PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 1307 p4p, 142 weight class) and Sam Urai (ranked 1163 p4p, 127 weight class). Urai is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sever the Wicked. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kuznetsov
vs
Urai

182 cm
34
170 lbs
22 - 18 - 3

174 cm
36
162 lbs
25 - 15 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 15 - 2, fighting out of London, Sam Urai!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Urai avoids the punch easily.
Urai appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Urai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

It looks like Alexandr Kuznetsov has been cut.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the leg kick from Urai.
A little feinted left hand from Kuznetsov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kuznetsov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kuznetsov misses with a shot to the body

and Urai counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Urai.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Urai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Sam Urai has been cut.
Urai missing with knees to the body.
Kuznetsov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Urai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Urai on the inside.
Urai takes a knee to the side of the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urai tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuznetsov avoids the damage to the body.
Urai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Urai avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Urai misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside.
Urai lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuznetsov or not.
Urai lands a nice elbow.
We've been informed that Urai has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Urai cracks Kuznetsov with a nice body shot.
Urai throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Urai.
Urai working Kuznetsov over with knees to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Urai avoids the damage to the body.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kuznetsov tries a body shot but Urai blocks it.
Urai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuznetsovs head.
Urai presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Urai taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Urai connects with a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov connects with a body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Urai takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice uppercut there from Urai.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Urai.
Urai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Urai tests Kuznetsov's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Urai blocks it.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Urai takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuznetsov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Urai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Urai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Urai's ribcage but misses.
Urai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a kick to the body
and Urai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Urai misses with a head kick.
Urai lands with a good body shot.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
Urai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Urai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Urai blocks a head kick by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks the body kick.
Good leg kick by Urai there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Urai scores with a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Urai wants to clinch.
Urai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Urai misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov tried to counter with a leg kick but Urai avoided it.
Nice body kick from Kuznetsov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Urai staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Urai moves away.
Kuznetsov defending well as Urai loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Urai's front leg with a kick but Urai checks it.
Urai appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kuznetsov is looking to wear down Urai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Urai misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Urai throws the kick towards the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sam Urai will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Urai throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Urai.
Urai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Urai was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Urai moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Urai replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kuznetsov blocks it well.
Kuznetsov throws a wild body kick that Urai sees coming a mile off.
Urai let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kuznetsov lands a high kick!
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
Urai lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut lands for Kuznetsov. That snapped Urai's head back.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Urai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznetsov as he connects with a hook.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Kuznetsov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Urai lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Urai misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Urai in his tracks for a moment.
Sam Urai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kuznetsov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Urai pushes off an throws an elbow but Kuznetsov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nice body punch from Urai.
Kuznetsov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Urai misses with an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov blocks an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Urai.
Kuznetsov scores a nice knee to the body.
Urai tries to break the clinch but Kuznetsov is controlling the position.
Urai has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kuznetsov after a bit of a struggle.
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!
Urai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kuznetsov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov crunches a lovely knee into Urai's ribcage.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Urai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Urai lands a shoulder strike.
Urai scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Urai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov avoids a wild elbow strike from Urai.
Kuznetsov crunches a lovely knee into Urai's ribcage.
Urai struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Urai scores with the left hand. Kuznetsov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the head.
Kuznetsov connects with a crisp jab.
Urai moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Urai in his tracks.
A telegraphed right hand from Urai misses the target.
Kuznetsov thinks about countering with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Urai scores with a decent looking hook.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Urai tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Urai wants to counter with a clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him away.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab to the body
and Urai counters with a nice body shot.
Urai looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
A head kick misses from Urai.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuznetsov misses the target.
Urai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuznetsov's hands.
Kuznetsov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Urai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Urai misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Urai.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kuznetsov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urai missing with a left hand there. Kuznetsov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Urai.
A jab from Urai misses.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Urai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Urai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Urai misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov throws a sloppy body shot
and Urai counters with a stiff right hand.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Urai's ribcage but misses.

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.
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 Alexandr Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Kuznetsov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kuznetsov throws a lazy uppercut
and Urai counters with a good low kick that Kuznetsov was not able to check.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Urai avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Urai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Urai.
And Urai responds with a good body kick, but Kuznetsov manages to step out the way in time.
Urai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Urai.
Urai loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.
Kuznetsov lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov moves forwards but Urai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Urai avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.
Urai misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urai misses with a combination
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice uppercut.
Urai on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Urai misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Urai throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov scores with a push kick.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Urai walks into a stiff left hand from Kuznetsov.
Urai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with the left hand. Urai knows he should have avoided that one.
Urai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Urai moves away
and Urai counters with a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Urai scores with a nice head shot.
Urai takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Urai.
Urai keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Urai! But no joy.
Urai lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Kuznetsov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Urai wants to land a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Kuznetsov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.

Urai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Urai tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Urai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuznetsov avoids it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Urai's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Kuznetsov controlling the action here for a moment.
Kuznetsov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kuznetsov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Urai is keeping busy.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Urai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Urai trying to land knees to the body.
Urai tries to score a body lock takedown but Kuznetsov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Urai stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Urai looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Urai takes an elbow to the temple.
Urai looking to throw knees to the head but Kuznetsov is blocking nicely.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Urai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Urai throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov lands a nice shot to the body.
Urai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Urai's face.
Urai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuznetsov avoids it.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A chopping leg kick lands by Urai.
Alexandr Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Urai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Urai, right into the meat.
Urai is looking to slow Kuznetsov down with leg kicks.
Kuznetsov jabs Urai right on the nose. Urai blinks but takes it well.
Kuznetsov works Urai's body with a nice hook.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab to the body
and Urai counters with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alexandr Kuznetsov.
I think Kuznetsov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!