PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mayuri Tatsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatsuki's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Norther - Released. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Tatsuki
vs
Kozlov

170 cm
31
166 lbs
23 - 8 - 1

179 cm
26
169 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ace of Spades Clothing

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 23 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mayuri Tatsuki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatsuki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tatsuki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kozlov.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot.
Tatsuki throws a sloppy head kick and Kozlov moves out of range easily.
Kozlov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tatsuki drops his hands momentarily and Kozlov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mayuri Tatsuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tatsuki blocks a head kick by Kozlov.
Tatsuki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tatsuki ducks under a wild hook from Kozlov.
Tatsuki throws a nice looking combination but Kozlov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Kozlov clinches up against the cage.

Tatsuki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tatsuki takes one to the chin there.
Tatsuki moves out of range as Kozlov strikes.
Tatsuki lands a lovely overhand right.
Tatsuki throws a looping overhand right but Kozlov ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Kozlov sprawls well. He's pushed Tatsuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tatsuki scores with a nice body kick.
Tatsuki tries to work over Kozlov's front leg with a kick but Kozlov checks it.
Tatsuki throws a body punch but Kozlov moves out of range.
A jab from Tatsuki finds it's way through Kozlov's defenses.

Tatsuki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Tatsuki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kozlov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tatsuki wants to control but Kozlov is keeping him busy.
Kozlov tries to escape but Tatsuki is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki wants to control but Kozlov is keeping him busy.
Kozlov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Tatsuki is controlling him well.
Kozlov is not content to let Tatsuki control the position.
Tatsuki tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The strikes coming from Tatsuki are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Tatsuki working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki tries to advance to mount but Kozlov denies him.
Tatsuki sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kozlov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kozlov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tatsuki working the head and body with strikes.
Kozlov prevents Tatsuki from improving position.
Kozlov is not content to let Tatsuki control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki is really struggling to control Kozlov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Tatsuki working the ground and pound.
Tatsuki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tatsuki misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee asks Tatsuki politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Tatsuki prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tatsuki trying to control the position but Kozlov is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mayuri Tatsuki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tatsuki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kozlov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tatsuki tries to land a leg kick but Kozlov saw it coming and moves away.
Tatsuki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kozlov misses with an uppercut.
Tatsuki throws a nice looking combination but Kozlov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tatsuki throws a low kick, looking for Kozlov's leg but Kozlov calmly moves out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kozlov enables Tatsuki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kozlov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tatsuki trying to control but Kozlov is working from the bottom.
Tatsuki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kozlov can't keep his opponent in guard - Tatsuki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov taking some punishment here, with Tatsuki in his half guard.
Tatsuki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tatsuki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kozlov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tatsuki is nestled in close to Kozlov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kozlov wants to get back to his feet.
Tatsuki lands with a punch from half guard.
Kozlov is not content to let Tatsuki control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov tries to kick Tatsuki off but Tatsuki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tatsuki is keen to just control but Kozlov is a slippery customer.
Tatsuki is controlling the pace.
Tatsuki is looking to take a break and control but Kozlov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Tatsuki there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki trying to control the action but Kozlov is working from the bottom.
Tatsuki controlling the action here.
Mayuri Tatsuki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

We're going to have a standup here because Mayuri Tatsuki wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Tatsuki swats away the attempt to clinch by Kozlov.
Kozlov throws a right hand that misses
and Tatsuki counters with a series of strikes. Kozlov will be more careful next time no doubt.
A cross from Kozlov lands.
Kozlov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tatsuki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kozlov.
Tatsuki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kozlov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov lands with an uppercut that bounces Tatsuki off the cage and back into range.
A telegraphed right hand from Tatsuki misses the target.
Tatsuki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tatsuki avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tatsuki misses with a wild body shot.
Tatsuki connects with a body shot that sends Kozlov's belly button to the back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov tries to bum rush Tatsuki with a series of wild strikes but Tatsuki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tatsuki connects with a leg kick. Kozlov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki cracks Kozlov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kozlov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tatsuki.
Kozlov throws a jab when Tatsuki was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mayuri Tatsuki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tatsuki connects with a leg kick. Kozlov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kozlov moves out of range of the leg kick from Tatsuki.
Tatsuki lands with a slapping head kick.
Kozlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tatsuki throws a hook to the side of Kozlov's head but Kozlov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tatsuki throws out a leg kick but Kozlov moves out of range and Tatsuki only half commits.
Kozlov takes one to the chin there.
Kozlov lands a really nice looking cross but Tatsuki seems unphased.
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Kozlov.
Kozlov misses with a double jab
and Tatsuki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kozlov throws a jab when Tatsuki was well out of range.

Tatsuki closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kozlov did well to prevent Tatsuki getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tatsuki trying to mount his opponent but Kozlov defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki is working hard here to advance position.
Tatsuki wants to take a breather but Kozlov is having none of it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mayuri Tatsuki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kozlov misses with a hook to the body

and Tatsuki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kozlov is staying active underneath Tatsuki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tatsuki takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tatsuki wants to take a breather but Kozlov is having none of it.

