PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eduard Melkonyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorjo Kozacz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Melkonyan comes to the cage accompanied by Boston – More Than A Feeling . Jorjo Kozacz will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Melkonyan
vs
Kozacz

175 cm
20
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Eduard Melkonyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jorjo Kozacz!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Fedor Mirinova and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Melkonyan swinging wildly here.
And Kozacz tries to counter it with a takedown but Melkonyan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Melkonyan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kozacz takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Melkonyan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kozacz.
Melkonyan misses with a double jab.
Kozacz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Melkonyan misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Melkonyan. Those never looked like landing.
Kozacz with the counter takedown but Melkonyan avoids it easily.
Melkonyan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kozacz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Melkonyan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melkonyan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Melkonyan.
Melkonyan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kozacz counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Melkonyan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Melkonyan seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Kozacz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kozacz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kozacz drops back looking for a leg! Melkonyan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Melkonyan manages to kick Kozacz off! Kozacz jumps back into Melkonyan's guard.
Kozacz tries to free his leg and advance position but Melkonyan is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Melkonyan controls Kozacz momentarily but Kozacz frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozacz wants to pass the guard but Melkonyan is keeping the position.

Melkonyan is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kozacz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kozacz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kozacz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Melkonyan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kozacz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kozacz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Melkonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kozacz defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Melkonyan working for a triangle but Kozacz defends it easily.
Melkonyan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kozacz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Melkonyan controls Kozacz momentarily but Kozacz frees himself.

Kozacz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Melkonyan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kozacz has managed to get both his arms back between Melkonyan's legs - danger averted.

Melkonyan working for a triangle but Kozacz defends it easily.
Kozacz passes Melkonyan's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kozacz is looking for a kimura here.

Kozacz seems to be working for a kimura but Melkonyan defends the submission attempt.
Melkonyan is trying to get back to full guard.

Kozacz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Melkonyan looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Melkonyan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Melkonyan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And Kozacz tries to counter it with a takedown but Melkonyan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Melkonyan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kozacz can do to turn this around?
Melkonyan tries to bum rush Kozacz with a series of wild strikes but Kozacz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kozacz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Melkonyan looks to land a combination but Kozacz avoids it well.
Kozacz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melkonyan pushes Kozacz away with a front kick.
Melkonyan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Melkonyan cracks Kozacz with an open hand slap.
Melkonyan throws a combination. Kozacz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Melkonyan misses.
Kozacz with the counter takedown but Melkonyan avoids it easily.
Kozacz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Melkonyan connects with a solid leg kick.
Eduard Melkonyan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Melkonyan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Melkonyan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Melkonyan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Melkonyan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Some wild striking there from Melkonyan.
Kozacz drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Melkonyan defends it well.
Eduard Melkonyan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Melkonyan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melkonyan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kozacz counters with a single leg into guard. Melkonyan didn't expect that.

Kozacz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Melkonyan manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kozacz has Melkonyan in his guard.

Kozacz looking for a sweep. Not yet Kozacz, not yet.
Melkonyan wants to control from the top but Kozacz keeps moving.
Melkonyan preventing the sweep.
Melkonyan wants to control from the top but Kozacz keeps moving.

Kozacz has his foot on Melkonyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Melkonyan works his way back into a safe position though.
Melkonyan won't allow Kozacz to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melkonyan wants to pass the guard but Kozacz is keeping the position.

Melkonyan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Melkonyan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kozacz is on top in guard.

Melkonyan trying to control the position.

Melkonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kozacz defends well.
Melkonyan can't keep his opponent in guard - Kozacz advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Kozacz wants to work for an arm triangle but Melkonyan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Melkonyan is looking for a sweep. Kozacz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melkonyan is working hard here to advance position.

Melkonyan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kozacz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Melkonyan has managed to free his arm - good work.

Melkonyan is defending against the submission attempts here by Kozacz.
Kozacz is breathing heavily.

Melkonyan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Melkonyan trying to control but Kozacz postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eduard Melkonyan dominated that second round.
That's time! Melkonyan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Melkonyan looks to land a combination but Kozacz avoids it well.
Eduard Melkonyan is winning the standup battle so far.
Melkonyan throws a combination. Kozacz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Melkonyan misses with a wild combination.
Melkonyan is looking to slow Kozacz down with leg kicks.
Melkonyan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kozacz changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Melkonyan throws a combination. Kozacz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Jorjo Kozacz has been cut.
Melkonyan works Kozacz's body with a nice hook.
Melkonyan misses with a few strikes there.
Kozacz feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melkonyan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kozacz.
And Kozacz tries to counter it with a takedown but Melkonyan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Melkonyan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kozacz feints the counter takedown.
Kozacz dodges the punch combination from Melkonyan.
And Kozacz tries to counter it with a takedown but Melkonyan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Melkonyan tries to bum rush Kozacz with a series of wild strikes but Kozacz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Melkonyan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Melkonyan feints and then cracks Kozacz's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kozacz down.
Melkonyan scores with a sloppy right hand. Kozacz should have avoided that one.
Melkonyan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Melkonyan jabs Kozacz right on the nose. Kozacz blinks but takes it well.
Eduard Melkonyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melkonyan misses with a double jab

and Kozacz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kozacz is looking for a kimura but Melkonyan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kozacz to get the leverage.

Kozacz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Melkonyan sees it coming and defends easily.
Melkonyan wants to control but Kozacz is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Melkonyan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Melkonyan looking for submissions off his back.
Jorjo Kozacz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Melkonyan won't allow Kozacz to pass to mount.
Eduard Melkonyan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Melkonyan works his way to full guard. Good work.

Melkonyan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kozacz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kozacz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kozacz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kozacz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Melkonyan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Melkonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kozacz defends well.

Kozacz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kozacz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kozacz drops back looking for a leg! Melkonyan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Melkonyan manages to kick Kozacz off! Kozacz jumps back into Melkonyan's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Melkonyan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kozacz defends well.
Melkonyan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kozacz manages to get himself to full guard.

Melkonyan passes Kozacz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Melkonyan is working for a kimura but Kozacz is defending it quite comfortably.
Kozacz wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eduard Melkonyan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Melkonyan, 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eduard Melkonyan!
Eduard Melkonyan decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.