PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hamza Kosen (ranked 3032 p4p, 3856 weight class) and Hal Tavowsky (ranked 158 p4p, 170 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kosen
vs
Tavowsky

225 cm
18
300
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
255
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Senshi Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hamza Kosen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hal Tavowsky!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tavowsky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kosen, pushing him back against the cage.

Tavowsky has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kosen is trying to keep an underhook but Tavowsky manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Tavowsky is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kosen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tavowsky.
Tavowsky lands strikes from half guard.
Kosen is looking to improve his position.

Tavowsky is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kosen defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosen is refusing to be controlled, as Tavowsky sits in half guard.
Tavowsky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavowsky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tavowsky content to control rather than advance.
Kosen is trying to get back to full guard.

Tavowsky seems to be looking for submissions.
Tavowsky is keen to just control but Kosen is a slippery customer.
Kosen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kosen tries to get out of the position.
Tavowsky passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kosen!

Tavowsky with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Tavowsky.
Kosen tries to lock up and control but Tavowsky gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Tavowsky jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Kosen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Kosen and Tavowsky has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Kosen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kosen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tavowsky.
Tavowsky is looking to take a break and control but Kosen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavowsky is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kosen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Tavowsky is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kosen has escaped the position, nice work there.

Tavowsky thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kosen struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kosen gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tavowsky is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kosen defends it well.
Kosen tries to get to full guard but Tavowsky has control of the leg.
Kosen preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kosen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky is looking to stall here but Kosen recovers full guard.
Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.
Tavowsky lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tavowsky has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kosen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tavowsky is one step ahead there.
Tavowsky sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tavowsky missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's six 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.
Tavowsky is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tavowsky dives in for a single leg takedown but Kosen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tavowsky fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tavowsky smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Tavowsky looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tavowsky looks winded!
Tavowsky scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Tavowsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kosen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kosen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tavowsky stopping the sweep attempt from Kosen.
Kosen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tavowsky.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavowsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kosen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tavowsky throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kosen walks into a straight right hand from Tavowsky.
Tavowsky connects with a nice looking jab.
Tavowsky fails with a takedown attempt.
Hamza Kosen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hal Tavowsky.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Tavowsky fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kosen sprawls well initially but Tavowsky persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tavowsky throwing shots but Kosen is blocking nicely.
Tavowsky thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kosen's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tavowsky connects with a nice short shot to Kosen's temple.
Tavowsky looks to land a strike but Kosen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kosen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tavowsky is working Kosen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tavowsky controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky postures up in Kosen's guard and throws a big left but Kosen blocks it.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kosen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tavowsky working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kosen's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.
Tavowsky working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kosen's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hal Tavowsky dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kosen throws a combination that misses

and Tavowsky counters with a takedown into side control.
Tavowsky wants to control but Kosen is keeping him busy.
Tavowsky looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kosen is avoiding damage well.
Tavowsky is looking to take a break and control but Kosen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kosen wants to control but Tavowsky postures up.
The strikes coming from Tavowsky are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavowsky is trying to move to mount but Kosen reverses beautifully and ends up in Tavowsky's guard.
Tavowsky is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kosen throws an elbow that misses. Tavowsky uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kosen's guard. Nice move by Tavowsky!

Kosen managing to control the position.
Kosen looking for a sweep. Not yet Kosen, not yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tavowsky trying to control but Kosen is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavowsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavowsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosen is controlling Tavowsky's posture.
Tavowsky postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kosen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tavowsky controls the pace.
Kosen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tavowsky throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavowsky seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kosen keeping moving, preventing Tavowsky from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kosen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tavowsky tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kosen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hal Tavowsky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tavowsky closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kosen to the mat! Kosen manages to get full guard.
Kosen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tavowsky showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavowsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tavowsky drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tavowsky jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosen wants to sweep here but Tavowsky controlling him for the moment.
Tavowsky in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tavowsky cracks Kosen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Tavowsky gets a double leg takedown into Kosen's guard.
Tavowsky landing with the ground and pound.
Kosen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tavowsky postures up in Kosen's guard and throws a big left but Kosen blocks it.
Kosen being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kosen is trying to keep Tavowsky in close.
Kosen keeping moving, preventing Tavowsky from controlling successfully.
Tavowsky chips away with some ground and pound.
Tavowsky wants to stand and escape but instead Kosen has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kosen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kosen being controlled here momentarily.
Kosen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kosen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tavowsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kosen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kosen throws an elbow that misses. Tavowsky uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kosen's guard. Nice move by Tavowsky!

