PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 1555 p4p, 2335 weight class) and Jean Cristopher La Vellei (ranked 228 p4p, 332 weight class). Jean Cristopher La Vellei has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuznetsov
vs
La Vellei

178 cm
40
186
29 - 23 - 0

196 cm
34
185
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 29 - 23 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jean Cristopher La Vellei!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as La Vellei lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuznetsov doesn't seem phased though.
Nikolai Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but La Vellei was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from La Vellei finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook to the body
letting La Vellei counter with a right hand.
Nice uppercut there from La Vellei.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kuznetsov enables La Vellei to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kuznetsov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Kuznetsov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kuznetsov gets caught flat footed, as La Vellei shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as La Vellei accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuznetsov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
La Vellei throwing strikes but missing.
Kuznetsov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
La Vellei throws a big elbow that misses.
La Vellei postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kuznetsov being controlled here, momentarily.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand up but La Vellei isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
La Vellei lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
La Vellei passes into half guard.
La Vellei wants to take a breather but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
La Vellei trying to mount his opponent but Kuznetsov defends it.
La Vellei is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

La Vellei is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuznetsov defends it well.
La Vellei working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

La Vellei is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

La Vellei seems to be working for a kimura but Kuznetsov defends the submission attempt.
La Vellei not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ground and pound from La Vellei.
Kuznetsov is looking to escape.

La Vellei is working for a submission of some sort.
La Vellei takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Kuznetsov has one foot on La Vellei's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
La Vellei throws a counter combo.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
La Vellei lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuznetsov backs up against the cage.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznetsov as he connects with a hook.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

La Vellei changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kuznetsov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kuznetsov is not content to let La Vellei control the position.
La Vellei is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kuznetsov prevents La Vellei from improving position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
La Vellei sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kuznetsov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuznetsov keeps working.

La Vellei looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kuznetsov sneaks out the side door and pushes La Vellei away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but La Vellei uses good head movement to avoid it.
La Vellei avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
La Vellei looks like he wants to counter punch here.

La Vellei closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kuznetsov to the mat! Kuznetsov manages to get full guard.

Kuznetsov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
La Vellei thows a left - swing and a miss!
La Vellei has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
La Vellei uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jean Cristopher La Vellei will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The crowd cheers as Kuznetsov lands an impressive looking overhand right. La Vellei doesn't seem phased though.
La Vellei is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kuznetsov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
La Vellei throws a wild body kick that Kuznetsov sees coming a mile off.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from La Vellei on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Kuznetsov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jean Cristopher La Vellei has got the better of the ground game so far.
La Vellei throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
La Vellei wants to pass the guard but Kuznetsov is keeping the position.
La Vellei prevents Kuznetsov from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Vellei postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
La Vellei chips away with some ground and pound.
La Vellei trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kuznetsov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. La Vellei is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is struggling to control the position.

La Vellei manages to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov scores with a head kick. La Vellei tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
La Vellei moves into range and connects with a jab.
La Vellei blocks the body kick.
Kuznetsov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

La Vellei throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. La Vellei is in Kuznetsov's guard.
Kuznetsov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
La Vellei connects with a couple of short punches.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.
La Vellei throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov wants to stand and escape but La Vellei is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei throws an elbow that misses. Kuznetsov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in La Vellei's guard. Nice move by Kuznetsov!

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 stopping the sweep attempt from La Vellei.

La Vellei has his foot on Kuznetsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznetsov works his way back into a safe position though.

La Vellei looking for subs off his back but Kuznetsov has passed one foot through into half guard.
La Vellei tries to roll over but Kuznetsov keeps him under control.
La Vellei trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Vellei wants to get back to full guard.
La Vellei controlling the position well.
La Vellei is pressing down on Kuznetsov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
La Vellei managing to control the position.
La Vellei trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
La Vellei tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

La Vellei has his foot on Kuznetsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznetsov works his way back into a safe position though.

La Vellei looking for a guillotine here but Kuznetsov defends easily.
Kuznetsov postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
La Vellei throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
La Vellei feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kuznetsovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
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 Nikolai Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by La Vellei.
La Vellei slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a right hook to the body.
La Vellei blocks a jab.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick as La Vellei jumps back.
La Vellei blocks a head kick by Kuznetsov.
La Vellei shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl out of it but La Vellei keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuznetsov dodges the punch combination from La Vellei.
La Vellei is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
La Vellei misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Vellei shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl out of it but La Vellei keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Cristopher La Vellei.
La Vellei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
A little jabbing left from La Vellei on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the head.

La Vellei drives through with a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Kuznetsov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
La Vellei takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
La Vellei throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
La Vellei takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

La Vellei closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kuznetsov to the mat! Kuznetsov manages to get full guard.
La Vellei looking to pass the guard.

Kuznetsov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
La Vellei throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

La Vellei closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetsov quickly recovers to half guard.
La Vellei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
La Vellei trying to control from Kuznetsov's half guard. Kuznetsov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
La Vellei looking to sit in guard and control but Kuznetsov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

La Vellei working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuznetsov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuznetsov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand up but La Vellei won't let him.

La Vellei is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Kuznetsov rolls with it to try and escape but La Vellei cranks on the arm and Kuznetsov is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jean Cristopher La Vellei!
Jean Cristopher La Vellei thanked the fans post fight for their support.