PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Kozlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Common Sense (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kozlov
vs
Sense

194 cm
20
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
182 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Kozlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Common Sense!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kozlov dives in and scores a takedown into Sense's guard.
Kozlov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sense being controlled here, momentarily.
Sense keeping moving, preventing Kozlov from controlling successfully.
Kozlov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kozlov preventing the sweep.
Kozlov wants to control from the top but Sense keeps moving.

We're going to have a standup here because Maxim Kozlov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sense closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kozlov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kozlov.
Sense working Kozlov over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sense prevents Kozlov from breaking the clinch.
Kozlov is struggling to control the position.
Sense lands a nice elbow.

Kozlov drags the fight down to the ground.
Sense wants to get up but he can't break Kozlov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kozlov is looking to stand up but Sense isn't so interested in that idea.
Kozlov managing to control the position.

Kozlov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sense doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sense manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kozlov managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sense wanted to stand there but Kozlov had control of the position.
Kozlov 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kozlov is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sense looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kozlov is one step ahead there.
Kozlov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sense is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sense working a defensive guard here.
Kozlov won't allow Sense to sweep him here.
Kozlov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kozlov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sense sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kozlov somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sense misses with a low kick as Kozlov jumps back.
Sense throws a push kick but Kozlov slaps the foot to one side.
Kozlov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kozlov counters by moving into the clinch.
Sense tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sense gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sense misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kozlov.
Kozlov tries to break free but Sense pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sense tries to land knees in the clinch but Kozlov avoids the damage to the body.
Sense lands a knee to the body.
Sense using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kozlov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kozlov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sense wants to clinch.
Sense throws a head kick that misses.
Sense wants to clinch up but Kozlov keeps it at a distance.

Sense gets tackled into the cage by Kozlov. Kozlov maintains the clinch.
Kozlov tries to pull guard but Sense forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sense with a knee to the head.

It looks like Maxim Kozlov has been cut.
Sense lands a nice knee to the body.
Kozlov managing to block the knees to the body from Sense.
Sense landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sense scores a nice knee to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kozlov trying to stall but Sense improves his position.
Kozlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Sense controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sense with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sense looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kozlov is trying to pull guard but Sense has him pressed against the cage.
Sense trying to land knees to the body.
Kozlov is looking to control Sense's arms but Sense gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kozlov has his back to the cage.
Sense lands a nice elbow.
Sense lands an elbow that stopped Kozlov in his tracks for a moment.
Sense connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kozlov's face.
Sense landing knees to the body.
Sense lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sense lands an elbow inside that Kozlov shrugs off.
Sense using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kozlov takes an elbow to the temple.
Sense working Kozlov over with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kozlov takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sense lands a good knee to the midsection. Kozlov won't want to take too many of those.
Sense throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kozlov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sense just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sense with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sense lands a damaging elbow.
Sense utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sense lands an elbow just above Kozlov 's eye.
Kozlov stalling in the clinch but Sense improves position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sense obliges.
Sense lands a damaging elbow.
Sense lands a knee to the body.
Sense misses with a knee strike.
Sense lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sense landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kozlov managing to block the knees to the body from Sense.
Kozlov misses with a punch on the inside.
Sense lands a nice elbow.

Kozlov jumps guard.
Sense is looking to work some ground and pound but Kozlov has wrist control.
Sense missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kozlov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kozlov tries to get out of the position.
Sense trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kozlov's guard.
Sense's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kozlov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sense works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kozlov wants to improve his position but Sense is controlling well.
Sense wants to take a breather but Kozlov is having none of it.
Sense perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kozlov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sense.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sense working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Sense thows a huge punch but Kozlov dodges it nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kozlov tries to roll over but Sense keeps him under control.
Sense keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Common Sense showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Maxim Kozlov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Sense fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kozlov, pushing him back against the cage.
Sense is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kozlov is defending well for now.

Kozlov gets control of Sense's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kozlov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kozlov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Kozlov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kozlov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Kozlov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sense scores a nice knee to the body.
Sense lands an elbow that stopped Kozlov in his tracks for a moment.
Sense landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kozlov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sense lands a nice knee to the body.
Sense scores with a knee to the head.
Sense lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kozlov tries to pull guard but Sense won't allow it.
Sense scores with a knee to the head.
Sense utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kozlov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sense lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sense misses with an elbow over the top.
Kozlov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nice elbow from Sense.
Nice elbow from Sense.
Sense lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sense landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees to the body from Sense.
Sense is pressed up against the cage. Kozlov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sense down to the mat. Sense avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kozlov swats away the attempt to clinch by Sense.
Sense tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Sense clinches.
Sense with a knee to the head.
Sense throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kozlov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Kozlov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sense with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sense obliges.
Sense connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kozlov's face.
Kozlov is working for takedown but Sense is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sense landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sense throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kozlov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sense with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sense throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kozlov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sense gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sense scores a nice knee to the body.
Sense gets underhooks to prevent Kozlov's takedown attempt.
Sense lands an elbow that stopped Kozlov in his tracks for a moment.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sense is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sense obliges.
Kozlov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kozlov avoiding damage as Sense throws knees to the body.
Kozlov blocks the elbow strike.

Kozlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sense tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kozlov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kozlov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kozlov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kozlov.
Kozlov is trying to break the clinch but Sense has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sense comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kozlov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sense to keep the fight standing.
Kozlov takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kozlov takes a knee right on the jaw!

And that's the end of the fight!
Common Sense comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sense has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Common Sense!