PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Harald Hillgrund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandr Kuznetsov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hillgrund
vs
Kuznetsov

170 cm
35
164 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

182 cm
29
170 lbs
14 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Revolution Clothing
Russian Bears Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Harald Hillgrund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hillgrund throws a lazy right hand but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Hillgrund tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kuznetsov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hillgrund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Hillgrund.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Hillgrund.
Hillgrund fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Hillgrund scores with a hook to the body.
Hillgrund misses with a body punch.
Hillgrund blocks the elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hillgrund misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hillgrund goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov lands with a light punch inside.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.
Hillgrund throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kuznetsov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
Hillgrund with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kuznetsov to score with a decent uppercut.
Hillgrund tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hillgrund.
Hillgrund scores with a three punch combo!
Kuznetsov walks into a stiff left hand from Hillgrund.
Kuznetsov leaves Hillgrund with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Hillgrund looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kuznetsov is wriggling around but Hillgrund manages to pass to half guard.

We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund controlling the action here.
Kuznetsov pushes Hillgrund off looking to stand but Hillgrund dives back in and keeps control.
Hillgrund lands strikes from half guard.

Hillgrund stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hillgrund.
Kuznetsov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

It looks like Harald Hillgrund has been cut.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the head.
Hillgrund fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuznetsov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Hillgrund takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuznetsov lunges at Hillgrund with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hillgrund's hand.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Hillgrund saw that one coming.
Hillgrund throws a big shot that misses.
A little jabbing left from Kuznetsov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Hillgrund scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kuznetsov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Kuznetsov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hillgrund tries a head kick but it misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hillgrund is defended easily by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund throws a combination that misses

and Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Hillgrund doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.

Hillgrund closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hillgrund lands in his opponent's guard.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet but Hillgrund is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hillgrund is working Kuznetsov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hillgrund passes Kuznetsov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kuznetsov has one foot on Hillgrund's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Hillgrund sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexandr Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Harald Hillgrund's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab lands there for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Hillgrund looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hillgrund swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Kuznetsov drops Hillgrund with a beautiful combination! Hillgrund stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Kuznetsov is looking for the KO!

Hillgrund is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov cracks the inside of Hillgrund's front leg.
Hillgrund misses with a body shot.
As Hillgrund backs off Kuznetsov throws a huge counter combo but Hillgrund manages to avoid it all.
Hillgrund shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov shows good takedown defense.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That kick from Kuznetsov tenderised Hillgrund's leg. Hillgrund is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Oh Hillgrund is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hillgrund tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hillgrund.
Kuznetsov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hillgrund seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hillgrund lands a nice looking body shot.
Hillgrund is looking to wear down Kuznetsov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jab from Kuznetsov.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuznetsov.
Hillgrund lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hillgrund circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
Kuznetsov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hillgrund.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Hillgrund is out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hillgrund.
Donk. Kuznetsov catches Hillgrund right on the button with a cross.

Hillgrund bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kuznetsov is looking to get back to his feet here but Hillgrund is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kuznetsov's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kuznetsov is trying to shake Hillgrund off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Hillgrund won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Harald Hillgrund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Hillgrund checks it.
Hillgrund swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hillgrund looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kuznetsov looks for the body kick but Hillgrund saw that one coming.
Hillgrund misses with a body shot.

Kuznetsov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hillgrund to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kuznetsov keeping moving, preventing Hillgrund from controlling successfully.
Hillgrund controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand back up but Hillgrund counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hillgrund is on him like a limpet, forcing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hillgrund fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hillgrund creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Harald Hillgrund's cut is getting worse.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hillgrund tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Hillgrund back against the cage.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Hillgrund takes an elbow to the temple.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow just above Hillgrund 's eye.
Hillgrund drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuznetsov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hillgrund misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hillgrund needs to keep his hands up - Kuznetsov had a free shot at his head there.

Harald Hillgrund's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Hillgrund bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hillgrund ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Hillgrund misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alexandr Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hillgrund closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Jeez, Harald Hillgrund's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Hillgrund circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hillgrund feinted there with a counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandr Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Harald Hillgrund's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hillgrund changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Hillgrund takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Hillgrund closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetsov quickly recovers to half guard.

Kuznetsov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Hillgrund keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hillgrund throws a series of punches but Kuznetsov avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov tries to counter with a clinch but Hillgrund shakes him off and moves away.
Hillgrund misses with a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to counter with a clinch but Hillgrund shakes him off and moves away.
Kuznetsov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hillgrund's head.
Hillgrund looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hillgrund shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuznetsov as he avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov blocks a head kick by Hillgrund.
Hillgrund avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands the left hand.
Hillgrund gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Kuznetsov gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Hillgrund is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexandr Kuznetsov!
Harald Hillgrund was interviewed post fight and said 'This is a setback, but I will bounce back from it. my eyes are still set on that title, I'll get there, you'll see!'.