PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleks Kuznetsov (ranked 534 p4p, 1336 weight class) and Wille Thai (ranked 75 p4p, 182 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kuznetsov
vs
Thai

182 cm
26
203
10 - 6 - 0

195 cm
26
212
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Conquer

Urban Fighter
Vegan Gains

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 10 - 6 - 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 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Wille Thai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Thai has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Thai goes for a takedown attempt but Kuznetsov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Thai moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Thai is out of range.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Thai moved out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov lands a jab-cross combination.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.
Thai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thai slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.

Thai closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetsov quickly recovers to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov is trying to stand up here but Thai is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kuznetsov has one foot on Thai's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Thai avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov sets himself, and Thai steps forward looking for the clinch! Kuznetsov avoids it this time.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thai was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Thai feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thai takes one to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thai moves away.
A clash of legs there as Thai blocks the low kick.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses

and Thai counters by clinching up.
Kuznetsov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thai has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kuznetsov after a bit of a struggle.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thais jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuznetsov works the jab nicely.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Thai moves away and avoids it.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice head shot.

Kuznetsov tries to sprawl but Thai drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thai is trying to work for a kimura but Kuznetsov is defending well.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet.

Kuznetsov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Thai is on him like a limpet, forcing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
Thai is looking to take this one to the mat.
Aleks Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wille Thai.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick that knocks Thai off balance momentarily.
Good shot there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov clobbers Thai with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.

Thai fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kuznetsov to the ground. Thai is now in Kuznetsov's guard.
Thai is looking to advance position but Kuznetsov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kuznetsov controlling from the full mount.
Thai is working to get back to half guard.
Thai regains half guard.

Thai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuznetsov pulls his head out easily.
Thai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kuznetsov wants to stand but Thai has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuznetsov pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kuznetsov in particular looking to stall.
Kuznetsov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've been hearing that Kuznetsov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Thai wants to improve his position but Kuznetsov is controlling well.

Thai actively working from the bottom here.
Thai tries to roll over but Kuznetsov keeps him under control.
Thai regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleks Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Thai moves out of range.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thai drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.
Jab from Kuznetsov.
Thai blocks a jab.

Kuznetsov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kuznetsov is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Thai has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Kuznetsov is looking to defend but Thai has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Kuznetsov! Thai pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Kuznetsov taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Wille Thai!