PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ilir Vrajoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoliy Kyznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Vrajoli
vs
Kyznetsov

185 cm
19
216 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
218 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilir Vrajoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anatoliy Kyznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kyznetsov clinches up with Vrajoli and pushes him back against the cage.

Kyznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Vrajoli has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Physical Training Sparring Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Kyznetsov walks into a jab.
Vrajoli wants to land a leg kick but Kyznetsov is out of range.
Kyznetsov dives in for a single leg takedown but Vrajoli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vrajoli is looking to counter punch.
Vrajoli misses with a series of wild punches.
As Vrajoli backs off Kyznetsov throws a huge counter combo but Vrajoli manages to avoid it all.
Kyznetsov shoots in for a takedown but Vrajoli shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kyznetsov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Vrajoli counters with a straight right hand.
Ilir Vrajoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anatoliy Kyznetsov.
Vrajoli throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Kyznetsov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kyznetsov showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kyznetsov controlling the pace.
Kyznetsov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrajoli is looking to control Kyznetsov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vrajoli avoid being mounted?
Kyznetsov working Vrajoli over with strikes.
Vrajoli wants to control but Kyznetsov is keeping busy.
Vrajoli is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Kyznetsov is controlling the pace.
Kyznetsov is thwarting Vrajoli's attempts to control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A combination from Vrajoli does no damage.

Kyznetsov forces Vrajoli back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrajoli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vrajoli displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kyznetsov up against the cage.

Kyznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vrajoli keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kyznetsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vrajoli's waist but Vrajoli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kyznetsov off to one side.

Kyznetsov gets the takedown into side control.
Kyznetsov has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrajoli looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Vrajoli is in bad spot here.
Kyznetsov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Vrajoli's body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kyznetsov keeps control of the position as Vrajoli tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoliy Kyznetsov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kyznetsov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Anatoliy Kyznetsov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kyznetsov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Kyznetsov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Vrajoli to his feet.
Ilir Vrajoli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kyznetsov dives in for a single leg takedown but Vrajoli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vrajoli was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Vrajoli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrajoli scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Vrajoli lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Vrajoli scores with a one two! Kyznetsov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kyznetsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vrajoli's waist but Vrajoli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kyznetsov off to one side.

Vrajoli gets caught napping as Kyznetsov dives in and scores a takedown. Vrajoli manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kyznetsov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Let's hope that Kyznetsov 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.
Vrajoli is looking to sweep but instead, Kyznetsov has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrajoli trying to control but Kyznetsov postures up.
Kyznetsov controlling the action here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kyznetsov tries to pass to full mount but Vrajoli defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrajoli throws a hook but Kyznetsov blocks it.
Kyznetsov dives in and grabs Vrajoli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vrajoli pushes down on Kyznetsov's head and hops out.
Ilir Vrajoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anatoliy Kyznetsov.

Kyznetsov moves into range and clinches up with Vrajoli.

Kyznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kyznetsov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vrajoli tries to avoid it but Kyznetsov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vrajoli to the ground. Vrajoli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vrajoli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kyznetsov on the side of the head.
Vrajoli looks to throw the jab but Kyznetsov is out of range.
Anatoliy Kyznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kyznetsov shoots for a takedown but Vrajoli saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kyznetsov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vrajoli swivels and escapes.

Kyznetsov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Vrajoli's half guard.
Kyznetsov prevents Vrajoli from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrajoli is trying is best to control the position here.
Kyznetsov is just content to waste time from the top position. Vrajoli takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kyznetsov pushes down on Vrajoli's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vrajoli moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vrajoli has Kyznetsov pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anatoliy Kyznetsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vrajoli throws a series of punches but Kyznetsov moves out of range.
Vrajoli throws a series of punches but Kyznetsov avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Vrajoli as Kyznetsov shoots in.
Kyznetsov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vrajoli went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kyznetsov goes for a double leg but Vrajoli avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vrajoli continues to drive forward.
Ilir Vrajoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anatoliy Kyznetsov.
Vrajoli thuds a left hand into Kyznetsov's body.
Kyznetsov looks for a takedown but Vrajoli sprawls well.
Kyznetsov misses with a takedown attempt - Vrajoli sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Vrajoli as Kyznetsov shoots in.
Kyznetsov tries to clinch up but Vrajoli circles away and keeps his distance.
It looked like Vrajoli was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kyznetsov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vrajoli circles away.
Kyznetsov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vrajoli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kyznetsov on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Vrajoli. No joy for Kyznetsov on that attempt.
Nice shot by Vrajoli.
A left and a right from Vrajoli both land. Nice combination.
Vrajoli scores with a shot to the body.
Vrajoli wants to land a leg kick but Kyznetsov is out of range.
Kyznetsov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vrajoli tries to avoid it but Kyznetsov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vrajoli to the ground. Vrajoli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vrajoli seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Vrajoli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kyznetsov closes the distance and clinches up with Vrajoli, looking for a takedown. Kyznetsov pushes Vrajoli against the cage but Vrajoli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Good shot there by Vrajoli.
Ilir Vrajoli is winning the standup battle so far.
Vrajoli lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Vrajoli closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vrajoli trying to control the pace.
Vrajoli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kyznetsov can do to turn this around?
Vrajoli is looking to advance position but Kyznetsov won't allow it.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Vrajoli is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kyznetsov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kyznetsov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kyznetsov wants to improve his position but Vrajoli is controlling well.
Vrajoli trying to control from half guard but Kyznetsov is working away.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kyznetsov moves into full guard.
Vrajoli trying to control the position from guard on top but Kyznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kyznetsov wants to get back to his feet but Vrajoli is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Kyznetsov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Vrajoli is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Kyznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kyznetsov dives in for a single leg takedown but Vrajoli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kyznetsov tries for a takedown but Vrajoli circles away easily
and Vrajoli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vrajoli scores with a nice strike.
Kyznetsov ducks right into an uppercut from Vrajoli.
Kyznetsov misses with a takedown attempt
and Vrajoli counters with a nice body shot.
Vrajoli throws a shot to the body.
Vrajoli throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vrajoli moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kyznetsov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kyznetsov slips a jab and a cross from Vrajoli.
Kyznetsov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ilir Vrajoli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vrajoli lands a jab to the nose.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilir Vrajoli showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kyznetsov 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Anatoliy Kyznetsov!