PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasyl Kovalchick (ranked 22382 p4p, 235 weight class) and Gator Waldo (ranked 3164 p4p, 129 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kovalchick might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ukrainian . Waldo has chosen Gunna - Sold Out Dates ft Lil Baby as his entrance music. Vasyl Kovalchick had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kovalchick
vs
Waldo

190 cm
29
235 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

196 cm
21
267 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London

Bullet Proof System

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 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasyl Kovalchick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Gator Waldo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalchick throws a series of punches but Waldo avoids them all with ease.
Waldo throws an off balance right hand
and Kovalchick counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kovalchick throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Waldo.
Kovalchick scores with a nice strike.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kovalchick enables Waldo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kovalchick manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kovalchick wants to stand but Waldo is controlling the position.
Kovalchick keeping full guard, as Waldo tries to pass.
Waldo prevents Kovalchick from getting back to his feet.
Waldo passes into half guard.
Waldo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Kovalchick looks like he's trying to stand up.
Waldo thows a huge punch but Kovalchick dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waldo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kovalchick's coaches at 3Band MMA ($700/week) have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Waldo thows a huge punch but Kovalchick dodges it nicely.
Kovalchick is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kovalchick won't allow Waldo to pass to mount.
Waldo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Waldo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kovalchick's head.
Kovalchick knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Waldo on the ground.
Kovalchick wants to get back to his feet.
Kovalchick blocking the ground and pound attempt from Waldo.
Waldo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kovalchick keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Waldo wants to pass the guard but Kovalchick is defending well.
Waldo throwing shots but Kovalchick is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up but Waldo is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Waldo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kovalchick!

Kovalchick explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Waldo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalchick is trying to get back to his feet.
Waldo lands a decent elbow from side control.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Waldo has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Waldo lands an elbow.
Kovalchick wants to get back to his feet.
Waldo misses with the ground and pound.
Kovalchick defending against the ground and pound.

Waldo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kovalchick is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Waldo throws a strike aimed at the side of Kovalchick's head but Kovalchick avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick trying to remain calm as Waldo controls from the top position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kovalchick parries the strikes from Waldo easily there. Waldo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kovalchick to escape.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Waldo has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kovalchick dodges the ground and pound from Waldo.
Waldo taking a breather here.
Let's hope that Waldo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Waldo tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kovalchick wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Waldo is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kovalchick's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Waldo prevents Kovalchick from escaping the position.
A lull in the action here as Waldo stalls from top position.
Waldo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Waldo tries to score with some ground and pound. Kovalchick controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Waldo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kovalchick being controlled for a moment.
It looks like Waldo might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Waldo misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gator Waldo dominated that round.
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.

Waldo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kovalchick is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Waldo has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Kovalchick bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Kovalchick misses with a jab, cross combination.
Waldo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Waldo misses with a left hand
and Kovalchick counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kovalchick uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Waldo.
Kovalchick lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Waldo shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kovalchick manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kovalchick keeping full guard, as Waldo tries to pass.
Kovalchick wants to stand up but Waldo is controlling him.
Waldo content to stall in guard here.
Waldo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waldo is stalling in the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Waldo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kovalchick wriggles free and stands up.
Waldo throws a right hand that misses
enabling Kovalchick to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Waldo misses.
Waldo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kovalchick was well out of range. Poor timing from Waldo.
Kovalchick went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalchick scores with a head kick. Waldo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kovalchick works Waldo's body with a nice hook.
Waldo misses with a lunging right hand
and Kovalchick counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Vasyl Kovalchick is winning the standup battle so far.
Waldo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Waldo swings widly with a right hand
and Kovalchick counters with a series of strikes. Waldo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kovalchick takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kovalchick lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kovalchick uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Waldo.
Kovalchick misses with a few strikes there.
Waldo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kovalchick sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Waldo looks to move away, Kovalchick throws a big counter combo but Waldo just gets out of the way.
Waldo misses with an uppercut.
Kovalchick keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Waldo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waldo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kovalchick manages to avoid it.
Waldo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kovalchick counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Waldo shoots for a double leg takedown but Kovalchick sprawls well. He's pushed Waldo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kovalchick lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Waldo.
Waldo's coach down at Lovelair Muay Thai/MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Waldo's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Vasyl Kovalchick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gator Waldo.
Kovalchick fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Waldo on the side of the head.
Kovalchick ducks under a wild hook from Waldo.
Vasyl Kovalchick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Waldo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kovalchick has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Waldo finds it's way round the side to connect with Kovalchick's head.
Kovalchick takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Waldo misses with an uppercut
and Kovalchick counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Waldo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kovalchick throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kovalchick ducks under a wild hook from Waldo.
Kovalchick keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Waldo.
Kovalchick throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Waldo's head.
Kovalchick steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Waldo.
A swing and a miss from Waldo.
Waldo tries for a takedown but Kovalchick sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Waldo misses its intended target.
Waldo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kovalchick counters with a straight right hand.
Waldo misses with an uppercut
and Kovalchick connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Waldo throws a poor cross that misses
and Kovalchick counters with a straight right hand.
Waldo looks for a takedown but Kovalchick sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasyl Kovalchick dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Waldo fails with the takedown.
Kovalchick looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

Waldo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kovalchick pushes Waldo off but Waldo dives into side control.
Waldo moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Waldo in side control, throwing shots but Kovalchick defends.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalchick is trying to escape the position but Waldo is controlling the position.

Kovalchick explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Vasyl Kovalchick is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Waldo throws a hook but Kovalchick blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Waldo shoots in and gets a takedown into Kovalchick's guard.
Waldo prevents Kovalchick from getting back to his feet.
Waldo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kovalchick wants to stand but Waldo is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Waldo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Waldo stops Kovalchick from standing up.
Waldo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kovalchick is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kovalchick utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waldo moves out of range as Kovalchick throws a body kick.
Waldo throws a hook but Kovalchick avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Waldo misses the target.
Kovalchick throws a big counter combination but Waldo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Waldo throws out a loose jab but Kovalchick uses good head movement to avoid it.
Waldo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kovalchick but Kovalchick pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kovalchick tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalchick lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Waldo misses the target.
Kovalchick moves out of range of the strikes.

Waldo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Waldo slows the pace down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waldo lands a few punches from side control.
Waldo tries to score with some ground and pound. Kovalchick controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
An elbow from Waldo crashes against the mat.
Kovalchick is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Waldo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kovalchick wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Waldo content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Waldo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Waldo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Waldo is looking to take a break and control but Kovalchick is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Waldo tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kovalchick wants to get back to his feet.
Kovalchick being controlled for a moment.
Kovalchick wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gator Waldo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Waldo 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Vasyl Kovalchick!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Vasyl Kovalchick!

Vasyl Kovalchick wins by majority decision!
Vasyl Kovalchick decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.