PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Waru Kuzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suren Nazarethyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazarethyan has chosen Cramunhão as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kuzuri
vs
Nazarethyan

163 cm
34
135 lbs
37 - 16 - 0

155 cm
30
150 lbs
30 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Waru Kuzuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Suren Nazarethyan!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzuri keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kuzuri lands a nice uppercut.
Nazarethyan prevents a body shot from Kuzuri.
Nazarethyan misses with the head strike.
Nazarethyan working aggressively here.
Nazarethyan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuzuri.
Kuzuri scores with a hook to the body.
Kuzuri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kuzuri scores with a shot to the side of Nazarethyan's head.
Nazarethyan misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nazarethyan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuzuri missing with a left hand there. Nazarethyan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've been told by Kuzuri's head coaches at Cell Block Six that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kuzuri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nazarethyan counters with a leg kick.
Nice cross by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuzuri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Nazarethyan counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kuzuri!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarethyan trying to control the position but Kuzuri is working away.
Kuzuri tries to improve position but can't.
Kuzuri is working hard here to advance position.
Nazarethyan misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kuzuri is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nazarethyan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nazarethyan is chipping away with strikes.
Kuzuri is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kuzuri sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nazarethyan wants to control but Kuzuri is keeping him busy.
Kuzuri is trying to escape the position but Nazarethyan is controlling the position.
Kuzuri struggling a bit here.
Nazarethyan with the ground and pound but Kuzuri regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Nazarethyan controlling the action here.
Nazarethyan trying to pass the guard but Kuzuri defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri is looking to control Nazarethyan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuzuri avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nazarethyan.
Kuzuri scores with a jab to the jaw.
Waru Kuzuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nazarethyan slips a jab from Kuzuri.
And Nazarethyan tries to counter it with a takedown but Kuzuri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kuzuri tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nazarethyan is able to avoid easily.
Nice straight punches there by Kuzuri. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuzuri.
Nazarethyan throws a body kick that misses.
Donk. Nazarethyan catches Kuzuri right on the button with a cross.
Nazarethyan throws a shot to the body.
Kuzuri misses with a few strikes there.
Kuzuri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Nazarethyan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nazarethyan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuzuri.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nazarethyan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuzuri lands with a nice body punch.
Nazarethyan misses with a double jab.
Kuzuri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kuzuri looks to land a combination but Nazarethyan avoids it well.
Nazarethyan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuzuri misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuzuri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuzuri attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nazarethyan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kuzuri checks it well.
Nazarethyan swings for the body but Kuzuri moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Nazarethyan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Suren Nazarethyan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kuzuri comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nazarethyan scores with a kick to the midsection.

