PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koh Ibu (ranked 155 p4p, 24 weight class) and Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 583 p4p, 75 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Ibu
vs
Kuznetsov

175 cm
26
162 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
170 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Dauntless

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Koh Ibu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Ibu.
Kuznetsov digs a good hook to Ibu's body.
Kuznetsov defending well as Ibu loads up on a big left hand.
Ibu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice combination. Ibu backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Koh Ibu has been cut.
Ibu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kuznetsov!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kuznetsov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kuznetsov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Ibu rushes Kuznetsov and presses him up against the cage.
Ibu lands a body shot.
Ibu throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibu misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kuznetsov presses Ibu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ibu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ibu scores with a shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibu blocking some punches.
Ibu avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the head.
Kuznetsov cracks Ibu with a nice body shot.
Kuznetsov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ibu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Ibu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibu throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Ibu.
Kuznetsov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ibu cracks Kuznetsov with a nice body shot.
Ibu can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Ibu shrugs off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov tries to break free but Ibu pushes him back against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Ibu in his tracks for a moment.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ibu blocks an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Ibu as the two fighters clinch.
Ibu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Ibu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Ibu tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ibu lands a shot to the body.
Ibu blocking some punches.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ibu scores with a body shot.
Ibu moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Ibu is out of range.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Ibu.
Kuznetsov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Ibu. That snapped Kuznetsov's head back.
Ibu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ibu lands the left hand.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ibu misses with a body shot.
Ibu moves out of range of the strikes.
Ibu cracks the inside of Kuznetsov's front leg.
Ibu throws a body shot but no joy.
Ibu swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Ibu. Beautiful body shot.
Ibu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kuznetsov.

Koh Ibu's cut is getting worse.
Kuznetsov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
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!
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ibu has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kuznetsov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ibu misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibu prevents a body shot from Kuznetsov.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ibu.
Ibu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ibu tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibu.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ibu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kuznetsov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ibu backwards.
Ibu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuznetsov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short right from Ibu.
Kuznetsov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ibu backwards.
Ibu working aggressively here.
Ibu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov tries to throw a body punch but Ibu avoids it by throwing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikolai Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Koh Ibu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kuznetsov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ibu.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ibu takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ibu counters with a body kick that stops Kuznetsov in his tracks momentarily.
Ibu moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Ibu misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ibu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuznetsov's hands.
Koh Ibu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Ibu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuznetsov doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibu moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Ibu half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ibu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
As Kuznetsov backs away, Ibu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuznetsov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ibu checks it well.
Ibu jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Ibu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ibu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ibu scores with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Ibu.
Kuznetsov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Ibu closes the distance and clinches.
Ibu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ibu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Ibu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov works on Ibu's body with a couple of short punches.
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
Ibu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ibu 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 tries to work over Ibu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibu.
Kuznetsov scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov tries to throw a body punch but Ibu avoids it by throwing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Ibu.
Ibu scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibu tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Ibu throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ibu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koh Ibu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kuznetsov tries to throw a body punch but Ibu avoids it by throwing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ibu.
Ibu lands a shoulder strike.
Kuznetsov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands a left hand.
Ibu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kuznetsov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Ibu in his tracks for a moment.
Ibu tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Ibu.
Ibu misses with the head strike.
Ibu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Ibu working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibu.
A shot in the inside from Ibu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibu tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Ibu back against the cage.
Ibu digs a right hand underneath Kuznetsov's ribcage. Kuznetsov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuznetsov is trying to break the clinch but Ibu has him pressed against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Ibu.
Ibu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Ibu struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ibu.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Ibu.
Ibu throws a head punch that misses.
Ibu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kuznetsov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Ibu gets through Kuznetsov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Kuznetsov - that landed with a thud.
Kuznetsov working aggressively here.
Ibu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kuznetsov digs a right hand into Ibu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ibu's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Ibu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov working aggressively here.
Ibu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ibu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kuznetsov is breathing heavily.
Ibu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kuznetsov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibu's elbow.
Ibu misses with some punches.
Still in the clinch, Ibu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuznetsov is still on wobbly legs! Can Ibu finish him?
Ibu is leaning against Kuznetsov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ibu digs a right hand underneath Kuznetsov's ribcage. Kuznetsov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ibu digs a right hand into Kuznetsov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuznetsov's gas tank.
Ibu lands a left hand.
A hook to the body from Ibu.
Ibu cracks Kuznetsov with a nice body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice left hand lands by Ibu.
Ibu creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Kuznetsov with a big uppercut! Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Ibu pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Kuznetsov to the mat! Kuznetsov covers up and Ibu unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Koh Ibu!
Koh Ibu retains his lightweight title!
In his post fight interview, Koh Ibu started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.