PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Drago Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and H Y Kwon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlov comes to the cage accompanied by Back in the USSR. Kwon is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Wu Tang Clan - CREAM. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that H Y Kwon was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kozlov
vs
Y Kwon

187 cm
30
190 lbs
23 - 4 - 0

180 cm
30
200 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Drago Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, H Y Kwon!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kwon.
Kwon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kwon moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Kwon looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kwon throws a big elbow that misses.

Kwon postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kozlov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kwon, into his guard.

Kwon working for a triangle but Kozlov defends it easily.
Kozlov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kwon working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kozlov has passed into half guard!
Kozlov wants to pass the guard but Kwon is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kwon wants to improve his position but Kozlov is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kozlov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Kwon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kwon is looking to improve his position.

Kwon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kwon wants to control but Kozlov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kozlov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kwon keeps working.
Kozlov working the head and body with strikes.

Kwon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kozlov is thwarting Kwon's attempts to control the position.
Kozlov trying to control the action but Kwon is working from the bottom.
Kozlov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kwon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kwon tries to kick Kozlov off but Kozlov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kozlov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kwon keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwon wants to control but Kozlov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Kwon pushes Kozlov off and gets back to his feet.
Kozlov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kwon stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kwon checks a leg kick.
Kwon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kozlov as he jumps to the side.
Kozlov blocks a jab.
Kwon throws a head kick but Kozlov moves out of range.
No joy there for Kwon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kwon moves out of range as Kozlov throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a low kick.

Kozlov drives through and clinches with Kwon against the cage.
Kozlov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kwon misses with an elbow strike.
Kwon blocks a body shot from Kozlov.
A right hook to the body lands for Kozlov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kwon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kwon throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kwon.
Kozlov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kwon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kozlov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kwon throws an elbow but it misses.
Kozlov misses with a body punch.
Kwon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kwon comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Drago Kozlov has been cut.
Kwon leaning against his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Kozlov fails to land.
Kozlov tries a body shot but Kwon blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

H Y Kwon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Drago Kozlov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kwon closes the distance and clinches up with Kozlov, looking for a takedown. Kwon pushes Kozlov against the cage but Kozlov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kwon misses with a hook

and Kozlov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kwon won't be happy with that.
Kozlov trying to control the position but Kwon is working away.
Kozlov is putting a hurting on Kwon here, landing some big shots from side control.
Kwon is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kozlov is trying to control the action in half guard but Kwon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Kwon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov is looking to advance position but Kwon won't allow it.

Kwon looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kozlov prevents Kwon from getting the reversal.
Kwon regains half guard.

Kwon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kwon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kozlov pulls his head out easily.
Kozlov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kwon is bucking up trying to escape but Kozlov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kozlov lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov unloading with bombs!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kwon looks a forlorn figure.
Kwon slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kwon trying to control from the bottom.
Kozlov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kozlov trying to control from half guard but Kwon is working away.

Kwon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kozlov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kwon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kwon keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kozlov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Kwon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kozlov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kozlov trying to control but Kwon is working from the bottom.

Kwon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kozlov defends well.

Kwon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kozlov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwon is pressing down on Kozlov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kwon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kozlov passes into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kwon is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kozlov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kozlov wants to control but Kwon is keeping him busy.
Kozlov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kwon looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kwon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kozlov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kwon tries to get to full guard but Kozlov has control of the leg.
Kozlov trying to control the action but Kwon is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Kozlov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Drago Kozlov's cut.
That's time! Kozlov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kwon takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kwon misses with a low kick.
Kwon misses the jab.

Kwon moves into the clinch.
Kozlov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kozlov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kwon.
Kwon prevents a body shot from Kozlov.
Kwon gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kozlov misses with a body punch.
Kwon's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kozlov tries to break free but Kwon pushes him back against the cage.
Kwon scores with a shot to the side of Kozlov's head.
Kozlov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kwon won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kozlov takes an elbow to the temple.
Kwon looking to stall.
Kozlov lands with a left to the head.
Kwon lands a left hand.
Kozlov tries a body shot but Kwon blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Kozlov as the two fighters clinch.
Kwon looking to stall.
A short uppercut from Kozlov.
Kwon pushes off an throws an elbow but Kozlov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kozlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Kwon controls his hands.
Drago Kozlov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kwon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kozlov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kwon lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kozlov tries a body shot but Kwon blocks it.
Kwon lands a damaging elbow.
Kwon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Drago Kozlov's cut is getting worse.
Kozlov managing to block the knees to the body from Kwon.
Kwon looking to stall.
Kozlov misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwon fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kozlov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kwon's elbow.
Kwon looking for a takedown.
Drago Kozlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of H Y Kwon.
Kwon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A short uppercut from Kozlov.
Kwon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kozlov lands a right hand.
Kwon is leaning against Kozlov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short body shot lands from Kwon as the two fighters clinch.
Kozlov avoiding damage as Kwon throws knees to the body.
Kozlov dodges an elbow strike from Kwon.
Kozlov misses with a punch to the body.
Kwon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kozlov is defending well for now.
Kozlov missing with knees to the body.
Kozlov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kwon's elbow.
Kozlov is trying to push Kwon away but Kwon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kozlov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kwon uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Kozlov.
Kozlov blocks an elbow strike.
Kozlov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Kozlov.
Kwon throws a punch but it's blocked by Kozlov.
Kwon jumps guard but Kozlov stands there with Kwon around his waist. Kwon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Kozlov.
Kozlov avoiding damage as Kwon throws knees to the body.
Kozlov avoiding damage as Kwon throws knees to the body.
Kwon fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kozlov scores with a shot to the side of Kwon's head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kozlov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kozlov scores with a shot to the side of Kwon's head.
Kozlov lands with a short shot to the head.
Kwon misses with a body punch.
Kwon tries to stall but Kozlov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kozlov lands a left hand.
Kozlov lands a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kozlov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kwon's defenses.

