PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 2228 p4p, 723 weight class) and Don Stewart (ranked 290 p4p, 93 weight class). Stewart has chosen free ma niggas! as his entrance music. Don Stewart has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuznetsov
vs
Stewart

178 cm
36
186
23 - 19 - 0

183 cm
40
187
36 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

HELLBENT
HELLS BALLS RECOVERY

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 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Don Stewart!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Stewart slips the punch.
Despite the aggression on Stewart's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Stewart.
A counter left hand to the body from Kuznetsov misses its target.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Stewart.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Stewart moves out of range.
Stewart lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Stewart moved out of range.
Nikolai Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stewart moves away.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Stewart is out of range.
Stewart throws a counter combo.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuznetsov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetsov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stewart throws a counter combo.
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Stewart.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Stewart moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Stewart.
Stewart lands a right hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Stewart. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stewart.
Stewart has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Stewart dodges the punch combination from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Stewart moves away and avoids it.
Stewart takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov walks into a stiff left hand from Stewart.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kuznetsov, as that shot connected.
Kuznetsov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Stewart moved out of range.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Stewart's shoulder, as Stewart tries to avoid the shot.
Stewart wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetsov lands a jab-cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov lunges at Stewart with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stewart's hand.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Stewart misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Stewart moves out of range.

Stewart lands a big head kick that sends Kuznetsov tumbling to the mat! Stewart takes a step backwards and waves Kuznetsov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Stewart tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov scores with a decent looking hook.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuznetsov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stewart moves out of range as Kuznetsov throws a body kick.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice head shot.
Kuznetsov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stewart in his tracks.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
Stewart throws a head kick that misses.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Stewart throws a sloppy head kick
and Kuznetsov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters circling a little - Kuznetsov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Stewart throws a lazy head kick
and Stewart takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stewart tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stewart doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.

Kuznetsov tries to keep at a distance but Stewart has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stewart misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov blocking some punches.
Stewart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stewart misses with a punch on the inside.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand
and Stewart counters with a straight right hand.
Kuznetsov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stewart has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A head kick misses from Stewart.
Stewart takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov dodges the punch combination from Stewart.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov with the inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stewart was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Stewart.
Stewart misses with a wild combination.
Stewart throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Stewart avoids it well.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stewart moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kuznetsov throws a sloppy head kick and Stewart moves out of range easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stewart swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stewart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuznetsov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Stewart misses with a hook.
It looked like Kuznetsov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stewart blocks a head kick by Kuznetsov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stewart! But no joy.
Stewart looks to land a combination but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Stewart misses with a two punch combination.
Stewart moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Stewart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stewart misses with a wild combination.
Nice shot lands for Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov sizes up Stewart with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stewart uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Stewart in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Stewart steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Stewart tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Stewart connects with a high kick.
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.
Stewart tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetsov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Stewart under the eye.
Stewart showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kuznetsov lands an overhand right.
Kuznetsov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kuznetsov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Stewart moves away and avoids it.
Stewart unleashes a big counter combination but Kuznetsov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kuznetsov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stewart doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Stewart punishes Kuznetsov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuznetsov misses with a series of wild punches.
Stewart takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Stewart drops his hands momentarily and Kuznetsov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuznetsov throws a poor cross that misses
and Stewart counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kuznetsov fakes the leg kick and cracks Stewart in the body.
A combination from Stewart does no damage.
Stewart throws a lazy head kick
and Kuznetsov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuznetsov throws a sloppy head kick and Stewart moves out of range easily.
Stewart takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kuznetsov blocks a head kick by Stewart.
Stewart tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stewart is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Stewart.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Stewart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a quick counter head kick but Stewart was just out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kuznetsov - that will leave a mark!
Stewart takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Stewart misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stewart can do to turn this around?
Stewart throws a lazy head kick
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.
Stewart swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the head.

Stewart is rocked!
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Stewart is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuznetsov finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stewart moves out of range of the strikes.
Stewart seems to have recovered his senses.
Stewart throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznetsov moves out of range easily.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Kuznetsov to counter with a crisp jab.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stewart has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Stewart moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the nose.
Stewart throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A quick step to the side and Kuznetsov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Stewarts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stewart misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Stewart.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Stewart throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Kuznetsov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Stewart sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Stewart does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stewart.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stewart has time to react.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stewart.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuznetsov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Stewart showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuznetsov.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kuznetsov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stewart takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Stewart scores with a head kick. Kuznetsov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Stewart slips the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Stewart does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
A jab from Kuznetsov does it's job there.
Stewart has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stewart there as he acknowledges the shot.
A jab from Kuznetsov finds it's way through Stewart's defenses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuznetsov scores with a four punch combination!
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Stewart throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stewart.
Stewart swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kuznetsov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Stewart bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stewart rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuznetsov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stewart misses with a two punch combination.
Stewart takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Jab, jab by Kuznetsov - just one landing.
Stewart takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stewart jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stewart takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stewart ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Stewart is looking for the big counter here.
Kuznetsov connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stewart falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kuznetsov counters with a good, hard body kick but Stewart shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands a jab.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Stewart moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuznetsov slips a jab from Stewart.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Stewart's head but Stewart sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stewart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuznetsov throws a good cross that connects.
Kuznetsov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Stewart swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Stewart avoids them all with ease.
Stewart keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Stewart swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stewart misses with a head kick.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Stewart saw that one coming.
Stewart will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A quick step to the side and Kuznetsov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov lands with a kick to the temple. Stewart shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kuznetsov cracks Stewart with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Stewart takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Stewart stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov works Stewart's body with a nice hook.
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!
Kuznetsov lands a high kick!
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stewart's head backwards.
Stewart throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stewart takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stewart sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stewart uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Stewart wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov scores with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stewart takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Stewart throws a right and a left that Kuznetsov avoids nicely.
Don Stewart has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Stewart ducked under it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuznetsov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kuznetsov!
Nikolai Kuznetsov opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.