PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zack Kuhn (ranked 5424 p4p, 6004 weight class) and Mike Cozad (ranked 557 p4p, 578 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kuhn
vs
Cozad

195 cm
19
240
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
275
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Zack Kuhn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Cozad!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cozad connects with a crisp jab.
Kuhn misses with the combination.
Kuhn throws a right hand that misses
enabling Cozad to counter with a crisp jab.
Cozad stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuhn.
Kuhn throws a lazy right hand but Cozad sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab from Kuhn finds it's way through Cozad's defenses.

It looks like Mike Cozad has been cut.
Kuhn misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Kuhn misses.
Cozad lunges at Kuhn with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kuhn's hand.
Cozad misses with a body shot.
A big right from Cozad misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozad throws a right hand that misses
and Kuhn counters with a leg kick.

Cozad instigates a clinch.
Kuhn with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cozad is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kuhn misses with a body punch.
Kuhn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Kuhn.
Cozad is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuhn gets an underhook and turns Cozad into the cage.
Kuhn tries to land a knee to the head but Cozad blocks with his arms.
Cozad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kuhn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Cozad looks winded!
Kuhn working Cozad over with knees to the body.
Kuhn lands a good knee to the midsection. Cozad won't want to take too many of those.
Kuhn lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuhn landing knees to the body.
Kuhn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuhn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuhn connects with a knee to the head.
Kuhn digs a right hand underneath Cozad's ribcage. Cozad let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuhn dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kuhn gets through Cozad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cozad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cozad managing to block the knees to the body from Kuhn.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuhn with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuhn content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cozad has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kuhn seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Cozad can turn it around.
Kuhn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cozad's elbow.
Kuhn landing knees to the body.
Kuhn connects with a knee to the head.
Kuhn lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kuhn working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kuhn lands a left hand.
Cozad takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuhn lands a shot to the body.
Kuhn with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuhn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cozad's face.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuhn.
Kuhn lands a hook that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
Cozad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kuhn lands an uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuhn avoiding damage.
A short right from Kuhn.
Kuhn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kuhn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuhn landing knees to the head.
Kuhn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short left from Kuhn.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuhn landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuhn.
Kuhn misses with a knee strike.
Kuhn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cozad avoids it.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozad being controlled against the cage.
Kuhn scores with a knee to the head.
Kuhn tries a knee to the head but Cozad blocks it.
Cozad stalling the fight.
Kuhn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cozad blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuhn looking to throw knees to the head but Cozad is blocking nicely.
Kuhn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cozad's face.
Cozad is trying to stall.
Kuhn tries to work over Cozad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cozad is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuhn lands with a light punch inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kuhn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Kuhn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Cozad's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cozad misses with a straight left.

Cozad gets tackled into the cage by Kuhn. Kuhn maintains the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuhn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuhn lands a knee to the head.
Cozad tries to stall but Kuhn uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cozad just leaning against Kuhn, taking a breather.
Kuhn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuhn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kuhn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cozad blocks it with crossed arms.
Cozad is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kuhn tries to throw a body punch but Cozad avoids it by throwing Kuhn back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuhn trying to land knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuhn lands a hook that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
Cozad looking to slow down the pace here.
Kuhn tries to land a knee to the head but Cozad blocks with his arms.
Cozad is breathing heavily.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
Zack Kuhn has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Kuhn.
Kuhn works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kuhn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
Kuhn connects with a knee to the head.
Kuhn scores with a shoulder strike.
A right hand to the body from Kuhn.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuhn.
Kuhn lands an uppercut.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
Cozad takes a knee right on the jaw!

Cozad is rocked!
Cozad takes a knee to the side of the body.
Cozad is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuhn finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cozad seems to have recovered his senses.
Kuhn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short body shot lands from Kuhn as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Kuhn.
Kuhn scores with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Mike Cozad's cut even more.
Kuhn using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cozad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuhn lands a body shot in the clinch.

Kuhn breaks from the clinch.

Kuhn darts in and clinches Cozad up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
Kuhn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cozad can do to turn this around?
Cozad slows down the pace here.
Kuhn looking to throw knees to the head but Cozad is blocking nicely.
Kuhn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good body shot from Kuhn.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kuhn here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cozad is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kuhn using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cozad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuhn scores with a nice hook to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Still in the clinch, Kuhn scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuhn tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuhn throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuhn trying to land knees to the body.
Cozad stalling in the clinch.
Kuhn just leaning against Cozad, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuhn lands a nice uppercut.
Kuhn lands a shot to the body.
Kuhn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
Kuhn lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cozad avoiding damage as Kuhn throws knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kuhn.
Kuhn is leaning against Cozad and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kuhn lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Cozad.
Kuhn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuhn with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuhn misses with a knee strike.
Kuhn misses with a body punch.
Kuhn slowing the pace effectively.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kuhn.
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!
Kuhn with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cozad taking a breather.
Kuhn gets through Cozad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuhn.
Kuhn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short right from Kuhn.
Kuhn scores with a knee to the head.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
Kuhn content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kuhn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cozad backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuhn.
Kuhn lands a left hand.
Kuhn utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The referee calls for Kuhn to work.
Cozad is looking to control Kuhn's arms but Kuhn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Cozad has his back to the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short body shot lands from Kuhn as the two fighters clinch.
Still in the clinch, Kuhn scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuhn misses with a knee strike.
Kuhn missing with knees to the body.
Kuhn misses with a knee to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Kuhn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Cozad's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuhn lands a big head kick that sends Cozad tumbling to the mat! Kuhn takes a step backwards and waves Cozad back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Cozad tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cozad tries to clinch
and Kuhn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kuhn rushes Cozad and presses him up against the cage.
Cozad looking to slow down the pace here.
A hook to the body from Kuhn.
Kuhn can't find room to land a body shot as Cozad controls the action.
Cozad stalling in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuhn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cozad avoids it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kuhn scores with a hook to the body.
Kuhn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cozad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kuhn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Cozad.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuhn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good body shot from Kuhn.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Kuhn.
Kuhn lands a shoulder strike.
A body shot lands from Kuhn.
Kuhn landing knees to the body.
Kuhn lands with a light punch inside.
Kuhn landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kuhn with a knee to the head.
Kuhn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cozad avoids it.
Kuhn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cozads head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuhn works on Cozad's body with a couple of short punches.
Cozad stalling in the clinch but Kuhn improves position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuhn.
A short uppercut from Kuhn.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuhn.
Zack Kuhn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuhn pushes Cozad back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuhn tries to work over Cozad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuhn's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kuhn with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuhn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cozad taking a breather.
Cozad trying to stall but Kuhn improves his position.
A short left from Kuhn.
Kuhn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Cozad is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuhn gets an underhook and turns Cozad into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozad is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuhn gets an underhook and turns Cozad into the cage.
Cozad is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Kuhn digs a right hand into Cozad's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cozad's gas tank.
Cozad will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kuhn up against the cage.
Kuhn lands a nice shot to the body.
Mike Cozad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cozad wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Cozad.
Cozad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuhn slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Cozad throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kuhn scores with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuhn.
Cozad fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cozad tries to clinch but Kuhn moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Cozad throws a sloppy body shot
letting Kuhn counter with a right hand.

Kuhn clinches up with Cozad and pushes him back against the cage.
Cozad is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuhn gets an underhook and turns Cozad into the cage.
Cozad looking to slow down the pace here.
Cozad stalling in the clinch.
Kuhn tries to work over Cozad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Kuhn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuhn has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:24
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:25
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Kuhn!
Zack Kuhn was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.