PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Valeriy Kozlaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Skjelbred (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kozlaev comes to the cage accompanied by Drago. John Skjelbred will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kozlaev
vs
Skjelbred

163 cm
28
142 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
124 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Valeriy Kozlaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Skjelbred!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Skjelbred moves into the clinch.
Skjelbred prevents the takedown attempt.
Skjelbred scores with a shoulder strike.

Skjelbred tightens his grip and picks Kozlaev up, before dumping him to the ground. Kozlaev manages to land in guard.

Skjelbred is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Skjelbred won't allow Kozlaev to sweep him here.
Kozlaev keeping moving, preventing Skjelbred from controlling successfully.
Kozlaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Kozlaev, not yet.
Skjelbred is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Skjelbred trying to control the position from guard on top but Kozlaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kozlaev is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Skjelbred.

Kozlaev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kozlaev showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlaev tries to pass to full mount but Skjelbred defends it.
Skjelbred is looking for a sweep. Kozlaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skjelbred is trying to control but can't.
Kozlaev is trying to control the action in half guard but Skjelbred is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Skjelbred regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kozlaev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Skjelbred is trying to keep Kozlaev in close.
Kozlaev throwing strikes from guard but Skjelbred blocks nicely.
Skjelbred wants to sweep here but Kozlaev controlling him for the moment.
Kozlaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev trying to control but Skjelbred is working from the bottom.
Kozlaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Skjelbred looking to control.
Skjelbred is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kozlaev is controlling him.
Kozlaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Skjelbred is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kozlaev rushes Skjelbred and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kozlaev has clasped his hands together around Skjelbred's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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!
Kozlaev laying and praying for a moment but Skjelbred takes advantage and regains half guard.
Kozlaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlaev drops an elbow to the side of Skjelbred's head.
Kozlaev thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Skjelbred to regain full guard.
Skjelbred is trying to control the position but Kozlaev postures up.
Skjelbred is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kozlaev stops Skjelbred from standing up.
Skjelbred wants to sweep but no luck.
Skjelbred has Kozlaev pulled in close to control his posture.
Kozlaev is working Skjelbred over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kozlaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kozlaev lands a couple of digs.
Kozlaev stops Skjelbred from standing up.
Kozlaev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kozlaev trying to control but Skjelbred is working from the bottom.
Skjelbred is trying to keep Kozlaev in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skjelbred keeping moving, preventing Kozlaev from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Skjelbred clinches up against the cage.
Skjelbred taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kozlaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kozlaev is trying to drag Skjelbred to the mat but Skjelbred just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Kozlaev has clasped his hands together around Skjelbred's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kozlaev working the head with strikes.
Kozlaev landing a few strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valeriy Kozlaev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kozlaev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kozlaev showed some decent athleticism there.
Skjelbred is looking to escape.
Kozlaev drops an elbow to the side of Skjelbred's head.
Skjelbred trying to control but Kozlaev postures up.
Kozlaev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Kozlaev there.
Kozlaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kozlaev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Skjelbred!
Skjelbred is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlaev looking to control but Skjelbred is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kozlaev breaks from Skjelbred's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kozlaev scoring with strikes but Skjelbred is staying in there.
Skjelbred takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Skjelbred tries to hold on but Kozlaev pushes him away.
Kozlaev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
BOOM! Kozlaev connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Skjelbred is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
BOOM! Kozlaev connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Skjelbred is still in real trouble! Can Kozlaev finish him?
A big strike lands for Kozlaev! That's really hurt Skjelbred and he's turned his back - Kozlaev keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Kozlaev jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Valeriy Kozlaev!