Steve Kozola

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Steve Kozola
Born (1989-12-17) December 17, 1989 (age 34)
Naperville, Illinois, United States
Other namesThunderbeast
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach72.5 in (184 cm)
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, United States
TeamTeam Quest
RankBlack belt in Tae Kwon Do Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]
Years active2013–2020
Mixed martial arts record
Total13
Wins9
By knockout8
By submission1
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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[edit]

Early career[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Professional record breakdown
13 matches 9 wins 4 losses
By knockout 8 1
By submission 1 1
By decision 0 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–4 Salvador Becerra Decision (unanimous) LFA 74 August 30, 2019 3 5:00 Riverside, California, United States
Loss 9–3 Arthur Estrázulas Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 69 June 7, 2019 1 2:32 Cabazon, California, United States
Win 9–2 Ryan Walker TKO (punches) Bellator 202 July 13, 2018 1 1:45 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 8–2 Jake Smith KO (punches) Bellator 193 January 26, 2018 1 0:57 Temecula, California, United States
Loss 8–1 Carrington Banks Decision (unanimous) Bellator 184 October 6, 2017 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–0 Jake Roberts TKO (punches) Bellator 175 March 31, 2017 1 0:28 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 7–0 Matt Church TKO (punches) WSOF 30 April 2, 2016 1 1:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 160 lb Catchweight bout.
Win 6–0 Ian Butler KO (punches) Bellator 137 May 15, 2015 1 2:22 Temecula, California, United States
Win 5–0 Jonathan Rivera KO (punches) Bellator 132 January 16, 2015 2 1:25 Temecula, California, United States
Win 4–0 Danny Morales Jr. KO (strikes) American Predator Fighting Championships 17 October 11, 2014 1 1:56 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Return to Lightweight.
Win 3–0 Eddy Gonzalez TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Backlash May 31, 2014 1 0:50 El Cajon, California, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 2–0 Tommy Gavin TKO (punches) BAMMA USA: Badbeat 12 March 28, 2014 2 0:44 Commerce, California, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Ramon Hernandez Submission (guillotine choke) Xplode Fight Series: Aftermath July 20, 2013 2 1:29 Valley Center, California, United States

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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