Nazarethyan dives in and scores a takedown into Kuzuri's guard.
Kuzuri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Kuzuri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nazarethyan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nazarethyan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nazarethyan wants to control from the top but Kuzuri keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarethyan looking to pass the guard.
Nazarethyan looking to sit in guard and control but Kuzuri gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarethyan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kuzuri controls the pace.
Kuzuri wants to pass the guard but Nazarethyan is keeping the position.
Nazarethyan trying to control the position here.
Nazarethyan keeping moving, preventing Kuzuri from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kuzuri is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nazarethyan is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Nazarethyan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kuzuri works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kuzuri's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kuzuri is looking to advance position but Nazarethyan won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri thows a leg kick but Nazarethyan checks it
and Nazarethyan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Waru Kuzuri has been cut.
Kuzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nazarethyan ducks under a wild hook from Kuzuri.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nazarethyan! But no joy.
Kuzuri throws a hook but Nazarethyan blocks it.
Kuzuri misses with a looping left.
Kuzuri looks to throw the jab but Nazarethyan is out of range.
A shot to the body from Nazarethyan misses
and Kuzuri counters with a thumping low kick.
Nazarethyan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nazarethyan replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kuzuri blocks it well.
Nazarethyan's coach down at Axia Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nazarethyan's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kuzuri throws a low kick, looking for Nazarethyan's leg but Nazarethyan calmly moves out of range.
Nazarethyan lands with a cross.
Nazarethyan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuzuri swivels and escapes.
Nazarethyan throws a head kick but Kuzuri moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuzuri scores with a four punch combination!
A telegraphed right hand from Nazarethyan misses the target.
Nazarethyan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri loads up on a big right hand but Nazarethyan slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nazarethyan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kuzuri misses with a looping right.
Nazarethyan with the counter takedown but Kuzuri avoids it easily.
Kuzuri checks the leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Kuzuri.
Kuzuri throws a leg kick
and Nazarethyan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Good work by Nazarethyan as he checks the leg kick.
Nazarethyan throws out a counter right but Kuzuri avoids it with no problem.
Kuzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And Nazarethyan tries to counter it with a takedown but Kuzuri pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kuzuri scores with a hook to the body. Nazarethyan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nazarethyan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuzuri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A punch combination from Kuzuri misses.
Nazarethyan throws a head kick that Kuzuri semi-blocks.
Kuzuri scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nazarethyan doesn't seem bothered though.
Kuzuri throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nazarethyan shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kuzuri eats them both and turns towards Nazarethyan to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waru Kuzuri dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Waru Kuzuri's cut.
That's time! Kuzuri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kuzuri takes one to the side of the head.
Nazarethyan throws a shot to the body.
Kuzuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nazarethyan moves away.
Nazarethyan with the counter takedown but Kuzuri avoids it easily.
Kuzuri swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nazarethyan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kuzuri lands a jab to the nose.
Kuzuri throws a push kick but Nazarethyan slaps the foot to one side.
Nazarethyan throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuzuri.
Nazarethyan bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Waru Kuzuri is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuzuri throws a body kick that misses
and Nazarethyan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nazarethyan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nazarethyan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nazarethyan tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Donk. Kuzuri catches Nazarethyan right on the button with a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Nazarethyan finds it's way through Kuzuri's defenses.
Kuzuri just misses with a punch to the body.
Nazarethyan with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarethyan digs a good body shot into Kuzuri's ribs.
Nazarethyan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kuzuri throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kuzuri throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nazarethyan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nazarethyan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuzuri.
Nazarethyan misses with a low kick.
Nazarethyan throws a big shot that misses.
Nazarethyan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nazarethyan.
Kuzuri drops his hands momentarily and Nazarethyan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuzuri moves out of range of the leg kick from Nazarethyan.
Kuzuri throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kuzuri takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nazarethyan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kuzuri slips under a jab from Nazarethyan.
A swing and a miss from Kuzuri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzuri misses the shot to the body.
Kuzuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nazarethyan.
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!
Nazarethyan misses with a hook.
Kuzuri missing with a left hand there. Nazarethyan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nazarethyan thinks about the counter body kick.
Nazarethyan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuzuri misses with an uppercut. Nazarethyan saw that one coming.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nazarethyan, right into the meat.
Kuzuri wants to land a leg kick but Nazarethyan is out of range.
A slow jab from Kuzuri misses its intended target.
Nazarethyan lands a nice looking body shot.
A left lands for Kuzuri.
Sloppy strikes from Kuzuri. Those never looked like landing.
Kuzuri pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nazarethyan is out of range and Kuzuri settles back down.
Kuzuri throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuzuri scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarethyan feints and then cracks Kuzuri's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kuzuri down.
Kuzuri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuzuri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nazarethyan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nazarethyan moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuzuri misses the shot to the body.
Nazarethyan throws a counter combo.
Kuzuri throws a leg kick but Nazarethyan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Waru Kuzuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuzuri misses with a low kick.
Nazarethyan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuzuri.
Kuzuri swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuzuri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuzuri misses with a few strikes there.
Nice shot by Nazarethyan.
Kuzuri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nazarethyan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kuzuri at a distance.
Nazarethyan moves out of range as Kuzuri strikes.
A nice side step and Nazarethyan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nazarethyan.
Nazarethyan tries a head kick but it misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nazarethyan cracks Kuzuri with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kuzuri swings for the body but Nazarethyan moves out of range.
Nazarethyan throws a hook but Kuzuri avoids it easily.
Kuzuri throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nazarethyan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nazarethyan cracks the inside of Kuzuri's front leg.
Nazarethyan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuzuri throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nazarethyan dips to his left and cracks Kuzuri with an uppercut!
Nazarethyan slips under a jab.
Nazarethyan is looking for the big counter here.
Nazarethyan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nazarethyan lands a head shot.
Kuzuri misses with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Suren Nazarethyan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nazarethyan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Suren Nazarethyan!
A victorious Suren Nazarethyan thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.