PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Valeriy Kozlaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Howland Reed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlaev comes to the cage accompanied by Drago. Valeriy Kozlaev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Howland Reed's chin.

Kozlaev
vs
Reed

163 cm
27
142 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

150 cm
26
145 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

L.A. Elite Clothing Co ($8.50 shorts and shirt)
L.A. Elite Clothing Co ($8.50 shorts and shirt)

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 9 - 6 - 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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Howland Reed!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kozlaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Reed swings wildly with an uppercut but Kozlaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Reed.
Reed scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kozlaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Reed avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Reed lands with a right to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Reed.
Reed gets underhooks to prevent Kozlaev's takedown attempt.
Kozlaev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kozlaev can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Kozlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlaev is trying to break the clinch but Reed is controlling him.
Reed lands with a light punch inside.
Kozlaev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Reed misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kozlaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Reed prevents it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Reed.
Reed working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Reed scores with a hook to the body.
Reed prevents a takedown attempt there.
Reed lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
Reed swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kozlaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Reed pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kozlaev looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Reed fails to land.
Reed scores with a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed scores with a nice hook to the head.

Kozlaev is rocked!

Reed drops Kozlaev onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Kozlaev is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Oh Kozlaev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reed.
Reed fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Reed misses with some punches.
Reed swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Reed misses with a short punch on the inside.
Reed swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kozlaev blocking some punches.
Kozlaev wants a takedown but no success here.
Kozlaev blocks an uppercut.
Reed misses with the head strike.
Kozlaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kozlaev seems to have got his legs back now.
Reed misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kozlaev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Reed lands an uppercut.

Kozlaev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Reed clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kozlaev is hanging on to Reed's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Reed turns into Kozlaev and is now in his guard.
Kozlaev controls Reed momentarily but Reed frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kozlaev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kozlaev wants to take a breather but Reed is having none of it.
Kozlaev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kozlaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev with the ground and pound but Reed uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kozlaev trying to control but Reed is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Reed tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kozlaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kozlaev throws a big right hand that misses.

Reed is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kozlaev is aware though and is defending well.
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!
Kozlaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Reed is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlaev looking to sit in guard and control but Reed gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Howland Reed will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Reed has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kozlaev is trying to break the clinch but Reed has him pressed against the cage.
Kozlaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Reed.
Reed prevents the takedown attempt.
Reed lands a right hand.
Kozlaev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kozlaev has had enough of the clinch but Reed keeps him there for the moment.
Reed misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kozlaev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Reed gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Reed prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Kozlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Reed on the inside.
Kozlaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kozlaev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Reed is pressed up against the cage. Kozlaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Reed down to the mat. Reed avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Reed lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Reed stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Reed wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck for Kozlaev with that takedown attempt.

Kozlaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reed, pushing him back against the cage.
Reed misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reed.
Howland Reed seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed working aggressively here.
Reed keeps control of Kozlaev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kozlaev is looking to break free of the clinch but Reed has double underhooks.
Kozlaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Reed lands a hook that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
Reed lands with a right to the head.
Kozlaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Reed prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Reed.
Kozlaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Reed prevents it.
Kozlaev tries to break free but Reed pushes him back against the cage.
Kozlaev is trying to drag Reed to the mat but Reed just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reed keeps control of Kozlaev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Reed fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Reed lands with a short shot to the head.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reed lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kozlaev goes for a takedown attempt but Reed pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kozlaev dives in and grabs Reed's left leg, looking for a takedown. Reed pushes down on Kozlaev's head and hops out.
Good leg kick by Reed there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice takedown defense from Reed. No joy for Kozlaev on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reed digs a good hook to Kozlaev's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reed fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kozlaev misses with a takedown attempt
and Reed counters with an inside leg kick.
Reed cracks Kozlaev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reed scores with a jab. Kozlaev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Reed uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kozlaev has time to react.
Reed lands a jab to the head.
Reed lands with a shot to the body.
Reed scores with a shot to the body.
Reed lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Reed clinches up against the cage.
Kozlaev wants a takedown but no success here.
Reed lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Howland Reed showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kozlaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Reed tests Kozlaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reed lands with a good body shot.
Kozlaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Reed sprawls well. Reed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kozlaev gets slowly back to his feet.
Reed lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Reed throws a hook to the side of Kozlaev's head but Kozlaev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reed stuffs the takedown.

Reed clinches up with Kozlaev and pushes him back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Reed.
Kozlaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reed pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valeriy Kozlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reed connects with a leg kick. Kozlaev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed jabs at Kozlaev's body.
Kozlaev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Reed has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kozlaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Reed avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Reed scores with a shoulder strike.
Reed makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Reed working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reed.
Kozlaev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Reed lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
Kozlaev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Valeriy Kozlaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Reed.
Kozlaev is working for takedown but Reed is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short right from Reed on the inside.
Reed lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kozlaev backwards.
A short left from Reed.
Kozlaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Reed scores with a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short body shot lands from Reed as the two fighters clinch.
Reed working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reed lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Reed gets underhooks to prevent Kozlaev's takedown attempt.
Kozlaev is trying to drag Reed to the mat but Reed just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kozlaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reed is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reed lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reed lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Reed lands a big right hand that drops Kozlaev! The killer instinct kicks in and Reed finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Reed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Howland Reed!