PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Kushnirov (ranked 2078 p4p, 3094 weight class) and Enoch Overstreet (ranked 290 p4p, 408 weight class). Ilya Kushnirov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kushnirov
vs
Overstreet

175 cm
26
195
10 - 9 - 0

188 cm
23
190
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Pound Town INC

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilya Kushnirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Enoch Overstreet!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Overstreet throws a leg kick but Kushnirov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Overstreet wants to clinch.

Overstreet scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kushnirov is looking for a sweep.
Kushnirov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Overstreet.
Kushnirov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The strikes coming from Overstreet are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Overstreet is looking to take a break and control but Kushnirov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overstreet postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Overstreet in side control, throwing shots but Kushnirov defends.
Overstreet misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Overstreet throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kushnirov keeping his opponent close.

Overstreet thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Overstreet scores with punches from side control.

Overstreet tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Overstreet has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Overstreet is chipping away with strikes.
Kushnirov is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Overstreet crashes against the mat.
Kushnirov taking a bit of punishment here - Overstreet scoring with strikes.

Overstreet working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Overstreet is looking to take a break and control but Kushnirov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Overstreet scoring with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Overstreet working the strikes but Kushnirov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Kushnirov is trying to stand up here but Overstreet is controlling him well.
Overstreet not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overstreet is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Overstreet throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kushnirov because Overstreet loaded up on that one.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Overstreet cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Overstreet tries to control but Kushnirov wriggling away.

Overstreet looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kushnirov can't escape the position.
Overstreet throwing strikes here but Kushnirov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kushnirov is looking to improve his position but Overstreet isn't that keen on the idea.

Kushnirov bucks up and throws Overstreet to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overstreet is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Overstreet fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kushnirov manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Kushnirov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Overstreet checks a low kick from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Overstreet manages to avoid it.
Overstreet misses with a takedown attempt - Kushnirov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kushnirov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Overstreet moves into range and connects with a jab.
Overstreet with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Overstreet lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kushnirov throws a body shot but no joy.
Overstreet shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kushnirov ducks right into an uppercut from Overstreet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Overstreet, as that shot connected.
Overstreet throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kushnirov on the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Enoch Overstreet dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kushnirov misses with a wild body shot.
Overstreet checks a leg kick.
Overstreet looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kushnirov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kushnirov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Overstreet has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Overstreet walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kushnirov throws a head kick but Overstreet moves out of range.
Overstreet is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kushnirov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Overstreet back to the cage. Kushnirov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kushnirov.
Overstreet tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kushnirov defends well and Overstreet ends up having to push Kushnirov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Overstreet connects with a right hand. Kushnirov shakes it off.
Overstreet tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kushnirov was well out of range. Poor timing from Overstreet.
Kushnirov looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Overstreet avoids the head kick by Kushnirov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kushnirov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kushnirov thumps Overstreet with a low kick.
A nice leg kick from Kushnirov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kushnirov avoids a kick to the body.
Overstreet has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kushnirov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Overstreet checks a low kick from Kushnirov.
Overstreet throws a solid leg kick but Kushnirov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Overstreet.
Kushnirov misses with a straight right.
Overstreet throws a leg kick but Kushnirov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Overstreet stuns Kushnirov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Overstreet shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kushnirov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Kushnirov pushes Overstreet off and gets back to his feet.
Overstreet tries to clinch there but Kushnirov circles away.
Overstreet lands with a nice body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Overstreet feints and then cracks Kushnirov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kushnirov down.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kushnirov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Overstreet uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov throws a right hand that misses
and Overstreet counters with a nice uppercut.
Overstreet connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Overstreet dodges the punch combination from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Overstreet slips under a jab.
Kushnirov misses with a straight left.
Overstreet tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kushnirov swivels and escapes.
An attempted straight right counter from Kushnirov misses the target.
Overstreet is looking to score with low kicks.
Kushnirov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kushnirov cracks Overstreet with a good jab.
Overstreet tries to bum rush Kushnirov with a series of wild strikes but Kushnirov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kushnirov throws a big shot that misses.
Overstreet avoids the head kick by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov misses with a body shot.
Overstreet shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Overstreet moves forwards but Kushnirov connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overstreet throws a wild body kick that Kushnirov sees coming a mile off.
A slapping body kick lands there for Overstreet.
Overstreet tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kushnirov misses with a looping left.
Kushnirov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Overstreet was well out of range. Poor timing from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Overstreet walks into a jab.
Kushnirov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Overstreet will feel that in the morning.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kushnirov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kushnirov misses with a hook
and Overstreet counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A clash of legs there as Kushnirov blocks the low kick.
Kushnirov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Overstreet.
Ilya Kushnirov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Overstreet takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A swing and a miss from Kushnirov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kushnirov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Overstreet.
Kushnirov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kushnirov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Overstreet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Overstreet.
Kushnirov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kushnirov blocks a head kick by Overstreet.
Overstreet connects with a leg kick.
Overstreet scores with a hook.
Kushnirov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kushnirov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Overstreet clinches with his opponent.
Overstreet misses with the head strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kushnirov manages to break the clinch.
Overstreet wants to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kushnirov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kushnirov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck for Overstreet with that takedown attempt.
Kushnirov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kushnirov looks to land a left hand but Overstreet moved out of range nicely.
Ilya Kushnirov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kushnirov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kushnirov motions for Overstreet to come forward. Kushnirov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Overstreet slips a straight right by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kushnirov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kushnirov 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 Overstreet has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Overstreet and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overstreet attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kushnirov lands with an uppercut that bounces Overstreet off the cage and back into range.
Overstreet changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kushnirov tries to avoid it but Overstreet manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kushnirov to the ground. Kushnirov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kushnirov misses with an uppercut.

