PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fyodor Yemelyanenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yemelyanenko is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Oy, to ne vecher. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kozlov
vs
Yemelyanenko

190 cm
20
240 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
239 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Cage Wars: Rocha Nutrition

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 3 - 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fyodor Yemelyanenko!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yemelyanenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kozlov swivels and escapes.
Kozlov throws a one two combo.
Kozlov shoots and misses
and Yemelyanenko makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
No joy there for Yemelyanenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Yemelyanenko misses with a combination
and Kozlov counters with an inside leg kick.
Yemelyanenko looks gassed!

Kozlov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kozlov keeps control of Yemelyanenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kozlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yemelyanenko has his takedown stuffed

and Kozlov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kozlov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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 Yemelyanenko's temple.
Kozlov lands strikes from half guard.
Kozlov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kozlov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kozlov winds up and cracks Yemelyanenko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Yemelyanenko has hold of Kozlov's hands but Kozlov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kozlov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov wants to stand up but Yemelyanenko is controlling the position.
Kozlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kozlov is looking to take a break and control but Yemelyanenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yemelyanenko has hold of Kozlov's hands but Kozlov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kozlov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Kozlov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Yemelyanenko is staying active underneath Kozlov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kozlov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kozlov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Yemelyanenko taking some punishment here, with Kozlov in his half guard.
Kozlov drops an elbow to the side of Yemelyanenko's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kozlov wants to pass to mount but Yemelyanenko is defending the position.
Kozlov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yemelyanenko is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kozlov pulls his head out easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yemelyanenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kozlov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Yemelyanenko.
Kozlov fails with the takedown.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kozlov. That's going to slow Yemelyanenko down.
Yemelyanenko falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kozlov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kozlov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yemelyanenko wants to sweep here but Kozlov controlling him for the moment.
Kozlov thows a big elbow that misses.
Yemelyanenko wants to stand but Kozlov is controlling the position.
Kozlov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Yemelyanenko keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Yemelyanenko misses with a leg kick

and Kozlov counters with a shoot takedown. Yemelyanenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Yemelyanenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yemelyanenko looking for a guillotine here but Kozlov defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov lands a couple of elbows.
Kozlov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Yemelyanenko tries to strike from the bottom.
Kozlov tries to free his leg and advance position but Yemelyanenko is retaining full guard.
Kozlov postures up in Yemelyanenko's guard and throws a big left but Yemelyanenko blocks it.

Yemelyanenko pushes Kozlov off and scrambles back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kozlov takes the fight into the clinch.
Kozlov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Yemelyanenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kozlov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kozlov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Kozlov manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kozlov.
Kozlov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Yemelyanenko pinned against the cage. Yemelyanenko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kozlov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kozlov thumps Yemelyanenko with a low kick.
Kozlov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Yemelyanenko throws out the jab.
Yemelyanenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kozlov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yemelyanenko thows a body kick. Kozlov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yemelyanenko as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yemelyanenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemelyanenko lands a two punch combo.
Yemelyanenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kozlov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kozlov thows a body kick. Yemelyanenko tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nice body kick there by Kozlov.
Igor Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kozlov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kozlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kozlov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Yemelyanenko has a closed guard, preventing Kozlov from standing up.
Kozlov stopping the sweep attempt from Yemelyanenko.
Yemelyanenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov gets to his feet - Yemelyanenko follows without any prompting.

Kozlov moves into the clinch successfully.

Yemelyanenko breaks from the clinch.

Yemelyanenko has Kozlov up against the cage in a clinch.
Yemelyanenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kozlov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Kozlov.
Yemelyanenko tries for a takedown but Kozlov manages to get underhooks.
Yemelyanenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kozlov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kozlov cracks Yemelyanenko with a nice body shot.

Kozlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yemelyanenko keeps the fight on the outside.

Kozlov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yemelyanenko tries to buck Kozlov off but Kozlov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yemelyanenko throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Kozlov scoring with punches and elbows.
Yemelyanenko tries to improve position but can't.
Kozlov is chipping away with strikes.
Kozlov is chipping away with strikes.
Yemelyanenko is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yemelyanenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Kozlov looks to land a combination but Yemelyanenko avoids it well.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kozlov!

Kozlov scores with a takedown into Yemelyanenko's guard.
Yemelyanenko looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yemelyanenko trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Kozlov cracks Yemelyanenko with a solid left hand.
Kozlov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yemelyanenko working a defensive guard here.
Kozlov lands a couple of digs.
Kozlov preventing the sweep.
Kozlov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kozlov gets a clinch.

Kozlov manages to break the clinch.
Yemelyanenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kozlov counters with a big head kick but Yemelyanenko shrugs it off.
Kozlov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yemelyanenko lands a nice shot that snaps Kozlov's head back.
Kozlov moves out of range as Yemelyanenko throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kozlov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kozlov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yemelyanenko counters with a two punch combo.
Yemelyanenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kozlov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yemelyanenko throws a body kick the misses
and Kozlov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Yemelyanenko is having none of it.
Yemelyanenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A left and a right from Kozlov both land. Nice combination.
Good exchange - Kozlov coming out on top.
Kozlov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Yemelyanenko's sensitive parts.
Kozlov throws a combination. Yemelyanenko tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Yemelyanenko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Yemelyanenko is not content to let Kozlov control the position.
Kozlov working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kozlov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kozlov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Igor Kozlov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kozlov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yemelyanenko throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Kozlov is chipping away with strikes.
Kozlov lands a nice forearm strike.
Kozlov working the ground and pound.
Yemelyanenko struggling a bit here.
Kozlov working the head with strikes.
Yemelyanenko is looking to reverse the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Yemelyanenko is having none of it.
Yemelyanenko takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's two 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 moves in looking to clinch but Yemelyanenko pushes him off.
Kozlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yemelyanenko throws a combination that misses

and Kozlov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yemelyanenko's guard.
Kozlov trying to control but Yemelyanenko is working from the bottom.
Kozlov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yemelyanenko can do to turn this around?
Kozlov distracts Yemelyanenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Yemelyanenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kozlov is controlling him.
Yemelyanenko trying to strike off his back.
Kozlov landing some decent shots from guard.
Yemelyanenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yemelyanenko keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yemelyanenko throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Kozlov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Yemelyanenko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Yemelyanenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Yemelyanenko is trying to control the action in half guard but Kozlov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Yemelyanenko works his foot free and advances to mount.
Yemelyanenko in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Yemelyanenko lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov gets back to half guard.
Kozlov trying to control from the bottom.
Kozlov is doing well to control the position and prevent Yemelyanenko from advancing to side control.
Yemelyanenko working over Kozlov with some ground and pound. Kozlov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Yemelyanenko 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.
Yemelyanenko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yemelyanenko thows a huge punch but Kozlov dodges it nicely.
Kozlov landing rabbit punches to the side of Yemelyanenko's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Kozlov trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Yemelyanenko clinches with his opponent.

Kozlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kozlov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fyodor Yemelyanenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Igor Kozlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yemelyanenko trying to control from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kozlov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kozlov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

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