PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arman Kozha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kozha
vs
James

183 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arman Kozha !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donald James!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozha scores with a shot to the body.
Kozha connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kozha , as that shot connected.
Kozha throws a solid leg kick but James takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kozha .
Kozha pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces James back to the cage. Kozha follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Sloppy strikes from Kozha . Those never looked like landing.
Kozha fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kozha lands with a cross.
Kozha moves out of range as James strikes.
James dodges the punch combination from Kozha .
Kozha throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
Kozha falls off balance throwing a combination

and James counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kozha 's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
James trying to control but Kozha is working from the bottom.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kozha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kozha wriggles free and stands up.
Jab from Kozha .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozha scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kozha moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kozha scores with a jab to the head.
Arman Kozha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kozha moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kozha misses with a wild combination.
Kozha misses with a wild combination.
Kozha is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James dodges the punch combination from Kozha .
Kozha pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
Kozha lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
James drops his hands momentarily and Kozha takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kozha works the jab nicely.
James throws a jab but it's blocked by Kozha .
James dodges the punch combination from Kozha .
James defending well as Kozha loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozha throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.

James scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
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 Arman Kozha will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kozha 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James needs to keep his hands up - Kozha had a free shot at his head there.
James slips a jab and a cross from Kozha .
Kozha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kozha misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James has a takedown stuffed.
Kozha uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before James has time to react.
Kozha scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kozha .
Kozha misses with a few strikes there.
Kozha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
No joy there for Kozha , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kozha swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kozha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
Sloppy strikes from Kozha . Those never looked like landing.
Kozha swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kozha misses with a few strikes there.
James dives in and grabs Kozha 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kozha pushes down on James's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozha swinging wildly here.
James throws a looping overhand right but Kozha ducks down to avoid it.
Kozha swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James slips a jab and a cross from Kozha .
James shoots in for a double leg but Kozha sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Arman Kozha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald James.
Kozha throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
Kozha looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.
James closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kozha circles away.
Kozha throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James avoids a punch combination nicely.
James closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kozha circles away.
James fails with the takedown.
James throws a hook to the side of Kozha 's head but Kozha sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kozha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No joy there for Kozha , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kozha throws a leg kick but James checks it.
Kozha misses with a few strikes there.
Arman Kozha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozha throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.

James shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
James wants to free his trapped foot but Kozha is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kozha knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.
James is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
James content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Kozha dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kozha misses with a few strikes there.
Some wild striking there from Kozha .
Kozha scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Arman Kozha is winning the standup battle so far.
Kozha throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kozha swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and James counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kozha !
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kozha keeps working.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James is chipping away with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James has hold of Kozha 's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Kozha seems comfortable defending it but James has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Kozha is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Kozha is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but James couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Donald James!