PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 805 p4p, 103 weight class) and Marat Magomedov (ranked 837 p4p, 112 weight class). Magomedov has chosen Evangelion OST - Fate as his entrance music. 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.

Kuznetsov
vs
Magomedov

178 cm
23
170 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

178 cm
25
160 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Dauntless

Red Light Coffeeshop
Dauntless

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Marat Magomedov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov gets tackled into the cage by Magomedov. Magomedov maintains the clinch.
Magomedov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Magomedov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kuznetsov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Magomedov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Magomedov.
Kuznetsov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kuznetsov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Magomedov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Magomedov checks it.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Magomedov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kuznetsov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Magomedov.
It appears Kuznetsov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kuznetsov cracks Magomedov with an open hand slap.
Magomedov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kuznetsov finds it's way round the side to connect with Magomedov's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Magomedov misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.

Magomedov has closed the distance and engaged Kuznetsov in a clinch.
Kuznetsov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kuznetsov lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Magomedov tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Magomedov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Magomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov working aggressively here.

Magomedov has clasped his hands together around Kuznetsov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kuznetsov is pushing Magomedov's head away, looking to escape. Magomedov manages to hold on to the position though.
Magomedov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kuznetsov to see if he's OK.
Kuznetsov tries to escape but Magomedov is in control.
Magomedov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kuznetsov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Magomedov slows the pace down.
Magomedov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kuznetsov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Magomedov asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov pushes Magomedov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Magomedov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kuznetsov is being controlled here.
Kuznetsov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kuznetsov is not content to let Magomedov control the position.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Magomedov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magomedov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kuznetsov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kuznetsov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Magomedov scores with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Magomedov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kuznetsov is trying to get back to half guard.
Magomedov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kuznetsov is trying to buck Magomedov off.
Magomedov working the head and body with strikes.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet.
Kuznetsov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Magomedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuznetsov keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kuznetsov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Magomedov is controlling him well.

Magomedov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kuznetsov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kuznetsov is pushing Magomedov's head away, looking to escape. Magomedov manages to hold on to the position though.
Magomedov trying to control the position but Kuznetsov is working away.
Magomedov lands a few punches from side control.
Kuznetsov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marat Magomedov dominated that round.
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.

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

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magomedov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
It seemed like Magomedov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Magomedov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetsov defending well as Magomedov loads up on a big left hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Magomedov throws a leg kick which misses Kuznetsov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kuznetsov tries to avoid it.
Kuznetsov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Magomedov throws out the jab.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
An inside leg kick from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Magomedov moves away and avoids it.
Magomedov misses with a straight left.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Magomedov clinches.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Magomedov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magomedov scores with a nice body kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Magomedov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuznetsov.
Magomedov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Magomedov fails to land.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Magomedov is looking to slow Kuznetsov down with leg kicks.
Magomedov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kuznetsov counters with a good low kick that Magomedov was not able to check.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Magomedov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Magomedov misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Magomedov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice jab there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands with a good body shot.
Kuznetsov tests Magomedov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Magomedov.
Magomedov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice cross by Magomedov.
Magomedov misses with a low kick.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Magomedov finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuznetsov's head.
Magomedov throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Magomedov looks for the body kick but Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Kuznetsov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kuznetsov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuznetsov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Magomedov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A solid body kick from Magomedov.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a body punch but Magomedov moves out of range.
Magomedov tries to land a leg kick but Kuznetsov saw it coming and moves away.
Kuznetsov lands with a kick to the temple. Magomedov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Magomedov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magomedov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Magomedov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Magomedov feints a jab promting Kuznetsov to slip. Magomedov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kuznetsov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Magomedov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kuznetsov as the two fighters clinch.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Magomedov throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Magomedov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov gets through Magomedov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Magomedov.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Kuznetsov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Magomedov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuznetsov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kuznetsov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov 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.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Magomedov throws a head kick that misses.
Magomedov just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKuznetsov.
Magomedov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd cheers as Magomedov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuznetsov doesn't seem phased though.
Magomedov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Magomedov was well out of range.
Magomedov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a low kick but Magomedov moves out of range easily.
Magomedov throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Magomedov walks into a stiff left hand from Kuznetsov.
Magomedov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
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 Nikolai Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kuznetsov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Magomedov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Magomedov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuznetsov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Magomedov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Magomedov avoids it well.
A leg kick checked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Magomedov.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Magomedov moves away.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Good work by Magomedov as he checks the leg kick.
Marat Magomedov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kuznetsov.
Magomedov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Magomedov throws out a powerful jab.
Magomedov misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Magomedov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Magomedov with a series of wild strikes but Magomedov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Magomedov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kuznetsov motions for Magomedov to come forward. Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov looks to land a body kick but Magomedov moved away.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Magomedov's head but Magomedov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Magomedov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kuznetsov on the side of the head.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Magomedov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Magomedov strikes.
Magomedov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuznetsov circles away quickly and effectively.
Magomedov cracks a nice hook into Kuznetsov's ribs.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Magomedov is out of range.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Magomedov misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Magomedov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Magomedov looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Magomedov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Magomedov ducked under it nicely.
Magomedov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Magomedov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuznetsov but Kuznetsov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov thumps Magomedov with a low kick.
Kuznetsov lands with a right hand.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Magomedov.
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Magomedov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Magomedov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kuznetsov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Magomedov wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Magomedov throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
Magomedov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Magomedov thuds his right hand into Kuznetsov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Magomedov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Magomedov throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Magomedov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov obviously looking to wear him down.
Magomedov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Magomedov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Magomedov.
Magomedov scoring well with a low kick there.
Magomedov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Magomedov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick
letting Magomedov counter with a right hand.
Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Magomedov.
Magomedov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kuznetsov on the side of the head.
Kuznetsov connects with a looping right hand.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuznetsov connects with a leg kick. Magomedov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Kuznetsov tried to score with a low kick but Magomedov checks it.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Magomedov moved out of range nicely.
Magomedov throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznetsov moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Magomedov.
Magomedov lands a nice looking body shot.
Magomedov goes for a double leg but Kuznetsov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kuznetsov continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Magomedov.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Magomedov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kuznetsov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Magomedov wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.

Magomedov moves into range and clinches up with Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Magomedov working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Magomedov lands a right hand.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kuznetsov is trying to force a seperation but Magomedov has the dominant position.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marat Magomedov.
I think Magomedov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marat Magomedov!
After winning the bout, Marat Magomedov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.