PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Egor Kuznecov (ranked 3605 p4p, 3662 weight class) and Joe Barbano (ranked 390 p4p, 399 weight class). Barbano has chosen Tevvez - Glimmer of hope as his entrance music. Joe Barbano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuznecov
vs
Barbano

193 cm
18
275
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
255
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Kuznecov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Barbano!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbano looks to land a combination but Kuznecov avoids it well.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznecov as he connects with a hook.

It looks like Joe Barbano has been cut.
A punch combination from Barbano misses.
Kuznecov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Barbano has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Kuznecov scores with a hook.
Kuznecov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kuznecov connects with a body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Barbano!

It looks like Egor Kuznecov has been cut.
Kuznecov clobbers Barbano with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kuznecov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbano walks into a left hand.

Kuznecov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Barbano looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kuznecov throwing strikes but Barbano manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kuznecov tries to bench press Barbano off him but Barbano keeps the position.
Kuznecov holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Kuznecov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Barbano asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Barbano stands up and beckons Kuznecov to his feet.
Kuznecov scores with a sloppy right hand. Barbano should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbano misses with a jab, cross combination.

Kuznecov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznecov is looking to work some ground and pound but Barbano has wrist control.
Barbano looks winded!
Kuznecov scoring with some ground and pound.
Kuznecov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuznecov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuznecov throws a strike but Barbano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kuznecov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barbano's guard.

Kuznecov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuznecov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kuznecov trying to control but Barbano is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuznecov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuznecov trying to control but Barbano is working from the bottom.
Kuznecov postures up in Barbano's guard and throws a big left but Barbano blocks it.
Kuznecov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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!
Kuznecov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kuznecov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov working the head and body with strikes.
Kuznecov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Kuznecov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Barbano is avoiding damage well.
Check out the look on Kuznecov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kuznecov lands a few punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznecov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kuznecov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Barbano to see if he's OK.
Kuznecov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Barbano dodges the ground and pound from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kuznecov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kuznecov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Barbano down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbano avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kuznecov.
Kuznecov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kuznecov grinds an elbow into Barbano's temple.
Kuznecov working the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznecov is working Barbano over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kuznecov working the body and head with strikes.
The crowd goes nuts as Kuznecov knocks Barbano out cold with a massive hammerfist! Kuznecov Jumps to his feet and climbs on top of the cage to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Egor Kuznecov!
During a confident post fight interview, Egor Kuznecov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.