PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Kushnevich (ranked 24003 p4p, 24163 weight class) and Nate Kristersen (ranked 597 p4p, 593 weight class). Nate Kristersen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kushnevich
vs
Kristersen

179 cm
19
160
0 - 3 - 0

184 cm
24
163
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ilya Kushnevich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nate Kristersen!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kushnevich keeps Kristersen at a distance using the push kick.
Kushnevich lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kristersen throws a big shot that misses.
Kushnevich swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kushnevich - that will leave a mark!
Kristersen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kushnevich.
Kristersen throws a sloppy body shot
and Kushnevich counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnevich is looking to slow Kristersen down with leg kicks.
Kristersen misses with a hook
letting Kushnevich counter with a right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kushnevich. That's going to slow Kristersen down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnevich throws a nice outside leg kick.

Kushnevich scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kushnevich remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Kushnevich throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kristersen seems a little lost for a moment, as Kushnevich dominates the positioning.
Kushnevich working the ground and pound from side control.
Kushnevich has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kristersen wants to get back to his feet but Kushnevich drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich is chipping away with strikes.
Kristersen is letting Kushnevich control him for a moment.
Kushnevich has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kristersen taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Kushnevich stalls from top position.
Kristersen is looking to get back to his feet here but Kushnevich is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kristersen's back.
Kushnevich lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
I would not like to be Kristersen right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Kushnevich.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kushnevich continues to hold on tight.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kushnevich dominated that round.
That's time! Kushnevich's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kushnevich throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kushnevich lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kushnevich lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kristersen misses with a lunging right hand
and Kushnevich counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnevich slips under a jab from Kristersen.
Kristersen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kristersen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kristersen throws a lazy uppercut
letting Kushnevich counter with a right hand.
Kushnevich takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Kristersen gets caught napping as Kushnevich dives in and scores a takedown. Kristersen manages to retain guard.
Kristersen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ilya Kushnevich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kushnevich sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kristersen keeping full guard, as Kushnevich tries to pass.
Kushnevich sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kristersen for as long as he can get away with.
Kristersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kushnevich.
Kushnevich is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kushnevich.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice body kick from Kushnevich.

Kushnevich looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kushnevich is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kristersen can do to turn this around?
Kushnevich is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kristersen's head.
Kushnevich slows the pace down in half guard.
Kristersen is looking to escape.
Kushnevich perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kushnevich is pressing down on Kristersen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kristersen is holding on for now.
Still in half guard, Kushnevich seems content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kushnevich seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kushnevich dominated that second round.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kushnevich looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kushnevich wants to pass to mount but Kristersen is defending the position.
Kushnevich slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnevich continues to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnevich'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.
Kushnevich is looking to advance position but Kristersen won't allow it.
Kushnevich sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kristersen defending well though.
Kushnevich scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kushnevich trying to mount his opponent but Kristersen defends it.
Kushnevich seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kristersen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kushnevich content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kushnevich missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kushnevich throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nate Kristersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kushnevich controlling the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kushnevich lands a leg kick that knocks Kristersen off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kushnevich changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kristersen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kristersen is looking to get back to his feet here but Kushnevich is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kristersen's back.
Kushnevich is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Kushnevich is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Kristersen up.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich throwing damaging strikes from the back! Kristersen could be in trouble here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Kushnevich showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kushnevich has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Kushnevich!