PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 5166 p4p, 5322 weight class) and Jacob Taylor (ranked 591 p4p, 599 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kuznetsov
vs
Taylor

180 cm
19
195
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacob Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Taylor fails to land the takedown.
Taylor tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuznetsov jabs Taylor right on the nose. Taylor blinks but takes it well.
Kuznetsov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Taylor fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kuznetsov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Taylor slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov with a jab.
Kuznetsov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taylor changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Taylor tries to move into range but Kuznetsov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov lands with a cross.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand

and Taylor counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Kuznetsov pushes Taylor off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Taylor has time to react.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Taylor ducked under it nicely.
Kuznetsov with a nice cross.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Despite the aggression on Taylor's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Taylor walks into a jab.
Kuznetsov connects with a crisp jab.
Kuznetsov with a nice cross.
Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Taylor shapes to counter with a head kick.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Alexander Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Taylor.

Taylor closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetsov quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Taylor is trying to work for a kimura but Kuznetsov is defending well.
Kuznetsov tries to kick Taylor off but Taylor keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taylor is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kuznetsov sees it coming and defends easily.
Kuznetsov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taylor on the ground.

Taylor is working for a kimura but Kuznetsov is defending it quite comfortably.
Taylor tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kuznetsov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kuznetsov is refusing to be controlled, as Taylor sits in half guard.
Kuznetsov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov regains full guard. Nicely done.

Taylor is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Taylor throws a big elbow that misses.
Taylor controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kuznetsov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taylor gets to his feet. Kuznetsov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nice defenses there by Taylor.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taylor shoots in but no luck this time.
Kuznetsov lands a nice hook to Taylor's body. Taylor takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuznetsov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kuznetsov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuznetsov wants it to stay on the feet.

Taylor shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuznetsov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Taylor is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Kuznetsov looks calm but he's in trouble here. Taylor gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Kuznetsov is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Taylor lets go of the hold and Kuznetsov can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jacob Taylor!