PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrey Koreshkov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kuznetsov
vs
Koreshkov

178 cm
20
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yuri Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrey Koreshkov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koreshkov with a poor takedown

and Kuznetsov counters by moving into the clinch.
Kuznetsov crunches a lovely knee into Koreshkov's ribcage.

Kuznetsov pulls Koreshkov into guard.
Kuznetsov is controlling Koreshkov's posture.
Kuznetsov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kuznetsov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Koreshkov 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov continues to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koreshkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kuznetsov is looking for a triangle here but Koreshkov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kuznetsov is trying to control Koreshkov's posture but Koreshkov avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kuznetsov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koreshkov wants to get back to full guard.
Kuznetsov stops Koreshkov from getting back to his feet.
Kuznetsov not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov wants to get back to full guard.

Kuznetsov stands up and beckons Koreshkov to join him on the feet.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Koreshkov up against the cage.

Kuznetsov pulls guard.

Kuznetsov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koreshkov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koreshkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koreshkov is fighting to break Kuznetsov's control of his arms but Kuznetsov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Koreshkov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Kuznetsov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kuznetsov walks into a jab.

Kuznetsov has Koreshkov up against the cage in a clinch.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Koreshkov scores with a jab to the jaw.

Kuznetsov gets the takedown into side control.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position but Koreshkov is working away.
Koreshkov wants to get back to his feet but Kuznetsov is dominant here and he's now got Koreshkov's back!
Koreshkov tries to break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Koreshkov is trying to shake Kuznetsov off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Kuznetsov won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Koreshkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuznetsov with a hook.
Koreshkov avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.

Koreshkov dives in and scores a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.
Kuznetsov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.

Kuznetsov pushes Koreshkov off and scrambles back to his feet.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuznetsov lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov wants to improve his position but instead Kuznetsov has moved into half guard.

Kuznetsov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Kuznetsov forces Koreshkov back against the cage and clinches.

Kuznetsov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kuznetsov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Koreshkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuznetsov dives on top into guard.

Koreshkov has his feet on Kuznetsov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Koreshkov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Koreshkov is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov advances to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koreshkov wants to get back to his feet.
Koreshkov tries to roll over but Kuznetsov keeps him under control.
Koreshkov wants to get back to full guard but Kuznetsov has passed into side control.

Kuznetsov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Koreshkov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Kuznetsov dominated that second 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kuznetsov throws a front kick that sends Koreshkov stumbling back into the cage.
Kuznetsov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Koreshkov moves into the clinch.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Koreshkov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Koreshkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov sets himself, and Koreshkov steps forward looking for the clinch! Kuznetsov avoids it this time.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Koreshkov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Koreshkov.
Koreshkov wants to sweep here but Kuznetsov controlling him for the moment.
Koreshkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov is standing up over Koreshkov. Koreshkov looks to escape but Kuznetsov dives into side control.
Koreshkov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kuznetsov is controlling him well.
Kuznetsov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koreshkov keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Koreshkov wants to counter with a clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him away.
Andrey Koreshkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.

Kuznetsov tightens his grip and picks Koreshkov up, before dumping him to the ground. Koreshkov manages to land in guard.

Koreshkov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kuznetsov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Koreshkov, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov is trying to break free.
Kuznetsov prevents Koreshkov from breaking the clinch.
Koreshkov struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kuznetsov rushes Koreshkov and presses him up against the cage.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koreshkov can do to turn this around?

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov scores with a head kick. Koreshkov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Andrey Koreshkov has been cut.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Kuznetsov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kuznetsov showed some decent athleticism there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov landing small, sideways elbows.
Koreshkov wants to get back to his feet.

Kuznetsov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Koreshkov landing rabbit punches to the side of Kuznetsov's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.

Koreshkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuznetsov pulls his head out easily.
Yuri Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Koreshkov strikes from the bottom but Kuznetsov passes into mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuznetsov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

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