PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anatoli Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anatoli Kuznetsov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kuznetsov
vs
Li

165 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

150 cm
18
139 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anatoli Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Li!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Li should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Li tries to clinch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Li.
Li swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is looking to clinch.
Li doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Li has eaten all the pies!

Li shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Li was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Li tries to score with some ground and pound. Kuznetsov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Li slows the pace down.

Li stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him off.
Kuznetsov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Kuznetsov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kuznetsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.
Kuznetsov has Li pulled in close to control his posture.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Li controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.
Li wants to stand and escape but instead Kuznetsov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Li is looking for a triangle but Kuznetsov pushes his legs off easily.
Kuznetsov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Li has control of Kuznetsov's left arm, preventing Kuznetsov from doing any damage.
Let's hope that Li has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kuznetsov won't allow Li to sweep him here.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Li working for a triangle but Kuznetsov defends it easily.
Li controlling Kuznetsov's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Li misses with a series of wild punches.

Li closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetsov quickly recovers to half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kuznetsov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Li there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Li stands up from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Li dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuznetsov connects with an inside leg kick.

Kuznetsov tries to sprawl but Li drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Kuznetsov has one foot on Li's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Li closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Kuznetsov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li lands a nice looking body shot.
No luck for Kuznetsov with that takedown attempt.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Li drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Kuznetsov pushes Li off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznetsov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kuznetsov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Li controls the pace.
Li is working Kuznetsov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Li is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li stands and steps away. Kuznetsov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Li closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kuznetsov to the mat! Kuznetsov manages to get full guard.

Kuznetsov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to break free.
Li is trying to force a seperation but Kuznetsov has the dominant position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Li gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Li seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Li scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Li scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kuznetsov has hold of Li's hands but Li slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Li is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nice strikes from Li there.

Li 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.
Li really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuznetsov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Li content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
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 Anatoli Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Li swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Li.
Kuznetsov is trying to control Li's posture but Li avoids it.
Li tries to advance to mount but can't.

Li has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Anatoli Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Li sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Li closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuznetsov did well to prevent Li getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Li connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Kuznetsov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Li to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Kuznetsov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Li drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Li goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kuznetsov prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov jumps guard and drags Li to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Li is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kuznetsov has a closed guard, preventing Li from standing up.
Li sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Li gets to his feet. Kuznetsov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov darts in looking for a takedown but Li gets double underhooks and turns Kuznetsov into the cage.

Li has Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuznetsov is looking to control Li's arms but Li gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kuznetsov has his back to the cage.
Li tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Anatoli Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Li.
Kuznetsov wants a takedown but no success here.
Li has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kuznetsov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Li tries to pull guard but Kuznetsov holds him up against the cage and eventually Li drops back down to his feet.
Kuznetsov slows down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to pull guard but Li won't allow it.

Li has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kuznetsov regains guard immediately.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Li sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Li really 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.

Kuznetsov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Li fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kuznetsov to the ground. Li is now in Kuznetsov's guard.
Li trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Li is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov has a closed guard, preventing Li from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li forces his way into half guard.

Li decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Li is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Li is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.

Li shoots in and gets a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuznetsov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Li is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Li wants to pass the guard but Kuznetsov is keeping the position.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Li shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Li seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Li's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Mike Li has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kuznetsov working for a triangle but Li defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li connects with a couple of short punches.
Li content to stall in guard here.
Li makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Li engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Li makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Li dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuznetsov throws a front kick aimed at Li's knee but Li avoids it well.

Li throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kuznetsov was covering up waiting for the punch and Li finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Li scoring with some ground and pound.
Li wants to stand and escape but instead Kuznetsov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Li pulls Kuznetsov in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov won't allow Li to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li keeps trying to improve his position.
Kuznetsov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Li pulls Kuznetsov in to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Li can do anything to dispel that myth.

Li has his foot on Kuznetsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznetsov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Li had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuznetsov defends it easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kuznetsov stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Kuznetsov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Li is proving hard to escape from.

Kuznetsov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kuznetsov has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.
Li throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Li changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kuznetsov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Li is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Li's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Li takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Li is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Li content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kuznetsov has hold of Li's hands but Li slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Li seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Li comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Li 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Li!