PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Kuznetcov (ranked 734 p4p, 76 weight class) and Paul OConnell (ranked 1659 p4p, 161 weight class). Paul OConnell told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kuznetcov
vs
OConnell

190 cm
28
287 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

209 cm
37
285 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Kuznetcov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul OConnell!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetcov misses with a takedown attempt
letting OConnell counter with a right hand.
Kuznetcov throws a shot from downtown. OConnell moves away and avoids it.
OConnell connects with a crisp jab.
Kuznetcov walks into a straight right hand from OConnell.
We've been informed that OConnell 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.
Kuznetcov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
OConnell slips a straight right by Kuznetcov.
OConnell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetcov tries to counter with a takedown but OConnell is quick to defend against it.
OConnell plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
OConnell throws a combination that misses
and Kuznetcov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuznetcov slips a straight right by OConnell.
OConnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
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 body punch from OConnell.
OConnell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

OConnell lands a big head kick that sends Kuznetcov tumbling to the mat! OConnell takes a step backwards and waves Kuznetcov back to his feet - he wants the finish!
OConnell cracks Kuznetcov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Kuznetcov is rocked!
OConnell scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by OConnell.
Oh Kuznetcov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
OConnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetcov seems to have got his legs back now.
We've been hearing reports that Kuznetcov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
OConnell is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
OConnell swings for the body but Kuznetcov moves out of range.
OConnell misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetcov.
OConnell throws out a loose jab but Kuznetcov uses good head movement to avoid it.
OConnell moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
OConnell walks into a straight right hand from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov throws a hook to the side of OConnell's head but OConnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
OConnell keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kuznetcov throws a jab but it's blocked by OConnell.
OConnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetcov moves away.
Kuznetcov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
OConnell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kuznetcov ducks under a wild hook from OConnell.
OConnell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuznetcov's hands.
OConnell scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetcov throws a lazy right hand but OConnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetcov takes a swing at OConnell's ribcage but misses.
OConnell is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kuznetcov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
OConnell slips under a jab from Kuznetcov.
OConnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetcov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuznetcov fails with an attempt to clinch.
OConnell with a nice cross.
OConnell misses with a wild combination.
OConnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetcov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
OConnell throws a body shot but no joy.
OConnell has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kuznetcov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kuznetcov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits OConnells jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A big right from OConnell misses.
Kuznetcov takes a swing at OConnell's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell misses with a head kick.
Kuznetcov avoids a punch combination nicely.
OConnell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kuznetcov moves out of range of the strikes.
OConnell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuznetcov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Paul OConnell has been cut.
Kuznetcov moves out of range as OConnell strikes.
Kuznetcov staying out of range there.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Kuznetcov and OConnell goes tumbling to the canvas! Kuznetcov follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.

OConnell is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetcov lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked OConnell! More strikes land and this one is all over! Kuznetcov jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andrey Kuznetcov!
In his post fight interview, Andrey Kuznetcov started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.