PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Soprano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlov comes into the arena with Enae Volare Mezzo blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kozlov
vs
Soprano

195 cm
24
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleksandr Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Soprano!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A good leg kick by Kozlov.
Soprano on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kozlov. Kozlov obviously looking to wear him down.
Soprano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kozlov lands with a kick to the temple. Soprano shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Tony Soprano has been cut.

A jab-cross combination lands for Soprano and sends Kozlov crashing to the mat! Soprano follows him down to the mat - Kozlov regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

It looks like Aleksandr Kozlov has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soprano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kozlov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soprano.
Kozlov wants to get back to his feet.
Soprano trying to pass the guard but Kozlov defending well.
Soprano throwing shots but Kozlov is blocking nicely.
Kozlov wants to get back to his feet.
Soprano drops an elbow to the side of Kozlov's head.

Kozlov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kozlov delivers a nice body kick.
Tony Soprano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soprano looks gassed!
Soprano takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kozlov connects with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That has opened up Tony Soprano's cut even more.
A head kick from Kozlov lands but Soprano takes it in his stride.
Kozlov scores with a head kick.

Soprano is rocked!
Kozlov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kozlov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Soprano's head.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses.
Soprano swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Soprano throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Kozlov throws a head kick but Soprano moves out of range.
Soprano dives in and grabs Kozlov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kozlov pushes down on Soprano's head and hops out.
Kozlov scores with a leg kick.

Soprano drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soprano missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Kozlov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Soprano paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soprano goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Soprano looks to land a combination but Kozlov avoids it well.
Soprano throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Soprano lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Soprano.
Soprano misses with a two punch combination.
Soprano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kozlov thumps Soprano with a low kick.
A combination from Soprano does no damage.
Soprano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Soprano misses.
Soprano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kozlov moves in looking to clinch but Soprano pushes him off.
Soprano throws a nice looking combination but Kozlov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Soprano does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov slips a jab and a cross from Soprano.
Soprano swinging wildly here.
Aleksandr Kozlov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Soprano lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kozlov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kozlov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Soprano throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kozlov cracks Soprano with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kozlov throws a head kick that half lands.
Soprano throws a right and a left that Kozlov avoids nicely.
Soprano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Soprano throws a series of punches but Kozlov avoids them all with ease.
Soprano tries to bum rush Kozlov with a series of wild strikes but Kozlov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Soprano misses with a double jab.
Soprano throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Soprano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Soprano misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four 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.
Kozlov throws a nice head kick!
Soprano throws a series of punches but Kozlov moves out of range.
A punch combination from Soprano misses.
Soprano shoots in and drives through. Kozlov sprawls well.
An inside leg kick lands from Kozlov.
Soprano fails with a takedown attempt.
Aleksandr Kozlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Soprano.
Kozlov lands an overhand right.
Soprano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kozlov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kozlov.
Kozlov tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kozlov fails in his attempt to clinch.
A good leg kick by Kozlov.
Soprano looks to land a combination but Kozlov avoids it well.
Kozlov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Kozlov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kozlov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soprano throws a combination that misses
and Kozlov counters with a thumping low kick.
Soprano takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov counters with a low kick, right behind Soprano 's knee.
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with an outside leg kick.
Soprano scores with a three punch combo!
Kozlov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kozlov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Soprano on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kozlov. Kozlov obviously looking to wear him down.
Soprano throws a combination that misses
and Kozlov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Soprano's knee momentarily.
Soprano takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kozlov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kozlov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kozlov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soprano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Soprano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov counters with a one-two to the body.
Kozlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soprano fails with a takedown attempt.
Soprano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Soprano misses with an uppercut.
Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kozlov leaves Soprano with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Soprano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov counters with a leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Soprano lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kozlov doesn't seem phased though.
Soprano walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kozlov.
Soprano misses with a takedown attempt - Kozlov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aleksandr Kozlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Soprano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kozlov counters with an inside leg kick.
Soprano blocks a head kick by Kozlov.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Soprano.
Kozlov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Soprano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kozlov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Soprano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Soprano falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kozlov counters with a head kick.
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Aleksandr Kozlov is winning the standup battle so far.
Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov counters with a head kick. That will keep Soprano thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Soprano avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
Soprano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Soprano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kozlov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Soprano swinging wildly here.
Soprano throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov counters with a body kick that stops Soprano in his tracks momentarily.
Soprano avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
Soprano lands a jab-cross combination.
Soprano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kozlov tries a head kick but it misses.
Soprano misses with a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kozlov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Soprano.

Soprano throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kozlov was covering up waiting for the punch and Soprano finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Soprano wants to get up but he can't break Kozlov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Soprano throwing strikes from guard but Kozlov blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Soprano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Soprano off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Kozlov lands a head kick!
Soprano's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kozlov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kozlov lands a head kick. Soprano smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Soprano lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kozlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soprano falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kozlov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Soprano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kozlov lands a head kick. Soprano smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Soprano throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Soprano misses with a combination
and Kozlov counters with a big head kick but Soprano shrugs it off.
Kozlov lands with a slapping head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Kozlov dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Soprano is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Soprano throws a combination that misses
and Kozlov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kozlov lands with a kick to the temple. Soprano shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kozlov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kozlov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kozlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aleksandr Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kozlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soprano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kozlov counters with a nice leg kick.
Soprano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kozlov is fending him off so far but Soprano persists. Nope, Kozlov circles away and we're back to standing.
Soprano throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Soprano tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses.
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kozlov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kozlov.
Kozlov scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kozlov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Kozlov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov tries a head kick but it misses.
Soprano misses with a double jab
and Kozlov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kozlov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Soprano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with a nice body kick.

Soprano tries to keep at a distance but Kozlov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Soprano drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kozlov misses with a knee strike.

Soprano tightens his grip and picks Kozlov up, before dumping him to the ground. Kozlov manages to land in guard.
Soprano prevents Kozlov from getting back to his feet.
Kozlov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kozlov tries to get out of the position.

Kozlov pushes Soprano off and gets back to his feet.

Soprano shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Soprano was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soprano looking to ground and pound but Kozlov is blocking nicely.
Soprano cracks Kozlov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Kozlov wants to get back to his feet.
Soprano lands a heavy elbow.
Kozlov trying desperately to get to his feet.
Soprano lands a big shot there that rocks Kozlov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kozlov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Kozlov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Soprano.
Soprano landing strikes from the mount.
Soprano raining down shots from the mount!
Soprano landing strikes from the mount and Kozlov is in trouble!
Aleksandr Kozlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soprano throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Soprano working the ground and pound effectively.
Soprano throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Soprano working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kozlov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Soprano.
Soprano won't let Kozlov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Kozlov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Soprano with the ground and pound from mount.
Kozlov wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Soprano punishing his opponent with strikes.
Soprano scoring with strikes but Kozlov is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Soprano won't let Kozlov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Soprano lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kozlov is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Kozlov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Soprano tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Soprano thowing shots but they're missing.
Soprano throwing strikes here but Kozlov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kozlov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Soprano tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Soprano 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.
Tony Soprano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kozlov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tony Soprano.
I think Kozlov 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Kozlov!