PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cliff Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruban Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruban Kozlov has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Lee
vs
Kozlov

183 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
147 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cliff Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruban Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov throws a nice looking combination but Lee bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kozlov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lee on the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Lee.
A combination from Lee does no damage.
Kozlov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kozlov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lee defending well as Kozlov loads up on a big left hand.
Kozlov looks for a takedown but Lee sprawls well.
Kozlov looks to land a combination but Lee avoids it well.
Kozlov fails with the takedown
and Kozlov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov just misses with a punch to the body.
Lee went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lee tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kozlov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Lee rushes Kozlov and presses him up against the cage.
Kozlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Lee controls his hands.
Lee is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cliff Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruban Kozlov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee jumps guard but Kozlov stands there with Lee around his waist. Lee gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Lee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kozlov looks to score with a jab to the body but Lee is just out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lee darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lee gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kozlov.
Lee misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lee fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lee really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lee tries to clinch but Kozlov moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Kozlov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lee definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lee is breathing heavily.
Lee staying out of range there.
Lee blocks a jab.
Lee wants to clinch.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lee paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lee was covering up waiting for the punch and Kozlov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kozlov content to stall in guard here.
Lee preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov controls from within his opponent's guard.
It looks like Kozlov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kozlov lands a couple of elbows.
Kozlov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lee is trying to control the position but Kozlov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kozlov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kozlov tries to free his leg and advance position but Lee is retaining full guard.
Kozlov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kozlov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kozlov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kozlov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lee stuffs the takedown attempt from Kozlov. Kozlov gets slowly back to his feet.
Lee feinted with a counter takedown.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kozlov throws out a counter right but Lee avoids it with no problem.
Kozlov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kozlov lands a body shot.
Lee ducks right into an uppercut from Kozlov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruban Kozlov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kozlov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lee.
Ruban Kozlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lee ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lee tries to close the distance and clinch but Kozlov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kozlov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kozlov looks to land a left hand but Lee moved out of range nicely.
Kozlov scores with the left hand. Lee knows he should have avoided that one.
Kozlov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ruban Kozlov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kozlov looks for a takedown but Lee sprawls well.
As Kozlov looks to move away, Lee throws a big counter combo bu Kozlov just gets out of the way.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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.

Lee is rocked!
Lee slips a straight right by Kozlov.
Oh Lee is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lee moves in looking to clinch but Kozlov pushes him off.
Lee seems to have got his legs back now.
Lee stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lee wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lee takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Lee tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kozlov defends well and Lee ends up having to push Kozlov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lee uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kozlov.
Kozlov throws a jab but it's blocked by Lee.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lee but Lee pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cliff Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruban Kozlov.
Kozlov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lee swivels and escapes.
Kozlov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kozlov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kozlov misses with a takedown
and Lee counters with a nice uppercut.
Lee lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kozlov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lee doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Kozlov is looking to take a break and control but Lee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kozlov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Lee tries to get to full guard but Kozlov has control of the leg.
Kozlov trying to control the action but Lee is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kozlov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lee. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kozlov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kozlov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lee with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Kozlov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lee doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kozlov.
Kozlov working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kozlov wants to pass to mount but Lee is defending the position.
Kozlov stalling.
Kozlov is trying to control. Lee wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kozlov loads up on a big right hand but Lee slips the punch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kozlov misses with a right hand
and Lee counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Kozlov clinches up against the cage.

Lee breaks the clinch.
Kozlov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruban Kozlov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kozlov lands a jab.
Cliff Lee is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lee stuffs the takedown.
Lee tries to clinch but Kozlov is having none of it.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kozlov lands with an uppercut that bounces Lee off the cage and back into range.
Lee tries to clinch but Kozlov moves out of range.
Lee attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lee fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lee bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lee misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lee leaves Kozlov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cliff Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruban Kozlov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lee tries to clinch up.
Lee moves forwards but Kozlov connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kozlov throws a shot from downtown. Lee moves away and avoids it.
Lee moves away from the strike by Kozlov.
Kozlov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lee wants to clinch up but Kozlov keeps it at a distance.
Kozlov misses with a hook.
It looked like Lee wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lee looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lee takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kozlov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kozlov.
Nice takedown defense from Lee. No joy for Kozlov on that attempt.
Kozlov swings widly with a right hand
and Lee counters with a left and a right that stings Kozlov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lee is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kozlov wants to control but Lee is keeping him busy.
Lee is trying to stand back up but Kozlov is controlling him
Kozlov is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Lee wants to stand but Kozlov is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kozlov looking to pass the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kozlov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lee cracks Kozlov with a good jab.
Kozlov misses with a looping right.
Kozlov shoots for a takedown but Lee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kozlov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kozlov cracks Lee with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Kozlov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lee on his heels. He'll look to pass Lee's guard now, I'm sure.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kozlov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kozlov scoring with some ground and pound.
Kozlov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lee is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruban 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruban Kozlov!