Mayuri Tatsuki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kozlov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tatsuki finds it's way round the side to connect with Kozlov's head.
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!
Tatsuki connects with an inside leg kick.
Kozlov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tatsuki lands a head kick!
Kozlov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tatsuki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Kozlov sprawls well. He's pushed Tatsuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tatsuki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kozlov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kozlov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tatsuki misses with a wild combination.
Kozlov misses with a wild body shot.
Tatsuki jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kozlov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kozlov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tatsuki takes a swing at Kozlov's ribcage but misses.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tatsuki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kozlov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Tatsuki.
A shot to the liver by Tatsuki. Beautiful body shot.
Mayuri Tatsuki is winning the standup battle so far.
Tatsuki avoids the body shot from Kozlov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kozlov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tatsuki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A big left from Kozlov misses.
Kozlov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tatsuki checks it well.
Kozlov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tatsuki throws a chopping leg kick but Kozlov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kozlov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tatsuki manages to avoid it.
Ivan Kozlov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tatsuki staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mayuri Tatsuki clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kozlov misses with a looping left.
Tatsuki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kozlov takes one to the chin there.
Tatsuki throws a big shot that misses.
Kozlov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kozlov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tatsuki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kozlov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Tatsuki looks to land a left hand but Kozlov moved out of range nicely.
Tatsuki throws a lazy right hand but Kozlov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tatsuki lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kozlov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kozlov throws out a loose jab but Tatsuki uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsuki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kozlov is out of range and Tatsuki settles back down.
A combination from Tatsuki does no damage.
Kozlov avoids the head kick by Tatsuki.
Tatsuki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kozlov can do to turn this around?
Kozlov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tatsuki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot.
Kozlov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tatsuki.
Kozlov lands a nice hook to Tatsuki's body. Tatsuki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kozlov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tatsuki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tatsuki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tatsuki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kozlov.
Tatsuki throws a lazy right hand but Kozlov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kozlov.
Kozlov misses with a straight right.
Kozlov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tatsuki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki closes the distance and clinches up with Kozlov, looking for a takedown. Tatsuki pushes Kozlov against the cage but Kozlov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice jab there from Kozlov.
Tatsuki connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kozlov momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tatsuki connects with the punch.
Tatsuki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tatsuki shoots in but no luck this time.
Tatsuki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kozlov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tatsuki throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Tatsuki misses with an uppercut.

Tatsuki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kozlov is not content to let Tatsuki control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Tatsuki working the strikes but Kozlov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Tatsuki trying to mount his opponent but Kozlov defends it.
Tatsuki is trying to control the action in half guard but Kozlov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki tries to pass to full mount but Kozlov defends it.
Tatsuki misses with a head shot. Kozlov uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kozlov wants to stand up but Tatsuki is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki trying to control but Kozlov is working from the bottom.
Kozlov keeping full guard, as Tatsuki tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mayuri Tatsuki had his way with Ivan Kozlov in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tatsuki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kozlov swivels and escapes.
Kozlov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tatsuki throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kozlov looks to land a right hand but Tatsuki moved out of range.
Jab, jab by Kozlov - just one landing.
Kozlov doesn't manage to clinch there - Tatsuki circles away.
A big right from Tatsuki misses.
Tatsuki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kozlov.
Tatsuki is looking to land body kicks.
Kozlov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tatsuki.
Tatsuki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kozlov was well out of range. Poor timing from Tatsuki.
Kozlov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Kozlov misses.
Tatsuki thows a leg kick but Kozlov checks it
and Kozlov counters with a nice body shot.
Tatsuki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kozlov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tatsuki.
Kozlov throws a leg kick but Tatsuki sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A jab lands there for Kozlov.
Tatsuki blocks a low kick nicely.
Kozlov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tatsuki.
A big right from Tatsuki misses.
Tatsuki slips a straight right by Kozlov.
Tatsuki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kozlov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kozlov.
Tatsuki throws an overhand right that lands on Kozlov's shoulder, as Kozlov tries to avoid the shot.
Kozlov tries to move into range but Tatsuki moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Tatsuki. Those never looked like landing.
Tatsuki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kozlov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tatsuki somewhat.
Tatsuki throws a looping overhand right but Kozlov ducks down to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tatsuki. Kozlov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Tatsuki.
Kozlov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tatsuki.
Mayuri Tatsuki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki swings for the body but Kozlov moves out of range.
Tatsuki tests Kozlov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kozlov misses with a wild body shot.
Tatsuki lands a nice looking body shot.
Tatsuki takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ivan Kozlov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kozlov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tatsuki missing with a left hand there. Kozlov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tatsuki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kozlov can pounce on him.
Tatsuki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tatsuki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tatsuki throws a head kick but Kozlov moves out of range.
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 four minutes gone in the round.
Tatsuki misses with a body shot.
Tatsuki lands an overhand right.
Tatsuki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kozlov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tatsuki blocks a head kick by Kozlov.
Some wild striking there from Kozlov.
Tatsuki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tatsuki throws a right and a left that Kozlov avoids nicely.
Tatsuki throws a hook but Kozlov avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatsuki misses with a looping right.
Tatsuki misses with a low kick.
Tatsuki moves out of range as Kozlov strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Kozlov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tatsuki 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mayuri Tatsuki!
Mayuri Tatsuki retains his lightweight title!
A very excited looking Mayuri Tatsuki rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.