PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edinger Nucleus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetsov has chosen Siberia - Cold winter night whispers as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Nucleus
vs
Kuznetsov

185 cm
26
205 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

183 cm
27
217 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

AnonymouS
The Empire Clothing and Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Edinger Nucleus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nucleus scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuznetsov doesn't seem bothered though.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch

and Nucleus counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nucleus.
Kuznetsov missing with knees to the body.
Nucleus is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuznetsov gets an underhook and turns Nucleus into the cage.
Nucleus misses with an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Nucleus blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Nucleus tries a knee to the head but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Nucleus tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nucleus blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Nucleus avoids the damage to the body.
Nucleus working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuznetsov.
Nucleus lands a knee to the body.
Nucleus is struggling to control the position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nucleus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nucleus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nucleus managing to block the knees to the body from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nucleus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nucleus stalling.
A knee to the head by Nucleus.
Nucleus with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nucleus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kuznetsov blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Nucleus avoids the damage to the body.
A shot in the inside from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov stalling against the cage.
Nucleus keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuznetsov's efforts to push away.
Nucleus working aggressively here.
Nucleus leaning against his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Kuznetsov fails to land.
Nucleus lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nucleus tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nucleus.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov missing with knees to the body.
Nucleus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nucleus lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kuznetsov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nucleus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kuznetsov blocks it with crossed arms.
Nucleus's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

It looks like Edinger Nucleus has been cut.
Nucleus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nucleus trying to land knees to the body.
Nucleus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nucleus is struggling to control the position.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nucleus avoids it.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nucleus is defending well for now.
Nucleus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Nucleus working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Nucleus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kuznetsov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuznetsov missing with knees to the body.
Nucleus working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov lands with a light punch inside.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nucleus misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch on the inside.
Nucleus avoiding damage.
Kuznetsov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nucleus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Nucleus avoids the damage to the body.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Nucleus's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Nucleus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a shot to the body.
Nucleus trying to control the position but instead, Kuznetsov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nucleus into the cage.
Kuznetsov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nucleus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ivan Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nucleus throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nucleus seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
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!
Kuznetsov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kuznetsov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Edinger Nucleus'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.

Kuznetsov scores with a three punch combo!
Kuznetsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nucleus.
Nucleus lunges at Kuznetsov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kuznetsov's hand.
Nucleus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov keeps Nucleus at a distance using the push kick.
Nucleus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nucleus has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kuznetsov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice body kick there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nucleus is able to avoid easily.
Ivan Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slapping body kick lands there for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nucleus rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nucleus ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kuznetsov.
Nucleus dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A leg kick checked by Nucleus.
Nucleus walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kuznetsov.
Nucleus throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Kuznetsov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Nucleus motions for Kuznetsov to come forward. Nucleus throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov throws a half hearted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.
Nucleus pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range and Nucleus settles back down.
Nucleus throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nucleus moves away.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Nucleus's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nucleus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
A little feinted left hand from Nucleus on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kuznetsov lands a nice hook to Nucleus's body. Nucleus takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuznetsov is looking to land body kicks.
Nucleus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice combination there by Nucleus.
Nucleus throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Nucleus takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov jabs at Nucleus's body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nucleus throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov lands with a good body shot.
Nucleus looks to land a combination but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Nucleus looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kuznetsov with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nucleus chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kuznetsov can pounce on him.
Nucleus ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nucleus looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kuznetsov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kuznetsov is looking to land body kicks.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nucleus tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kuznetsov manages to circle out of the way.
Kuznetsov scores with a three punch combo!

Nucleus moves into the clinch.

Kuznetsov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nucleus does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Nucleus's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and Nucleus counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Nucleus avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nucleus paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nucleus throws a big shot that misses.
Nucleus swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice side step and Kuznetsov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuznetsov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kuznetsov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nucleus.
Nucleus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuznetsov scores with a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nucleus.
A head kick misses from Nucleus.
Kuznetsov scores with a push kick.
Kuznetsov connects with a body shot that sends Nucleus's belly button to the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Edinger Nucleus's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuznetsov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kuznetsov digs a good body shot into Nucleus's ribs.
Kuznetsov lands with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nucleus swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Nucleus moves into the clinch successfully.
Nucleus blocking some punches.
Nucleus takes a shot to the head.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Kuznetsov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nucleus misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Nucleus.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Nucleus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Ivan Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuznetsov.
Nucleus missing with knees to the body.
Nucleus wants to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nucleus.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nucleus obliges.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Nucleus has Kuznetsov pushed against the cage.
Kuznetsov throws a punch but it's blocked by Nucleus.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nucleus tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Edinger Nucleus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Nucleus using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kuznetsov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nucleus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nucleus blocking some punches.
Nucleus trying to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nucleus misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov pushes Nucleus back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nucleus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuznetsov is defending well for now.
Nucleus avoiding damage as Kuznetsov throws knees to the body.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Nucleus.
Kuznetsov lands with a right to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kuznetsov fails to land.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nucleus.
Nucleus can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
Nucleus will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to maintain a safe position but Nucleus gets an underhook and turns Kuznetsov into the cage.
Kuznetsov lands with a short shot to the head.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
A nice combination there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick that misses.
Nucleus throws a body shot but no joy.
Nucleus takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Nucleus takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Nucleus's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nucleus moves away.
Kuznetsov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kuznetsov duly obliges.
Kuznetsov connects with a high kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Nucleus. That one must have hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nucleus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kuznetsov - that will leave a mark!
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Nucleus.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nucleus. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Donk. Kuznetsov catches Nucleus right on the button with a cross.
Kuznetsov connects with a body shot that sends Nucleus's belly button to the back.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Nucleus is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.
Kuznetsov shapes to counter with a head kick.
Kuznetsov tries to land a front kick but Nucleus steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nucleus moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov misses with a body kick.
Nucleus is looking to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch.
Nucleus moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kuznetsov!
A relieved looking Ivan Kuznetsov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.