PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasqez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasqez is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Gorillaz - Latin simone. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kukuev
vs
Velasqez

198 cm
24
240 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

182 cm
23
238 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kukuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cain Velasqez!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kukuev.
Velasqez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Velasqez wants it to stay on the feet.

Kukuev feints and as Velasqez raises his hands in defense, Kukuev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kukuev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kukuev drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Kukuev off! Kukuev jumps back into Velasqez's guard.

Velasqez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kukuev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kukuev won't allow Velasqez to sweep him here.

Kukuev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kukuev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Velasqez looking for a guillotine here but Kukuev defends easily.
Kukuev wants to pass the guard but Velasqez is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasqez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kukuev is one step ahead there.

Kukuev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kukuev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Velasqez working for a triangle but Kukuev defends it easily.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Velasqez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kukuev stops Velasqez from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kukuev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Velasqez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kukuev drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Kukuev off! Kukuev jumps back into Velasqez's guard.

Kukuev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Velasqez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kukuev has managed to get both his arms back between Velasqez's legs - danger averted.

Kukuev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kukuev drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Kukuev off! Kukuev jumps back into Velasqez's guard.

Velasqez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kukuev defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Kukuev off! Kukuev jumps back into Velasqez's guard.

Velasqez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kukuev works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kukuev wants to work for an arm triangle but Velasqez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura but Velasqez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kukuev to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kukuev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Velasqez is just riding it out for now. Kukuev eventually gives up the hold.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura here.
Velasqez is looking to get back to full guard here but Kukuev has managed to pass to side control instead.

Velasqez defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kukuev.
Velasqez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kukuev dominated that 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.

Kukuev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Velasqez. No joy for Kukuev on that attempt.
Velasqez connects with a body shot.

Kukuev feints and as Velasqez raises his hands in defense, Kukuev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Velasqez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kukuev defends well.

Velasqez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kukuev is aware though and is defending well.

Velasqez is looking for a triangle here but Kukuev uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Kukuev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Velasqez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Velasqez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kukuev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Velasqez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Velasqez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kukuev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Velasqez won't allow Kukuev to pass to mount.

Kukuev is trying to work for a kimura but Velasqez is defending well.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back.
Velasqez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Kukuev off! Kukuev jumps back into Velasqez's guard.
Kukuev stopping the sweep attempt from Velasqez.

Velasqez isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kukuev stacks Velasqez on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kukuev!
Velasqez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Velasqez is breathing heavily.

Velasqez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kukuev pulls his head out easily.

Kukuev is trying to work for a kimura but Velasqez is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev wants to free his trapped foot but Velasqez is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Velasqez defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Velasqez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kukuev pulls his head out easily.

Kukuev is working for a kimura but Velasqez is defending it quite comfortably.
Velasqez tries to roll over but Kukuev keeps him under control.

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.

Kukuev seems to be working for a kimura but Velasqez defends the submission attempt.

Kukuev wants to work for an arm triangle but Velasqez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kukuev prevents Velasqez from improving his position.
Velasqez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nikolai Kukuev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kukuev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Velasqez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kukuev defends it easily.

Kukuev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikolai Kukuev will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Velasqez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kukuev.
Velasqez takes a swing at Kukuev's ribcage but misses.
Velasqez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kukuev manages to avoid it.
Kukuev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kukuev feints and as Velasqez raises his hands in defense, Kukuev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velasqez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kukuev's guard.

Velasqez drops back looking for a leg! Kukuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kukuev manages to kick Velasqez off! Velasqez jumps back into Kukuev's guard.

Kukuev working for a triangle but Velasqez defends it easily.

Velasqez drops back looking for a leg! Kukuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kukuev manages to kick Velasqez off! Velasqez jumps back into Kukuev's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Velasqez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velasqez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velasqez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kukuev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Velasqez drops back looking for a leg! Kukuev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kukuev manages to kick Velasqez off! Velasqez jumps back into Kukuev's guard.

Kukuev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velasqez defends it easily.
Velasqez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kukuev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kukuev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Velasqez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Velasqez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cain Velasqez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Velasqez slips nicely into half guard.
Velasqez wants to pass to mount but Kukuev is defending the position.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.

Velasqez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kukuev defends it well.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasqez works his way into full mount!

Velasqez working for a guillotine from mount but Kukuev is in no mood to give up.
Kukuev gets back to half guard.
Nikolai Kukuev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kukuev trying to hold on to Velasqez's head to control him but Velasqez postures up.

Velasqez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kukuev doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velasqez.
Velasqez throwing shots but Kukuev is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasqez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kukuev is trying to control but can't.

Velasqez seems to be looking for submissions.

Velasqez is looking for a kimura but Kukuev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Velasqez to get the leverage.
Velasqez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kukuev holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

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

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Velasqez pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kukuev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kukuev, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kukuev!