PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleks Kuznetsov (ranked 1688 p4p, 3268 weight class) and Tarmo Rajantaka (ranked 231 p4p, 401 weight class). Aleks Kuznetsov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tarmo Rajantaka's chin.

Kuznetsov
vs
Rajantaka

182 cm
24
203
7 - 5 - 0

187 cm
25
205
7 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleks Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tarmo Rajantaka!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Damien Edna and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Kuznetsov.
Rajantaka needs to keep his hands up - Kuznetsov had a free shot at his head there.
Rajantaka moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Rajantaka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rajantaka.
Rajantaka wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and Rajantaka counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rajantaka lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kuznetsov will feel that in the morning.
Rajantaka slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
Rajantaka throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Aleks Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Rajantaka.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rajantaka manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Rajantaka avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rajantaka.
Kuznetsov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rajantaka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rajantaka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rajantaka tries to counter with a clinch but Kuznetsov shakes him off and moves away.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Rajantaka moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rajantaka blocks a jab.
Rajantaka is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Rajantaka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kuznetsov works Rajantaka's body with a nice hook.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Rajantaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Rajantaka.

Kuznetsov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rajantaka takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rajantaka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range and Rajantaka settles back down.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov lands a head shot.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand

and Rajantaka counters by moving into the clinch.
A short right from Rajantaka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov tries to break free but Rajantaka pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajantaka working Kuznetsov over with knees to the body.
Rajantaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov can't break the clinch.
Kuznetsov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rajantaka misses with a knee to the head.
Rajantaka controlling the action here for a moment.
Rajantaka lands a nice knee to the body.
Rajantaka struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Rajantaka pushes Kuznetsov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rajantaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rajantaka is trying to stall.
Kuznetsov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rajantaka throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks an elbow strike from Rajantaka.
Kuznetsov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajantaka misses with a punch on the inside.
Rajantaka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rajantaka.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rajantaka counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kuznetsov's knee momentarily.
Rajantaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rajantaka has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Rajantaka blocks it.
Kuznetsov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rajantaka steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kuznetsov.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuznetsov misses the target.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Rajantaka.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Tarmo Rajantaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rajantaka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Rajantaka was well out of range.
Rajantaka throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rajantaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Kuznetsov with a nice calf kick.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Rajantaka counters by moving into the clinch.
Kuznetsov is looking to break free of the clinch but Rajantaka has double underhooks.
Rajantaka misses with an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov is looking to break free of the clinch but Rajantaka has double underhooks.
Rajantaka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kuznetsov's defenses.
Rajantaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rajantaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka misses with a knee strike.
Rajantaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rajantaka struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Rajantaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rajantaka tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Rajantaka back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleks Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rajantaka moves out of range of the strikes.
Rajantaka raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Rajantaka moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Rajantaka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rajantaka's hands.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rajantaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
No luck for Kuznetsov with that takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rajantaka walks into a jab.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rajantaka moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab. Rajantaka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rajantaka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rajantaka slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rajantaka throws a fast counter high kick but Kuznetsov manages to duck under it in time.
Kuznetsov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rajantaka slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Rajantaka steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov scores with a shot to the body.
Rajantaka lands with a good body shot.
Kuznetsov takes one to the side of the head.
Rajantaka connects with a leg kick.
Rajantaka takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Rajantaka with a series of wild strikes but Rajantaka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kuznetsov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and Rajantaka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rajantaka throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rajantaka blocks a jab.
Kuznetsov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
and Rajantaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Rajantaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rajantaka.
Rajantaka misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuznetsov has a takedown stuffed.
Kuznetsov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuznetsov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleks Kuznetsov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Rajantaka is out of range.
Rajantaka throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Rajantaka moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rajantaka's waist but Rajantaka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuznetsov off to one side.
Rajantaka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
A slow jab from Rajantaka misses its intended target.
Rajantaka lands with a nice body kick.
Kuznetsov is looking to chop away at Rajantaka's legs.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Rajantaka steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Rajantaka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rajantaka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand

and Rajantaka holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rajantaka with a knee to the head.
Rajantaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rajantaka connects with a knee to the head.
Rajantaka lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rajantaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rajantaka is looking to clinch.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing blow to the side of Rajantaka's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rajantaka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
Rajantaka wants to counter with a clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him away.
Kuznetsov misses with a body kick.
Rajantaka throws a big counter head kick but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rajantaka.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuznetsov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rajantaka is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Kuznetsov tries to keep at a distance but Rajantaka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rajantaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rajantaka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kuznetsov tries to circle away but Rajantaka has him pinned against the cage.
Rajantaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rajantaka is pushing Kuznetsov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kuznetsov blocking some punches.
Rajantaka crunches a lovely knee into Kuznetsov's ribcage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aleks Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rajantaka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Rajantaka misses.
Kuznetsov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.
Tarmo Rajantaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rajantaka misses with a punch to the body.
Rajantaka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuznetsov's efforts to push away.
Rajantaka lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Rajantaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rajantaka landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kuznetsov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov tries to circle away but Rajantaka has him pinned against the cage.
Rajantaka is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rajantaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka missing with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rajantaka keeps control of Kuznetsov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rajantaka can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rajantaka.
Rajantaka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rajantaka pushes Kuznetsov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kuznetsov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rajantaka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rajantaka pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rajantaka tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuznetsov avoids the damage to the body.
Kuznetsov wants to break free but Rajantaka has control.
Rajantaka misses with an elbow strike.
Rajantaka lands a nice knee to the body.
Rajantaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rajantaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajantaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rajantaka backwards.
Rajantaka lands a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rajantaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rajantaka trying to land knees to the body.
Rajantaka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rajantaka lands a nice uppercut.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rajantaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuznetsov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rajantaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Rajantaka was well out of range.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rajantaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Rajantaka wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Rajantaka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kuznetsov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aleks Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Rajantaka avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Rajantaka wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and Rajantaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuznetsov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rajantaka's head.
Rajantaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Kuznetsov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A big right from Rajantaka misses.
Kuznetsov tries to land a leg kick but Rajantaka saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Rajantaka.

Kuznetsov has Rajantaka up against the cage in a clinch.
Rajantaka comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rajantaka has Kuznetsov pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Kuznetsov is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from Rajantaka - that's hurt Kuznetsov badly! Oh, another knee lands and Kuznetsov is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Kuznetsov doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Tarmo Rajantaka!
Tarmo Rajantaka thanked the fans post fight for their support.