PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zubair Tukhugov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Cozard Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tukhugov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Ed Sheeran – I See Fire. Cozard Jr has chosen Kid Rock- You Never Met a Motherfucker Quite Like Me as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tukhugov
vs
Cozard Jr

179 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
27
190 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

GREEN!160
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zubair Tukhugov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Cozard Jr!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cozard Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tukhugov.
Cozard Jr misses with an uppercut. Tukhugov saw that one coming.
Tukhugov connects with a jab.
Cozard Jr misses with a double jab.
A big left from Cozard Jr misses.
Cozard Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Zubair Tukhugov has been cut.

Tukhugov clinches up against the ropes.
Cozard Jr wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tukhugov has him pressed against the ropes.
Cozard Jr is looking to break free of the clinch but Tukhugov has double underhooks.
Cozard Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tukhugov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tukhugov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tukhugov misses with a punch on the inside.
Tukhugov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozard Jr can't break the clinch.
Tukhugov taking a breather.
Tukhugov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tukhugov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tukhugov pushes off an throws an elbow but Cozard Jr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cozard Jr.
Tukhugov lands with a right to the head.

Tukhugov breaks the clinch.
Tukhugov misses with a leg kick
and Cozard Jr counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tukhugov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tukhugov walks into a left hand.

Tukhugov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cozard Jr, pushing him back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tukhugov throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Tukhugov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tukhugov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Tukhugov digs a right hand into Cozard Jr's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cozard Jr's gas tank.
Cozard Jr can't break the clinch.
Cozard Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cozard Jr blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tukhugov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tukhugov misses with a punch on the inside.

Cozard Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tukhugov throws a lazy right hand but Cozard Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cozard Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cozard Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tukhugov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tukhugov looks to throw the jab but Cozard Jr is out of range.
Nice cross by Tukhugov.
Cozard Jr scores with a nice strike.
Cozard Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tukhugov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Cozard Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tukhugov works the jab nicely.
No luck for Cozard Jr with that takedown attempt.
Tukhugov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Tukhugov closes the distance and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tukhugov.
Tukhugov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cozard Jr tries to circle away but Tukhugov has him pinned against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr working hard to break the clinch.
Cozard Jr avoids a wild elbow strike from Tukhugov.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Tukhugov throws an elbow but misses.
Cozard Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tukhugov lands an elbow inside that Cozard Jr shrugs off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cozard Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cozard Jr blocking some punches.
Tukhugov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tukhugov tries a body shot but Cozard Jr blocks it.
Cozard Jr is trying to break the clinch but Tukhugov is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zubair Tukhugov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zubair Tukhugov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tukhugov throws a looping overhand right but Cozard Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Tukhugov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cozard Jr doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice cross by Tukhugov.

Cozard Jr shoots in and bounces Tukhugov off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Cozard Jr throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tukhugov has control of Cozard Jr's left arm, preventing Cozard Jr from doing any damage.
Cozard Jr throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozard Jr with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tukhugov has his hands on Cozard Jr's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Cozard Jr is in close to Tukhugov's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tukhugov wants to sweep but no luck.
Tukhugov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cozard Jr throwing strikes from guard but Tukhugov blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tukhugov moves out of range as Cozard Jr strikes.
Tukhugov is looking to clinch but Cozard Jr is avoiding it.
It seemed like Cozard Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tukhugov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tukhugov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cozard Jr can do to turn this around?
Tukhugov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cozard Jr.
Tukhugov looks to land a right hand but Cozard Jr moved out of range.
Tukhugov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cozard Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Tukhugov.
Tukhugov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cozard Jr's head backwards.
Tukhugov doesn't manage to clinch there - Cozard Jr circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Tukhugov as Cozard Jr shoots in.
Tukhugov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cozard Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cozard Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zubair Tukhugov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tukhugov moves out of range of the strikes.
Tukhugov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tukhugov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tukhugov.
Zubair Tukhugov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cozard Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tukhugov.
Cozard Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cozard Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tukhugov but Tukhugov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tukhugov looks to score with a jab to the body but Cozard Jr is just out of range.
Cozard Jr swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tukhugov.
Cozard Jr takes one to the chin there.
Cozard Jr throws the left hand but Tukhugov avoids the punch easily.
As Cozard Jr backs away, Tukhugov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tukhugov cracks a nice hook into Cozard Jr's ribs.
Nice jab there from Tukhugov.
Tukhugov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tukhugov cracks Cozard Jr with a good jab.
Tukhugov misses with a body shot.
Tukhugov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cozard Jr checks a leg kick.
Cozard Jr misses with a hook. Tukhugov ducked under it nicely.
Cozard Jr dips to his left and cracks Tukhugov with an uppercut!
Tukhugov motions for Cozard Jr to come forward. Tukhugov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tukhugov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cozard Jr might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cozard Jr.
Zubair Tukhugov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Cozard Jr.

