PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ruslam Kuznetsov (ranked 4456 p4p, 526 weight class) and Esteban Mondragon (ranked 5771 p4p, 595 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kuznetsov
vs
Mondragon

177 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslam Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Esteban Mondragon!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Roberts and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kuznetsov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kuznetsov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mondragon sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mondragon can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kuznetsov cracks Mondragon with a big right hand but Mondragon just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Mondragon sneaks back into half guard.
Mondragon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuznetsov.
Mondragon works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kuznetsov connects with a couple of short punches.

Mondragon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuznetsov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuznetsov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses. Mondragon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetsov's guard. Nice move by Mondragon!

Kuznetsov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mondragon wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mondragon is one step ahead there.
Mondragon tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuznetsov is retaining full guard.
Kuznetsov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mondragon wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.
Mondragon looking to pass the guard.
Kuznetsov working a defensive guard here.
Kuznetsov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mondragon on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Mondragon controlling him for the moment.

Mondragon drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuznetsov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuznetsov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuznetsov!

Mondragon holding on.
You can see the frustration on Mondragon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kuznetsov throws a strike aimed at the side of Mondragon's head but Mondragon avoids it well.
Kuznetsov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mondragon is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Mondragon sneaks back into half guard.
Mondragon slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslam Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuznetsov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 10:9
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 10:9
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslam Kuznetsov!