PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Vasily Grossman (ranked 1903 p4p, 22322 weight class) and Kyle Kovingten (ranked 255 p4p, 641 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kovingten's choice of entrance music: Tool - Schism. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Grossman
vs
Kovingten

169 cm
31
158
20 - 7 - 0

181 cm
30
164
27 - 13 - 2

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vasily Grossman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Kyle Kovingten!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grossman lands a glancing blow to the side of Kovingten's head.
Kovingten throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kovingten lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A cross from Kovingten lands.
Kovingten lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A head kick misses from Kovingten.
Grossman is looking to counter punch.
Kovingten misses with a hook. Grossman ducked under it nicely.
Grossman is looking to counter punch.
A jab lands there for Kovingten.
Kovingten throws a wild body kick that Grossman sees coming a mile off.
Kovingten rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Grossman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grossman is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kovingten misses with a combination
and Grossman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kovingten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Grossman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kovingten.
Kovingten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Grossman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Grossman blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovingten throws out the jab.
Grossman blocks a low kick nicely.
Grossman tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kovingten manages to circle out of the way.
Kovingten throws a looping overhand right but Grossman ducks down to avoid it.
Grossman is looking to counter punch.
A lazy left from Grossman finds it's target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kovingten - that will leave a mark!
Kovingten tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grossman was well out of range. Poor timing from Kovingten.
Grossman takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Grossman has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kovingten misses with a kick to the body.
Kovingten rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Grossman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grossman is looking to counter the offense by Kovingten and move into the clinch.
Grossman scores with a jab to the jaw.
Grossman is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Grossman looks to land a left hand but Kovingten moved out of range nicely.
Kovingten misses with a body shot.
Grossman tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kovingten manages to circle out of the way.
Nice defenses there by Grossman.
Kovingten lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten throws a leg kick
and Grossman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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!
Kovingten scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Grossman connects with a single shot there.
Kovingten goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kovingten.
Kovingten jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kovingten's coach down at McGrady FT was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kovingten's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kovingten throws a sloppy head kick and Grossman moves out of range easily.
A little feinted left hand from Grossman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grossman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kovingten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kovingten fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As Kovingten tries to get set, Grossman tries to push him back and clinch up but Kovingten manages to avoid the attempt.
Grossman has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kovingten.
Kovingten misses with an uppercut.
Kovingten throws a lazy body kick
and Grossman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kovingten throws a body punch but Grossman moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Grossman tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten throws a hook but Grossman blocks it.
Kovingten buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Grossman loads up on a big right hand but Kovingten slips the punch.
A combination from Kovingten does no damage.
Kyle Kovingten seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grossman throws a looping overhand right but Kovingten ducks down to avoid it.
Grossman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovingten throws out the jab.
It looked like Grossman wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kovingten lands a high kick!
Grossman throws a body punch but Kovingten moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Kovingten.
Grossman is looking for a counter combo.
Grossman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kovingten throws out the jab.
It looked like Grossman wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Grossman jabs Kovingten to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Grossman throws a series of punches but Kovingten avoids them all with ease.
Kovingten ducks under a wild hook from Grossman.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Grossman crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kovingten - the referee stops the clock and Grossman gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kovingten. Grossman manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten misses with a low kick as Grossman jumps back.
A counter left hand to the body from Grossman misses its target.
An inside leg kick from Kovingten misses.
Kovingten throws a head kick that misses.
Grossman takes a head kick and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed right hand from Kovingten misses the target.
Kovingten connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kovingten closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kovingten throws a leg kick but Grossman moved away.
Kovingten tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kovingten misses with a hook
and Grossman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Grossman is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kovingten is looking to slow Grossman down with leg kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kovingten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Grossman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kovingten.
Kovingten misses with a combination
and Grossman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kovingten dominated that round.
That's time! Grossman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kovingten misses the shot to the body.
Kovingten showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grossman.
A slow jab from Grossman misses its intended target.
Kovingten swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kovingten throws a left and a right that both miss
and Grossman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kovingten pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Grossman blocks a head kick by Kovingten.
Grossman is looking to counter punch.
Grossman throws a hook but Kovingten blocks it.
Kovingten swings for the body but Grossman moves out of range.
Kovingten shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick from Kovingten.
Kovingten misses with a hook. Grossman ducked under it nicely.
Kovingten bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kovingten misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kovingten takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kovingten works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kovingten goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Grossman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kovingten throws a hook but Grossman avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Grossman misses the target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kovingten.
Grossman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kovingten sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kovingten throws a body kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Grossman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grossman blocks a leg kick.
Kovingten goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
As Kovingten tries to get set, Grossman tries to push him back and clinch up but Kovingten manages to avoid the attempt.
