PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Shovkovskyj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francisco Hernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hernandez has chosen You Can't Stop Me as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shovkovskyj
vs
Hernandez

180 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

180 cm
22
189 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Valentin Shovkovskyj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Francisco Hernandez!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hernandez clinches up with Shovkovskyj and pushes him back against the cage.
Shovkovskyj is pressed up against the cage. Hernandez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shovkovskyj down to the mat. Shovkovskyj avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Hernandez clinches up against the cage.

Shovkovskyj gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Shovkovskyj stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hernandez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been hearing that Shovkovskyj has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Hernandez keeping moving, preventing Shovkovskyj from controlling successfully.
Hernandez wants to stand up but Shovkovskyj is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shovkovskyj drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hernandez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hernandez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hernandez!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hernandez.
Shovkovskyj manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hernandez's best efforts.
Hernandez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shovkovskyj keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Shovkovskyj tries to get to full guard but Hernandez has control of the leg.
Hernandez is thwarting Shovkovskyj's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shovkovskyj won't allow Hernandez to pass to mount.
Shovkovskyj moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hernandez throws a strike but Shovkovskyj rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hernandez wants to get back to his feet but Shovkovskyj passes into half guard.

Shovkovskyj is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shovkovskyj seems to be working for a kimura but Hernandez defends the submission attempt.
Hernandez tries to kick Shovkovskyj off but Shovkovskyj keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shovkovskyj is looking for a kimura but Hernandez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shovkovskyj to get the leverage.
Hernandez is looking to escape.
Hernandez is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Shovkovskyj seems to be working for a kimura but Hernandez defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hernandez is staying active underneath Shovkovskyj, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hernandez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shovkovskyj drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hernandez sprawls and moves away.
Shovkovskyj tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hernandez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shovkovskyj somewhat.

Hernandez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hernandez throwing strikes from guard but Shovkovskyj blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Valentin Shovkovskyj will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hernandez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shovkovskyj half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Hernandez looking to score a takedown here. Shovkovskyj is defending well but Hernandez drives through and ends up in Shovkovskyj's guard.
Hernandez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hernandez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hernandez is in close to Shovkovskyj's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hernandez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shovkovskyj's guard.
Hernandez is pressing down on Shovkovskyj's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shovkovskyj is holding on for now.
Hernandez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj trying to hold on to Hernandez's head to control him but Hernandez postures up.
Shovkovskyj holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Francisco Hernandez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hernandez throwing shots but Shovkovskyj is blocking nicely.
Hernandez trying to advance position but Shovkovskyj counters by regaining guard.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position.
Hernandez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shovkovskyj is keeping the position for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hernandez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hernandez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shovkovskyj swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Hernandez moves into the clinch.
Shovkovskyj drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hernandez gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Shovkovskyj successfully pulls guard.
Hernandez works over Shovkovskyj with some ground and pound from guard.
Hernandez looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shovkovskyj working for a triangle but Hernandez defends it easily.
Hernandez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shovkovskyj's head.
Hernandez works over Shovkovskyj with some ground and pound from guard.
Hernandez throwing strikes but missing.
Hernandez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shovkovskyj trying to control the position.
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.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shovkovskyj looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hernandez is one step ahead there.
Shovkovskyj is pulling down on Hernandez's head to control his posture.
Hernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Shovkovskyj is retaining full guard.
Hernandez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hernandez throwing shots but Shovkovskyj is blocking nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hernandez throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Shovkovskyj to regain full guard.
Shovkovskyj looking for a sweep. Not yet Shovkovskyj, not yet.
Hernandez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shovkovskyj swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Hernandez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Shovkovskyj's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hernandez.
Shovkovskyj tries to counter with a takedown but Hernandez is quick to defend against it.
Hernandez shoots in but Shovkovskyj avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shovkovskyj misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Valentin Shovkovskyj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shovkovskyj moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj tries to score a body lock takedown but Hernandez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shovkovskyj prevents the takedown attempt.
Valentin Shovkovskyj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Francisco Hernandez.
Hernandez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shovkovskyj pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hernandez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shovkovskyj prevents it.

Shovkovskyj successfully pulls guard.
Hernandez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shovkovskyj is keeping the position for now.
Shovkovskyj bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hernandez's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shovkovskyj has gone for a leg lock! Hernandez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shovkovskyj's guard.

Hernandez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shovkovskyj bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hernandez's guard.

Shovkovskyj throwing strikes but missing.
Shovkovskyj wants to stand but Hernandez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hernandez wants to stand and escape but Shovkovskyj is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shovkovskyj pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hernandez is keeping the position for now.
Shovkovskyj looking to sit in guard and control but Hernandez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shovkovskyj 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.
Shovkovskyj is working hard here to advance position.
Shovkovskyj is trying to control the position but Hernandez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hernandez scoring with some ground and pound.
Hernandez is looking to pass into half guard but Shovkovskyj pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Shovkovskyj is in guard.

Hernandez keeping moving, preventing Shovkovskyj from controlling successfully.
Shovkovskyj throws a big elbow that misses.

Shovkovskyj has gone for a leg lock! Hernandez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shovkovskyj's guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shovkovskyj keeping full guard, as Hernandez tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Shovkovskyj showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shovkovskyj has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Valentin Shovkovskyj!
Valentin Shovkovskyj seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.