PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Valeriy Kozlaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riki Oh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlaev comes into the arena with Drago blaring out of the sound system. Oh has chosen Burning down the House as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kozlaev
vs
Oh

163 cm
25
142 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

168 cm
21
147 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Balco Boys - Hilo
Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Valeriy Kozlaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Riki Oh!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oh missing with a left hand there. Kozlaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Oh scores with a one two! Kozlaev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Kozlaev gets the takedown into side control.
Oh wants to control but Kozlaev postures up.
Oh tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Oh parries the strikes from Kozlaev easily there. Kozlaev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Oh to escape.
Oh managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kozlaev.
Oh is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kozlaev grinds an elbow into Oh's temple.
An elbow from Kozlaev crashes against the mat.
Oh takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Kozlaev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Oh is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kozlaev cracks Oh with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kozlaev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kozlaev moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Oh on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Oh tries to bench press Kozlaev off him but Kozlaev keeps the position.
Kozlaev trying to control the position but Oh is working away.
Kozlaev with the ground and pound but Oh regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Kozlaev with the ground and pound but Oh uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kozlaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Oh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev lands a couple of elbows.
Kozlaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kozlaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kozlaev postures up.
Kozlaev throwing strikes from guard but Oh blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kozlaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kozlaev trying to control but Oh is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oh trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kozlaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Oh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kozlaev stopping the sweep attempt from Oh.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kozlaev misses with a takedown attempt
and Oh counters with a two punch combo.
Oh misses with a looping left.
Riki Oh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kozlaev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kozlaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kozlaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kozlaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kozlaev is looking to take a break and control but Oh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kozlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Oh keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kozlaev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kozlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kozlaev throws a strike but Oh avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kozlaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kozlaev scoring with some ground and pound.
Kozlaev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kozlaev throws and elbow that misses. Oh uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kozlaev's guard. Nice move by Oh!
Oh tries to free his leg and advance position but Kozlaev is retaining full guard.
Kozlaev wants to sweep here but Oh controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valeriy Kozlaev dominated that round.
That's time! Kozlaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Oh lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kozlaev ducks under a wild hook from Oh.
Kozlaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Oh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Oh bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kozlaev wants to clinch.

Oh clinches up against the cage.
Kozlaev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Oh has him pressed against the cage.
Kozlaev tries for a takedown but Oh manages to get underhooks.
Oh struggles to land a body shot inside as Kozlaev controls his hands.
Kozlaev is working for takedown but Oh is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kozlaev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kozlaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Oh shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Kozlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kozlaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Oh is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Oh gets underhooks to prevent Kozlaev's takedown attempt.
Kozlaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Oh shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Oh is leaning against Kozlaev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kozlaev is looking to break free of the clinch but Oh has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlaev can't get the takedown.
Kozlaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Oh lands with a light punch inside.
Kozlaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Oh lands a hook that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
Kozlaev avoiding damage as Oh throws knees to the body.
Oh looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Oh.
Oh lands with a right to the head.
Kozlaev is trying to drag Oh to the mat but Oh just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Oh digs a right hand into Kozlaev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kozlaev's gas tank.
Good body shot from Oh.
Oh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Oh is working Kozlaev over against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Oh.
Oh lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Oh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oh stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Oh pushes Kozlaev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Oh just leaning against Kozlaev, taking a breather.
Oh throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kozlaev blocks it with crossed arms.

Oh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oh throws a good cross that connects.
A jab from Oh finds it's way through Kozlaev's defenses.
Oh throws a hook but Kozlaev avoids it easily.
Kozlaev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Oh connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kozlaev shoots in for a takedown but Oh shows good takedown defense.
Kozlaev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kozlaev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Oh throws a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh connects with a right hand. Kozlaev shakes it off.
Oh might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Horrible takedown by Kozlaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Oh which made him look bad.
No luck for Kozlaev with that takedown attempt.
Valeriy Kozlaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Oh connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kozlaev. Kozlaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Kozlaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Oh controlling the position well.
Oh is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kozlaev trying to control from half guard but Oh is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh is trying to get back to full guard.
Kozlaev is looking to take a break and control but Oh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oh makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Oh.
Kozlaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kozlaev looking to sit in guard and control but Oh gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Oh looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riki Oh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab lands there for Oh.
Kozlaev darts in trying to clinch
and Oh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kozlaev thinking.

Kozlaev has closed the distance and engaged Oh in a clinch.
Oh scores with a hook to the body.
Kozlaev wants a takedown but no success here.
Oh gets underhooks to prevent Kozlaev's takedown attempt.
Oh tries to throw a body punch but Kozlaev avoids it by throwing Oh back against the cage.
Kozlaev blocks a body shot from Oh.

Kozlaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A lazy left from Oh finds it's target.
Oh cracks a nice hook into Kozlaev's ribs.
Kozlaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Oh manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kozlaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Kozlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kozlaev shoots in for a takedown but Oh shows good takedown defense.
Oh throws a series of punches but Kozlaev avoids them all with ease.
Oh lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kozlaev tries to clinch there but Oh circles away.
Oh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kozlaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Oh.
Kozlaev misses with a takedown attempt - Oh sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kozlaev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Oh.
Kozlaev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Oh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kozlaev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Oh connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Oh lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kozlaev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Oh.
Kozlaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kozlaev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kozlaev with a poor takedown
and Oh makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev has his takedown stuffed
and Oh counters with a stiff right hand.
Kozlaev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Oh cracks Kozlaev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Oh lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Oh.
Nice takedown defense from Oh. No joy for Kozlaev on that attempt.
Oh stuffs the takedown.
Oh lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kozlaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Oh sprawls well. He's pushed Kozlaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Oh jabs Kozlaev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A jab from Oh finds it's way through Kozlaev's defenses.
Oh connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Oh lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Kozlaev is rocked!
Kozlaev dives in and grabs Oh's left leg, looking for a takedown. Oh pushes down on Kozlaev's head and hops out.
Kozlaev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Oh connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh scores with a jab to the jaw.
Valeriy Kozlaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch lands to the side of Kozlaev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Oh Kozlaev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Oh closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kozlaev seems to have got his legs back now.
Oh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kozlaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Oh lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Oh with a jab.
Oh lands with a straight right. Kozlaev didn't see that one coming.
Kozlaev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Oh lands a right hook to the body.
Oh connects with a looping right hand.
Oh looks to land a combination but Kozlaev avoids it well.

Kozlaev has closed the distance and engaged Oh in a clinch.
Kozlaev has Oh pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Oh manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from Oh - that landed with a thud.
Kozlaev wants a takedown but no success here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oh pushes Kozlaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Oh lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Oh lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
Oh lands a shoulder strike.
Kozlaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Oh shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Oh working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Oh trying to land knees to the body.
Oh gets underhooks to prevent Kozlaev's takedown attempt.
Oh lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Oh prevents the takedown attempt.
Oh presses Kozlaev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A shot in the inside from Oh.
Oh is trying to maintain a safe position but Kozlaev gets an underhook and turns Oh into the cage.
Oh throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Oh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlaev drops his hands momentarily and Oh takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Oh gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Oh has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riki Oh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Oh 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riki Oh!