PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor Cozad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Pearl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pearl comes into a darkened arena with his song building. yes kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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!

Cozad
vs
Pearl

173 cm
26
158 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

190 cm
29
152 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Bloodsport Nutrition

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor Cozad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mr Pearl!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pearl tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pearl fails with an attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Pearl or perhaps it was just good defense by Cozad which made him look bad.
Cozad swinging wildly here.
Cozad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pearl lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cozad tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Pearl manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pearl tries to bum rush Cozad with a series of wild strikes but Cozad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A punch combination from Pearl misses.
Pearl is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Pearl tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Cozad counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nice shot lands for Pearl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearl swats away the attempt to clinch by Cozad.

Cozad takes the fight into the clinch.

Cozad has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pearl regains guard immediately.

Pearl working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cozad doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cozad manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cozad trying to control but Pearl is working from the bottom.
Cozad slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Pearl is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pearl is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozad stands and throws Pearl's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Cozad tries for a kimura but Pearl is defending well.
Pearl is not content to let Cozad control the position.

Cozad stands up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cozad rushes Pearl and presses him up against the cage.
Cozad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pearls head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearl has Cozad pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cozad manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cozad gets underhooks to prevent Pearl's takedown attempt.
Connor Cozad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Pearl.

Cozad jumps guard.

Cozad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pearl sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cozad's guard.
Cozad keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Pearl is working for a submission of some sort.
Pearl stops Cozad from getting back to his feet.
Pearl seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cozad does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pearl trying to mount his opponent but Cozad defends it.
Pearl is thwarting Cozad's attempts to control the position.

Pearl is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cozad sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozad pushes Pearl off looking to stand but Pearl dives back in and keeps control.
Cozad is looking to control Pearl's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cozad avoid being mounted?

Cozad is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pearl pulls his head out easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Pearl is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Pearl is looking to advance position but Cozad won't allow it.

Pearl looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Cozad wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pearl tries to pass to full mount but Cozad defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Connor Cozad will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cozad closes the distance and pushes Pearl back into the cage.

Cozad jumps guard and drags Pearl to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Pearl chips away with some ground and pound.

Cozad is looking for a triangle but Pearl pushes his legs off easily.
Cozad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pearl is controlling him.
Pearl must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cozad keeping full guard, as Pearl tries to pass.
Cozad keeping moving, preventing Pearl from controlling successfully.
Pearl postures up.
Cozad wants to get back to his feet but Pearl is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pearl working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cozad is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pearl working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cozad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pearl is aware though and is defending well.
Pearl is looking to work some ground and pound but Cozad has wrist control.
Pearl working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pearl throws a big elbow that misses.
Pearl throwing strikes from guard but Cozad blocks nicely.

Cozad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pearl is aware though and is defending well.

Cozad is looking for a triangle but Pearl pushes his legs off easily.
Pearl throws a big elbow that misses.

Pearl throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pearl wants to stand up but Cozad is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozad stands and throws Pearl's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Cozad swings around for an armbar but Pearl sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Cozad's guard.
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!
Cozad pulls Pearl in close to his closed guard and prevents Pearl from doing any damage or advancing position.
Pearl stops Cozad from standing up.
Pearl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cozad manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pearl manages to get himself to full guard.
Pearl keeping full guard, as Cozad tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cozad postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pearl is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cozad, into his guard.
Pearl loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pearl trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cozad manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Pearl has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cozad off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Pearl misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pearl has a takedown stuffed.
Cozad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearl fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cozad fails to land with a series of punches.
Cozad shoots in for a takedown but Pearl shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cozad misses with a double jab.
A jab from Pearl does it's job there.
Pearl is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cozad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Pearl throws a series of punches but Cozad avoids them all with ease.
Mr Pearl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pearl throws a series of punches but Cozad moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pearl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pearl throws a nice looking combination but Cozad bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Connor Cozad will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pearl shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cozad pinned against the cage. Cozad gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cozad.
A left and a right from Cozad both land. Nice combination.
Pearl lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Pearl throws a series of punches but Cozad moves out of range.

Pearl gets tackled into the cage by Cozad. Cozad maintains the clinch.
Cozad prevents the takedown attempt.

Cozad gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cozad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Pearl tries to kick Cozad off but Cozad keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cozad is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cozad wants to pass to mount but Pearl is defending the position.

Pearl looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Pearl is trying to maintain the position but Cozad is very close to passing his half guard.

Cozad is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pearl doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cozad.

Cozad is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cozad is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pearl has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cozad is looking to take a break and control but Pearl is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Pearl kicks Cozad off and gets back to his feet.

