PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Cikotic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Kazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kazar's choice of entrance music: This is the World We Live In by Alcazar. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Cikotic
vs
Kazar

184 cm
21
209 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

194 cm
22
203 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light 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, Mirko Cikotic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Al Kazar!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cikotic lands a body shot.
Cikotic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kazar avoids the head kick by Cikotic.
A clash of legs there as Kazar blocks the low kick.
Kazar tries to clinch there but Cikotic circles away.
No luck for Kazar with that takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Cikotic or perhaps it was just good defense by Kazar which made him look bad.
Kazar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Kazar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kazar prevents Cikotic from getting back to his feet.
Kazar is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kazar wants to pass the guard but Cikotic is keeping the position.
Kazar controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cikotic keeping moving, preventing Kazar from controlling successfully.
Cikotic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kazar trying to control the position from guard on top but Cikotic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cikotic is looking to stand up but Kazar isn't so interested in that idea.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kazar wants to clinch up but Cikotic keeps it at a distance.

Kazar closes the distance and clinches.

Cikotic manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kazar has Cikotic up against the ropes in a clinch.
Cikotic stalling in the clinch but Kazar improves position.

Kazar manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kazar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cikotic manages to get himself to full guard.
Cikotic keeping moving, preventing Kazar from controlling successfully.
Cikotic throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Cikotic is looking to stand up but Kazar isn't so interested in that idea.
Cikotic is breathing heavily.
Cikotic working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazar is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kazar wants to control from the top but Cikotic keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kazar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mirko Cikotic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Kazar.
Cikotic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kazar.
Cikotic is not content to let Kazar control the position.
Cikotic is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Kazar has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cikotic throws Kazar to one side and escapes!
Cikotic lands a nice shot to the body.
Cikotic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kazar counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kazar.
Kazar content to stall in guard here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cikotic is looking to stand up but Kazar isn't so interested in that idea.
Cikotic being controlled here, momentarily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic is looking to stand up but Kazar isn't so interested in that idea.
Kazar wants to control from the top but Cikotic keeps moving.

Kazar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cikotic, up you get!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cikotic crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kazar - the referee stops the clock and Cikotic gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kazar. Cikotic manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cikotic throws a push kick but Kazar slaps the foot to one side.
Cikotic throws a head kick that misses.
Cikotic throws a looping overhand right but Kazar ducks down to avoid it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cikotic.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cikotic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kazar has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Cikotic is trying to keep an underhook but Kazar manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kazar tries to stand but can't do so whilst Cikotic controls his leg.
Kazar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cikotic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kazar decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Kazar shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cikotic's guard.
Kazar lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kazar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kazar stopping the sweep attempt from Cikotic.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kazar slips nicely into half guard.
Cikotic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kazar prevents Cikotic from improving his position.
Cikotic tries to kick Kazar off but Kazar keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kazar wants to take a breather but Cikotic is having none of it.
Cikotic wants to get back to his feet.

Cikotic has one foot on Kazar's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Cikotic.
Cikotic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazar.
Cikotic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic throws a right hand that Kazar ducks under and follows up with a left that Kazar also avoids with ease.
Kazar looks to land a combination but Cikotic avoids it well.
Cikotic connects with a high kick.

It looks like Al Kazar has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kazar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Cikotic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cikotic lands in his opponent's guard.

Cikotic decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kazar, up you get!
Kazar has a takedown stuffed.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazar throws a right hand that Cikotic ducks under and follows up with a left that Cikotic also avoids with ease.
Cikotic throws out a leg kick but Kazar moves out of range and Cikotic only half commits.
Kazar shoots in for a double leg but Cikotic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kazar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cikotic circles away.
Mirko Cikotic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kazar rushes Cikotic and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Kazar manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kazar controls Cikotic momentarily but Cikotic frees himself.
Kazar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cikotic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kazar's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kazar manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Cikotic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kazar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kazar pulls guard successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cikotic wants to get up but he can't break Kazar's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cikotic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kazar looking for a sweep. Not yet Kazar, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Kazar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Al Kazar's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cikotic blocks a head kick by Kazar.
Cikotic shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazar sprawls well. He's pushed Cikotic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cikotic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cikotic throws a head kick that misses.
Cikotic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Kazar instigates a clinch.
Cikotic has had enough of the clinch but Kazar keeps him there for the moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Cikotic.

