PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Dux (ranked 1353 p4p, 166 weight class) and Vasilliy Kazakov (ranked 1264 p4p, 154 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dux
vs
Kazakov

182 cm
30
155 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

163 cm
30
168 lbs
19 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Dux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vasilliy Kazakov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazakov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kazakov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dux.
Dux moves away from the strike by Kazakov.
Dux uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kazakov.
Frank Dux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dux misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dux will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Dux. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dux throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kazakov's waist but Kazakov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dux off to one side.
Decent striking displayed by Kazakov there.
Dux misses with a takedown attempt

so Kazakov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Dux escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kazakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've been hearing good reports from Dux's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kazakov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dux sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dux is pressing down on Kazakov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazakov tries to free his leg and advance position but Dux is retaining full guard.

Dux is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kazakov is aware though and is defending well.
Kazakov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kazakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Dux is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kazakov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kazakov prevents Dux from improving his position.

Dux looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dux is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazakov wants to free his trapped foot but Dux is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kazakov is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazakov is looking for a kimura here.

Dux looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Kazakov pushes past his half guard into mount!
Dux has given up his back. Will we see Kazakov going for some submissions?

Kazakov tightening his grip on Dux, looking for the choke.
Kazakov is trying to control but Dux is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dux sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Dux tries to get to full guard but Kazakov has control of the leg.
Kazakov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Kazakov is trying to work for a kimura but Dux is defending well.
Kazakov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Mello MMA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kazakov prevents Dux from improving his position.
Dux works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazakov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kazakov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Dux tries to roll over but Kazakov keeps him under control.

Kazakov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Dux is just riding it out for now. Kazakov eventually gives up the hold.
Kazakov trying to control from half guard but Dux is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dux wants to improve his position but Kazakov is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilliy Kazakov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dux closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kazakov circles away.
Kazakov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Dux shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazakov sprawls well. He's pushed Dux's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kazakov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kazakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kazakov wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Dux. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kazakov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dux fails with the takedown

and Kazakov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Dux missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dux manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Dux throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kazakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kazakov stands and throws Dux's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dux gets back to half guard.
Kazakov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazakov is looking for a kimura here.
Kazakov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Dux!
Kazakov looking to control but Dux is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dux is looking to improve his position but Kazakov isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kazakov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Dux can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dux flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Kazakov with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Kazakov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kazakov fails to move to back control.
Dux working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazakov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Dux is now in Kazakov's guard. A big mistake from Kazakov there, giving up the dominant position!

Kazakov is looking for a triangle but Dux pushes his legs off easily.

Kazakov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dux defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dux accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kazakov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dux trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dux throws a big right hand that misses.
Dux throws a big elbow that misses.

Dux drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kazakov dives on top into guard.

Kazakov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dux can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kazakov controls the pace.
Kazakov won't allow Dux to sweep him here.
Dux keeping moving, preventing Kazakov from controlling successfully.
Dux manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kazakov manages to get himself to full guard.

Vasilliy Kazakov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dux slips nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilliy Kazakov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kazakov connects with a looping right hand.
Dux will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Dux is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kazakov's half guard.
Dux lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kazakov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dux is working away from the top position though.
Kazakov tries to roll over but Dux keeps him under control.
Kazakov is trying to maintain the position but Dux is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dux not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kazakov trying to control but Dux postures up.
Dux passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kazakov!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazakov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kazakov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kazakov regains half guard.
Kazakov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dux is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kazakov!
Dux misses with a head shot.
Kazakov is looking to get to half guard.
Dux unloads with some shots from mount but Kazakov bucks and avoids them well.
Dux unloads with some shots from mount but Kazakov bucks and avoids them well.
Vasilliy Kazakov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dux looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Dux 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.
Kazakov doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Dux throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kazakov is trying desperately to improve position.
Dux will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Dux lands a couple of good shots and Kazakov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dux throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Kazakov is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Dux off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Kazakov defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Dux throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Kazakov really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Dux's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dux looking for the choke from the back.
Kazakov is really stuck here.
Dux not allowing Kazakov to control his hands.
Dux thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Dux is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Dux throwing sloppy strikes.

Dux is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kazakov is defending well though. Dux let's go of the attempt for now.
Kazakov rolls, trying to escape but Dux keeps control of the position.
Frank Dux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dux throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Dux missing with strikes.
Even with his hooks in, Dux manages to miss with strikes from the back.

Dux is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kazakov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kazakov trying to control the hands but Dux breaks the grip.
Kazakov covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Dux misses with a punch to the head.

Dux patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Dux showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kazakov 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 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilliy Kazakov!