PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Kukanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Bacardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Kukanov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kukanov
vs
Bacardi

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kukanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marat Bacardi!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bacardi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kukanov pinned against the cage. Kukanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bacardi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bacardi wants it to stay on the feet.

Bacardi closes the distance and clinches.
Bacardi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bacardi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kukanov up against the cage.
Bacardi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kukanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kukanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bacardi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kukanov to keep the fight standing.
Bacardi is trying to pull guard but Kukanov has him pressed against the cage.
Bacardi stops a takedown attempt from Kukanov.
Bacardi is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bacardi is trying to break the clinch but Kukanov has him pressed against the cage.
Bacardi has Kukanov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kukanov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Bacardi manages to pull guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kukanov trying to control but Bacardi is working from the bottom.
Bacardi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kukanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kukanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bacardi is keeping the position for now.
Bacardi wants to sweep here but Kukanov controlling him for the moment.

Kukanov drops back looking for a leg! Bacardi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bacardi manages to kick Kukanov off! Kukanov jumps back into Bacardi's guard.
Bacardi trying to keep a closed guard but Kukanov is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bacardi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukanov looking to pass the guard.
Kukanov wants to control from the top but Bacardi keeps moving.
Kukanov slips nicely into half guard.
Bacardi is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Kukanov wants to take a breather but Bacardi is having none of it.

Kukanov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bacardi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bacardi is looking for a sweep. Kukanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukanov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bacardi is just riding it out for now. Kukanov eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kukanov is looking to take a break and control but Bacardi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukanov is really struggling to control Bacardi but he's trying to hold on to the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Ivan Kukanov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Bacardi rushes Kukanov and presses him up against the cage.
Kukanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bacardi prevents it.
Kukanov is breathing heavily.
Kukanov wants to take the fight to the mat but Bacardi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bacardi can't break the clinch.
Kukanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bacardi.
Kukanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bacardi prevents it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kukanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bacardi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ivan Kukanov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bacardi has a takedown stuffed.
Kukanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bacardi tries to bum rush Kukanov with a series of wild strikes but Kukanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kukanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bacardi.
Horrible takedown by Bacardi or perhaps it was just good defense by Kukanov which made him look bad.
Ivan Kukanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Bacardi.
Bacardi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ivan Kukanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kukanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bacardi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bacardi is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kukanov.
Bacardi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kukanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Bacardi sprawls well. He's pushed Kukanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kukanov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bacardi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kukanov is in Bacardi's guard.
Kukanov preventing the sweep.
Kukanov trying to control but Bacardi is working from the bottom.
Kukanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bacardi is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kukanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bacardi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bacardi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kukanov is one step ahead there.
Kukanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Bacardi is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bacardi trying to control the position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukanov shoots in and drives through. Bacardi sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bacardi is defended easily by Kukanov.

Bacardi clinches.
Kukanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bacardi prevents it.

Bacardi breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bacardi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kukanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bacardi has his hands on Kukanov's head, controlling the position.
Kukanov looking to sit in guard and control but Bacardi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kukanov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bacardi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bacardi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bacardi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kukanov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kukanov tries to keep at a distance but Bacardi has taken the fight into the clinch.
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!
Kukanov goes for a takedown attempt but Bacardi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
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 Ivan Kukanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kukanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bacardi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Bacardi clinches up with Kukanov and pushes him back against the cage.
Bacardi is pressed up against the cage. Kukanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bacardi down to the mat. Bacardi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kukanov fails with the takedown.
Bacardi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kukanov swivels and escapes.
Kukanov looks for a takedown but Bacardi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kukanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bacardi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bacardi sprawls well. Bacardi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kukanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bacardi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kukanov's waist but Kukanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bacardi off to one side.
Bacardi throws a head kick that misses.
Kukanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bacardi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kukanov stuffs the takedown attempt from Bacardi. Bacardi gets slowly back to his feet.
Bacardi dives in and grabs Kukanov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kukanov pushes down on Bacardi's head and hops out.
Kukanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bacardi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kukanov.
Bacardi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kukanov as he jumps to the side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kukanov.

Bacardi darts in and clinches Kukanov up against the cage.
Kukanov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bacardi after a bit of a struggle.

Bacardi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kukanov stuffs the takedown attempt from Bacardi. Bacardi gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bacardi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bacardi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kukanov pinned against the cage. Kukanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice takedown defense from Bacardi. No joy for Kukanov on that attempt.
Bacardi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kukanov momentarily.

Bacardi clinches up against the cage.
Bacardi is struggling to control the position.
Kukanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bacardi gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bacardi successfully pulls guard.
Kukanov stops Bacardi from standing up.
Kukanov wants to control from the top but Bacardi keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kukanov stops Bacardi from standing up.
Bacardi wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kukanov trying to control but Bacardi is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ivan Kukanov just wasn't active enough.
Bacardi throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marat Bacardi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kukanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kukanov!