PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andre Lavezzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Cozard Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cozard Jr has chosen Kid Rock - Born Free as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lavezzi
vs
Cozard Jr

185 cm
19
197 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
198 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

VIRAL COMBAT

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Lavezzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Cozard Jr!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cozard Jr shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lavezzi napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cozard Jr in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Lavezzi wants to control but Cozard Jr postures up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Cozard Jr throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lavezzi is not content to let Cozard Jr control the position.
Lavezzi is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Cozard Jr has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Lavezzi can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cozard Jr throws a strike aimed at the side of Lavezzi's head but Lavezzi avoids it well.
Cozard Jr trying to control the action but Lavezzi is working from the bottom.
Lavezzi wants to control but Cozard Jr postures up.
Lavezzi is not content to let Cozard Jr control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lavezzi fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavezzi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lavezzi misses with a body shot
and Cozard Jr counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lavezzi misses with a double jab.
Lavezzi just misses with a punch to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Lavezzi. Those never looked like landing.
Andre Lavezzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lavezzi throws a one two combo.
Lavezzi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lavezzi misses with a combination
and Cozard Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lavezzi misses with a two punch combination.
Lavezzi swings for the body but Cozard Jr moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavezzi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cozard Jr.

Lavezzi closes the distance and pushes Cozard Jr back into the ropes.
Lavezzi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cozard Jr just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Lavezzi tries to pull guard but Cozard Jr forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.

Lavezzi pulls guard effortlessly.
Cozard Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavezzi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lavezzi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cozard Jr is one step ahead there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr stands up over Lavezzi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cozard Jr throws an elbow that misses. Lavezzi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cozard Jr's guard. Nice move by Lavezzi!
Cozard Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cozard Jr working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lavezzi.
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 Andre Lavezzi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lavezzi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cozard Jr tries for a takedown but Lavezzi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cozard Jr takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lavezzi is looking to wear down Cozard Jr with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lavezzi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cozard Jr slips a jab and a cross from Lavezzi.
Cozard Jr on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lavezzi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Ryan Cozard Jr has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lavezzi throws a one two combo.
Lavezzi punishes Cozard Jr's body with a nice straight punch.
Andre Lavezzi is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice combination there by Lavezzi.
Lavezzi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavezzi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Andre Lavezzi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lavezzi connects with the punch.
Lavezzi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lavezzi lands with a straight right. Cozard Jr didn't see that one coming.
Cozard Jr slips a jab and a cross from Lavezzi.

Cozard Jr shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cozard Jr postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lavezzi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cozard Jr slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr won't allow Lavezzi to sweep him here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cozard Jr is looking to advance position but Lavezzi has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Cozard Jr working to try and regain half guard.
Lavezzi controlling from the full mount.
Lavezzi's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cozard Jr tries to hold on but Lavezzi postures up.

That's four 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.
Cozard Jr is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lavezzi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Cozard Jr can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Lavezzi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Cozard Jr's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cozard Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lavezzi.
Lavezzi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cozard Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lavezzi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cozard Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lavezzi scores with a three punch combo!
Lavezzi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cozard Jr on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lavezzi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lavezzi throws a series of punches but Cozard Jr avoids them all with ease.
Lavezzi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lavezzi misses with a few strikes there.
Lavezzi slips a jab from Cozard Jr.
Cozard Jr takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavezzi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cozard Jr moves away.
Lavezzi misses with a series of wild punches.
Cozard Jr slips a jab and a cross from Lavezzi.
Lavezzi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cozard Jr.
Lavezzi fails to land with a series of punches.
Lavezzi throws a combination. Cozard Jr tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lavezzi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cozard Jr.
Nice uppercut lands for Lavezzi. That snapped Cozard Jr's head back.
Cozard Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lavezzi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice takedown defense from Lavezzi. No joy for Cozard Jr on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr misses with a takedown attempt
and Lavezzi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Andre Lavezzi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Cozard Jr.
Lavezzi lands a nice shot to the body.
Lavezzi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lavezzi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cozard Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lavezzi swivels and escapes.
Cozard Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cozard Jr tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lavezzi defends well and Cozard Jr ends up having to push Lavezzi into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Lavezzi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lavezzi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavezzi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lavezzi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cozard Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lavezzi throws a right hand that Cozard Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Cozard Jr also avoids with ease.
Lavezzi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sloppy strikes from Lavezzi. Those never looked like landing.
Cozard Jr shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lavezzi throws a right and a left that Cozard Jr avoids nicely.
Lavezzi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Lavezzi duly obliges.
Cozard Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lavezzi tries to avoid it but Cozard Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lavezzi to the ground. Lavezzi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cozard Jr takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Lavezzi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cozard Jr shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lavezzi as he avoids it easily.
Cozard Jr dives in and grabs Lavezzi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lavezzi pushes down on Cozard Jr's head and hops out.
Lavezzi throws a series of punches but Cozard Jr avoids them all with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lavezzi throws a right hand that Cozard Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Cozard Jr also avoids with ease.
A combination from Lavezzi does no damage.
Cozard Jr shoots in but no luck this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cozard Jr takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lavezzi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ryan Cozard Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andre Lavezzi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lavezzi looks to land a combination. Cozard Jr sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Lavezzi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lavezzi, 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Lavezzi!
Andre Lavezzi gave a mention to THRIFTY THREADS in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).