PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kotzlowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom White (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom White told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kotzlowski
vs
White

190 cm
24
190 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

178 cm
22
195 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Kotzlowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom White!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
White fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Kotzlowski looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kotzlowski performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

White is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kotzlowski pulls his head out easily.

White is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kotzlowski pulls his head out easily.
Kotzlowski wants to take a breather but White is having none of it.
White regains full guard. Nicely done.

White throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kotzlowski stays in close to White's body and controls the position.
Kotzlowski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

White has his foot on Kotzlowski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kotzlowski works his way back into a safe position though.
Kotzlowski trying to control the position from guard on top but White is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

White is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kotzlowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
White working a defensive guard here.

White working for a triangle but Kotzlowski defends it easily.
White is trying to control the position but Kotzlowski postures up.

White has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kotzlowski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kotzlowski is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotzlowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
White working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kotzlowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kotzlowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

White looking for a guillotine here but Kotzlowski defends easily.
Kotzlowski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

White is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kotzlowski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. White is keeping the position for now.
White can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kotzlowski controls the pace.
White keeping moving, preventing Kotzlowski from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White working a defensive guard here.

White working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kotzlowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kotzlowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kotzlowski is looking to stand up but White won't let him.

White is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kotzlowski is looking to stand up but White won't let him.
Kotzlowski wants to control from the top but White keeps moving.
Kotzlowski is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because White is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Igor Kotzlowski wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kotzlowski doesn't manage to clinch there - White circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
White shoots in but Kotzlowski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kotzlowski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kotzlowski tries to clinch

and White counters with a shoot takedown. Kotzlowski fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

White decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Kotzlowski fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging White to the ground. Kotzlowski is now in White's guard.
White has a closed guard, preventing Kotzlowski from standing up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kotzlowski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. White is keeping the position for now.
White is trying to keep Kotzlowski in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom White dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

White shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kotzlowski is trying to defend but White finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

White is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kotzlowski is just riding it out for now. White eventually gives up the hold.
Kotzlowski wants to control but White is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tom White has got the better of the ground game so far.
White prevents Kotzlowski from improving his position.
Kotzlowski moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
White looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

White is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kotzlowski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kotzlowski has escaped and now he's on top!
White is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nice strikes from White there.
White sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kotzlowski defending well though.
Kotzlowski tries to kick White off but White keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

White is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
White prevents Kotzlowski from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotzlowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from White.
White is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
White wants to free his trapped foot but Kotzlowski is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kotzlowski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kotzlowski.
Kotzlowski wants to sweep here but White controlling him for the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kotzlowski looking for a guillotine here but White defends easily.
White missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
White loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
White stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kotzlowski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
White works over Kotzlowski with some ground and pound from guard.

White drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kotzlowski dives on top into guard.

White throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kotzlowski uses it to pass to side control.
Kotzlowski wants to control but White is keeping him busy.
White manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotzlowski prevents White from improving his position.

White looking for submissions off his back.
White is trying to maintain the position but Kotzlowski is very close to passing his half guard.
Kotzlowski performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!

White looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kotzlowski tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Kotzlowski will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

White looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom White 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. This is the final round!

Kotzlowski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches White napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on White's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kotzlowski landing a few strikes.
White is looking for a sweep.
Kotzlowski lands a nice forearm strike.

Kotzlowski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, White has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kotzlowski tries to move into full mount but can't pass White's legs.
Kotzlowski is looking to take a break and control but White is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
White tries to get to full guard but Kotzlowski has control of the leg.
Kotzlowski tries to pass the half guard into mount. White knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
White trying to control here.
White is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kotzlowski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kotzlowski's back!

White is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Kotzlowski preventing the rear naked choke attempt from White.
White lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by White.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kotzlowski tries to roll but White sticks to his back.
White is throwing strikes by Kotzlowski counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Kotzlowski regains half guard.
Kotzlowski is looking to control White's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kotzlowski avoid being mounted?

White is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
White thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kotzlowski's head.
White wants to advance to full mount but Kotzlowski doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White passes into half guard.
Kotzlowski is pressing down on White's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
White pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kotzlowski is keeping the position for now.
Tom White is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
White wants to control from the top but Kotzlowski keeps moving.
White with a flurry of punches that miss.
White lands a couple of digs.

Kotzlowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. White gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

White stands up and waves to Kotzlowski to follow him.
Igor Kotzlowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotzlowski wants to clinch.
Kotzlowski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kotzlowski closes the distance but White moves to the side

and White counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kotzlowski throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom White comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got White winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom White!
A pretty intense looking Tom White took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.