PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Andriy Kovalenko (ranked 6723 p4p, 5272 weight class) and Guy Neer (ranked 284 p4p, 245 weight class). Andriy Kovalenko has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kovalenko
vs
Neer

169 cm
20
135
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
16
142
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 The Island, Andriy Kovalenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Guy Neer!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Neer connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kovalenko's hands.
Neer tries to bum rush Kovalenko with a series of wild strikes but Kovalenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sloppy strikes from Neer. Those never looked like landing.
Kovalenko drops down looking for a counter takedown but Neer sprawls and moves away.
Neer misses with a wild body shot.
Kovalenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Neer lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Kovalenko scores with a takedown into Neer's guard.

Neer is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Neer prevents a takedown attempt there.
Neer is trying to break the clinch but Kovalenko is controlling him.
Neer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kovalenko has him pressed against the cage.
Neer has had enough of the clinch but Kovalenko keeps him there for the moment.
Kovalenko wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovalenko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Neer to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andriy Kovalenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kovalenko keeps control of Neer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kovalenko breaks from the clinch.
Kovalenko has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad The Island in the buildup to the fight.
Neer throws a series of punches but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Neer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kovalenko tries to counter by clinching up but Neer breaks away and moves out of range.
Neer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kovalenko misses with a two punch combination.
Kovalenko tries for a takedown but Neer circles away easily
and Neer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Danga de danga de dang - Neer scores with a four punch combination!
Neer goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kovalenko.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neer misses with a double jab

and Kovalenko counters with a takedown into side control.
Neer pushes Kovalenko away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kovalenko gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kovalenko trying to control the position but Neer is working away.
Neer pushes Kovalenko away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kovalenko gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Neer is not content to let Kovalenko control the position.

Kovalenko stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neer smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Guy Neer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kovalenko looks to land a left hand but Neer moved out of range nicely.
Neer unleashes a big counter combination but Kovalenko bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kovalenko avoids the body shot from Neer.
Kovalenko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Neer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kovalenko dives in and grabs Neer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Neer pushes down on Kovalenko's head and hops out.
Neer misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kovalenko is looking to counter with a body kick.
Neer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Kovalenko darts in and clinches Neer up against the cage.
Kovalenko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kovalenko keeps control of Neer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kovalenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kovalenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Neer, which made it look bad.
Neer misses with a series of wild punches.

Neer instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kovalenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Neer smiles and moves away.
Kovalenko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Neer listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Guy Neer dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Neer doesn't manage to clinch there - Kovalenko circles away.
Neer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Neer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovalenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Kovalenko clinches up against the cage.
Kovalenko looking for a takedown.
Kovalenko tries to pull guard but Neer won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Neer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kovalenko stalling.
Kovalenko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andriy Kovalenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neer misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neer wants to break free but Kovalenko has control.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kovalenko has Neer pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Neer manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kovalenko breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Neer.
Kovalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Guy Neer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kovalenko checks a low kick from Neer.
Kovalenko feints a jab promting Neer to slip. Kovalenko then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Neer slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Neer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kovalenko.
Andriy Kovalenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kovalenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kovalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Neer throws a head kick that misses.
Neer jabs at Kovalenko's body.
Neer closes the distance but Kovalenko moves to the side
and Kovalenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Neer cracks a nice hook into Kovalenko's ribs.
Neer tries to clinch up.
Neer throws a right and a left that Kovalenko avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Neer.
Neer misses with a kick to the body.
Neer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kovalenko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Neer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kovalenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Neer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kovalenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kovalenko instigates a clinch.
Kovalenko prevents Neer from breaking the clinch.
Kovalenko jumps guard but Neer stands there with Kovalenko around his waist. Kovalenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kovalenko prevents Neer from breaking the clinch.
Kovalenko taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neer is trying to force a seperation but Kovalenko has the dominant position.
Neer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kovalenko lands an elbow just above Neer 's eye.
Kovalenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Neer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Neer can't find room to land a body shot as Kovalenko controls the action.
Kovalenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Neer controls his hands.
Neer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Neer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kovalenko smiles and moves away.
Kovalenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Neer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kovalenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kovalenko tries to counter with a takedown but Neer is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neer throws a head kick that misses.
Neer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kovalenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Neer.
Guy Neer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kovalenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Neer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Neer with the counter takedown but Kovalenko avoids it easily.
Neer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Neer misses.
Kovalenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Neer tries to sprawl out of it but Kovalenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Neer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kovalenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Neer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Neer does no damage.
Kovalenko fires out a quick counter leg kick but Neer just manages to avoid it.
Neer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kovalenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Neer circles away.

Kovalenko clinches with his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kovalenko.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Guy Neer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kovalenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Neer tries a head kick but it misses.
Neer uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Neer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Neer misses.
Neer leaves Kovalenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Neer clinches up with Kovalenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Neer is looking to break free of the clinch but Kovalenko has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovalenko blocks an elbow strike from Neer.
Kovalenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Neer just stands there and leans against the cage.
Neer wants to get back to striking at distance but Kovalenko won't allow it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neer looks to land a combination but Kovalenko avoids it well.
Kovalenko throws a big counter combination but Neer scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Neer lunges at Kovalenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kovalenko's hand.

Kovalenko moves into the clinch.
Kovalenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Neer walks away with a smile on his face. Kovalenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andriy Kovalenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Neer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Neer throws a push kick but Kovalenko slaps the foot to one side.
Kovalenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch.
Neer throws a head kick but Kovalenko moves out of range.
Kovalenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kovalenko looks for a takedown but Neer sprawls well.
Kovalenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Neer tries to avoid it but Kovalenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Neer to the ground. Neer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Neer is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch but Neer is avoiding it.
Neer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kovalenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Neer is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovalenko drops his hands momentarily and Neer takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kovalenko fails with the takedown.
Neer looks to land a combination. Kovalenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kovalenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Neer is trying to push Kovalenko away but Kovalenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kovalenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kovalenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kovalenko is looking to clinch.
Kovalenko tries a head kick but it misses.
No luck for Kovalenko with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Neer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kovalenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Neer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kovalenko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kovalenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Neer avoids it really well and circles away.

Kovalenko rushes Neer and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neer tries to break free but Kovalenko pushes him back against the cage.
Neer tries to break the clinch but Kovalenko is controlling the position.
Kovalenko is looking to take this one to the mat.
Neer has had enough of the clinch but Kovalenko keeps him there for the moment.
Neer is trying to force a seperation but Kovalenko has the dominant position.
Neer is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Neer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Neer is trying to break the clinch but Kovalenko is controlling him.
Neer tries to break free but Kovalenko pushes him back against the cage.
Kovalenko tries to pull guard but Neer forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Neer is trying to force a seperation but Kovalenko has the dominant position.
Andriy Kovalenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Guy Neer is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kovalenko tries for a takedown but Neer manages to get underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Guy Neer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Neer winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Guy Neer!