PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emperlianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kozlov
vs
Emperlianenko

190 cm
20
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
232 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

SCP Fight Gear

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emperlianenko!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emperlianenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Emperlianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Kozlov moves in looking to clinch but Emperlianenko pushes him off.

Kozlov feints and as Emperlianenko raises his hands in defense, Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Emperlianenko is trying to control the position but Kozlov postures up.
Kozlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kozlov won't allow Emperlianenko to sweep him here.
Kozlov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kozlov won't allow Emperlianenko to sweep him here.
Emperlianenko trying to strike off his back.
Emperlianenko throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Kozlov stands up and waves to Emperlianenko to follow him.
Kozlov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Emperlianenko circles away.
Emperlianenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kozlov.
Emperlianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Kozlov sprawls well. He's pushed Emperlianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kozlov clinches with his opponent.

Kozlov breaks from the clinch.
Emperlianenko throws a lazy right hand but Kozlov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Emperlianenko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kozlov. That's going to slow Emperlianenko down.
Emperlianenko should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kozlov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Emperlianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Kozlov's shoulder, as Kozlov tries to avoid the shot.
Emperlianenko digs a good body shot into Kozlov's ribs.
Kozlov is breathing heavily.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Emperlianenko is having none of it.
Emperlianenko throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Emperlianenko misses with a straight right.
Emperlianenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kozlov.
Emperlianenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kozlov moves away.
Emperlianenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Kozlov.
Emperlianenko takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emperlianenko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kozlov is looking to work some ground and pound but Emperlianenko has wrist control.
Emperlianenko throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Emperlianenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kozlov!
Emperlianenko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kozlov regains half guard.
Ground and pound from Emperlianenko.
Kozlov missing with punches from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Emperlianenko connects with a nice short shot to Kozlov's temple.
Emperlianenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov tries to kick Emperlianenko off in order to stand up. Emperlianenko Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Kozlov gets back to half guard.
Emperlianenko prevents Kozlov from standing back up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Emperlianenko connects with a nice short shot to Kozlov's temple.
Emperlianenko is nestled in close to Kozlov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Emperlianenko wants to stand but Kozlov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Kozlov pushes Emperlianenko off and gets back to his feet.
Emperlianenko is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kozlov rather than just go for the knockout.
Emperlianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kozlov counters with a nice body kick.
Kozlov is looking to clinch.
Kozlov closes the distance and clinches up with Emperlianenko, looking for a takedown. Kozlov pushes Emperlianenko against the cage but Emperlianenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emperlianenko catches Kozlov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emperlianenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kozlov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kozlov is trying to strike from the bottom but Emperlianenko has passed into full mount.
Kozlov is desperately trying to improve his position but Emperlianenko has a good base and remains in mount.
Kozlov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Kozlov is looking to get to half guard.
Kozlov is working hard here to advance position.
Emperlianenko lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Emperlianenko in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Emperlianenko scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kozlov?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Igor Kozlov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from Emperlianenko. No joy for Kozlov on that attempt.
Emperlianenko with a hook.
Kozlov ducks right into an uppercut from Emperlianenko.
Emperlianenko shoots in and drives through. Kozlov sprawls well.
Kozlov shoots and misses
and Emperlianenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Kozlov moves away from the strike by Emperlianenko.
Emperlianenko throws a right and a left that Kozlov avoids nicely.
Emperlianenko keeps the fight on the outside.
Kozlov checks the leg kick.
Kozlov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Emperlianenko.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emperlianenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Igor Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kozlov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Emperlianenko pinned against the cage. Emperlianenko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Emperlianenko tries to keep at a distance but Kozlov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emperlianenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kozlov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kozlov breaks from the clinch.

Kozlov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Emperlianenko throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Kozlov is working Emperlianenko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kozlov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kozlov cracks Emperlianenko with a solid left hand.

Emperlianenko looking for a guillotine here but Kozlov defends easily.

Kozlov stands and steps away. Emperlianenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Emperlianenko misses with a double jab

and Kozlov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Emperlianenko won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov prevents Emperlianenko from escaping the position.
Kozlov grinds an elbow into Emperlianenko's temple.
Emperlianenko is trying to control Kozlov's posture but Kozlov avoids it.

Kozlov stands up and beckons Emperlianenko to his feet.
Kozlov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Emperlianenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Emperlianenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Emperlianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with a leg kick.

Kozlov has closed the distance and engaged Emperlianenko in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov goes for a takedown attempt but Emperlianenko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kozlov misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Emperlianenko.
Kozlov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kozlov tries to clinch up
and Emperlianenko counters with a left to the body.
Kozlov scores with a leg kick.
Kozlov lands a head kick. Emperlianenko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Kozlov scores a takedown into full mount!
Kozlov lands a big shot there that rocks Emperlianenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Emperlianenko throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Kozlov with shots to the head and body - Emperlianenko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kozlov working Emperlianenko over with strikes here.
Emperlianenko sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emperlianenko missing with punches from the bottom.
Emperlianenko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Emperlianenko is trying to control but can't.
Kozlov lands strikes from half guard.
Kozlov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Emperlianenko wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kozlov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kozlov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Emperlianenko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kozlov dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Emperlianenko misses with a wild body shot.
Emperlianenko throws out a loose jab but Kozlov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emperlianenko throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.

Kozlov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kozlov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Emperlianenko wants to improve his position but Kozlov is controlling well.
Kozlov drops an elbow to the side of Emperlianenko's head.

Kozlov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Emperlianenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emperlianenko moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Emperlianenko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Emperlianenko looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov cracks Emperlianenko with a solid left hand.
Kozlov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Emperlianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Igor Kozlov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emperlianenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Emperlianenko has a closed guard, preventing Kozlov from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Emperlianenko.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emperlianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emperlianenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kozlov.
Kozlov is looking to clinch but Emperlianenko is avoiding it.

Kozlov forces Emperlianenko back against the cage and clinches.

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.

Emperlianenko pulls guard successfully.
Kozlov lands a couple of digs.
Kozlov lands a couple of elbows.
Kozlov wants to stand and escape but instead Emperlianenko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Emperlianenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Emperlianenko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kozlov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kozlov wriggles free and stands up.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emperlianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emperlianenko throws a combination that misses
enabling Kozlov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emperlianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kozlov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emperlianenko!
Kozlov trying to control but Emperlianenko is having none of it.
A nice elbow there by Kozlov.
Kozlov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Emperlianenko is looking to improve his position but Kozlov isn't that keen on the idea.
BOOM! Kozlov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Fedor Emperlianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Feeble punches landing from Emperlianenko - he's mounted - they can't hurt.
Kozlov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Emperlianenko looks a forlorn figure.
Kozlov landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emperlianenko is in all sorts of trouble here.
Emperlianenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kozlov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Emperlianenko?
Emperlianenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Kozlov has a good base and remains in mount.
Kozlov blocks Emperlianenko's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Emperlianenko swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Emperlianenko throwing hammer fists to the chest of Kozlov. What's that going to do exactly?
Kozlov lands a big shot there that rocks Emperlianenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Emperlianenko is working to get back to half guard.
Emperlianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kozlov raining down shots from the mount!
Igor Kozlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kozlov blocks Emperlianenko's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kozlov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kozlov, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:28

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