PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Clarkson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kozlov
vs
Clarkson

190 cm
22
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andrei Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryan Clarkson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clarkson swats away the attempt to clinch by Kozlov.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kozlov tries to sprawl but Clarkson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kozlov is looking to improve his position.
Clarkson controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov trying to hold on to Clarkson's head to control him but Clarkson postures up.
Clarkson is taking a breather. Kozlov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kozlov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Clarkson is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ryan Clarkson.
Kozlov tries to clinch up

and Clarkson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kozlov's guard now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarkson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Clarkson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kozlov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Clarkson manages to get himself to full guard.
Kozlov content to stall in guard here.
Clarkson controlling the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ryan Clarkson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Clarkson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kozlov swivels and escapes.
Clarkson avoids the head kick by Kozlov.
Clarkson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kozlov avoids it really well and circles away.
Clarkson shoots in and drives through. Kozlov sprawls well.
Andrei Kozlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Clarkson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck for Clarkson with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kozlov tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Clarkson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kozlov's guard.
Clarkson postures up.
Clarkson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ryan Clarkson has got the better of the ground game so far.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ryan Clarkson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Clarkson avoids the head kick by Kozlov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov connects with a high kick.

Clarkson feints and as Kozlov raises his hands in defense, Clarkson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Clarkson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Clarkson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ryan Clarkson.
Kozlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Clarkson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kozlov misses with a head kick.
Andrei Kozlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Clarkson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Clarkson controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ryan Clarkson.
Clarkson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Clarkson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kozlov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Clarkson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kozlov but Kozlov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Clarkson gets a double leg takedown into Kozlov's guard.
Clarkson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Clarkson 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.
Clarkson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kozlov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kozlov controls Clarkson momentarily but Clarkson frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kozlov working for a triangle but Clarkson defends it easily.
Clarkson forces his way into half guard.
Clarkson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Still in half guard, Clarkson seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ryan Clarkson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kozlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kozlov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Clarkson.
Kozlov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Clarkson.
Andrei Kozlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Clarkson.

Clarkson drives through with a takedown into Kozlov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Clarkson manages to get himself to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Clarkson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Clarkson keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kozlov trying to control but Clarkson is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kozlov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Clarkson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Clarkson has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Clarkson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kozlov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Clarkson has managed to get both his arms back between Kozlov's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Clarkson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Clarkson 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Clarkson!