PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rap Reiplinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Reiplinger
vs
Kukuev

199 cm
28
254 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

198 cm
30
240 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rap Reiplinger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kukuev!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reiplinger fails to land the takedown.
Kukuev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A good leg kick by Reiplinger.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Reiplinger as he jumps to the side.
Kukuev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reiplinger swivels and escapes.
Kukuev with a poor takedown
and Reiplinger counters with a good low kick that Kukuev was not able to check.
Rap Reiplinger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolai Kukuev.

Kukuev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Reiplinger manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Reiplinger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kukuev defends it easily.
Reiplinger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kukuev is one step ahead there.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Reiplinger is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Reiplinger can't keep his opponent in guard - Kukuev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kukuev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Reiplinger sees it coming and defends easily.

Kukuev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Reiplinger won't allow Kukuev to pass to mount.

Kukuev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kukuev is trying to control. Reiplinger wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Reiplinger actively working from the bottom here.
Reiplinger regains full guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Reiplinger looking for a guillotine here but Kukuev defends easily.

Reiplinger is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kukuev is aware though and is defending well.
Reiplinger keeping moving, preventing Kukuev from controlling successfully.
Kukuev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reiplinger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reiplinger looking for a guillotine here but Kukuev defends easily.

Reiplinger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kukuev defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kukuev trying to control the position from guard on top but Reiplinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukuev pushing down on Reiplinger's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura here.

Reiplinger actively working from the bottom here.
Reiplinger makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Reiplinger.
Kukuev stands and throws Reiplinger's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev tries for a kimura but Reiplinger is defending well.

Kukuev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Reiplinger gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Reiplinger regains full guard. Nicely done.
Reiplinger manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kukuev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Reiplinger raining down hammerfists from mount.
Reiplinger scores with a couple of good head shots there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reiplinger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kukuev is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev is trying to escape the mount.
Kukuev bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

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.

Reiplinger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Reiplinger wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Reiplinger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kukuev pushes down on Reiplinger's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rap Reiplinger dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kukuev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kukuev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Reiplinger counters with a body kick that stops Kukuev in his tracks momentarily.
Kukuev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Reiplinger avoids it really well and circles away.
Reiplinger misses with a few strikes there.
Reiplinger lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kukuev will feel that in the morning.
Reiplinger looks to land a right hand but Kukuev moved out of range.
Reiplinger wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Reiplinger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kukuev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice body punch from Reiplinger.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reiplinger scores a takedown into full mount!
Kukuev is desperately trying to improve his position but Reiplinger has a good base and remains in mount.
Kukuev wants to hold on but Reiplinger pushes him away.

Kukuev defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Reiplinger.
Kukuev wants to control but Reiplinger is having none of it.
Kukuev can't escape the position.
Kukuev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kukuev tries to hold on but Reiplinger pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reiplinger looking to finish Kukuev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kukuev!
Rap Reiplinger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Reiplinger controlling from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice elbow there by Reiplinger.
Reiplinger breaks from Kukuev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Reiplinger looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Reiplinger unloading with bombs!
Kukuev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Reiplinger is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kukuev can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Kukuev is in all sorts of trouble here.
Reiplinger breaks from Kukuev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Reiplinger looking to finish Kukuev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kukuev!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reiplinger lands a big shot there that rocks Kukuev but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kukuev regains half guard.
Reiplinger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kukuev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kukuev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.
Reiplinger working Kukuev over with strikes.
Kukuev tries to roll over but Reiplinger keeps him under control.
Reiplinger looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kukuev is refusing to be controlled, as Reiplinger sits in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Reiplinger connects with a nice short shot to Kukuev's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reiplinger scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Reiplinger passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kukuev!
Reiplinger unloading with bombs!
Kukuev takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kukuev working to try and regain half guard.
Reiplinger lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Kukuev is rocked!
Kukuev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Reiplinger landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kukuev is still in real trouble! Can Reiplinger finish him?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oooooh, big shot lands for Reiplinger! Kukuev is hurt baaadly! Reiplinger is firing away with more strikes - Kukuev is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rap Reiplinger!
Post fight, an emotional Rap Reiplinger said 'not only did I win, but I'm pretty sure I gave him herpes!! POI DOGGGG!!!!'.