Kosen wants to sweep here but Tavowsky controlling him for the moment.
Tavowsky in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tavowsky stands up and waves to Kosen to follow him.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

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

Tavowsky kicks off Kosen and gets to his feet.
Kosen needs to keep his hands up - Tavowsky had a free shot at his head there.

Tavowsky drives through with a takedown into Kosen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tavowsky looking to sit in guard and control but Kosen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tavowsky is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kosen presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Kosen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tavowsky can't fight it off and eventually Kosen manages to take the fight to the floor. Tavowsky looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Tavowsky manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Tavowsky to work.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tavowsky.
Kosen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tavowsky taking a breather.

Tavowsky works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.
Kosen trying to control the position here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kosen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tavowsky showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tavowsky postures up.
Kosen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hal Tavowsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tavowsky forces Kosen back against the cage and clinches.
Kosen stops a takedown attempt from Tavowsky.
A short right from Tavowsky on the inside.
Kosen wants a takedown but no success here.

Tavowsky jumps guard and drags Kosen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kosen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kosen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kosen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosen throws an elbow that misses. Tavowsky uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kosen's guard. Nice move by Tavowsky!

Tavowsky with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tavowsky postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavowsky wants to get up but he can't break Kosen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tavowsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavowsky looking to sit in guard and control but Kosen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kosen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavowsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kosen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kosen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavowsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kosen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hal Tavowsky has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tavowsky manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kosen manages to get himself to full guard.

Kosen looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tavowsky postures up in Kosen's guard and throws a big left but Kosen blocks it.
Tavowsky stopping the sweep attempt from Kosen.
Kosen working a defensive guard here.
Tavowsky controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kosen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavowsky gets a clinch.
Tavowsky prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tavowsky tries to land a knee to the head but Kosen blocks with his arms.

Tavowsky breaks from the clinch.
Tavowsky avoids the body shot from Kosen.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tavowsky.
Tavowsky goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Tavowsky darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kosen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tavowsky.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kosen works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosen looking for a sweep. Not yet Kosen, not yet.

Kosen is working an open guard so Tavowsky takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Tavowsky rushes Kosen and presses him up against the cage.
Tavowsky lands a damaging elbow.

Tavowsky jumps into guard, dragging Kosen to the mat.
Kosen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tavowsky not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kosen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kosen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kosen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tavowsky's head.
Kosen looking to sit in guard and control but Tavowsky gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.
Tavowsky slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kosen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tavowsky controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's six 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.
Tavowsky throws a big elbow that misses.
Kosen keeping moving, preventing Tavowsky from controlling successfully.
Kosen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tavowsky wants to control from the top but Kosen keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tavowsky checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tavowsky darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kosen tries to roll over but Tavowsky keeps him under control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Tavowsky.
Tavowsky wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kosen keeps working.
Tavowsky working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Tavowsky stands up out of the half guard.
Tavowsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Kosen tries to sprawl out of it but Tavowsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kosen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavowsky blocks a head kick by Kosen.

Tavowsky shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kosen napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Tavowsky decides to stand back up. Tavowsky steps back and let's Kosen get back to his feet.
Tavowsky is looking to clinch but Kosen is avoiding it.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kosen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kosen. Tavowsky does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavowsky is looking to clinch but Kosen is avoiding it.

Tavowsky looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kosen!
Kosen gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Tavowsky putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavowsky unloads with some shots from mount but Kosen bucks and avoids them well.
Tavowsky working the ground and pound effectively.
Tavowsky tries to control but Kosen wriggling away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tavowsky controlling from mount.
Kosen is squirming around, avoiding Tavowsky's attempts to control the action.
Tavowsky scoring with strikes but Kosen is staying in there.
Tavowsky lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kosen hang on?

Tavowsky has isolated one of Kosen's arms. Kosen looking to fight him off but Tavowsky twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hal Tavowsky!