PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artyom Kozlov (ranked 4401 p4p, 4595 weight class) and Xander Walls (ranked 179 p4p, 189 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kozlov
vs
Walls

197 cm
18
300
0 - 0 - 0

208 cm
18
280
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artyom Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xander Walls!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Walls breaks the clinch.

Kozlov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Walls, pushing him back against the cage.
Walls wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kozlov has him pressed against the cage.
Walls wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kozlov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Walls just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kozlov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kozlov is trying to push Walls away but Walls has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kozlov looking to slow down the pace here.
Kozlov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Walls walks away with a smile on his face. Kozlov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick from Walls, right into the meat of the thigh.
Walls fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kozlov shoots in looking for a takedown but Walls manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kozlov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artyom Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Walls throws a counter combo.
Walls misses with a head kick.
Kozlov misses with a takedown attempt - Walls sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Walls connects with an inside leg kick.
Walls circles away from the clinch attempt.
Walls lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kozlov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Walls falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kozlov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Walls has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kozlov wants a takedown but no success here.
Kozlov tries to score a body lock takedown but Walls shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Walls blocks an uppercut.

Walls breaks from the clinch.
Kozlov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kozlov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Walls manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Donk. Walls catches Kozlov right on the button with a cross.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Walls as he jumps to the side.
Kozlov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Walls's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Walls throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Walls is having none of it.
As Kozlov backs off Walls throws a huge counter combo but Kozlov manages to avoid it all.
Walls keeps the fight on the outside.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kozlov or perhaps it was just good defense by Walls, which made it look bad.
Xander Walls is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Walls explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Walls moves away
and Walls counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kozlov's knee momentarily.
Walls tries to bum rush Kozlov with a series of wild strikes but Kozlov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov shoots in for a double leg but Walls sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Walls lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kozlov shoots in looking for a takedown but Walls manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kozlov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Walls fakes the leg kick and cracks Kozlov in the body.
Kozlov shoots in for a double leg but Walls sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kozlov dives in for a single leg takedown but Walls sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Despite the aggression on Walls's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kozlov is breathing heavily.

Walls escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Walls sizes up Kozlov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Walls.
Walls loads up on a big right hand but Kozlov slips the punch.
Walls misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kozlov with a poor takedown
and Walls counters with a flying knee. Nice.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Walls dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kozlov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Walls! But no joy.
Kozlov tries to clinch up.
A nice side step and Walls releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kozlov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Walls sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kozlov somewhat.
Artyom Kozlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Walls lands with a slapping head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Walls avoids it really well and circles away.
Walls is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artyom Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kozlov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Walls defends well and Kozlov ends up having to push Walls into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Walls unleashes a big counter combination but Kozlov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Walls breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Walls only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kozlov throws a body kick that misses.
Walls has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kozlov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kozlov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Walls circles away.
Walls throws a looping overhand right but Kozlov ducks down to avoid it.
Walls throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kozlov tries to counter with a takedown but Walls is quick to defend against it.
Walls with the inside leg kick.
Walls bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Walls throws a series of punches but Kozlov avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walls looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Walls throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kozlov.
Walls throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kozlov misses with a takedown
and Walls counters with a flying knee. Nice.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kozlov. Walls does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kozlov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Walls throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kozlov misses with a leg kick.
Xander Walls seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kozlov tries to bum rush Walls with a series of wild strikes but Walls uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kozlov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Walls defends it nicely.
Walls throws a counter combo.
Kozlov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kozlov looks for a takedown but Walls sprawls well.
Kozlov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Walls's waist but Walls gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kozlov off to one side.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Walls in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kozlov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a takedown
and Walls counters with a low kick, right behind Kozlov 's knee.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Walls moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kozlov tries to clinch
and Walls counters with an outside leg kick.
Kozlov takes a swing at Walls's ribcage but misses.
Walls stuffs the takedown.
Walls just misses with a punch to the body.
Kozlov tries for a takedown but Walls circles away easily
and Walls counters with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Walls throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Xander Walls showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Walls leaves Kozlov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kozlov misses with a low kick.
As Kozlov backs off Walls throws a huge counter combo but Kozlov manages to avoid it all.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Walls swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Walls slaps away a takedown attempt from Kozlov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Walls - that will leave a mark!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walls throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kozlov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kozlov tries to clinch up but Walls circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walls connects with a solid leg kick.
Walls lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kozlov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kozlov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Kozlov instigates a clinch.
Kozlov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kozlov trying to stall but Walls improves his position.
Kozlov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Walls manages to break the clinch.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Walls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Kozlov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Walls stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artyom Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walls paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walls explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Walls is having none of it.
Walls misses with a double jab
and Kozlov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Walls.
A low kick lands for Walls.
Artyom Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Walls stuffs the takedown attempt from Kozlov. Kozlov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kozlov looks to land a left hand but Walls moved out of range nicely.
Kozlov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice sprawl there from Walls as Kozlov shoots in.
Kozlov fails to land the takedown.
Walls lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Walls sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kozlov tries to clinch but Walls moves out of range.
Walls with a nice calf kick.
Walls dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kozlov. That did some damage!
Kozlov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Walls avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Walls throws a counter combo.
Nice body kick there by Walls.
Walls plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Walls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kozlov takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov goes for a double leg but Walls avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Walls continues to drive forward.

Walls breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kozlov tries to clinch up but Walls circles away and keeps his distance.
Walls rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kozlov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Walls blocks a head kick by Kozlov.
Walls avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Walls looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kozlov fails with a takedown attempt.
Artyom Kozlov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xander Walls is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kozlov throws a looping overhand right but Walls ducks down to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xander Walls comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Walls winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xander Walls!
A victorious Xander Walls thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.