Steve Kozola Explained

Steve Kozola
Other Names:Thunderbeast
Birth Date:17 December 1989
Birth Place:Naperville, Illinois, United States
Nationality:American
Weight:155lb
Weight Class:Lightweight
Reach:72.5inches
Fighting Out Of:San Diego, California, United States
Team:Team Quest
Rank:Black belt in Tae Kwon Do Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]
Years Active:2013–2020
Mma Kowin:8
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:141187

Steven Kozola (born December 17, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in Bellator's Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2013, he has also competed for the World Series of Fighting.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Kozola started his professional career in July 2013. He went undefeated in his first four bouts, stopping all of his opponents, before signing with Bellator MMA. He competed for a variety of promotions during this time, including Gladiator Challenge and Xplode Fight Series and World Series of fighting.

Bellator MMA

In his promotional debut for Bellator, Kozola was paired with Jonathan Rivera at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015.[2] Kozola won the fight via knockout in the second round.[3]

In his second fight for the promotion, Kozola faced Ian Butler at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[4] Kozola once again won via knockout, this time in the first round, improving his undefeated record to 6–0.[5]

After a successful debut in the World Series of Fighting,[6] Kozola returned to Bellator against Jake Roberts at Bellator 175 on March 31, 2017. He won the fight via TKO, just 28 seconds into the first round.[7]

Kozola faced Carrington Banks at Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Kozola faced Jake Smith at Bellator 193 on January 26, 2018.[9] He lost the fight via knockout early in the first round due to two right hands from Smith, followed by ground-and-pound that secured the stoppage.[10] Kozola was subsequently released from the promotion.[11]

Despite his release from Bellator, Kozola returned to the promotion and faced Ryan Walker at Bellator 202 on July 13, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[12]

Mixed martial arts record

|-| Loss| align=center|9–4| Salvador Becerra| Decision (unanimous)| LFA 74| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Riverside, California, United States||-| Loss| align=center|9–3| Arthur Estrázulas| Submission (rear-naked choke)| LFA 69| | align=center|1| align=center|2:32| Cabazon, California, United States||-| Win| align=center|9–2| Ryan Walker| TKO (punches)| Bellator 202| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:45| Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States| |-| Loss| align=center|8–2| Jake Smith| KO (punches)| Bellator 193| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:57| Temecula, California, United States| |-| Loss| align=center|8–1| Carrington Banks| Decision (unanimous)| Bellator 184| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States| |-|Win|align=center|8–0|Jake Roberts|TKO (punches)|Bellator 175||align=center|1|align=center|0:28|Rosemont, Illinois, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Matt Church|TKO (punches)|WSOF 30||align=center|1|align=center|1:57|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|160 lb Catchweight bout.|-|Win|align=center|6–0|Ian Butler|KO (punches)|Bellator 137||align=center|1|align=center|2:22|Temecula, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–0|Jonathan Rivera|KO (punches)|Bellator 132||align=center|2|align=center|1:25|Temecula, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Danny Morales Jr.|KO (strikes)|American Predator Fighting Championships 17||align=center|1|align=center|1:56|Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States|Return to Lightweight.|-|Win|align=center|3–0|Eddy Gonzalez|TKO (punches)|Gladiator Challenge: Backlash||align=center|1|align=center|0:50|El Cajon, California, United States|Welterweight bout.|-|Win|align=center|2–0|Tommy Gavin|TKO (punches)|BAMMA USA: Badbeat 12||align=center|2|align=center|0:44|Commerce, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Ramon Hernandez|Submission (guillotine choke)|Xplode Fight Series: Aftermath||align=center|2|align=center|1:29|Valley Center, California, United States|

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bellator 137's Steve Kozola : More Skilled Than Ever Before. themmacorner.com. Monta Wiley. May 12, 2015.
  2. Web site: Bellator 132 complete with seven prelims, including Dustin Jacoby vs. John Salter. mmajunkie.com. Staff. January 8, 2015.
  3. Web site: Bellator 132 results: Freire keeps belt in wild fight, Karakhanyan earns title shot. mmajunkie.com. Staff. January 16, 2015.
  4. Web site: Bellator 137 Main Card Complete, Several Prelims Set. fightline.com. Dana Becker. April 16, 2015.
  5. Web site: Bellator 137 - Halsey vs. Grove. sherdog.com.
  6. Web site: Unbeaten Steve Kozola Says No Ring Rust Heading into Bellator 175. mmaweekly.com. Mick Hammond. March 31, 2017.
  7. Web site: Bellator 175 results: 'King Mo' Lawal evens score with decision over 'Rampage' Jackson. mmajunkie.com. Matt Erickson. March 31, 2017.
  8. Web site: Steve Kozola vs. Carrington Banks set for Bellator 184. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. August 7, 2017.
  9. Web site: Steven Kozola on Bellator 193: 'It's going to be my victory'. fansided.com. Ryan Sprague. January 23, 2018.
  10. Web site: Bellator 193 results: Lorenz Larkin picks up first Bellator win. mmajunkie.com. John Morgan. January 26, 2018.
  11. Web site: Bellator trims roster, parts ways with 13 fighters. Guilherme Cruz. 2018-02-20. mmafighting.com.
  12. Web site: Bellator 202 results: Julia Budd stops Talita Nogueira in third to defend title. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. July 13, 2018.

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