PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Covington (ranked 4298 p4p, 426 weight class) and Spencer Blakemond (ranked 6110 p4p, 509 weight class). Spencer Blakemond will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Covington
vs
Blakemond

183 cm
26
177 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
175 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kobe Covington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Spencer Blakemond!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Covington clinches with his opponent.
Blakemond working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Covington breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blakemond throws a shot to the body.
Blakemond throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Covington closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Covington throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Covington is looking for a kimura here.
Blakemond looks like he's trying to stand up.
Covington takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Covington wants to pass the guard but Blakemond is defending well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Covington in particular looking to stall.
Covington throws a strike but Blakemond avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Covington stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blakemond swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Covington wants to get up but he can't break Blakemond's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Blakemond keeping moving, preventing Covington from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Blakemond tries to clinch up but Covington circles away and keeps his distance.
Covington shoots and misses
and Blakemond counters with a three punch combo that has Covington backing up. Covington nods at Blakemond to acknowledge the strikes.
Covington takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Covington clinches up with Blakemond and pushes him back against the ropes.

Covington pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Blakemond fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blakemond fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Covington moves into range and clinches up with Blakemond.
Covington leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Covington jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Blakemond walks away with a smile on his face. Covington gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blakemond lands a lovely overhand right.
Blakemond scores with a crisp jab that stopped Covington in his tracks.

Covington is rocked!
Blakemond lands a big right hook! Covington looks hurt but is still standing! Blakemond lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Covington falls down and Blakemond dives in with a huge hammer fist! Covington's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Blakemond runs up the ropes to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Spencer Blakemond!