PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Bozzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George North has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bozzi
vs
North

176 cm
20
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jason Bozzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, George North!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bozzi tries to score with a low kick but North moves his leg out of the way.
North counters with a body kick.
Bozzi tries a head kick but it misses.
Bozzi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jason Bozzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bozzi throws a sloppy head kick
and North counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
North tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bozzi was well out of range. Poor timing from North.
North throws a leg kick

and Bozzi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bozzi.
North has Bozzi pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi tries to free his leg and advance position but North is retaining full guard.
North keeping moving, preventing Bozzi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North controls Bozzi momentarily but Bozzi frees himself.
North looking for a sweep. Not yet North, not yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Bozzi throws a big elbow that misses.
Bozzi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bozzi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
North controls Bozzi momentarily but Bozzi frees himself.
Bozzi is looking to work some ground and pound but North has wrist control.
Bozzi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of North's head.
North wants to sweep but no luck.
Bozzi 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.
Bozzi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
North is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bozzi is looking to work some ground and pound but North has wrist control.
Bozzi throws a big elbow that misses.
Bozzi landing with the ground and pound.
Bozzi is looking to work some ground and pound but North has wrist control.
Bozzi stops North from standing up.
North keeping moving, preventing Bozzi from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A big right from Bozzi misses.
North takes a swing at Bozzi's ribcage but misses.
Bozzi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract North.
North scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a jab but it's blocked by North.
North lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
North buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bozzi misses with a body shot.
North slips a jab and a cross from Bozzi.
North flicks out a counter leg kick but Bozzi steps away.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses
enabling North to counter with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from North.
North swings for the body but Bozzi moves out of range.
Bozzi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bozzi, right into the meat.
Bozzi misses with an uppercut
and North counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bozzi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Bozzi looks to land a right hand but North moved out of range.
North steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bozzi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from North.
North slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
North with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
North throws a head kick that misses.
Bozzi misses with a right hand
and North counters with a three punch combo that has Bozzi backing up. Bozzi nods at North to acknowledge the strikes.
Bozzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but North was well out of range. Poor timing from Bozzi.
North is trying to counter with his kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but George North will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bozzi connects with a jab.
Bozzi misses with a body shot.
Bozzi scores with a kick to the body.
North turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bozzi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bozzi tries a low kick but North avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Bozzi.
North looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Bozzi has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Bozzi.
A jab from Bozzi misses.
Jab by Bozzi.
North throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bozzi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Good exchange - Bozzi coming out on top.
North slips a jab and a cross from Bozzi.
North misses with a low kick as Bozzi jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a shot from downtown. North moves away and avoids it.
North moves out of range as Bozzi strikes.
North is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Bozzi swings for the body but North moves out of range.
North misses with a body kick.
Bozzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but North sprawls and moves away.
North fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
North throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
North appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
North swings for the body but Bozzi moves out of range.
Bozzi misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bozzi throws a low kick but North moves out of range easily.
North keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bozzi.
North shapes to counter with a head kick.
Bozzi throws a hook but North blocks it.
Bozzi just misses with a punch to the body.
George North is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Decent striking displayed by Bozzi there.
Bozzi moves out of range of the body kick from North.
Bozzi tries to counter with a takedown but North is quick to defend against it.
Jason Bozzi is winning the standup battle so far.
Bozzi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by North.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but North swivels and escapes.
North is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
North tries a head kick but it misses.
A swing and a miss from Bozzi.
North lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Bozzi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
North misses with a leg kick

so Bozzi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
North trying to control the position here.
North working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Bozzi dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

North slips a jab from Bozzi.
North lands a leg kick that knocks Bozzi off balance momentarily.
North scores with a jab to the head.
Bozzi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bozzi misses with an attempted mid kick.
North flicks out a counter leg kick but Bozzi steps away.
Bozzi checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
North misses with a looping right.
Bozzi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
An inside leg kick from Bozzi misses.
North throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bozzi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
North misses with a low kick.
Bozzi throws an overhand right that lands on North's shoulder, as North tries to avoid the shot.
North takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
North throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bozzi misses the shot to the body.
Bozzi motions for North to come forward. Bozzi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bozzi throws a lazy head kick
and North counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Bozzi misses.
North replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Bozzi blocks it well.
North tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bozzi is looking to chop away at North's legs.
Bozzi throws a predictable looking body shot
and North counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bozzi's knee momentarily.
A left lands for North.
Bozzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but North was well out of range. Poor timing from Bozzi.
North flicks out a counter leg kick but Bozzi steps away.
Bozzi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
North looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