Overstreet clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kushnirov breaks the clinch.
Overstreet thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kushnirov if he has to take too many more of those.
Kushnirov throws an overhand right that lands on Overstreet's shoulder, as Overstreet tries to avoid the shot.
No joy there for Kushnirov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Overstreet lands a body shot.
Overstreet throws a hook but Kushnirov avoids it easily.

Overstreet gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kushnirov breaks the clinch.
Overstreet cracks Kushnirov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Overstreet on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A combination from Kushnirov does no damage.
Kushnirov scores with a jab to the head.
Kushnirov fails to land with a series of punches.
Overstreet tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kushnirov misses with a hook.
Kushnirov looks to land a combination but Overstreet avoids it well.
Kushnirov throws a body punch but Overstreet moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Overstreet misses.
Kushnirov is looking to counter punch.
Overstreet looks to land a body kick but Kushnirov moved away.
Overstreet lands a head kick. Kushnirov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kushnirov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Overstreet lands with an overhand left.
Kushnirov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Overstreet has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kushnirov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Overstreet.
Overstreet's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kushnirov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Overstreet lands with a cross.
Ilya Kushnirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kushnirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Overstreet manages to avoid it.
Kushnirov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kushnirov scoring well with a low kick there.
Overstreet swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nice jab there from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov scores with a sloppy right hand. Overstreet should have avoided that one.
Overstreet lands a jab to the nose.
Kushnirov swings for the body but Overstreet moves out of range.
Overstreet misses with a looping right.
Kushnirov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kushnirov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body punch from Kushnirov.
Overstreet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It appears Kushnirov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Overstreet misses with a head kick.
Overstreet looks to score with a jab to the body but Kushnirov is just out of range.
Overstreet checks the leg kick.
Overstreet flicks out a counter leg kick but Kushnirov steps away.
Overstreet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fighters circling - Kushnirov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kushnirov scores with a punch to the head.
A swing and a miss from Overstreet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Overstreet takes the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Overstreet pulls guard.
Overstreet is trying to control the position but Kushnirov postures up.

Kushnirov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kushnirov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kushnirov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kushnirov misses with a hook. Overstreet ducked under it nicely.
Overstreet just misses with a punch to the body.
It appears Kushnirov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Kushnirov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kushnirov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kushnirov works Overstreet's body with a nice hook.
Kushnirov throws a head kick that misses.
Overstreet throws a leg kick which misses Kushnirov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kushnirov tries to avoid it.
Overstreet ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ilya Kushnirov.
I think Kushnirov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Gold scores the fight for Enoch Overstreet!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Ilya Kushnirov!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Ilya Kushnirov!

Ilya Kushnirov wins by split decision!
A very excited looking Ilya Kushnirov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.