PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trip Bunga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bunga
vs
Kozlov

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Trip Bunga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kozlov swinging wilding here.
Bunga tries to clinch but Kozlov is having none of it.
Bunga wants to clinch.
Bunga tries to land a front kick but Kozlov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Bunga pushes Kozlov up against the cage in a clinch.

Bunga breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bunga fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kozlov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kozlov wants to clinch up but Bunga keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov with a poor takedown

and Bunga counters by clinching up.
Kozlov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Bunga breaks from the clinch.
Kozlov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Trip Bunga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kozlov.
Nice sprawl there from Kozlov as Bunga shoots in.

Bunga has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kozlov trying to stall but Bunga improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bunga is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Bunga pulls Kozlov into guard.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kozlov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bunga kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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.
Bunga is trying to control the position but Kozlov postures up.
Bunga wants to stand but Kozlov is controlling the position.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Bunga keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bunga looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bunga looks for a takedown but Kozlov sprawls well.
Trip Bunga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kozlov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov feints and as Bunga raises his hands in defense, Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bunga trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bunga trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kozlov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kozlov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kozlov tries to free his leg and advance position but Bunga is retaining full guard.
Bunga doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kozlov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bunga. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Bunga keeps moving.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bunga is looking to clinch but Kozlov is avoiding it.
Bunga wants to clinch up but Kozlov keeps it at a distance.

Bunga gets a clinch.
Bunga tries to break the clinch but Kozlov is controlling the position.
Bunga wants a takedown.
Kozlov has Bunga pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bunga manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bunga jumps guard but Kozlov stands there with Bunga around his waist. Bunga gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kozlov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bunga just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bunga wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kozlov tries to pull guard but Bunga won't allow it.
Bunga tries to break the clinch but Kozlov is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Trip Bunga will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bunga tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kozlov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bunga has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bunga breaks the clinch.
Bunga tries to close the distance and clinch but Kozlov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Trip Bunga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Bunga or perhaps it was just good defense by Kozlov which made him look bad.
Kozlov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bunga tries to avoid it but Kozlov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bunga to the ground. Bunga escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck for Kozlov with that takedown attempt.
Bunga throws a head kick but Kozlov moves out of range.
Kozlov throws a sloppy head kick and Bunga moves out of range easily.

Bunga clinches up with Kozlov and pushes him back against the cage.
Kozlov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Trip Bunga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kozlov.
Bunga jumps guard but Kozlov stands there with Bunga around his waist. Bunga gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Bunga fails to land.
Bunga is trying to break free.
Bunga wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kozlov fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bunga manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bunga is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kozlov is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Bunga keeps moving.
Kozlov looking to sit in guard and control but Bunga gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kozlov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bunga won't allow Kozlov to get back to his feet.

Bunga decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kozlov, up you get!
Bunga tries to close the distance and clinch but Kozlov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kozlov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov shoots in but Bunga avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bunga looks for a takedown but Kozlov sprawls well.
Kozlov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kozlov shoots in but Bunga avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bunga doesn't manage to clinch there - Kozlov circles away.
Bunga throws a head kick that misses.
Bunga shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Bunga. No joy for Kozlov on that attempt.
Kozlov misses with a head kick.
Bunga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kozlov as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kozlov fails to land the takedown.
Bunga misses with a few strikes there.
Kozlov wants to clinch.
Bunga tries to clinch but Kozlov moves away
and Kozlov counters with a two punch combo.

Bunga closes the distance and clinches.
Kozlov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bunga gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bunga is trying to break free.
Kozlov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bunga goes for a takedown attempt but Kozlov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Kozlov as Bunga shoots in.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bunga but Bunga pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bunga misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trip Bunga dominated that second round.
That's time! Bunga's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bunga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bunga wants to clinch up but Kozlov keeps it at a distance.
Kozlov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Bunga clinches with his opponent.
Kozlov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Trip Bunga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Kozlov.
Kozlov fails to pull guard.
Bunga has had enough of the clinch but Kozlov keeps him there for the moment.

Bunga breaks from the clinch.
Bunga throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Kozlov stuffs the takedown attempt from Bunga. Bunga gets slowly back to his feet.
Kozlov tries to clinch up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bunga drives through and clinches with Kozlov against the cage.
Bunga tries to stall but Kozlov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Bunga escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for Bunga, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kozlov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bunga sprawls well initially but Kozlov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Kozlov decides to stand and escape the position.
Bunga wants to clinch.
Bunga swinging wilding here.
Kozlov shoots in for a takedown but Bunga shows good takedown defense.

Bunga rushes Kozlov and presses him up against the cage.

Bunga breaks the clinch.
Bunga avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bunga misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunga swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kozlov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kozlov jumps guard but Bunga stands there with Kozlov around his waist. Kozlov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bunga tries to score a body lock takedown but Kozlov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bunga drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kozlov wants to get back to striking at distance but Bunga won't allow it.
Bunga can't break the clinch.
Kozlov is looking to break free of the clinch but Bunga has double underhooks.
Bunga wants to get back to striking at distance but Kozlov won't allow it.
Bunga wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kozlov has him pressed against the cage.
Kozlov wants a takedown.

Bunga decides to pull guard.
Kozlov trying to control but Bunga is working from the bottom.
Kozlov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bunga swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kozlov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kozlov is trying to ground and pound but Bunga uses the momentary lack of control by Kozlov to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kozlov is looking to take a break and control but Bunga is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bunga tries to kick Kozlov off but Kozlov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kozlov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bunga does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergei Kozlov.
I think Bunga 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trip Bunga!