North lands a big head kick that sends Bozzi tumbling to the mat! North takes a step backwards and waves Bozzi back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Bozzi is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
North feints and then cracks Bozzi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bozzi down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from North.
North checks the leg kick nicely there.
North doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
No luck for Bozzi with that takedown attempt.
North is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Bozzi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bozzi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? North is fending him off so far but Bozzi persists. Nope, North circles away and we're back to standing.
North jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a right hand that misses
and North counters with a body kick.
Bozzi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bozzi connects with an inside leg kick.
North throws the kick towards the body but Bozzi avoids it.
North avoids a punch combination nicely.
North raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
North avoids the body shot from Bozzi.
North throws a front kick that sends Bozzi stumbling back into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George North really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

North misses with a head kick.
North blocks a head kick by Bozzi.
North throws a big counter head kick but Bozzi avoids it with no problem.
Bozzi looks for the body kick but North saw that one coming.
Bozzi tries for a takedown but North circles away easily
and North counters with a left to the body.
North slips under a jab from Bozzi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi misses with an uppercut
and North cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bozzi misses with a leg kick
and North counters with an outside leg kick.
North throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bozzi moves out of range as North throws a body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from North.
North lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bozzi's sensitive parts.
North connects with an inside leg kick.
Bozzi throws a body shot but no joy.
North tries a quick counter leg kick but Bozzi is wise to it.
North throws a leg kick but Bozzi checks it.
Bozzi misses with a right hand
and North counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
North throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Bozzi.
Bozzi looks to score with a jab to the body but North is just out of range.
North looks for the body kick but Bozzi saw that one coming.
Bozzi missing with a left hand there. North was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bozzi throws an overhand right that lands on North's shoulder, as North tries to avoid the shot.
Bozzi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
North throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bozzi throws a lazy right hand but North sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bozzi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming North to the mat! North manages to get full guard.
North is trying to keep Bozzi in close.
Bozzi stopping the sweep attempt from North.
Bozzi wants to control from the top but North keeps moving.
North wants to stand and escape but Bozzi is having none of it.
Bozzi works over North with some ground and pound from guard.
Jason Bozzi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bozzi pushes down on North's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bozzi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
North wants to control but Bozzi is keeping busy.
North preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Bozzi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but North does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
North is trying to stand.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Bozzi tries to pass to full mount but North defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bozzi scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but George North will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

North tries to land a front kick but Bozzi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bozzi feinted with a counter takedown.
North lands a nice looking body shot.
Bozzi throws a shot from downtown. North moves away and avoids it.
Bozzi throws a right and a left that both miss.
North looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Bozzi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by North. North obviously looking to wear him down.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
North throws a fast counter high kick but Bozzi manages to duck under it in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bozzi with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bozzi misses with a straight left.
North flicks out a counter leg kick but Bozzi steps away.
Bozzi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
North showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bozzi.
North keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
North looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
North throws a leg kick but Bozzi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bozzi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to North's calf.
North misses with a straight left.
North defending well as Bozzi loads up on a big left hand.
It seemed like North was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a hook but North blocks it.
Bozzi lands a jab-cross combination.
North has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
North moves out of range as Bozzi strikes.
North throws the kick towards the body but Bozzi avoids it.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
North pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bozzi misses with a jab to the body
and North counters with a thumping low kick.
North lands a leg kick that knocks Bozzi off balance momentarily.
Bozzi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi swings away with a body shot that misses
and North counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bozzi with a lazy takedown attempt
and North counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bozzi tries to work over North's front leg with a kick but North checks it.
Bozzi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bozzi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
North shapes to counter with a head kick.
A low kick from Bozzi misses
and North counters with a two punch combo.
That kick from North tenderised Bozzi's leg. Bozzi is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi loads up on a big right hand but North slips the punch.
Bozzi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but North swivels and escapes.
Bozzi moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromNorth.
George North is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Bozzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bozzi lands a slapping body shot.
Bozzi misses with a takedown
and North counters with an outside leg kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bozzi throws a left and a right that both miss
and North counters with an outside leg kick.
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!
North checks the leg kick.
North replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Bozzi blocks it well.
Jason Bozzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
North lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
George North comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think North has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 46:49
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... George North!