Cozard Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tukhugov is looking for a sweep.
Tukhugov is trying to control Cozard Jr's posture but Cozard Jr avoids it.
Cozard Jr looks up at the clock and then as Tukhugov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cozard Jr smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zubair Tukhugov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zubair Tukhugov's cut.
That's time! Tukhugov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Tukhugov looks to land a combination. Cozard Jr sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tukhugov connects with a body shot that sends Cozard Jr's belly button to the back.
Tukhugov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cozard Jr under the eye.
Tukhugov moves in looking to clinch but Cozard Jr pushes him off.
Tukhugov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cozard Jr manages to avoid it.
Cozard Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tukhugov is fending him off so far but Cozard Jr persists. Nope, Tukhugov circles away and we're back to standing.
Tukhugov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tukhugov loads up on a big right hand but Cozard Jr slips the punch.
Cozard Jr feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tukhugovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cozard Jr misses with a takedown attempt - Tukhugov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tukhugov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tukhugov misses with a wild combination.
Cozard Jr tries to bum rush Tukhugov with a series of wild strikes but Tukhugov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
An attempted straight right counter from Tukhugov misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cozard Jr cracks Tukhugov with an open hand slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Tukhugov misses
and Cozard Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tukhugov misses with a straight right.
Cozard Jr swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tukhugov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cozard Jr throws out the jab.
A quick step to the side and Tukhugov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tukhugov misses with a hook to the body
and Cozard Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tukhugov jabs at Cozard Jr's body.
Tukhugov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tukhugov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cozard Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tukhugov is fending him off so far but Cozard Jr persists. Nope, Tukhugov circles away and we're back to standing.
Zubair Tukhugov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Cozard Jr.
Tukhugov wants to clinch.
Tukhugov wants to clinch up but Cozard Jr keeps it at a distance.
It seemed like Cozard Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tukhugov throws a hook to the side of Cozard Jr's head but Cozard Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tukhugov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Tukhugov duly obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tukhugov cracks Cozard Jr with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cozard Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tukhugov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr with a jab.
No joy there for Cozard Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cozard Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tukhugov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cozard Jr somewhat.
Cozard Jr misses with a looping right.
Tukhugov scores with a decent looking hook.
Cozard Jr darts in looking for a takedown but Tukhugov gets double underhooks and turns Cozard Jr into the ropes.
Tukhugov wants to slow Cozard Jr down by chopping away at his legs.
Cozard Jr takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cozard Jr is defended easily by Tukhugov.
Tukhugov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cozard Jr.
Tukhugov scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cozard Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cozard Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tukhugov tries to work over Cozard Jr's front leg with a kick but Cozard Jr checks it.
Cozard Jr on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tukhugov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cozard Jr moves away.
Zubair Tukhugov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tukhugov wants to slow Cozard Jr down by chopping away at his legs.
Cozard Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cozard Jr is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cozard Jr gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Cozard Jr bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cozard Jr tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tukhugov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cozard Jr's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tukhugov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tukhugov has Cozard Jr pulled in close to control his posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tukhugov is on top in guard.

Cozard Jr wants to sweep here but Tukhugov controlling him for the moment.
Cozard Jr wants to hit a switch here but Tukhugov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Cozard Jr there!

And that's the end of the fight!
Zubair Tukhugov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tukhugov, 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zubair Tukhugov!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Zubair Tukhugov waved his t-shirt featuring Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)'s logo in front of the cameras.