PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mishka Palov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeni Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palov has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Palov
vs
Kozlov

192 cm
18
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
263 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mishka Palov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Palov gets caught flat footed, as Kozlov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Palov is breathing heavily.
Palov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kozlov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kozlov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kozlov landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kozlov content to stall in guard here.
Kozlov forces his way into half guard.
Kozlov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Palov defending well though.
Palov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kozlov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kozlov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kozlov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kozlov working Palov over with strikes.
Kozlov lands strikes from half guard.
Kozlov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Palov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kozlov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Palov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kozlov working Palov over with strikes.
Kozlov content to control rather than advance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kozlov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
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. Kozlov connects with a nice short shot to Palov's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kozlov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kozlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kozlov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Palov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kozlov lands strikes from half guard.
Nice strikes from Kozlov there.
Kozlov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Kozlov there.
Palov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kozlov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kozlov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Palov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kozlov wants to take a breather but Palov is having none of it.
Kozlov winds up and cracks Palov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kozlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kozlov moves nicely into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Palov tries to buck Kozlov off but Kozlov is having none of it.
Kozlov lands some shots froms side control.
Kozlov controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov tries to move to mount but Palov blocks the move with his legs.
Kozlov working the body and head with strikes.
Kozlov cracks Palov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kozlov slows the pace down.
Kozlov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palov taking a bit of punishment here - Kozlov scoring with strikes.
Kozlov working away.
Check out the look on Kozlov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kozlov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Palov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kozlov lands a few punches from side control.
Kozlov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Palov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kozlov working the ground and pound.
Kozlov scoring with punches from side control.
Kozlov scores with punches from side control.
Kozlov taking a breather here.
Kozlov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Evgeni Kozlov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kozlov lands a nice forearm strike.
Palov is not content to let Kozlov control the position.
Palov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kozlov working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov trying to control the position but Palov is working away.
Kozlov working the ground and pound.
Kozlov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kozlov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kozlov lands a nice forearm strike.
Palov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kozlov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Palov down.
Kozlov is putting a hurting on Palov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Palov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Palov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kozlov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Palov is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kozlov connects with a decent elbow.
Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Palov to see if he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Kozlov stalls from top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kozlov is working Palov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kozlov landing strikes.
Kozlov landing strikes.
Kozlov working the head with strikes.
Kozlov tries to move to mount but Palov blocks the move with his legs.
Kozlov grinds an elbow into Palov's temple.

Kozlov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Kozlov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kozlov lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov trying to control but Palov is working from the bottom.
Kozlov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Let's hope that Kozlov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kozlov wants to pass the guard but Palov is keeping the position.
Kozlov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Palov keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kozlov works over Palov with some ground and pound from guard.
Kozlov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Palov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kozlov distracts Palov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Palov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kozlov passes into half guard.
Kozlov stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Kozlov 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. This is the final round!

Kozlov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kozlov.
Palov needs to keep his hands up - Kozlov had a free shot at his head there.

Kozlov gets the takedown into side control.
Palov is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kozlov connects with a decent elbow.
Kozlov working the head and body with strikes.
Kozlov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Palov to see if he's OK.
Kozlov just content to control the position.
Kozlov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kozlov decides to stand back up. Kozlov steps back and let's Palov get back to his feet.
Kozlov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Palov's head backwards.

Palov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kozlov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Palov keeps moving.
Palov looking to control.
Kozlov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Kozlov gets to his feet - Palov follows without any prompting.

Kozlov feints and as Palov raises his hands in defense, Kozlov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kozlov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Palov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palov wants to stand but Kozlov is controlling the position.
Kozlov pushes down on Palov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Palov is trying to stand back up but Kozlov is controlling him
Kozlov working over Palov with some ground and pound. Palov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kozlov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kozlov is keen to just control but Palov is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palov wants to get back to full guard.
Kozlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kozlov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kozlov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Palov trying to hold on to Kozlov's head to control him but Kozlov postures up.
Kozlov winds up and cracks Palov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kozlov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Palov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kozlov in particular looking to stall.
Kozlov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kozlov stalling.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kozlov trying to control from half guard but Palov is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Kozlov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kozlov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 24:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Kozlov!