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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 2852 p4p, 3139 weight class) and Furio Spartan (ranked 362 p4p, 385 weight class). Spartan has chosen This is Sparta as his entrance music. The key to victory for Nikolai Kuznetsov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.
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| 178 cm
35
186
22 - 19 - 0 |
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187 cm
39
194
22 - 16 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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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 22 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Furio Spartan!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Seu Braga.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov lands a high kick!
Kuznetsov misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Spartan to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Spartan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Spartan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Spartan 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 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.
Spartan's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Spartan wants to control but Kuznetsov is keeping him busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan decides to stand back up. Spartan steps back and let's Kuznetsov get back to his feet.
Spartan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Spartan dives into side control.
Spartan is looking to take a break and control but Kuznetsov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kuznetsov is letting Spartan control him for a moment.
Spartan stands up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuznetsov sprawls well initially but Spartan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kuznetsov has one foot on Spartan's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Spartan looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kuznetsov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Spartan misses with a head kick.
Kuznetsov throws a low kick but Spartan moves out of range easily.
Spartan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuznetsov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Spartan looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Spartan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spartan dives in and grabs Kuznetsov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov pushes down on Spartan's head and hops out.
Spartan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kuznetsov's waist but Kuznetsov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spartan off to one side.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Spartan drives through with a takedown into guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Spartan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov scores with a shot to the body.
Spartan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Spartan throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Spartan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Spartan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Spartan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Spartan looks to land a combination. Kuznetsov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Spartan throws a head kick that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spartan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.
Spartan darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kuznetsov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Spartan is on him like a limpet, forcing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Spartan.
Spartan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuznetsov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Spartan rushes Kuznetsov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Spartan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Spartan prevents Kuznetsov from breaking the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov connects with a looping right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Kuznetsov wants to slow Spartan down by chopping away at his legs.
Spartan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuznetsov but Kuznetsov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spartan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov defends it nicely.
Spartan shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Spartan showed some decent athleticism there.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand back up but Spartan is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spartan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Spartan trying to control the pace.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov pushes Spartan off and gets back to his feet.
Spartan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spartan can do to turn this around?
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Spartan.
Kuznetsov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Spartan shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.
Spartan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it really well and circles away.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Spartan avoids the punch easily.
Nikolai Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spartan moves out of range of the body kick from Kuznetsov.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spartan is defended easily by Kuznetsov.
Spartan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spartan clinches with his opponent.
Spartan missing with knees to the body.
Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
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!
Spartan moves forwards but Kuznetsov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A left and a right from Kuznetsov both land. Nice combination.
Spartan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kuznetsov lands with a hook. Spartan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut
and Spartan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Spartan misses with a body shot.
Spartan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Spartan misses with a takedown attempt - Kuznetsov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Spartan pushes Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Spartan looking to throw knees to the head but Kuznetsov is blocking nicely.
Kuznetsov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Spartan closes the distance and clinches up with Kuznetsov, looking for a takedown. Spartan pushes Kuznetsov against the cage but Kuznetsov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Spartan tries to clinch
and Kuznetsov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Spartan shoots for a double leg takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls well. He's pushed Spartan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Spartan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Spartan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov thuds his right hand into Spartan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Spartan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Spartan moves into range and clinches up with Kuznetsov.
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!
A hook to the body from Spartan.
Spartan prevents Kuznetsov from breaking the clinch.
Spartan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Spartan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spartan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Spartan lands in his opponent's guard.
Kuznetsov wriggles free and stands up.
A lazy left from Kuznetsov finds it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Spartan staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spartan.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Spartan throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Spartan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kuznetsov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kuznetsov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov manages to stand up with Spartan still on his back. Eventually Spartan drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Spartan.
Spartan scores with a body shot.
Spartan is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.
Spartan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spartan.
Spartan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Spartan.
Spartan tries to move to mount but Kuznetsov blocks the move with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartan trying to control the position but Kuznetsov is working away.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet but Spartan drags him back down.
Kuznetsov being controlled for a moment.
Spartan wants to control but Kuznetsov is keeping him busy.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild body shot.
Furio Spartan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Spartan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spartan throws a counter combo.
Kuznetsov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuznetsov wants it to stay on the feet.
Spartan blocks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spartan 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.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Furio Spartan.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Spartan moved out of range.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Spartan throws out a counter right but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Spartan darts in trying to clinch
and Kuznetsov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuznetsov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Spartan's body.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spartan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Spartan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Spartan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Spartan moves out of range as Kuznetsov throws a body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spartan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Spartan is looking to advance position but Kuznetsov won't allow it.
Spartan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuznetsov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kuznetsov!
Nikolai Kuznetsov opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
63% |
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