Pearl moves into the clinch successfully.
Pearl drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cozad pulls his leg out and moves away.
Connor Cozad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mr Pearl.
Pearl lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozad fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pearl throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cozad.
Pearl shoots for a double leg takedown but Cozad sprawls well. He's pushed Pearl's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cozad scores with a jab to the body.
Pearl takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pearl misses with a series of wild punches.
Cozad wants to clinch up but Pearl keeps it at a distance.
Cozad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pearl tries to clinch there but Cozad circles away.
Pearl tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cozad swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Pearl clinches up with Cozad and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cozad successfully pulls guard.

Cozad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pearl doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pearl manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cozad wants to stand and escape but Pearl is having none of it.
Cozad wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pearl won't allow Cozad to get back to his feet.

Cozad throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Pearl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cozad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pearl has managed to get both his arms back between Cozad's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pearl is pushing down on Cozad's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cozad is fighting to maintain full guard but Pearl has managed to sneak the leg through.
Pearl prevents Cozad from standing back up.
Pearl drops an elbow to the side of Cozad's head.
Pearl looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cozad with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Cozad clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cozad looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cozad thumps Pearl with a low kick.
Cozad throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sloppy strikes from Pearl. Those never looked like landing.
Pearl tries to clinch up.
Pearl fails to land with a series of punches.
Cozad shoots for a takedown but Pearl saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mr Pearl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pearl misses with a series of wild punches.
Pearl lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice takedown defense from Cozad. No joy for Pearl on that attempt.
Cozad works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozad is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pearl sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Pearl rushes Cozad and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pearl has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Pearl is trying to pull guard but Cozad turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Cozad tightens his grip and picks Pearl up, before dumping him to the ground. Pearl manages to land in guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cozad postures up.
Cozad is pushing down on Pearl's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pearl is fighting to maintain full guard but Cozad has managed to sneak the leg through.

Pearl makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Good shot there by Pearl.

Cozad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Cozad works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cozad postures up.
Pearl bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cozad's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearl won't allow Cozad to get back to his feet.
Pearl slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pearl working away.
Pearl lands a few punches from side control.
Pearl misses with the ground and pound.
Cozad is not content to let Pearl control the position.

Pearl is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cozad is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Connor Cozad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pearl tries to advance to mount but can't.
Cozad is trying to control Pearl's posture but Pearl avoids it.
Pearl is working Cozad over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearl working the ground and pound but Cozad is defending the strikes.

Pearl wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cozad, who protects the arm well.
Cozad gets back to half guard.
Pearl working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pearl working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Cozad's thigh. Cozad counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Cozad is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cozad is on top in guard.

Cozad gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Pearl blocks the low kick.
Cozad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cozad misses with the combination.
Cozad wants to clinch up but Pearl keeps it at a distance.
Pearl misses with a left hand

and Cozad counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pearl won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cozad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cozad trying to control the action but Pearl is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pearl is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Cozad had his way with Mr Pearl in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Pearl gets a takedown into half guard.
Cozad wants to get back to his feet.

Pearl is trying to work for a kimura but Cozad is defending well.

Cozad looking for submissions off his back.
Cozad tries to kick Pearl off but Pearl keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pearl not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pearl sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cozad defending well though.
Cozad tries to kick Pearl off but Pearl keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pearl not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cozad trying to control but Pearl postures up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozad is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pearl's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pearl's back!

Pearl defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Cozad is trying to stick to Pearl's back but Pearl is turning into Cozad. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Cozad's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Pearl.
Pearl wants to control from the top but Cozad keeps moving.
Pearl looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pearl trying to control but Cozad is working from the bottom.

Cozad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Cozad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pearl wants to control from the top but Cozad keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearl trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pearl passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Cozad is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Cozad looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pearl throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Cozad looking for submissions off his back.
Pearl is pressing down on Cozad's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cozad is holding on for now.
Pearl lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pearl wants to free his trapped foot but Cozad is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozad avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pearl.

Pearl is working for a kimura but Cozad is defending it quite comfortably.
Cozad is trying to control but can't.
Pearl with the ground and pound but Cozad uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Cozad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pearl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pearl postures up.

Cozad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pearl won't allow Cozad to get back to his feet.
Pearl is pushing down on Cozad's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cozad is fighting to maintain full guard but Pearl has managed to sneak the leg through.
Pearl scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pearl is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cozad doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pearl.
Pearl is looking to advance position but Cozad won't allow it.
Pearl missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Pearl thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cozad's head.
Pearl is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cozad is trying to stand up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pearl lands with some strikes.
Pearl prevents Cozad from getting the reversal.

Pearl goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Cozad turns into him and now he's in Pearl's guard.

Pearl is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cozad is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Pearl comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cozad 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Connor Cozad!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Connor Cozad!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight as a draw!

Connor Cozad wins by majority decision!
Connor Cozad retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath and clearly excited Connor Cozad thanked Bloodsport Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).