It looks like H Y Kwon has been cut.
Kozlov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kozlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Kwon controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kwon.
Kozlov scores with a shot to the side of Kwon's head.
Kozlov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kwon is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kwon throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kozlov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kwon misses with an elbow over the top.
Kozlov avoids a wild elbow strike from Kwon.
Kozlov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kozlov misses with a punch to the body.
Kwon is trying to maintain a safe position but Kozlov gets an underhook and turns Kwon into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kwon throws an elbow but misses.
Kwon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kozlov.
Kwon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kozlov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kozlov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kwon's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kozlov tries to work over Kwon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kozlov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kozlov tries a body shot but Kwon blocks it.
A left hand lands to the body for Kozlov.
Kozlov lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Kozlov clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kozlov lands a nice looking body kick.
Kozlov thuds his shin into the meat of Kwon's side.
Kwon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kozlov counters with an outside leg kick.
Kwon misses with a shot to the body
and Kozlov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kozlov wants to clinch up but Kwon keeps it at a distance.
Kozlov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kozlov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kwon misses with a left hand

so Kozlov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kwon keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov is really struggling to control Kwon but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kwon has his foot on Kozlov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kozlov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kwon is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kozlov passes Kwon's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Kwon looking for submissions off his back.
Kozlov wants to take a breather but Kwon is having none of it.
Kozlov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kwon wants to improve his position but Kozlov is controlling well.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but Kwon defending well.
Kozlov is trying to control the action in half guard but Kwon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kozlov wants to pass to mount but Kwon is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwon trying to hold on to Kozlov's head to control him but Kozlov postures up.
Kozlov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kozlov tries to pass to full mount but Kwon defends it.

Kwon is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kozlov pulls his head out easily.
Kwon trying to hold on to Kozlov's head to control him but Kozlov postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kwon gets back to full guard.
Kozlov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov looking to pass the guard.
Kozlov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kwon on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kwon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kozlov stands up over Kwon, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kwon looking for a guillotine here but Kozlov defends easily.

Kwon has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kozlov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kwon.
Kozlov working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwon taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kozlov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
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!
Kwon sneaks back into half guard.
Kozlov prevents Kwon from improving his position.

Kwon looking for submissions off his back.

Kwon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlov is thwarting Kwon's attempts to control the position.
Kozlov is nestled in close to Kwon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drago Kozlov had his way with H Y Kwon in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Kozlov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kwon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kozlov is fending him off so far but Kwon persists. Nope, Kozlov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kwon looks for a takedown but Kozlov sprawls well.
Kwon throws a leg kick
letting Kozlov counter with a right hand.
Kozlov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kwon misses with a looping left.

Kozlov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kwon to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kozlov wants to stand up but Kwon is controlling him.
Kwon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kozlov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kwon chips away with some ground and pound.

Kwon postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kozlov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kwon, into his guard.
Kozlov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kwon working for a triangle but Kozlov defends it easily.

Kozlov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kwon has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kozlov has managed to get both his arms back between Kwon's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwon seems keen to control Kozlov's posture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Kwon keeps moving.

Kwon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kozlov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kozlov looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kozlov is one step ahead there.

Kwon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kozlov defends it easily.
Kozlov trying to control but Kwon is working from the bottom.

Kwon throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kozlov escapes and throws Kwon's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Drago Kozlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kwon tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kozlov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
H Y Kwon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kozlov trying to control the action but Kwon is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov working away.
Kwon tries to improve position but can't.
Kwon can't do much from the bottom here.
Kwon sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kozlov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kwon does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kwon wants to improve his position but Kozlov is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kwon trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kwon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kozlov, pushing him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
H Y Kwon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kozlov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drago Kozlov!
After winning the bout, Drago Kozlov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.