PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kozakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Kozakov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Kozakov

196 cm
25
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Kozakov!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith with a poor takedown
and Kozakov counters with a body kick.
Kozakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kozakov.

Smith scores with a takedown into Kozakov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith trying to control but Kozakov is working from the bottom.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozakov is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Kozakov trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Smith 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozakov wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Kozakov is retaining full guard.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Kozakov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith wants to control from the top but Kozakov keeps moving.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kozakov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Smith slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kozakov gets to his feet - Smith follows without any prompting.
Smith shoots and misses
and Kozakov counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozakov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozakov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Smith shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kozakov is trying to defend but Smith finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ground and pound from Smith.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kozakov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kozakov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith throws a strike but Kozakov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kozakov stands and steps away. Smith gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kozakov looks winded!

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kozakov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kozakov's head.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kozakov is keeping the position for now.
Smith is working Kozakov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Smith dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kozakov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Smith lands a few punches from side control.
Smith is working Kozakov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kozakov is looking for a sweep.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kozakov keeps working.
Smith working the ground and pound from side control.
Kozakov taking a bit of punishment here - Smith scoring with strikes.
Smith in side control lands a decent elbow.

Kozakov is rocked!
Smith lands a strong strike to the head of Kozakov. That's dazed him! Smith looking to finish here. Kozakov is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Smith lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dave Smith!