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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kozlov (ranked 3045 p4p, 4087 weight class) and Branson Shields (ranked 318 p4p, 389 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 225 cm
25
250
1 - 0 - 0 |
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194 cm
25
225
0 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power |
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Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin |
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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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Branson Shields!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Felipe Paraventi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov gets caught flat footed, as Shields shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Kozlov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kozlov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shields must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shields is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kozlov has control of Shields's left arm, preventing Shields from doing any damage.
Shields controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shields throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kozlov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields throws an elbow that misses. Kozlov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shields's guard. Nice move by Kozlov!
Kozlov throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kozlov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shields looking to control.
Kozlov throwing strikes from guard but Shields blocks nicely.
Shields looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kozlov is in close to Shields's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kozlov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shields avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kozlov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kozlov lands a couple of digs.
Kozlov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kozlov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kozlov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kozlov working some strikes from top position.
Kozlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kozlov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shields wants to sweep but no luck.
Kozlov throws a strike but Shields rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Shields slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shields stopping the sweep attempt from Kozlov.
Shields pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kozlov is keeping the position for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields trying to control but Kozlov is working from the bottom.
Kozlov pulls Shields in close to prevent any damage.
Shields engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kozlov pulls Shields in close to prevent any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shields preventing the sweep.
Kozlov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shields controls the pace.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shields closes the distance and clinches.
Shields manages to pull guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kozlov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kozlov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kozlov preventing the sweep.
Kozlov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Nikolai Kozlov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Shields defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kozlov.
Kozlov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shields sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kozlov somewhat.
Shields tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kozlov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shields shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kozlov tries to roll over but Shields keeps him under control.
Shields wants to take a breather but Kozlov is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov wants to get back to his feet.
Kozlov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kozlov.
Kozlov has a closed guard, preventing Shields from standing up.
Kozlov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Kozlov is pulling down on Shields's head to control his posture.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shields shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kozlov tries to roll over but Shields keeps him under control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kozlov!
Kozlov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shields is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kozlov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kozlov!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shields can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kozlov throws a big right hand that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kozlov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shields looking to control.
Kozlov throws a big right hand that misses.
Shields is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kozlov postures up in Shields's guard and throws a big left but Shields blocks it.
Kozlov passes Shields's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kozlov drops an elbow to the side of Shields's head.
It looks like Branson Shields has been cut.
Kozlov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kozlov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kozlov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shields really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kozlov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kozlov throwing shots but Shields is blocking nicely.
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 Shields's temple.
Kozlov working Shields over with strikes.
Kozlov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shields is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kozlov working Shields over with strikes.
Shields is trying to stand back up but Kozlov is controlling him
Kozlov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shields missing with punches from the bottom.
Nikolai Kozlov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kozlov thows a huge punch but Shields dodges it nicely.
Kozlov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shields is trying to maintain the position but Kozlov is very close to passing his half guard.
Shields is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
That has opened up Branson Shields's cut even more.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kozlov thows a huge punch but Shields dodges it nicely.
Kozlov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shields can do to turn this around?
Shields controlling the position for now.
Shields avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kozlov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nikolai Kozlov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Branson Shields's cut.
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. This is the final round!
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kozlov closes the distance and clinches up with Shields, looking for a takedown. Kozlov pushes Shields against the cage but Shields circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shields flicks out a counter leg kick but Kozlov steps away.
Kozlov looks for a takedown but Shields sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shields drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shields tries to free his leg and advance position but Kozlov is retaining full guard.
Shields has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kozlov is proving hard to escape from.
Kozlov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Shields puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov trying to hold on to Shields's head to control him but Shields postures up.
Shields missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Shields stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kozlov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shields wants to get up but he can't break Kozlov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shields controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shields postures up in Kozlov's guard and throws a big left but Kozlov blocks it.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shields lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kozlov has his takedown stuffed
and Shields counters by clinching up.
Kozlov has Shields pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shields manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shields has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kozlov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov has clasped his hands together around Shields's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shields is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kozlov connects with a decent elbow.
Kozlov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The strikes coming from Kozlov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Shields tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kozlov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kozlov working the ground and pound but Shields is defending the strikes.
Shields can't do much from the bottom here.
Kozlov working the body and head with strikes.
Kozlov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Shields is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kozlov is controlling him well.
Kozlov looks up at the clock and then as Shields takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kozlov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
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 throwing strikes but Shields manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kozlov regains half guard there - taking advantage of Shields's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kozlov keeps working.
Shields wants to free his trapped foot but Kozlov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shields trying to control from half guard but Kozlov is working away.
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 regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Shields.
Kozlov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kozlov is trying to keep Shields in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kozlov controlling the position.
Branson Shields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikolai Kozlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kozlov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shields's guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Branson Shields comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kozlov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kozlov!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
34% |
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