Kazar decides to pull guard.
Kazar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cikotic is one step ahead there.
Kazar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cikotic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cikotic postures up.

Kazar is looking for a triangle but Cikotic pushes his legs off easily.
Kazar seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cikotic trying to control the position from guard on top but Kazar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cikotic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kazar looking to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cikotic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kazar circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mirko Cikotic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kazar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cikotic tries to avoid it but Kazar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cikotic to the ground. Cikotic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A shot to de liver by Kazar. Beautiful body shot.

Kazar shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cikotic keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kazar takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kazar landing strikes from the mount.
Cikotic regains half guard.
Al Kazar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cikotic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Cikotic has one foot on Kazar's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Cikotic tries to clinch

and Kazar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kazar lands a knee to the body.

Kazar manages to break the clinch.
Cikotic throws a lazy head kick

and Kazar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kazar.
Kazar prevents Cikotic from breaking the clinch.
Cikotic wants to break free but Kazar has control.
Cikotic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cikotic looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kazar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cikotic uses from the top position.

Kazar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cikotic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cikotic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cikotic wants to stand and escape but instead Kazar has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Cikotic wants to stand up but Kazar is controlling him.
Kazar wants to control from the top but Cikotic keeps moving.
Cikotic is looking to stand up but Kazar isn't so interested in that idea.

Cikotic kicks Kazar off and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic thuds his shin into the meat of Kazar's side.
Cikotic shoots and misses

and Kazar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kazar is pressed up against the ropes. Cikotic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kazar down to the mat. Kazar avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kazar changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cikotic looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kazar has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Cikotic!
Kazar controlling the pace for now.

Kazar is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Cikotic has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Cikotic trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kazar controlling the position easily from mount.
Cikotic squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Kazar is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cikotic can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Cikotic tries to reverse the position but Kazar maintains control.

Kazar goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cikotic turns into him and now he's in Kazar's guard.
Kazar trying to keep a closed guard but Cikotic is proving a slippery customer.
Cikotic wants to get up but he can't break Kazar's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's six 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.

Kazar is working an open guard so Cikotic takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cikotic misses with a few strikes there.
Cikotic tries to clinch there but Kazar circles away.
Mirko Cikotic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cikotic moves into range and clinches up with Kazar.
Cikotic can't break the clinch.

Cikotic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kazar is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Cikotic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Cikotic manages to break the clinch.
Kazar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cikotic.
Cikotic fails to land with a series of punches.
Cikotic misses with a low kick.
Cikotic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cikotic shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazar sprawls well. He's pushed Cikotic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic misses with a body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cikotic lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kazar has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kazar and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Cikotic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Cikotic decides to stand up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kazar.
Cikotic wants to get back to his feet but Kazar drags him back down.
Kazar scoring with punches and elbows.
Cikotic tries to escape but Kazar is in control.

Kazar tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kazar has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kazar content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Cikotic throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Cikotic tries for a takedown but Kazar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kazar closes the distance and clinches up with Cikotic, looking for a takedown. Kazar pushes Cikotic against the ropes but Cikotic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Cikotic clinches up against the ropes.

Cikotic breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Cikotic.
Kazar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cikotic tries to avoid it but Kazar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cikotic to the ground. Cikotic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cikotic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cikotic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kazar avoids the head kick by Cikotic.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cikotic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cikotic misses with the combination.
Kazar has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Kazar scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Cikotic is trying to get back to his feet.
Kazar is working Cikotic over with some ground and pound from side control.
Cikotic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kazar tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kazar working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al Kazar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kazar has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Al Kazar!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Al Kazar!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Al Kazar!

Al Kazar wins by unanimous decision!