PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Koch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zlatko Zahovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Koch
vs
Zahovic

170 cm
21
162 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
22
160 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Raptorz Inc.
Union Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jacob Koch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zlatko Zahovic!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koch throws a chopping leg kick but Zahovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Jacob Koch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zahovic lands with a nice body punch.
Koch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zahovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Koch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zahovic.
Koch connects with a solid leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Koch misses the target.
We've been told by Koch's head coaches at Team Listerman that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Koch scores with a kick to the midsection.
Koch scores with a nice body kick.
Zahovic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Koch tries to work over Zahovic's front leg with a kick but Zahovic checks it.
Koch stuffs the takedown.
Zahovic gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koch lands with a right hand.
Zahovic misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Koch misses.
The fighters circling - Koch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zahovic chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Koch can pounce on him.
An inside leg kick lands from Koch.
Zahovic throws a jab when Koch was well out of range.
Koch lands with a thumping leg kick.
A jab lands there for Koch.
Zahovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zahovic avoids the head kick by Koch.
Koch tries to land a leg kick but Zahovic saw it coming and moves away.
Zahovic avoids the body shot from Koch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Koch. That's going to slow Zahovic down.
Koch missing with a left hand there. Zahovic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Koch throws a hook to the side of Zahovic's head but Zahovic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch feints and then cracks Zahovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zahovic down.
Koch scores with a hook to the body. Zahovic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab from Zahovic.
Zahovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Koch takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Koch takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Koch misses with a body shot.
Zahovic lands the left hand.
Koch cracks a nice hook into Zahovic's ribs.
Zahovic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Zahovic looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Koch working a defensive guard here.
Koch has control of Zahovic's left arm, preventing Zahovic from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koch working a defensive guard here.
Koch controlling the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Jacob Koch wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Zahovic thows a body shot but no joy.
Koch throws a wild body kick that Zahovic sees coming a mile off.
Zahovic takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Koch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zahovic.
Zahovic throws a series of strikes that have Koch backpedaling.
Zahovic swings for the body but Koch moves out of range.
Koch takes a swing at Zahovic's ribcage but misses.
Jacob Koch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Koch lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic connects with a crisp jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Koch darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice straight punches there by Koch. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Koch.
Koch misses with a leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Koch.
Some wild striking there from Koch.
Koch with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zahovic to score with a decent uppercut.
Koch jabs at Zahovic's body.
Koch throws a leg kick which misses Zahovic's front leg but catches the back leg as Zahovic tries to avoid it.
Koch tries to land a leg kick but Zahovic saw it coming and moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zahovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice uppercut lands for Zahovic. That snapped Koch's head back.
Sloppy strikes from Zahovic. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Good shot there by Zahovic.
Zahovic misses with a looping left.
Zahovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zahovic fails with the takedown.
Koch dips to his left and cracks Zahovic with an uppercut!
Zahovic slips under a jab from Koch.
Koch misses with a body shot.
Koch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zahovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Koch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Koch.
Koch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Koch throws a sloppy head kick and Zahovic moves out of range easily.
Koch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zahovic moves away.
Koch misses with a body shot.
Zahovic misses with a shot to the body
and Koch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koch throws a jab when Zahovic was well out of range.
A jab from Zahovic misses.
Zahovic pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Koch back to the cage. Zahovic follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Zahovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Zahovic misses the target.
Koch buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zahovic tries for a takedown but Koch sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zahovic misses with an uppercut.
Koch lunges at Zahovic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zahovic's hand.
Zahovic takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Koch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Koch connects with a right hand. Zahovic shakes it off.
Zahovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Koch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Koch throws a series of punches but Zahovic avoids them all with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice defenses there by Zahovic.
Zahovic blocks the body kick.
Koch throws a jab but it's blocked by Zahovic.
Koch throws a leg kick but Zahovic sees it coming and moves out of range.
Koch tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zahovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Koch is just out of range.
Zahovic moves away from the strike by Koch.
Koch lands a leg kick that knocks Zahovic off balance momentarily.
Koch throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Koch fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zahovic is out of range.
Koch will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zahovic misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Koch. Koch circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Koch misses with a wild body shot.
Jacob Koch is winning the standup battle so far.
Koch throws out a leg kick but Zahovic moves out of range and Koch only half commits.
Zahovic swings for the body but Koch moves out of range.
Zahovic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zahovic thuds his right hand into Koch's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Koch attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Koch gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zahovic throws a body punch but Koch moves out of range.
Koch lands a jab to the nose.
Nice jab there from Koch.
Koch walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
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!
Zahovic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koch bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Zahovic gets a takedown into half guard.
Zahovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koch keeps working.
Zahovic lands strikes from half guard.
Koch moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Koch seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koch is trying to keep Zahovic in close.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jacob Koch will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Zahovic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Koch misses with a body shot.
Koch throws a chopping leg kick but Zahovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Koch scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zahovic doesn't seem bothered though.
Koch misses with an uppercut. Zahovic saw that one coming.
Zahovic digs a good body shot into Koch's ribs.
Koch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zahovic.
A lazy left from Koch finds it's target.
Zahovic connects with a jab.
Zahovic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zahovic checks a leg kick.
Koch dips to his left and cracks Zahovic with an uppercut!
The fighters circling - Koch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koch pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zahovic is out of range and Koch settles back down.
Zahovic misses with a wild body shot.
Zahovic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head kick from Koch lands but Zahovic takes it in his stride.
Jab by Zahovic.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zahovic.
A left lands for Koch.
Koch lands a nice looking body shot.
Zahovic thows a body shot but no joy.
Donk. Koch catches Zahovic right on the button with a cross.
Zahovic slips a jab from Koch.
Koch misses with a hook

and Zahovic counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Koch!
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!
Zahovic trying to control the action but Koch is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch tries to buck Zahovic off but Zahovic is having none of it.
Zahovic trying to control the position but Koch is working away.
Koch manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koch takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Koch is trying to control the action in half guard but Zahovic is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Koch content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jacob Koch wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A left lands for Zahovic.
Zahovic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zahovic with a nice cross.
Zlatko Zahovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Donk. Zahovic catches Koch right on the button with a cross.
Zahovic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Koch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zahovic moves away.
Koch lands a body shot.
Zahovic clobbers Koch with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zahovic lands a lovely overhand right.
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!
Koch fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zahovic looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
That kick from Koch tenderised Zahovic's leg. Zahovic is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Koch finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Koch fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zahovic.
Koch misses with a hook. Zahovic ducked under it nicely.
No joy there for Koch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zahovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zahovic staying out of range there.
Zahovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zahovic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Koch counters with an inside leg kick.
No luck for Zahovic with that takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koch throws a jab when Zahovic was well out of range.
Zahovic misses with an uppercut
and Koch counters with a series of strikes. Zahovic will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacob Koch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Koch, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Koch!
Jacob Koch spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.