Kovingten pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grossman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Grossman misses with a wild body shot.
Grossman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kovingten. Kovingten obviously looking to wear him down.
Kovingten pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kovingten uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grossman.
Nice uppercut lands for Grossman. That snapped Kovingten's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kovingten throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Grossman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kovingten.
Kovingten comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kovingten pushes Grossman away with a front kick.
A big left from Grossman misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kovingten misses with a hook
and Grossman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kovingten misses with a body shot
and Grossman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kovingten throws a combination that misses
and Grossman counters with a left to the body.
Grossman slips a straight right by Kovingten.
A little feinted left hand from Grossman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kovingten wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kovingten bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Grossman's head backwards.
Kovingten misses with a combination
and Grossman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kovingten throws a hook but Grossman avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Kovingten.
Kovingten throws a body punch but Grossman moves out of range.
Grossman fails to land with a series of punches.
Grossman scores with a sloppy right hand. Kovingten should have avoided that one.
Kovingten is looking to chop away at Grossman's legs.
Grossman was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kovingten has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kovingten comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kovingten throws a lazy uppercut
and Grossman counters with a straight right hand.
Kovingten throws a nice inside leg kick.
Grossman lands with an overhand left.
Grossman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Grossman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kovingten tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kovingten throws an off balance right hand
and Grossman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovingten misses the jab.
Kovingten throws a left and a right that both miss
and Grossman counters with a nice uppercut.
Grossman throws a jab but it's blocked by Kovingten.
Kovingten throws a hook but Grossman avoids it easily.
Grossman appears to be looking for a big counter.
Grossman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kovingten looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kovingten misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Grossman misses the target.
Kovingten bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kovingten with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kovingten throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Grossman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grossman sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kyle Kovingten seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grossman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kovingten throws a body punch but Grossman moves out of range.
Grossman was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grossman avoids the head kick by Kovingten.
Grossman is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyle Kovingten will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Grossman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Grossman keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kovingten moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Grossman changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kovingten. Grossman does a little dance to reset his feet.
A low kick from Kovingten is predictable there
and Grossman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Grossman misses with a hook. Kovingten ducked under it nicely.
Kovingten throws a lazy head kick
and Grossman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Grossman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Grossman throws an overhand right that lands on Kovingten's shoulder, as Kovingten tries to avoid the shot.
Jab, jab by Kovingten - just one landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kovingten throws a series of punches but Grossman moves out of range.
A low kick from Kovingten is predictable there
and Grossman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Grossman will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Grossman throws out a loose jab but Kovingten uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Kovingten on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Grossman thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kovingten moves away.
Grossman ducks under a wild hook from Kovingten.
A quick step to the side and Grossman tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kovingten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grossman moves away.
Grossman moves out of range as Kovingten strikes.
Kovingten uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grossman.
A jab from Kovingten misses.
A quick step to the side and Grossman tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grossman lands with an overhand left.
Grossman walks into a jab.
Kovingten throws a head kick but Grossman moves out of range.
Kovingten throws a shot from downtown. Grossman moves away and avoids it.
Kovingten tried to score with a low kick but Grossman checks it.
Grossman is looking to counter the offense by Kovingten and move into the clinch.
Kovingten misses with a body shot.
Kovingten fails to land with a series of punches.
Grossman was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grossman lands a nice hook to Kovingten's body. Kovingten takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vasily Grossman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kovingten.
Nice defenses there by Grossman.
Kovingten swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Grossman.
A big left from Grossman misses.
Kovingten blocks a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kovingten throws a low kick but Grossman avoids it.
It looked like Grossman was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kovingten.
Grossman dodges the punch combination from Kovingten.
Grossman takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kovingten throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Grossman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Grossman scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kovingten misses the shot to the body.
Grossman takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Grossman, as that shot connected.
Grossman throws a shot from downtown. Kovingten moves away and avoids it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kovingten.
Kovingten attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kovingten throws a head kick that misses.
Kovingten keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kovingten lands a head kick!
Grossman blocks a low kick nicely.
Kovingten throws a body shot but no joy.
Grossman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kovingten feints a counter leg kick.
Kyle Kovingten is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kovingten connects with a jab.
Kovingten has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kovingten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grossman moves away.
Grossman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grossman is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
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!
Kovingten connects with a leg kick.
Kovingten throws a head kick but Grossman moves out of range.
Kovingten scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kovingten throws a sloppy head kick

and Grossman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Grossman has a couple of punches blocked by Kovingten.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kovingten.
Grossman tries a body shot but Kovingten blocks it.
Grossman lands with a short shot to the head.
Grossman misses with the head strike.
Kovingten wants to break the clinch but can't.
Grossman misses with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kyle Kovingten.
I've got Kovingten 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kyle Kovingten!
Kyle Kovingten tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.