PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Kuznetcov (ranked 232 p4p, 25 weight class) and Iosefa Umaga (ranked 155 p4p, 18 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Umaga's choice of entrance music: Ky-Mani Marley - Warriors. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Iosefa Umaga enters the cage!

Kuznetcov
vs
Umaga

190 cm
25
287 lbs
13 - 1 - 0

191 cm
25
244 lbs
11 - 1 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Kuznetcov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Iosefa Umaga!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetcov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuznetcov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Umaga displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetcov throws out the jab.
Kuznetcov moves away from the strike by Umaga.

Kuznetcov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetcov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kuznetcov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Umaga has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Umaga's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetcov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov looking to pass the guard.
Kuznetcov throwing strikes from guard but Umaga blocks nicely.
Kuznetcov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuznetcov advances to half guard.
Kuznetcov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kuznetcov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kuznetcov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Umaga's head.
Umaga tries to get to full guard but Kuznetcov has control of the leg.
Umaga trying to control but Kuznetcov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Umaga is doing well to control the position and prevent Kuznetcov from advancing to side control.
Umaga has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Umaga keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Umaga is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kuznetcov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kuznetcov with the ground and pound but Umaga uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kuznetcov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Umaga has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuznetcov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuznetcov is looking to work some ground and pound but Umaga has wrist control.
Kuznetcov scoring with some ground and pound.
Kuznetcov stopping the sweep attempt from Umaga.
Kuznetcov trying to control but Umaga is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuznetcov throws an elbow that misses. Umaga uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetcov's guard. Nice move by Umaga!

Kuznetcov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umaga looking to pass the guard.
Kuznetcov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kuznetcov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuznetcov pulls Umaga in close to prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Kuznetcov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice defenses there by Umaga.
The fighters circling - Kuznetcov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Umaga throws a nice head kick!
Kuznetcov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Donk. Umaga catches Kuznetcov right on the button with a cross.
Umaga shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Umaga lands a nice shot that snaps Kuznetcov's head back.
A combination from Kuznetcov does no damage.
Umaga attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetcov tries to counter with a takedown but Umaga is quick to defend against it.
Umaga has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Umaga there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kuznetcov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A slow jab from Umaga misses its intended target.
Umaga tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuznetcov is able to avoid easily.
Umaga fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kuznetcov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetcov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Umaga.
Kuznetcov with a nice cross.
Andrey Kuznetcov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A jab from Umaga misses.
Umaga fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kuznetcov.
Umaga lands a nice shot that snaps Kuznetcov's head back.

Kuznetcov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Umaga manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Umaga keeping moving, preventing Kuznetcov from controlling successfully.
Kuznetcov content to stall in guard here.
Umaga wants to sweep but no luck.
Andrey Kuznetcov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov trying to control the position from guard on top but Umaga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznetcov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Umaga preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuznetcov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kuznetcov postures up in Umaga's guard and throws a big left but Umaga blocks it.
Kuznetcov throws an elbow that misses. Umaga uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetcov's guard. Nice move by Umaga!

Kuznetcov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kuznetcov is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetcov wants to sweep here but Umaga controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umaga engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kuznetcov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Umaga is one step ahead there.
Kuznetcov keeping full guard, as Umaga tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuznetcov controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A big right from Kuznetcov misses.
Umaga scores with a nice right hand.
Umaga throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznetcov moves out of range easily.
Kuznetcov is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetcov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Umaga on the side of the head.
Umaga fakes the leg kick and cracks Kuznetcov in the body.
Umaga throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuznetcov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Umaga turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Umaga lands a nice shot that snaps Kuznetcov's head back.
Umaga takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kuznetcov avoids the body shot from Umaga.
Umaga takes a swing at Kuznetcov's ribcage but misses.
Umaga slips a straight right by Kuznetcov.
Umaga was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iosefa Umaga 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.

Nice takedown defense from Umaga. No joy for Kuznetcov on that attempt.
Umaga looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetcov is just out of range.
Umaga walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Umaga looks to land a body kick but Kuznetcov moved away.
Umaga throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kuznetcov slips a jab from Umaga.
Kuznetcov tries to counter with a takedown but Umaga is quick to defend against it.
Umaga keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Umaga let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Kuznetcov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Umaga was covering up waiting for the punch and Kuznetcov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Umaga pulls Kuznetcov in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetcov works over Umaga with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov wants to control from the top but Umaga keeps moving.
Kuznetcov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Umaga avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznetcov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuznetcov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Umaga works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuznetcov trying to control but Umaga is working from the bottom.
Kuznetcov preventing the sweep.
Umaga is looking to sweep but instead, Kuznetcov has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kuznetcov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kuznetcov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kuznetcov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Umaga defending well though.
Kuznetcov controlling the action here.
Umaga moves into full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Kuznetcov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kuznetcov wants to control from the top but Umaga keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov landing with the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Umaga is on top in guard.

