PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruban Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Jackson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jackson
vs
Kozlov

172 cm
22
145 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

179 cm
24
147 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ruban Kozlov!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Joseph Jones and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kozlov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jackson throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
We've been told by Jackson's head coaches at School of Hard Knocks (Elite Training for $225) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Jackson looks to land a right hand but Kozlov moved out of range.
Kozlov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kozlov shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Kozlov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kozlov.
Kozlov connects with a nice looking jab.
Jackson throws an off balance right hand
enabling Kozlov to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kozlov throws a shot from downtown. Jackson moves away and avoids it.
Kozlov misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Jackson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Jackson jabs at Kozlov's body.
Jackson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kozlov jabs Jackson right on the nose. Jackson blinks but takes it well.
Kozlov shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice uppercut there from Kozlov.
Jackson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kozlov throws out the jab.
Kozlov misses with an uppercut. Jackson saw that one coming.
A lazy left from Kozlov finds it's target.
Jackson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kozlov was well out of range. Poor timing from Jackson.
Jackson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kozlov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kozlov takes a jab right on the kisser.
A lazy left from Jackson finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a hook
and Jackson counters with a series of strikes. Kozlov will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kozlov throws a right hand that misses
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A punch combination from Jackson misses.
Jackson throws a right and a left that Kozlov avoids nicely.
Kozlov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kozlov slips a jab and a cross from Jackson.
Kozlov looks to land a right hand but Jackson moved out of range.

Kozlov closes the distance and clinches.

Jackson breaks from the clinch.
Jackson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jackson throws a combination that misses

and Kozlov counters with a shoot takedown. Jackson fights it but they end up in guard.
Kozlov scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov is working Jackson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kozlov stays in close to Jackson's body and controls the position.
Kozlov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kozlov works over Jackson with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kozlov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kozlov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jackson can't keep his opponent in guard - Kozlov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kozlov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kozlov lands a nice short elbow.
Kozlov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Jackson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kozlov on the ground.
Kozlov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kozlov content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruban Kozlov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kozlov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kozlov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jackson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jackson lands a nice looking body shot.
Kozlov slips a jab and a cross from Jackson.
Mike Jackson is winning the standup battle so far.
Jackson slips a jab from Kozlov.
A big right from Kozlov misses.
Kozlov misses with a straight left.
A little feinted left hand from Jackson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A cross from Kozlov lands.
Kozlov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kozlov scores with a body shot.
Jackson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a body punch
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.
Jackson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kozlov misses with a double jab
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.
Jackson moves out of range as Kozlov strikes.
Kozlov throws a poor cross that misses
and Jackson counters with a left and a right that stings Kozlov.
Kozlov loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.
Jackson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mike Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Kozlov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Jackson misses
and Kozlov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Mike Jackson has been cut.
A telegraphed right hand from Kozlov misses the target.

Kozlov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Jackson did well to prevent Kozlov getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kozlov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Jackson is trying to control but can't.
Kozlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Jackson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jackson tries to get out of the position.
Kozlov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ruban Kozlov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson taking some punishment here, with Kozlov in his half guard.
Kozlov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kozlov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jackson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kozlov content to control rather than advance.
Nice strikes from Kozlov there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kozlov working Jackson over with strikes.
Kozlov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kozlov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kozlov works his way into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruban Kozlov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Jackson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kozlov looks to clinch
and Jackson counters with a two punch combo.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kozlov moves away.
Kozlov avoids the body shot from Jackson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kozlov! But no joy.
Jackson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jackson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ruban Kozlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kozlov drives through and clinches with Jackson against the cage.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Kozlov shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Kozlov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Jackson finds it's way through Kozlov's defenses.
Kozlov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kozlov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
A combination from Kozlov does no damage.
Jackson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kozlov dives in and grabs Jackson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes down on Kozlov's head and hops out.
Kozlov misses with a looping right.
Danga de danga de dang - Jackson scores with a four punch combination!
Jackson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kozlov misses with a looping left.
Jackson scores with a sloppy right hand. Kozlov should have avoided that one.
Jackson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Jackson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kozlov.
Kozlov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kozlov connects with a right hand. Jackson shakes it off.
A swing and a miss from Jackson.
Kozlov feints the counter takedown.
Some wild striking there from Jackson.
Kozlov misses the jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson slips a straight right by Kozlov.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Kozlov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kozlov misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kozlov misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kozlov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kozlov lands a nice uppercut.
Kozlov lands with a light punch inside.
Kozlov lands with a left to the head.
Kozlov is working for takedown but Jackson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mike Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruban Kozlov.
Kozlov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Jackson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kozlov throws a looping overhand right but Jackson ducks down to avoid it.
Jackson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Jackson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kozlov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Kozlov clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kozlov breaks from the clinch.
Kozlov throws a right hand that misses
and Jackson counters with a left and a right that stings Kozlov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kozlov tries to clinch up.
Jackson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kozlov dips to his left and cracks Jackson with an uppercut!
Kozlov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mike Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kozlov. Jackson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson stuffs the takedown.
Jackson throws a right hand that Kozlov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kozlov also avoids with ease.
Kozlov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ruban Kozlov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jackson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kozlov counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ruban Kozlov.
I've got Kozlov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruban Kozlov!
Ruban Kozlov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.