PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dudley Bolton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bolton
vs
Kuznetsov

178 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
254 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dudley Bolton!
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, Igor Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bolton's guard.

Bolton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuznetsov defends well.
Kuznetsov postures up.
Kuznetsov trying to control but Bolton is working from the bottom.
Bolton trying to keep a closed guard but Kuznetsov is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bolton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kuznetsov wanted to stand there but Bolton had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

Kuznetsov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bolton trying to control but Kuznetsov postures up.
Bolton misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Bolton really is a fat lump.
Bolton trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bolton is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bolton missing with punches from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice combination. Bolton backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Dudley Bolton has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.

Kuznetsov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bolton strikes from the bottom but Kuznetsov uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Kuznetsov trying to control the action but Bolton is working from the bottom.
Kuznetsov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Bolton tries to buck Kuznetsov off but Kuznetsov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to advance to mount but can't.
An elbow from Kuznetsov crashes against the mat.
Kuznetsov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bolton keeps working.
Kuznetsov working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bolton regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dudley Bolton's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A solid leg kick lands there for Bolton.

Bolton gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kuznetsov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Kuznetsov has hold of one of Bolton's legs. Bolton is fighting the takedown attempt but Kuznetsov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov trying to control but Bolton is working from the bottom.
Kuznetsov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bolton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznetsov tries to free his leg and advance position but Bolton is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kuznetsov postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kuznetsov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position but instead, Bolton has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kuznetsov into the cage.

Bolton breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Bolton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bolton seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bolton checks a leg kick.
As Kuznetsov tries to get set, Bolton tries to push him back and clinch up but Kuznetsov manages to avoid the attempt.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bolton swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bolton avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
Bolton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuznetsov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Kuznetsov pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolton controlling from the top position.
Bolton wants to stand but Kuznetsov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Igor Kuznetsov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bolton gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.

Kuznetsov is trying to trip Bolton. He has hold of a leg but Bolton is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kuznetsov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov passes into half guard.
Kuznetsov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Bolton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kuznetsov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Bolton is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bolton looking for submissions off his back.
Bolton is looking for a sweep. Kuznetsov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dudley Bolton's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kuznetsov clinches up with Bolton and pushes him back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bolton has had enough of the clinch but Kuznetsov keeps him there for the moment.

Kuznetsov has clasped his hands together around Bolton's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Kuznetsov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kuznetsov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznetsov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kuznetsov manages to end up in side control.
Kuznetsov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bolton sneaks back into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kuznetsov in particular looking to stall.

Bolton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bolton is looking to control Kuznetsov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bolton avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bolton actively working from the bottom here.
Bolton throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kuznetsov is trying to control the action in half guard but Bolton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Kuznetsov seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is looking to advance position but Bolton won't allow it.

Kuznetsov decides to stand and escape the position.
Kuznetsov misses with a body kick.

Kuznetsov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kuznetsov stands up.
Kuznetsov thows a leg kick but Bolton checks it
and Bolton counters with a good, hard body kick but Kuznetsov shrugs it off.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to Bolton's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kuznetsov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
It looks like Kuznetsov is going to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kuznetsov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kuznetsov!