PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gennaro Gattuso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gattuso
vs
Kozlov

176 cm
32
166 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

179 cm
34
169 lbs
23 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

DROPPIN BODIES
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gennaro Gattuso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gattuso darts in looking for a takedown but Kozlov gets double underhooks and turns Gattuso into the cage.
Kozlov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kozlov.
Gattuso has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kozlov prevents the takedown attempt.
A shot in the inside from Kozlov.
Kozlov can't find room to land a body shot as Gattuso controls the action.
Kozlov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kozlov throws a head punch that misses.
Gattuso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kozlov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennaro Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlov lands a really nice looking cross but Gattuso seems unphased.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gattuso throws a push kick but Kozlov slaps the foot to one side.
Gattuso uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kozlov.
Gattuso uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kozlov.
Gattuso seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Gattuso shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kozlov as he avoids it easily.
Kozlov lands with a nice combination. Gattuso backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gattuso dives in for a single leg takedown but Kozlov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Gattuso is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kozlov can't fight it off and eventually Gattuso manages to take the fight to the floor. Kozlov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gattuso throwing strikes from guard but Kozlov blocks nicely.
Kozlov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gattuso is controlling him.
Gattuso missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gattuso in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gattuso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gattuso postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso won't allow Kozlov to get back to his feet.
Gattuso trying to control the position from guard on top but Kozlov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gattuso throws an elbow that misses. Kozlov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gattuso's guard. Nice move by Kozlov!

Gattuso has a closed guard, preventing Kozlov from standing up.
Gattuso trying to keep a closed guard but Kozlov is proving a slippery customer.
Kozlov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gattuso's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov stands up and waves to Gattuso to follow him.
Kozlov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kozlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gattuso shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kozlov pinned against the cage. Kozlov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A slow jab from Kozlov misses its intended target.
Gattuso misses the shot to the body.

Gattuso closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kozlov's guard.
Gattuso postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso postures up in Kozlov's guard and throws a big left but Kozlov blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gattuso working some strikes from top position.
Gattuso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gattuso landing with the ground and pound.
Kozlov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gattuso with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kozlov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gattuso throws a strike but Kozlov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kozlov wanted to stand there but Gattuso had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kozlov dominated that round.
That's time! Gattuso's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kozlov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gattuso. Gattuso circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kozlov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gattuso throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kozlov.
Gattuso walks into a stiff left hand from Kozlov.
Kozlov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gattuso walks into a straight right hand from Kozlov.
A head kick misses from Kozlov.
Gattuso takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gattuso avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kozlov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Kozlov.
Gattuso gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kozlov lands with an overhand left.
Gattuso has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gattuso misses with a double jab
enabling Kozlov to counter with a crisp jab.
Gattuso stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kozlov.
Ivan Kozlov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gattuso slips under a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gattuso, right into the meat.
Kozlov tests Gattuso's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gattuso throws a leg kick but Kozlov checks it.
Kozlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kozlov scores with a jab.
A jab from Gattuso misses.
Gattuso blocks a head kick by Kozlov.
Kozlov is looking to slow Gattuso down with leg kicks.
Gattuso tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kozlov defends well and Gattuso ends up having to push Kozlov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kozlov lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov stops a takedown attempt from Gattuso.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennaro Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlov is looking to control Gattuso's arms but Gattuso gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kozlov has his back to the cage.
Kozlov misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gattuso tries to break free but Kozlov pushes him back against the cage.
Kozlov lands a shot to the body.
Kozlov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kozlov misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kozlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gattuso throws a poor cross that misses
and Kozlov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gattuso throws a hook but Kozlov blocks it.
Gattuso stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kozlov.
Gattuso tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kozlov swivels and escapes.
Gattuso walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gattuso throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kozlov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gattuso fails to land with a series of punches.
Gattuso throws a shot from downtown. Kozlov moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov lands with an overhand left.
Kozlov connects with a jab.
Kozlov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gattuso finds it's way round the side to connect with Kozlov's head.
Gattuso avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
Gattuso misses with an attempted mid kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gattuso is defended easily by Kozlov.
Gattuso shoots for a double leg takedown but Kozlov sprawls well. He's pushed Gattuso's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Kozlov. That snapped Gattuso's head back.
Gattuso's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kozlov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gattuso scrambles back to his feet.
Gattuso misses with an uppercut.
Kozlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kozlov, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gattuso avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gattuso looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kozlov has one foot on Gattuso's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Gattuso rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kozlov counters with a nice uppercut.
Gattuso blocks a jab.
A jab from Kozlov misses.
Gattuso scores with a sloppy right hand. Kozlov should have avoided that one.
Kozlov cracks Gattuso with a good jab.
Gattuso shoots for a takedown but Kozlov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gattuso throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick from Kozlov lands but Gattuso takes it in his stride.
Gattuso lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kozlov at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kozlov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kozlov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gattuso lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gattuso tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kozlov was well out of range. Poor timing from Gattuso.
Kozlov misses with a looping left.
Gattuso swings widly with a right hand
and Kozlov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gattuso throws the left hand but Kozlov avoids the punch easily.
Gattuso throws a shot from downtown. Kozlov moves away and avoids it.
Kozlov throws a jab but it's blocked by Gattuso.
Kozlov stuffs the takedown.
Gattuso throws a hook but Kozlov avoids it easily.
Kozlov connects with a leg kick. Gattuso looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gattuso throws a leg kick but Kozlov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gattuso missing with a left hand there. Kozlov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kozlov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kozlov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kozlov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov tests Gattuso's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ivan Kozlov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gattuso misses with a few strikes there.
Kozlov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kozlov loads up on a big right hand but Gattuso slips the punch.
Kozlov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kozlov misses with a looping right.
Gattuso takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Gattuso is rocked!
Gattuso looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A swing and a miss from Kozlov.
Oh Gattuso is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kozlov thumps Gattuso with a low kick.
Kozlov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gattuso sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gattuso seems to have got his legs back now.
Kozlov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gattuso misses with a series of wild punches.
Gattuso keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kozlov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kozlov jabs at Gattuso's body.
Gattuso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kozlov thuds his right hand into Gattuso's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jab, jab by Kozlov - just one landing.
Kozlov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gattuso.
No joy there for Kozlov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gattuso shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kozlov defends it nicely.
Gattuso tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kozlov defends well and Gattuso ends up having to push Kozlov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gennaro Gattuso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kozlov tries to work over Gattuso's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gattuso tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kozlov just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kozlov breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kozlov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gattuso on the side of the head.
Gattuso missing with a left hand there. Kozlov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gattuso looks to land a right hand but Kozlov moved out of range.
Gattuso lands a really nice looking cross but Kozlov seems unphased.
Kozlov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gattuso throws out the jab.
Kozlov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kozlov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kozlov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kozlov misses with a head kick.
Ivan Kozlov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kozlov connects with the punch.
Kozlov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gattuso.
Gattuso is looking to score with low kicks.
Gattuso closes the distance and clinches up with Kozlov, looking for a takedown. Gattuso pushes Kozlov against the cage but Kozlov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gattuso looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kozlov is fending him off so far but Gattuso persists. Nope, Kozlov circles away and we're back to standing.
Gattuso swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kozlov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kozlov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gattuso takes one on the button.
Gattuso looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A big left from Kozlov misses.
Kozlov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kozlov misses with a body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Kozlov as Gattuso shoots in.
Gattuso closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kozlov circles away.
Kozlov cracks the inside of Gattuso's front leg.
Kozlov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gattuso has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gattuso avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gennaro Gattuso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kozlov tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Kozlov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kozlov 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kozlov!
Our winner, Ivan Kozlov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.