PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mac Fowler (ranked 7750 p4p, 453 weight class) and Kazuo Koizumi (ranked 25401 p4p, 518 weight class). Mac Fowler could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kazuo Koizumi's chin.

Fowler
vs
Koizumi

175 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

168 cm
20
142 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mac Fowler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kazuo Koizumi!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Kavanagh and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fowler drives through and clinches with Koizumi against the cage.

Fowler pulls guard effortlessly.
Koizumi trying to control but Fowler is working from the bottom.
Koizumi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koizumi is looking to work some ground and pound but Fowler has wrist control.
Koizumi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Fowler is looking for a triangle but Koizumi pushes his legs off easily.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Fowler keeps moving.
Koizumi stands up over Fowler, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Fowler keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fowler on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fowler tries to get out of the position.

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

Koizumi has his foot on Fowler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fowler works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fowler trying to control the position from guard on top but Koizumi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fowler stops Koizumi from standing up.

Fowler gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fowler enables Koizumi to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fowler manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fowler doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koizumi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fowler is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koizumi trying to control the position from guard on top but Fowler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fowler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koizumi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Fowler keeps moving.
Koizumi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fowler haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Koizumi throwing strikes from guard but Fowler blocks nicely.
Fowler keeping moving, preventing Koizumi from controlling successfully.
Fowler is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi tries a head kick but it misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Koizumi.
Sloppy strikes from Koizumi. Those never looked like landing.
Koizumi misses with an uppercut. Fowler saw that one coming.

Koizumi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fowler sprawls well initially but Koizumi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Koizumi looks winded!

Koizumi is working for a kimura here but Fowler manages to reverse the position and he's now in Koizumi's guard.
Fowler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Koizumi throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Fowler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Fowler gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fowler avoids a kick to the body.
Fowler half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Koizumi wants to clinch.
Koizumi just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFowler.

Fowler has closed the distance and engaged Koizumi in a clinch.

Koizumi wants the takedown. Fowler is fighting it off but Koizumi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Fowler's guard against the cage.

Koizumi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fowler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazuo Koizumi will probably get the nod.
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.

Fowler throws a leg kick but Koizumi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Koizumi throws a counter combo.
Fowler fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Fowler as Koizumi shoots in.

Fowler gets caught napping as Koizumi dives in and scores a takedown. Fowler manages to retain guard.

Fowler working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koizumi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koizumi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Koizumi trying to control but Fowler is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koizumi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Fowler is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Koizumi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koizumi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Koizumi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fowler looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fowler looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fowler!

Koizumi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koizumi working over Fowler with some ground and pound. Fowler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Koizumi is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Fowler reverses the position - he's now on top in Koizumi's guard.
Koizumi is breathing heavily.

Fowler decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Koizumi, up you get!

Fowler closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fowler pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Koizumi misses with a double jab

and Fowler moves into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Koizumi scores with a shoulder strike.
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!
Fowler tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short right from Fowler.
Fowler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Koizumi gets control of Fowler's arms and successfully pulls guard. Koizumi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Fowler stands and steps away. Koizumi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Koizumi tries to clinch but Fowler moves out of range.
Koizumi misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi blocks a head kick by Fowler.
Koizumi throws a leg kick which misses Fowler's front leg but catches the back leg as Fowler tries to avoid it.
Koizumi doesn't manage to clinch there - Fowler circles away.
Koizumi tries to clinch up.
Fowler shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Koizumi as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mac Fowler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Koizumi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fowler to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Koizumi striking off his back but it's not causing Fowler any problems.
Koizumi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Fowler sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Koizumi has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Fowler has passed into side control.

Koizumi sneaks out the side door and pushes Fowler away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Koizumi tries to keep at a distance but Fowler has taken the fight into the clinch.
Koizumi fails to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koizumi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fowler has him pressed against the cage.
Fowler jumps guard but Koizumi stands there with Fowler around his waist. Fowler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Koizumi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
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 Mac Fowler will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Koizumi defending well as Fowler loads up on a big left hand.

Fowler gets a clinch.
Koizumi jumps guard but Fowler turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Koizumi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Koizumi misses with a short punch on the inside.

Fowler manages to break the clinch.

Fowler moves into range and clinches up with Koizumi.
Koizumi working aggressively here.
Koizumi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fowler to keep the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Fowler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koizumi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mac Fowler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuo Koizumi.
Koizumi tries to pull guard but Fowler holds him up against the cage and eventually Koizumi drops back down to his feet.
Koizumi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fowler gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Koizumi regains guard.

Koizumi uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fowler fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Koizumi avoids it really well and circles away.
Koizumi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fowler manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Koizumi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fowler's sensitive parts.
Koizumi tries to close the distance and clinch but Fowler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fowler shoots in but Koizumi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Koizumi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've been told by Fowler's head coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fowler swats away the attempt to clinch by Koizumi.
Fowler throws a big counter combination but Koizumi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Koizumi throws a head kick but Fowler moves out of range.

Koizumi clinches with his opponent.
Koizumi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Koizumi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koizumi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fowler pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fowler just leaning against Koizumi, taking a breather.
Koizumi has Fowler pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fowler manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Fowler has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Koizumi is trying to keep an underhook but Fowler manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Koizumi tries to kick Fowler off in order to stand up. Fowler Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi taking a bit of punishment here - Fowler scoring with strikes.

Fowler stands up.
Kazuo Koizumi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Fowler moves into range and clinches up with Koizumi.
Koizumi tries to pull guard but Fowler forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Koizumi tries to break the clinch but Fowler is controlling the position.
Koizumi tries to pull guard but Fowler holds him up against the cage and eventually Koizumi drops back down to his feet.

Fowler ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fowler no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Fowler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koizumi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koizumi preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fowler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koizumi stopping the sweep attempt from Fowler.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koizumi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fowler avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Koizumi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Koizumi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fowler, up you get!
Fowler doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Koizumi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fowler is looking for a takedown.

Koizumi breaks the clinch.
Koizumi lands a nice looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kazuo Koizumi.
I think Koizumi 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuo Koizumi!