PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Veli Rokka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Kovalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Rokka
vs
Kovalov

186 cm
22
200 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

170 cm
28
196 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery $99)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Veli Rokka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Kovalov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rokka as he avoids it easily.
Rokka throws a lazy head kick
letting Kovalov counter with a right hand.
Rokka misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Kovalov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rokka's guard now.
Kovalov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kovalov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kovalov stopping the sweep attempt from Rokka.
Rokka is working hard here to advance position.
Rokka wants to stand but Kovalov is controlling the position.
Rokka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rokka tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rokka is on top in guard.
Kovalov controlling the position.

Kovalov is looking for a triangle but Rokka pushes his legs off easily.
Rokka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rokka wanted to stand there but Kovalov had control of the position.
Kovalov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rokka!
Rokka wants to hold on but Kovalov pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rokka reaches up and holds on to Kovalov to control the position.
Rokka wants to hold on but Kovalov pushes him away.
Kovalov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Kovalov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rokka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kovalov on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rokka can't escape the position.

Kovalov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rokka is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rokka and Kovalov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Rokka is trying to get back to half guard.
Rokka is not content to let Kovalov control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kovalov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rokka's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kovalov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rokka keeps working.
Rokka manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kovalov's best efforts.
Rokka wants to control but Kovalov is keeping busy.
Rokka is trying to get back to full guard.
Rokka keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kovalov wants to pass to mount but Rokka is defending the position.
Rokka trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Kovalov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kovalov throws a big shot that misses.
Kovalov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rokka scores with the left hand. Kovalov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kovalov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rokka circles away.
Good leg kick by Rokka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kovalov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rokka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kovalov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokka misses with a lunging right hand

and Kovalov counters with a shoot takedown. Rokka fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rokka trying to control the position.
Rokka managing to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Veli Rokka has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kovalov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rokka as he avoids it easily.
Veli Rokka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Kovalov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rokka scores with a shot to the body.
Kovalov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kovalov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice defenses there by Rokka.
Kovalov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rokka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rokka wants to slow Kovalov down by chopping away at his legs.
Kovalov throws a lazy right hand but Rokka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Veli Rokka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rokka throws a sloppy head kick
and Kovalov counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Kovalov.
Rokka connects with a solid leg kick.
Rokka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kovalov shoots for a takedown but Rokka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rokka throws a right hand that Kovalov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kovalov also avoids with ease.
Kovalov needs to keep his hands up - Rokka had a free shot at his head there.
Rokka wants to clinch

and Kovalov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rokka's guard now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rokka keeping moving, preventing Kovalov from controlling successfully.
Kovalov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kovalov won't allow Rokka to sweep him here.
Kovalov postures up and lands a big shot to Rokka's brow.
Kovalov won't allow Rokka to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rokka is trying to keep Kovalov in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antonio Kovalov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rokka misses with a double jab.
Rokka slips a jab and a cross from Kovalov.
Kovalov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rokka just misses with a punch to the body.
Rokka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kovalov.
Rokka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokka throws a body punch but Kovalov moves out of range.
Rokka takes one to the side of the head.
Kovalov shoots in looking for a takedown. Rokka tries to sprawl out of it but Kovalov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rokka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Veli Rokka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Kovalov.
Rokka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kovalov.
Kovalov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rokka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Veli Rokka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kovalov misses with a wild body shot.
Rokka tries to clinch but Kovalov moves out of range.
Kovalov takes one on the button.
Rokka lands a really nice looking cross but Kovalov seems unphased.

It looks like Antonio Kovalov has been cut.
Kovalov fails with the takedown.

Kovalov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kovalov in side control, throwing shots but Rokka defends.
Rokka pushes Kovalov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kovalov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kovalov working away.
Rokka regains half guard there - taking advantage of Kovalov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Rokka trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Rokka is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kovalov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rokka can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rokka is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Antonio Kovalov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kovalov controlling the pace for now.
Kovalov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kovalov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kovalov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rokka tries to hold on but Kovalov pushes him away.
Rokka working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Kovalov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kovalov 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Kovalov!