PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ambrose Kornikova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donovan Couch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ambrose Kornikova had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kornikova
vs
Couch

188 cm
20
287 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

187 cm
22
240 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ambrose Kornikova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donovan Couch!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Edson Gomes and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kornikova closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kornikova lands in his opponent's guard.
Couch wants to stand up but Kornikova is controlling him.

Couch has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kornikova can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Couch is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kornikova lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kornikova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Couch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kornikova postures up and lands a big shot to Couch's brow.
Couch trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kornikova scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kornikova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Couch wants to stand up but Kornikova is controlling him.
Couch looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kornikova postures up and lands a big shot to Couch's brow.
Couch looking to control.
Kornikova works over Couch with some ground and pound from guard.
Kornikova postures up in Couch's guard and throws a big left but Couch blocks it.
Kornikova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Couch bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kornikova's guard.
Couch wants to stand but Kornikova has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kornikova striking off his back but it's not causing Couch any problems.
Kornikova 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.
Couch throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couch trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kornikova's guard.

Kornikova is working an open guard so Couch takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Couch gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kornikova counters with a takedown into side control.
Couch looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kornikova working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Kornikova tries to move into full mount but can't pass Couch's legs.
Kornikova cracks Couch with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Couch is looking to reverse the position.
Couch manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kornikova's best efforts.
Kornikova landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couch has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kornikova is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kornikova landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Kornikova is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Couch doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kornikova.
Couch is trying to stand.
Kornikova landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Couch keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kornikova takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kornikova connects with a nice short shot to Couch's temple.
Couch wants to get back to his feet.
Couch is trying to maintain the position but Kornikova is very close to passing his half guard.
Kornikova tries to pass the half guard into mount. Couch knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kornikova working over Couch with some ground and pound. Couch looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Couch is looking for a sweep. Kornikova is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Couch is trying to stand back up but Kornikova is controlling him
Couch wants to control but Kornikova is keeping busy.
Couch tries to kick Kornikova off but Kornikova keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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

and Kornikova counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Couch's guard now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kornikova stopping the sweep attempt from Couch.
Couch is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ambrose Kornikova dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kornikova looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kornikova lands a couple of digs.
Kornikova postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Couch wants to hit a switch here but Kornikova passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Couch there!
Couch is looking to improve his position but Kornikova isn't that keen on the idea.
Kornikova breaks from Couch's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kornikova landing strikes from the mount.
Kornikova lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Couch sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couch is trying to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kornikova working over Couch with some ground and pound. Couch looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Couch pushes Kornikova off looking to stand but Kornikova dives back in and keeps control.
Kornikova throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kornikova missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Couch moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Couch looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Couch looking for a guillotine here but Kornikova defends easily.
Kornikova forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couch taking some punishment here, with Kornikova in his half guard.
Couch is trying to stand up here but Kornikova is controlling him well.
Couch has hold of Kornikova's hands but Kornikova slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kornikova trying to pass the guard but Couch defending well.
Kornikova drops an elbow to the side of Couch's head.
Kornikova is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kornikova thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Couch to regain full guard.
Couch wants to stand up but Kornikova is controlling him.
Kornikova cracks Couch with a solid left hand.
Kornikova stopping the sweep attempt from Couch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kornikova is controlling him.
Couch is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kornikova manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Couch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kornikova keeping moving, preventing Couch from controlling successfully.
Kornikova throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ambrose Kornikova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couch wants to get up but he can't break Kornikova's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Couch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kornikova swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kornikova is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Couch looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kornikova drops an elbow to the side of Couch's head.

Kornikova is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Couch sees it coming and defends easily.

Couch looking for submissions off his back.
Kornikova scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kornikova is nestled in close to Couch, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Couch works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ambrose Kornikova dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Couch slips a jab from Kornikova.
Kornikova shoots in but Couch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Couch misses with a few strikes there.
Donovan Couch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couch misses with a series of wild punches.
Couch throws a front kick aimed at Kornikova's knee but Kornikova avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couch doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kornikova counters with a takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couch tries to escape but Kornikova is in control.
Couch is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kornikova connects with a decent elbow.
Couch can't do much from the bottom here.
Kornikova lands some shots froms side control.
Couch sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Couch kicks off Kornikova and gets to his feet.
Couch with a poor takedown

so Kornikova counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kornikova is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Couch can do to turn this around?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kornikova postures up in Couch's guard and throws a big left but Couch blocks it.
Kornikova has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Couch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kornikova working some strikes from top position.
Kornikova stopping the sweep attempt from Couch.

Couch is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Couch is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kornikova is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kornikova scores a takedown into full mount!
Kornikova working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couch tries to reverse the position but Kornikova maintains control.
Kornikova lands with some strikes.
Couch tries to lock up and control but Kornikova gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Couch taking shots to the head.
Couch wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Kornikova unloading with bombs!
Kornikova putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Couch tries to reverse the position but Kornikova maintains control.
Kornikova is landing with some decent strikes but Couch is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kornikova prevents Couch from getting the reversal.
Couch tries to lock up and control but Kornikova gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Donovan Couch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kornikova postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Couch looks a forlorn figure.
Ambrose Kornikova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kornikova trying to control but Couch is having none of it.
Couch manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kornikova is looking to take a break and control but Couch is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Couch wants to get back to his feet.
Kornikova winds up and cracks Couch with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couch is trying to stand back up but Kornikova is controlling him
Kornikova prevents Couch from improving his position.
Couch missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ambrose Kornikova showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kornikova, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ambrose Kornikova!