PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Davis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giril Kovalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kovalenko has chosen Judas Priest - Grinder as his entrance music. 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.

Davis
vs
Kovalenko

182 cm
23
194 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
195 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Tesla Apparel [Everything $15!]
CROWN

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Roman Davis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Giril Kovalenko!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Davis tries to bum rush Kovalenko with a series of wild strikes but Kovalenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Davis ducks under a wild hook from Kovalenko.
Davis lands a glancing blow to the side of Kovalenko's head.
A big left from Kovalenko misses.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch but Davis is avoiding it.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch.

Kovalenko clinches.
Davis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Davis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Davis wants to get back to striking at distance but Kovalenko won't allow it.
Kovalenko looking for a takedown.

Kovalenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Davis misses with a double jab.
Davis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kovalenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Davis's waist but Davis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kovalenko off to one side.
Kovalenko throws a nice looking combination but Davis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Davis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A jab-cross combination lands for Davis and sends Kovalenko crashing to the mat! Davis follows him down to the mat - Kovalenko regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Davis seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Kovalenko wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Davis slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kovalenko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Davis tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kovalenko is working to avoid the ground and pound but Davis connects with a decent elbow.

Davis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Davis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kovalenko is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Kovalenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Davis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Davis's back!
Davis covers up after that shot from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Roman Davis has been cut.
Davis manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kovalenko's guard. Nice work there by Davis.
Kovalenko wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Davis looking to pass the guard.
Davis won't allow Kovalenko to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis trying to control but Kovalenko is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kovalenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Davis looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kovalenko looks gassed!
Davis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kovalenko decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kovalenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Roman Davis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giril Kovalenko.

Kovalenko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Davis manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kovalenko's best efforts.
Davis regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kovalenko.
Davis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Davis working a defensive guard but Kovalenko manages to pass into side control anyway.
Davis struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kovalenko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kovalenko is looking to take a break and control but Davis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kovalenko is looking to pass Davis's guard but actually Davis recovers to full guard.
Kovalenko preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Davis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kovalenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kovalenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovalenko forces his way into half guard.
Nice strikes from Kovalenko there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roman Davis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Davis's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kovalenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Davis counters with a stiff right hand.
Kovalenko darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kovalenko looks to land a combination but Davis avoids it well.
Kovalenko dodges the punch combination from Davis.
Davis throws the kick towards the body but Kovalenko avoids it.
Davis jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Davis connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Davis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kovalenko. That did some damage!
Kovalenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Davis sprawls well. He's pushed Kovalenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Roman Davis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Davis throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovalenko scores with a body shot.
Kovalenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Davis.

Kovalenko shoots in and bounces Davis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Davis looking for a sweep. Not yet Davis, not yet.
Davis is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Kovalenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kovalenko wants to control from the top but Davis keeps moving.
Kovalenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Davis wants to sweep but no luck.
Kovalenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Davis has wrist control.
Kovalenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Davis has wrist control.
Davis trying to keep a closed guard but Kovalenko is proving a slippery customer.
Kovalenko trying to move into half guard but instead Davis has managed to sweep!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kovalenko is on top in guard.
Kovalenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Davis wants to sweep but no luck.
Kovalenko forces his way into half guard.
Davis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kovalenko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kovalenko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kovalenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Davis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Davis is pressing down on Kovalenko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Davis is trying to keep Kovalenko in close.
Kovalenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Davis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko works over Davis with some ground and pound from guard.
Davis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kovalenko.
Kovalenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Davis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovalenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Davis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Davis is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kovalenko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kovalenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Davis gets full guard.
Davis wants to sweep but no luck.
Davis keeping full guard, as Kovalenko tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kovalenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Davis is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kovalenko moves into full guard.
Kovalenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Davis!
Davis sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Davis trying to hold on to Kovalenko's head to control him but Kovalenko postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giril Kovalenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roman Davis's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kovalenko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Davis.
Davis lands with a cross.
A combination from Kovalenko does no damage.
Kovalenko throws a lazy right hand but Davis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Davis dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kovalenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kovalenko gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kovalenko misses with an uppercut.
Davis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kovalenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Davis scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Davis, as that shot connected.
Nice shot by Davis.
Davis scores with a one two! Kovalenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kovalenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Davis.
Kovalenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Davis darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Giril Kovalenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Davis throws an overhand right that lands on Kovalenko's shoulder, as Kovalenko tries to avoid the shot.

Kovalenko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Davis!
Davis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kovalenko punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kovalenko landing strikes from the mount and Davis is in trouble!
Kovalenko lands a big shot there that rocks Davis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kovalenko lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Davis hang on?
Davis is looking to improve his position but Kovalenko isn't that keen on the idea.
Davis in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kovalenko lands with some strikes.
Davis regains half guard.
Giril Kovalenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko lands strikes from half guard.
Davis makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Davis.
Davis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovalenko is one step ahead there.
Kovalenko trying to control but Davis is working from the bottom.
Kovalenko postures up in Davis's guard and throws a big left but Davis blocks it.

Davis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kovalenko landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kovalenko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kovalenko trying to pass the guard but Davis defending well.
Davis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kovalenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kovalenko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Davis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kovalenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kovalenko winds up and cracks Davis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko moves into full mount! Davis won't be happy about that!
Davis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kovalenko looking to finish Davis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Davis!
Davis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Davis is working hard here to advance position.
A nice elbow there by Kovalenko.
Kovalenko working Davis over with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kovalenko landing strikes from the mount.
Davis is trying desperately to improve position.
BOOM! Kovalenko connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
Giril Kovalenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kovalenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giril Kovalenko!