PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Connor Cozad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JanOle Stafjard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). JanOle Stafjard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cozad
vs
Stafjard

173 cm
20
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

166 cm
21
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor Cozad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, JanOle Stafjard!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stafjard decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Stafjard is looking for a kimura but Cozad is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stafjard to get the leverage.

Stafjard is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cozad is just riding it out for now. Stafjard eventually gives up the hold.
Cozad is looking to improve his position.
Cozad wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cozad is pressing down on Stafjard's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cozad is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Cozad is looking for a triangle but Stafjard pushes his legs off easily.

Cozad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafjard wants to control from the top but Cozad keeps moving.
Stafjard won't allow Cozad to get back to his feet.
Cozad keeping full guard, as Stafjard tries to pass.

Cozad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stafjard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Cozad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stafjard defends well.
Cozad is breathing heavily.

Cozad looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cozad trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stafjard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cozad is keeping the position for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cozad looks to land a combination but Stafjard avoids it well.
Cozad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cozad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Stafjard decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Stafjard trying to pass the guard but Cozad defending well.
Cozad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cozad is not content to let Stafjard control the position.
Cozad is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cozad actively working from the bottom here.
Stafjard is looking to take a break and control but Cozad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cozad moves into full guard.

Cozad has his foot on Stafjard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stafjard works his way back into a safe position though.
Stafjard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cozad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cozad keeping full guard, as Stafjard tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stafjard pushing down on Cozad's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cozad trying to hold on to Stafjard's head to control him but Stafjard postures up.

Stafjard is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cozad is just riding it out for now. Stafjard eventually gives up the hold.
Cozad regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stafjard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cozad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cozad wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cozad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cozad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cozad lands with an overhand left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cozad.
Nice takedown defense from Cozad. No joy for Stafjard on that attempt.
Cozad connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stafjard's hands.
Cozad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cozad scores with a hook.
Cozad scores with a shot to the body.

Cozad fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stafjard sprawls well initially but Cozad persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cozad wants to work for an arm triangle but Stafjard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stafjard wants to improve his position but Cozad is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stafjard is defending against the submission attempts here by Cozad.
Cozad thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stafjard is trying to get back to full guard.
Stafjard is staying active underneath Cozad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cozad lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cozad missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stafjard is not content to let Cozad control the position.
Stafjard has hold of Cozad's hands but Cozad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stafjard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cozad is working away from the top position though.
Cozad looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stafjard regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cozad.
Cozad postures up in Stafjard's guard and throws a big left but Stafjard blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafjard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cozad lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Stafjard looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cozad stands up over Stafjard, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Cozad has gone for a leg lock! Stafjard slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cozad's guard.

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

Cozad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozad tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stafjard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cozad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cozad landing punches.
Cozad throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Cozad looking to ground and pound but Stafjard is blocking nicely.

Cozad looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Cozad landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Cozad dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stafjard with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Cozad counter with a right hand.

Cozad shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nice strikes from Cozad there.
Cozad thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stafjard's head.
Connor Cozad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stafjard is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Stafjard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cozad.
Cozad throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stafjard slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozad advances position into side control!
Stafjard struggling a bit here.
Cozad in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cozad looking to control but instead Stafjard has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Cozad not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stafjard is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Cozad is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Stafjard!
Cozad punching from mount but Stafjard doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Stafjard holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cozad tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Cozad avoids the attempt from Stafjard to control.
Stafjard is working to get back to half guard.
Cozad 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.

Cozad has control of Stafjard's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Stafjard regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozad landing strikes from the mount and Stafjard is in trouble!
Cozad throws a sloppy strike and Stafjard uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Stafjard has ended up in Cozad's guard.
Cozad wants to stand up but Stafjard is controlling him.

Cozad looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stafjard passes into half guard.

Stafjard is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stafjard wants to work for an arm triangle but Cozad is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cozad is pressing down on Stafjard's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Stafjard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stafjard wants to control from the top but Cozad keeps moving.

Cozad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Cozad clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stafjard tries for a takedown but Cozad circles away easily

and Cozad counters with a takedown into side control.
Stafjard manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Stafjard won't allow Cozad to pass to mount.
Stafjard is looking for a sweep. Cozad is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cozad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stafjard keeps working.
Stafjard is trying to get back to full guard.
Stafjard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cozad wants to free his trapped foot but Stafjard is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafjard trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stafjard tries for a takedown but Cozad circles away easily

and Cozad decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stafjard's guard.
Cozad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Stafjard can't keep his opponent in guard - Cozad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cozad winds up and cracks Stafjard with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cozad is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cozad throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozad trying to pass the guard but Stafjard defending well.
Stafjard taking some punishment here, with Cozad in his half guard.

Cozad is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stafjard is just riding it out for now. Cozad eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stafjard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozad stopping the sweep attempt from Stafjard.
Cozad lands a couple of digs.
Cozad working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stafjard can't keep his opponent in guard - Cozad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Cozad is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stafjard defends it well.
Stafjard wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cozad slips a nice elbow through Stafjard's hands, connecting with Stafjard's forehead.
Stafjard is looking to control Cozad's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stafjard avoid being mounted?
Cozad prevents Stafjard from improving his position.
Cozad thows a huge punch but Stafjard dodges it nicely.
Stafjard has hold of Cozad's hands but Cozad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor Cozad had his way with JanOle Stafjard in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stafjard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cozad connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stafjard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cozad counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cozad lands strikes from half guard.
Cozad takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cozad moves nicely into side control.
Check out the look on Cozad's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Cozad thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Cozad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafjard is trying to improve his position.
Cozad tries to advance to mount but can't.
Cozad looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Stafjard is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cozad in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cozad wants to control but Stafjard is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Stafjard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Stafjard prevents Cozad from moving into mount.

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

Cozad drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Stafjard wants to control but Cozad postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafjard is trying to improve his position.
Cozad throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cozad working the ground and pound from side control.
Stafjard takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Cozad lands a nice forearm strike.

Cozad looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Stafjard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cozad's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Cozad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stafjard can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stafjard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stafjard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cozad thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stafjard's head.
Stafjard wants to get back to full guard.
Cozad works his foot free and advances to mount.
Cozad working the ground and pound effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor Cozad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cozad 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor Cozad!
Connor Cozad is the new featherweight champion!