Kuznetcov is pulling down on Umaga's head. It's preventing any offense from Umaga, at least for the moment.
Umaga is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kuznetcov keeping full guard, as Umaga tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov wants to stand up but Umaga is controlling him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kuznetcov pulls Umaga in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Umaga throws a leg kick but Kuznetcov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Umaga tries to move into range but Kuznetcov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Umaga throws out a leg kick but Kuznetcov moves out of range and Umaga only half commits.
Umaga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Kuznetcov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Kuznetcov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Umaga throws a jab when Kuznetcov was well out of range.
Kuznetcov staying out of range there.
Kuznetcov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Umaga manages to circle out of the way.
Umaga moves out of range as Kuznetcov strikes.
Umaga scores with a punch to the head.
Kuznetcov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Umaga.
Kuznetcov looks to land a right hand but Umaga moved out of range.
Umaga just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetcov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Umaga scores with the left hand. Kuznetcov knows he should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umaga fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kuznetcov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznetcov as he connects with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov throws out a loose jab but Umaga uses good head movement to avoid it.
Umaga buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umaga moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
No luck for Kuznetcov with that takedown attempt.
Umaga needs to keep his hands up - Kuznetcov had a free shot at his head there.
Umaga on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kuznetcov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Umaga can pounce on him.
Umaga changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Umaga with a nice cross.
Umaga scores with a head kick. Kuznetcov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kuznetcov throws an overhand right that lands on Umaga's shoulder, as Umaga tries to avoid the shot.
Umaga appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuznetcov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Umaga uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetcov.
A big right from Kuznetcov misses.
Kuznetcov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuznetcov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umaga fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Umaga tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetcov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kuznetcov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Umaga counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kuznetcov throws a hook but Umaga avoids it easily.
Umaga throws a front kick aimed at Kuznetcov's knee but Kuznetcov avoids it well.
Kuznetcov is looking to counter the offense by Umaga and move into the clinch.
Umaga misses with a wild body shot.
Umaga is looking to land body kicks.
Umaga throws a lazy uppercut

and Kuznetcov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Umaga!
Umaga parries the strikes from Kuznetcov easily there. Kuznetcov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Umaga to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umaga isn't going anywhere.
Umaga is looking to reverse the position.
Kuznetcov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kuznetcov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kuznetcov working away.
Kuznetcov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Umaga is avoiding damage well.
Kuznetcov working the body and head with strikes.
Umaga can't do much from the bottom here.
Kuznetcov misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umaga avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Umaga sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kuznetcov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Umaga to see if he's OK.
Umaga struggling a bit here.
Kuznetcov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kuznetcov scores with punches from side control.
Kuznetcov landing a few strikes.

Umaga is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Andrey Kuznetcov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuznetcov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kuznetcov showed some decent athleticism there.
Umaga trying to control but Kuznetcov postures up.
Kuznetcov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kuznetcov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Umaga's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umaga is staying active underneath Kuznetcov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kuznetcov controlling the pace.
Umaga wants to control but Kuznetcov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kuznetcov is pressing down on Umaga's thigh, looking to free his foot. Umaga is holding on for now.
Kuznetcov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Kuznetcov.
Umaga tries to get to full guard but Kuznetcov has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Kuznetcov.
Umaga is trying to maintain the position but Kuznetcov is very close to passing his half guard.
Umaga gets back to full guard.
Iosefa Umaga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuznetcov wants to control from the top but Umaga keeps moving.
Kuznetcov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Umaga's head.
Kuznetcov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Umaga is controlling Kuznetcov's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kuznetcov clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umaga throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetcov.
A shot in the inside from Umaga.

Umaga's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Umaga slips under a jab.
Iosefa Umaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Umaga turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuznetcov scores with a four punch combination!
Umaga throws a big shot that misses.
Umaga stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Umaga wants it to stay on the feet.
Umaga looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuznetcov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Umaga. Umaga obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuznetcov swings for the body but Umaga moves out of range.
Kuznetcov throws a right hand that misses
and Umaga counters with a right hand to the body.
Kuznetcov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Umaga's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umaga scores with a nice head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Umaga takes one to the side of the head.
A leg kick checked by Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov 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.
Kuznetcov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Umaga.
Umaga connects with a body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kuznetcov fails to land the takedown.
Kuznetcov misses with a hook to the body
and Umaga counters with a straight right hand.
Kuznetcov fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrey Kuznetcov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab by Umaga.
A swing and a miss from Umaga.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Iosefa Umaga.
I think Kuznetcov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 49:47
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Kuznetcov!
Andrey Kuznetcov retains his heavyweight title!
Andrey Kuznetcov thanked the fans post fight for their support.