
Burns Jr scores with a push kick.
Kovalenko misses with a few strikes there.
Burns Jr tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kovalenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kovalenko thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovalenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Burns Jr takes one to the chin there.
Burns Jr wants to clinch up but Kovalenko keeps it at a distance.
Kovalenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Burns Jr! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko throws a head kick but Burns Jr moves out of range.
Despite the aggression on Burns Jr's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kovalenko throws a right hand that Burns Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Burns Jr also avoids with ease.
Burns Jr throws a fast counter high kick but Kovalenko manages to duck under it in time.
Burns Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kovalenko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A bone on bone clash there as Kovalenko blocks the leg kick.
Nikolai Kovalenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Burns Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As Burns Jr looks to move away, Kovalenko throws a big counter combo bu Burns Jr just gets out of the way.
Kovalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that Burns Jr avoids nicely.
Burns Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kovalenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Burns Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kovalenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Burns Jr.
Kovalenko throws a head kick that misses.
Kovalenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko throws a sloppy head kick and Burns Jr moves out of range easily.
Burns Jr is looking for the big counter here.
Burns Jr misses with a body kick.
Burns Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalenko throwing a counter right hand but Burns Jr manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Burns Jr.
Kovalenko misses with a wild combination.
Burns Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kovalenko misses with a head kick.
Kovalenko backing away here, and Burns Jr unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Kovalenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Burns Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut
and Burns Jr counters with a body kick.
Kovalenko is breathing heavily.
Kovalenko avoids the head kick by Burns Jr.
Burns Jr clobbers Kovalenko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kovalenko swings for the body but Burns Jr moves out of range.
Kovalenko throws a hook but Burns Jr avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kovalenko dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Burns Jr moves forwards but Kovalenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kovalenko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The fighters circling - Kovalenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Burns Jr looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kovalenko misses with a head kick.
Burns Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kovalenko throws a series of punches but Burns Jr avoids them all with ease.
Burns Jr steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Burns Jr misses with a straight right.
Burns Jr blocks a head kick by Kovalenko.

Burns Jr closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalenko leaning his opponent against the cage.
Burns Jr lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kovalenko manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burns Jr misses with a body kick.
Kovalenko avoids the head kick by Burns Jr.
Kovalenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Burns Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Burns Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovalenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns Jr is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Burns Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalenko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A head kick misses from Kovalenko.
Burns Jr raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko misses with a head kick.
Burns Jr wants to counter the offense by Kovalenko and move into the clinch position.
Burns Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Burns Jr avoids the head kick by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko throws a series of punches but Burns Jr avoids them all with ease.
Burns Jr slips under a jab from Kovalenko.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kovalenko avoids the head kick by Burns Jr.
Nikolai Kovalenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Kovalenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Burns Jr throws a fast counter high kick but Kovalenko manages to duck under it in time.
Kovalenko is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Burns Jr dodges the punch combination from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko blocks a head kick by Burns Jr.
Kovalenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Kovalenko.
Kovalenko misses with a low kick.
Kovalenko throws a series of punches but Burns Jr avoids them all with ease.
Burns Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Burns Jr throws a head kick that half lands.
Kovalenko throws a combination. Burns Jr tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Burns Jr blocks a jab.
Kovalenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A slow jab from Kovalenko misses its intended target.
Good shot there by Kovalenko.
Burns Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Burns Jr.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovalenko misses with a lunging right hand

and Burns Jr counters with a nice right hand that sends Kovalenko toppling to the canvas! Kovalenko scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Burns Jr finish him?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Burns Jr darts in and clinches Kovalenko up against the cage.
Burns Jr tries a body shot but Kovalenko blocks it.
Burns Jr throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kovalenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Burns Jr is working Kovalenko over against the cage.
Burns Jr misses with a body punch.
Kovalenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Burns Jr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Burns Jr tries to work over Kovalenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Burns Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Kovalenko.
Burns Jr working aggressively here.
Burns Jr presses Kovalenko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
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 Nikolai Kovalenko will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kovalenko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Burns Jr lands a leg kick that knocks Kovalenko off balance momentarily.
Kovalenko throws a lazy head kick
and Burns Jr counters with a leg kick.
Burns Jr lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kovalenko's sensitive parts.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut. Burns Jr saw that one coming.
Burns Jr shapes to counter with a head kick.
Kovalenko misses with a hook.
Burns Jr gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kovalenko throws a head kick that misses

and Burns Jr counters with a head kick that drops Kovalenko to the mat! Kovalenko scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Kovalenko is rocked!
Kovalenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Oh Kovalenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kovalenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Burns Jr.
Burns Jr throws a big counter head kick but Kovalenko avoids it with no problem.
Kovalenko lands with a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Burns Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Kovalenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Burns Jr raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Kovalenko misses with a hook.
Burns Jr scores with a nice body kick.
Kovalenko seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko blocks a head kick by Burns Jr.
Burns Jr tries to clinch up but Kovalenko circles away and keeps his distance.

Burns Jr darts in and clinches Kovalenko up against the cage.
Burns Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kovalenko can't break the clinch.
Burns Jr lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kovalenko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Burns Jr tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Burns Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Kovalenko.
Burns Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Burns Jr working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Burns Jr lands with a light punch inside.

Kovalenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kovalenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kovalenko throws a low kick, looking for Burns Jr's leg but Burns Jr calmly moves out of range.
Kovalenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Burns Jr appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kovalenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovalenko blocks a head kick by Burns Jr.
A swing and a miss from Kovalenko.
Burns Jr raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Kovalenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Burns Jr.
Burns Jr avoids the head kick by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut
letting Burns Jr counter with a right hand.
Kovalenko misses with a hook.
Burns Jr throws a fast counter high kick but Kovalenko manages to duck under it in time.
Burns Jr looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Burns Jr clinches up with Kovalenko and pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Burns Jr.
Kovalenko avoiding damage as Burns Jr throws knees to the body.
Burns Jr lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kovalenko backwards.
Simba Burns Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Burns Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Kovalenko.
Burns Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kovalenko blocking some punches.
Burns Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Burns Jr tries to throw a body punch but Kovalenko avoids it by throwing Burns Jr back against the cage.
Burns Jr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Simba Burns Jr seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Burns Jr tries a body shot but Kovalenko blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burns Jr tries a body shot but Kovalenko blocks it.
Kovalenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kovalenko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Burns Jr is working Kovalenko over against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Burns Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kovalenko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Burns Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Burns Jr cracks Kovalenko with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Kovalenko looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Burns Jr finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sloppy strikes from Kovalenko. Those never looked like landing.
Burns Jr throws a counter combo.
Burns Jr takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Burns Jr has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kovalenko misses with a hook. Burns Jr ducked under it nicely.
Nikolai Kovalenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Burns Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!

And that's the end of the fight!
Simba Burns Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovalenko 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Nikolai Kovalenko!
A victorious Nikolai Kovalenko thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.