PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between African King (ranked 3816 p4p, 2296 weight class) and Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 494 p4p, 322 weight class). African King has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

King
vs
Kuznetsov

180 cm
25
199
5 - 9 - 0

178 cm
39
186
26 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, African King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 23 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and King is able to avoid easily.
King tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.
King looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
King looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuznetsov sizes up King with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
King misses with a head kick.
King throws a head kick that misses.
A little jabbing left from Kuznetsov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
King takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. King ducked under it nicely.
Kuznetsov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from King.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but King blocks it.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kuznetsov avoids a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
King shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for African King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King fails in his attempt to clinch.
King takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like African King has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King misses with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuznetsov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination. King sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
King is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Kuznetsov.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it really well and circles away.
King doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the head.

King is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
King misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kuznetsov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuznetsov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Oh King is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuznetsov lands with a precision combination! Left, right, uppercut and King falls flat on his face, eyes wide open but he's out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Nikolai Kuznetsov!
Nikolai Kuznetsov took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.