PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roger Cantor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cantor
vs
Kuznetsov

175 cm
33
165 lbs
22 - 18 - 0

182 cm
31
170 lbs
17 - 15 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

MayheM sportswear

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 22 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roger Cantor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cantor misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Cantor.
Cantor misses with a hook
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cantor slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Cantor is landing a low percentage of strikes.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cantor crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuznetsov - the referee stops the clock and Cantor gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuznetsov. Cantor manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cantor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cantor misses with an uppercut.
Cantor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A combination from Cantor does no damage.

Kuznetsov clinches up against the cage.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stalling in the clinch from Kuznetsov.

Cantor manages to pull guard.
Kuznetsov wants to get up but he can't break Cantor's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov won't allow Cantor to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to get up but he can't break Cantor's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kuznetsov preventing the sweep.
Kuznetsov tries to stand but Cantor is controlling from the bottom.
Cantor trying to control the position.
Cantor has a closed guard, preventing Kuznetsov from standing up.
Cantor looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Cantor lands with a cross.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Cantor moves away and avoids it.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cantor takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantor jumps guard but Kuznetsov stands there with Cantor around his waist. Cantor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Cantor blocks it.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kuznetsov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cantor blocks the elbow strike.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Cantor misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Cantor strikes.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Cantor strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cantor under the eye.
Cantor lands a jab to the nose.
Cantor avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a spinning back kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cantor.
Cantor drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls and moves away.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but Cantor moves out of range.
Cantor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Cantor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov throws a front kick aimed at Cantor's knee but Cantor avoids it well.
Kuznetsov moves in looking to clinch but Cantor pushes him off.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick which misses Cantor's front leg but catches the back leg as Cantor tries to avoid it.
Cantor jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Cantor tries to keep at a distance but Kuznetsov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Cantor was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cantor throws an off balance right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice shot by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cantor's sensitive parts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cantor is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kuznetsov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Cantor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cantor lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
A jab from Cantor misses.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Cantor half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cantor throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Cantor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cantor moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cantor.
Cantor misses with a left hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice uppercut.
Cantor is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandr Kuznetsov 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.

Cantor looks to throw the jab but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Cantor misses with a hook
and Kuznetsov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That kick from Kuznetsov tenderised Cantor's leg. Cantor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov connects with a leg kick. Cantor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cantor blocks a head kick by Kuznetsov.
Cantor looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Cantor on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cantor throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Cantor 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 staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Cantor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cantor throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Cantor throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cantor connects with a right hand. Kuznetsov shakes it off.
Cantor misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cantor throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Cantor throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Cantor.
Nice defenses there by Cantor.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.

Kuznetsov moves into range and clinches up with Cantor.
Kuznetsov lands with a right to the head.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Cantor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov scores with a knee to the head.
Kuznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cantor prevents a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow.
Cantor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Cantor blocks with his arms.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Cantor throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov moves in looking to clinch but Cantor pushes him off.
Cantor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cantor on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cantor takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cantor connects with a right hand. Kuznetsov shakes it off.
Cantor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cantor loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Cantor ducked under it nicely.
Cantor misses with a straight left.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Cantor strikes.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Cantor.
Kuznetsov defending well as Cantor loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov throws a front kick that sends Cantor stumbling back into the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
letting Cantor counter with a right hand.
Cantor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cantor stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cantor.
Cantor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuznetsov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A jab from Cantor misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuznetsov stalling.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kuznetsov.
Cantor blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cantor backwards.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cantor.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cantor stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov catches Cantor with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nice body kick from Kuznetsov.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznetsov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznetsov.
Cantor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Cantor is having none of it.
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.
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. This is the final round!

Kuznetsov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Cantor works over Kuznetsov's head and body with a nice combination.
Cantor listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cantor.
Cantor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A jab from Cantor misses.
A slow jab from Cantor misses its intended target.
Cantor tries to bum rush Kuznetsov with a series of wild strikes but Kuznetsov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cantor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov cracks a nice hook into Cantor's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A swing and a miss from Cantor.
Cantor is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Cantor's body.
Kuznetsov throws a sloppy head kick and Cantor moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cantor if he has to take too many more of those.
Kuznetsov tries to land a front kick but Cantor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cantor takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cantor misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Cantor looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Kuznetsov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuznetsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cantor.
Kuznetsov works the jab nicely.
Cantor takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cantor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cantor misses with a straight left.
Cantor throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov connects with a looping right hand.
Cantor misses with an uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cantor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
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!
Nice cross by Cantor.
Cantor misses with a looping left.

Cantor gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.
Cantor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cantor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kuznetsov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cantor misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov leaning against his opponent.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Cantor blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantor blocks an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the head.
Alexandr Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kuznetsov stalling in the clinch.
Cantor will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kuznetsov digs a right hand underneath Cantor's ribcage. Cantor let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the body.
Cantor looking for a takedown.
Cantor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Roger Cantor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cantor is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuznetsov gets an underhook and turns Cantor into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandr Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kuznetsov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

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