PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jeroen Rijkaart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Kozcheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rijkaart comes to the cage accompanied by Iron Maiden - The Trooper. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rijkaart
vs
Kozcheck

180 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
182 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jeroen Rijkaart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Kozcheck!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozcheck throws a right hand that Rijkaart ducks under and follows up with a left that Rijkaart also avoids with ease.
Rijkaart tries for a takedown but Kozcheck sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kozcheck misses with a low kick.
Kozcheck misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kozcheck lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rijkaart at a distance.
A head kick misses from Kozcheck.
Josh Kozcheck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kozcheck throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rijkaart stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kozcheck looks gassed!
Rijkaart slips a straight right by Kozcheck.
Rijkaart slips a jab and a cross from Kozcheck.

Rijkaart takes the fight into the clinch.
Kozcheck gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rijkaart.
Rijkaart has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kozcheck is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeroen Rijkaart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rijkaart turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rijkaart manages to end up in side control.

Rijkaart tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kozcheck tries to escape but Rijkaart is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijkaart trying to control the position but Kozcheck is working away.
Rijkaart happy to just control the position for now.
Kozcheck is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rijkaart asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rijkaart trying to control the position but Kozcheck is working away.
Rijkaart advances to full mount.
Kozcheck is squirming around, avoiding Rijkaart's attempts to control the action.
Rijkaart unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rijkaart controlling the position easily from mount.
Kozcheck is trying to stand but he's just given Rijkaart his back.
Rijkaart is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Kozcheck controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Rijkaart. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Kozcheck trying to get back to his feet but Rijkaart is in full control for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Rijkaart dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rijkaart avoids the head kick by Kozcheck.
Kozcheck throws a sloppy head kick and Rijkaart moves out of range easily.
Rijkaart avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rijkaart fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rijkaart shoots in and drives through. Kozcheck sprawls well.
Rijkaart throws a head kick but Kozcheck moves out of range.
Kozcheck misses with a head kick.
Rijkaart tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kozcheck swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeroen Rijkaart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left lands for Kozcheck.
Kozcheck throws a head kick that misses.
Rijkaart misses with a takedown attempt - Kozcheck sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jeroen Rijkaart is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozcheck throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rijkaart shoots in but Kozcheck avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kozcheck fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozcheck throws a body kick that misses.
Kozcheck throws a head kick that misses.
Kozcheck tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kozcheck throws a solid leg kick but Rijkaart takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kozcheck.
Kozcheck displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Rijkaart gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rijkaart tries to stall but Kozcheck uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kozcheck has had enough of the clinch but Rijkaart keeps him there for the moment.
Kozcheck wants to break free but Rijkaart has control.

Rijkaart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Rijkaart blocks the leg kick.
Kozcheck scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Some bone on bone action there as Rijkaart checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kozcheck thows a body shot but no joy.
Rijkaart throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kozcheck's waist but Kozcheck gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rijkaart off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozcheck throws a head kick that misses.
Horrible takedown by Rijkaart or perhaps it was just good defense by Kozcheck which made him look bad.

Rijkaart moves into range and clinches up with Kozcheck.

Rijkaart manages to break the clinch.
Rijkaart misses with a takedown attempt - Kozcheck sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rijkaart tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kozcheck swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Josh Kozcheck is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rijkaart shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kozcheck pinned against the cage. Kozcheck gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rijkaart is looking to clinch but Kozcheck is avoiding it.
Kozcheck tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rijkaart moves forwards but Kozcheck connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Rijkaart clinches with his opponent.

Rijkaart has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kozcheck is trying to keep an underhook but Rijkaart manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rijkaart missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rijkaart has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rijkaart can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kozcheck is looking to escape.

Rijkaart has control of Kozcheck's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kozcheck regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Rijkaart tries to control but Kozcheck wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rijkaart working the ground and pound effectively.
Kozcheck wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kozcheck really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rijkaart. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rijkaart wants to control the pace but Kozcheck is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeroen Rijkaart dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Rijkaart changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kozcheck tries to avoid it but Rijkaart manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kozcheck to the ground. Kozcheck escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kozcheck pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kozcheck misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Kozcheck gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rijkaart decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kozcheck, up you get!
Rijkaart misses with a double jab.
Kozcheck throws a series of punches but Rijkaart avoids them all with ease.
Kozcheck throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rijkaart's head.
Nice sprawl there from Kozcheck as Rijkaart shoots in.
Kozcheck throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rijkaart moves in looking to clinch but Kozcheck pushes him off.
Kozcheck throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kozcheck lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rijkaart backs up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rijkaart tries to close the distance and clinch but Kozcheck swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rijkaart is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kozcheck.
Kozcheck scores with a jab.
Kozcheck will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No luck for Rijkaart with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeroen Rijkaart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rijkaart moves out of range of the body kick from Kozcheck.
Kozcheck throws a push kick but Rijkaart slaps the foot to one side.
Rijkaart shoots for a double leg takedown but Kozcheck sprawls well. He's pushed Rijkaart's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rijkaart looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rijkaart shoots in but no luck this time.
Rijkaart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kozcheck paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kozcheck throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kozcheck chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rijkaart can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozcheck looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kozcheck throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kozcheck pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rijkaart doesn't manage to clinch there - Kozcheck circles away.
Rijkaart swings for the body but Kozcheck moves out of range.

Rijkaart gets a clinch.
Rijkaart lands an elbow inside.

Rijkaart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rijkaart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rijkaart closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Come on Rijkaart - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Rijkaart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kozcheck lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kozcheck throws a low kick but Rijkaart avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rijkaart fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kozcheck circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kozcheck tries to keep at a distance but Rijkaart has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kozcheck wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rijkaart pulls guard.
Rijkaart trying to keep a closed guard but Kozcheck is proving a slippery customer.
Kozcheck trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rijkaart's guard.
Rijkaart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kozcheck gets to his feet. Rijkaart looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kozcheck scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rijkaart takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rijkaart shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kozcheck pinned against the cage. Kozcheck gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rijkaart takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kozcheck misses with an attempted mid kick.

Rijkaart gets a clinch.
Kozcheck is trying to break the clinch but Rijkaart has him pressed against the cage.

Rijkaart breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Kozcheck. No joy for Rijkaart on that attempt.

Rijkaart has Kozcheck up against the cage in a clinch.
Josh Kozcheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rijkaart lands a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeroen Rijkaart showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rijkaart, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeroen Rijkaart!