PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Costa (ranked 727 p4p, 562 weight class) and Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 107 p4p, 75 weight class). 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.

Costa
vs
Kuznetsov

183 cm
28
190
14 - 11 - 0

178 cm
33
186
21 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013
Altitude Clothing

Altitude Clothing
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Santiago Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Costa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice uppercut lands for Kuznetsov. That snapped Costa's head back.
Kuznetsov digs a good body shot into Costa's ribs.
Costa throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Costa. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the body.
Costa dodges the punch combination from Kuznetsov.
Costa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Costa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Costa misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Costa scores with a punch to the head.
Costa tries to clinch there but Kuznetsov circles away.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Costa lands with a hook. Kuznetsov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Costa moved out of range.
Costa just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov scores with a head kick.
Costa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Costa blocks a low kick nicely.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Costa's shoulder, as Costa tries to avoid the shot.
Costa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kuznetsov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kuznetsov misses with a kick to the body.
Santiago Costa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Kuznetsov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Costa doesn't seem phased though.
Costa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov wants to slow Costa down by chopping away at his legs.
Costa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Costa is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costa with a jab.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Costa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Costa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuznetsov connects with a single shot there.
Nice shot by Costa.
Costa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Costa lands with a nice body punch.
Good work by Costa as he checks the leg kick.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Costa.
Costa throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Costa misses the target.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Costa manages to avoid it.
Costa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Costa takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Costa moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Costa was well out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Costa blocks it.

Costa drives through with a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa stands and throws Kuznetsov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kuznetsov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Costa cracks Kuznetsov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Costa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Costa.
Costa misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Costa saw that one coming.
Costa misses with an uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice body shot.
Costa throws a big shot that misses.
Costa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kuznetsov momentarily.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Costa's shoulder, as Costa tries to avoid the shot.
Costa is looking to wear down Kuznetsov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kuznetsov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A shot to the liver by Costa. Beautiful body shot.
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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A decent looking cross lands there for Kuznetsov.
Costa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Costa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Costa misses with a body shot.
Costa misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov looks to land a body kick but Costa moved away.
Costa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Costa thinking.
Costa throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Costa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Costa.
Kuznetsov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Costa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Costa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Costa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov stalks Costa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Costa's face. Costa staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Costa swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Costa. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Costa misses the shot to the body.
Kuznetsov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kuznetsov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Costa.
Costa looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Costa checks the leg kick nicely there.
Costa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Costa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kuznetsov can pounce on him.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costa.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Costa's shoulder, as Costa tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Costa.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Costa ducks down to avoid it.

Costa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kuznetsov!
Costa prevents Kuznetsov from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Costa politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Costa prefers to stall for the moment though.
Kuznetsov is trying to buck Costa off.
Costa is staying tight to Kuznetsov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Kuznetsov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Costa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Costa.
Kuznetsov is looking for the big counter here.
Costa ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Costa misses with a body shot.
Costa misses with a jab to the body
and Kuznetsov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
A cross from Costa lands.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Costa.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Costa clobbers Kuznetsov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Costa manages to avoid it.
Costa throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
Costa lands a nice shot to the body.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Costa throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws out a counter right but Costa avoids it with no problem.
It looks like Costa has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Costa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Costa with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kuznetsov to score with a decent uppercut.
Costa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov lands a slapping body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Costa throws a nice looking combination but Kuznetsov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Costa.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Costa with a series of wild strikes but Costa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Costa, as that shot connected.
Donk. Costa catches Kuznetsov right on the button with a cross.
Costa swings widly with a right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Costa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A cross from Costa lands.
Costa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
No joy there for Costa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Some wild striking there from Kuznetsov.
Costa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick

so Costa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kuznetsov is wriggling around but Costa manages to pass to half guard.

Costa is looking to advance position but Kuznetsov won't allow it.
Costa stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet.
Costa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Kuznetsov kicks off Costa and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov lands with a right hand.
Kuznetsov throws a body punch but Costa moves out of range.
Kuznetsov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Costa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Costa. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kuznetsov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Costa has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Costa and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kuznetsov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Costa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Costa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Costa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Costa.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Costa just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Kuznetsov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Costa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Costa clobbers Kuznetsov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Costa staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Costa fails to land with a series of punches.
Costa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Costa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznetsov as he connects with a hook.
That kick from Kuznetsov tenderised Costa's leg. Costa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kuznetsov is looking to chop away at Costa's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kuznetsov! But no joy.
Costa has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kuznetsov.
Costa misses with a wild body shot.
Costa throws a right hand that Kuznetsov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuznetsov also avoids with ease.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa sizes up Kuznetsov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Santiago Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A low kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Nice uppercut there from Kuznetsov.
Costa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Costa throws a sloppy body shot
and Kuznetsov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Costa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Costa.
Kuznetsov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Costa at a distance.
Costa takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.
Costa slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kuznetsov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kuznetsov!
A very excited looking Nikolai Kuznetsov rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.