PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yevgeni Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Mitchell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlov comes to the cage accompanied by For those about to Rock. James Mitchell will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kozlov
vs
Mitchell

168 cm
25
155 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

187 cm
20
137 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yevgeni Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Mitchell!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mitchell's waist but Mitchell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kozlov off to one side.
Kozlov misses with a takedown
and Mitchell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kozlov looks for a takedown but Mitchell sprawls well.
Mitchell has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mitchell.
Mitchell lands a nice shot to the body.
Mitchell throws a series of strikes that have Kozlov backpedaling.
Kozlov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mitchell defends well and Kozlov ends up having to push Mitchell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
As Kozlov backs off Mitchell throws a huge counter combo but Kozlov manages to avoid it all.
Yevgeni Kozlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kozlov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mitchell defends well and Kozlov ends up having to push Mitchell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov shoots and misses
and Mitchell counters with a two punch combo.
Mitchell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kozlov. That did some damage!
Kozlov has been working on his balance at Harambe Remembrance Hall, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Mitchell.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kozlov darts in trying to clinch
and Mitchell counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov 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.
Mitchell lands with a thumping leg kick.

Kozlov closes the distance and pushes Mitchell back into the cage.
Mitchell wants to get back to striking at distance but Kozlov won't allow it.
Mitchell lands a right hand.
Mitchell managing to block the knees to the body from Kozlov.

Kozlov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Kozlov stands up and beckons Mitchell to his feet.
Mitchell ducks under a wild hook from Kozlov.
Mitchell is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mitchell but Mitchell pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kozlov moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mitchell tries to break the clinch but Kozlov is controlling the position.
Mitchell is pressed up against the cage. Kozlov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mitchell down to the mat. Mitchell avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mitchell.
Kozlov shoots and misses
and Mitchell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kozlov is breathing heavily.
Kozlov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mitchell counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mitchell lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Mitchell moves into the clinch.
Mitchell struggles to land a body shot inside as Kozlov controls his hands.

Kozlov has Mitchell pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kozlov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mitchell tumbling to the mat - Kozlov dives into Mitchell's guard.
Mitchell controls Kozlov momentarily but Kozlov frees himself.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Mitchell keeps moving.
Kozlov stays in close to Mitchell's body and controls the position.
Mitchell wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kozlov lands a couple of elbows.
Kozlov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kozlov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Mitchell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kozlov is aware though and is defending well.
Kozlov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four 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.

Kozlov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kozlov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kozlov showed some decent athleticism there.
Kozlov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but Mitchell defending well.

Kozlov seems to be working for a kimura but Mitchell defends the submission attempt.

Kozlov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fight stays on the outside here - Mitchell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mitchell as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mitchell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Yevgeni Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mitchell.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kozlov.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Mitchell. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov with a poor takedown
and Mitchell counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kozlov's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but Mitchell shows good takedown defense.
Good leg kick by Mitchell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kozlov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mitchell lands a front kick.

Mitchell gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kozlov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kozlov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kozlov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kozlov 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.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mitchell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kozlov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kozlov preventing the sweep.
Kozlov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kozlov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mitchell is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mitchell has escaped and now he's on top!

Kozlov controlling Mitchell's posture.
Kozlov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mitchell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kozlov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mitchell wants to sweep but no luck.
Mitchell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kozlov preventing the sweep.
Mitchell being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Mitchell keeps moving.
Kozlov throws a big right hand that misses.
Mitchell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mitchell throws a head kick that Kozlov semi-blocks.

Kozlov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mitchell's half guard.
Mitchell wants to control but Kozlov is keeping busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
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. Kozlov connects with a nice short shot to Mitchell's temple.
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 Yevgeni Kozlov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Kozlov.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mitchell flicks out a counter leg kick but Kozlov steps away.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mitchell sprawls well. Mitchell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kozlov gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yevgeni Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mitchell throws a nice outside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mitchell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mitchell slaps away a takedown attempt from Kozlov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mitchell stuns Kozlov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kozlov doesn't seem bothered though.
Mitchell lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mitchell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kozlov has a takedown stuffed.
James Mitchell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mitchell wants to clinch.
Mitchell stalks Kozlov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kozlov's face. Kozlov staggers backwards, shaken.

Kozlov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mitchell quickly recovers to half guard.
Mitchell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kozlov.
Mitchell trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kozlov 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.
Yevgeni Kozlov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kozlov thows a huge punch but Mitchell dodges it nicely.
Kozlov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kozlov controlling the action here.
Kozlov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell is trying is best to control the position here.
Kozlov prevents Mitchell from improving his position.
Kozlov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Kozlov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mitchell sees it coming and defends easily.
Kozlov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Mitchell is defending against the submission attempts here by Kozlov.
Mitchell is not content to let Kozlov control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kozlov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Well, if Kozlov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Mitchell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mitchell 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for James Mitchell!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for James Mitchell!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for James Mitchell!

James Mitchell wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, James Mitchell thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.