PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 1005 p4p, 137 weight class) and Mat Diaz (ranked 1286 p4p, 173 weight class). Diaz has chosen I Got Five On It as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kuznetsov
vs
Diaz

178 cm
28
178 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

180 cm
34
184 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mat Diaz!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Diaz throws a right and a left that Kuznetsov avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Diaz connects with a single shot there.
Diaz just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov moves forwards but Diaz connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Diaz.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Diaz missing with a left hand there. Kuznetsov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Diaz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Diaz looking to finish with strikes here!
Diaz lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Diaz content just to control the position here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Diaz working his ground and pound in the gym.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kuznetsov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
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.
Diaz working Kuznetsov over with strikes here.
Diaz drops a big elbow. That's hurt Kuznetsov! More shots from Diaz and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mat Diaz!
Our winner, Mat Diaz, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.