PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Macka Briggs (ranked 1023 p4p, 1138 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 145 p4p, 155 weight class). Briggs comes to the cage accompanied by Stepping Razor by Peter Tosh. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Alexander Kuznetsov enters the cage!

Briggs
vs
Kuznetsov

187 cm
25
195
10 - 7 - 0

180 cm
26
195
10 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Critical Mass Q159 $75

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Macka Briggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Briggs uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Briggs uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov cracks Briggs with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuznetsov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuznetsov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Briggs.
Kuznetsov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Briggs has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rough House in the buildup to the fight.
Briggs misses with an uppercut.
Briggs throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Briggs throws a series of punches but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Briggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Briggs is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nice cross by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice body punch from Kuznetsov.
Briggs changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Briggs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Briggs sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Briggs misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kuznetsov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Briggs takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Briggs does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov lands a right hook to the body.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Briggs.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Briggs.
Macka Briggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Briggs walks into a straight right hand from Kuznetsov.
Briggs shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuznetsov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A jab from Briggs misses.
Briggs lands a head shot.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Briggs bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Briggs under the eye.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Briggs has Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Briggs is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Macka Briggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Briggs avoids it.
Kuznetsov can't find room to land a body shot as Briggs controls the action.
Briggs goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kuznetsov prevents it.
Kuznetsov works on Briggs's body with a couple of short punches.
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Macka Briggs has been cut.
A frustrated look appears on Kuznetsov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Briggs blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Briggs in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Briggs misses with a wild body shot.
Briggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good shot there by Briggs.
Kuznetsov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Briggs backs up against the cage.
Briggs scores with a decent looking hook.
Briggs connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuznetsov's hands.
Briggs scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Briggs was well out of range.
Briggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Briggs walks into a stiff left hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Briggs's head.
Kuznetsov cracks Briggs with a good jab.
Kuznetsov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kuznetsov.
Nice body punch from Briggs.
Kuznetsov dips to his left and cracks Briggs with an uppercut!
Briggs shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov defends it nicely.
Kuznetsov cracks Briggs with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Briggs circles away quickly and effectively.
Briggs wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Briggs throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Briggs closes the distance but Kuznetsov moves to the side
and Kuznetsov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Briggs scores with a sloppy right hand. Kuznetsov should have avoided that one.
Briggs throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Briggs ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Briggs avoids a punch combination nicely.
Briggs throws a good cross that connects.
Kuznetsov walks into a stiff left hand from Briggs.
Briggs throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Briggs uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Briggs.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Briggs's head but Briggs sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Briggs rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuznetsov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Macka Briggs's cut.
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.

Kuznetsov misses with a right hand
and Briggs counters with a left to the body.
Macka Briggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Briggs is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kuznetsov.
Briggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Briggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Briggs throws a lazy right hand but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy right hand. Briggs should have avoided that one.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Briggs tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Briggs.
Briggs throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Briggs lands an overhand right.
Briggs lands a jab to Kuznetsov's midsection.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Briggs avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Briggs throws out the jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Briggs misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov throws out a counter right but Briggs avoids it with no problem.
Briggs moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kuznetsov, as that shot connected.
Kuznetsov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Briggs dips to his left and cracks Kuznetsov with an uppercut!
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Briggs misses with a wild combination.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Briggs uses good head movement to avoid it.
Briggs misses with a looping right.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
A little feinted left hand from Briggs on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
No luck for Briggs with that takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Briggs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Briggs. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Briggs throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Briggs.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Briggs blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Briggs takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Briggs misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Briggs blocks it.
Briggs looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Briggs missing with a left hand there. Kuznetsov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Briggs lands a jab to the head.
Briggs thuds his right hand into Kuznetsov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kuznetsov connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Briggs takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Briggs lands a body shot.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
Briggs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kuznetsov on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Briggss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Briggs bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Briggs tries to clinch up.
Briggs misses with a right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a right hand to the body.
Briggs misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Briggs moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Briggs fails with a takedown attempt.
Briggs uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kuznetsov has time to react.
Briggs steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Briggs.
No luck for Briggs with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Macka Briggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Briggs walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Briggs takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuznetsov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Briggs moves into the clinch.
Briggs blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee to the head.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Briggs.
Briggs lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Briggs misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Briggs doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Briggs is working Kuznetsov over against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Briggs misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov is trying to break the clinch but Briggs has him pressed against the cage.
Briggs presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Macka Briggs's cut.
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!

A nice combination there by Briggs.
Kuznetsov lands with a hook. Briggs tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuznetsov lands a head shot.
Briggs misses with a right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.
Briggs looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Briggs throws a sloppy body shot
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that Briggs ducks under and follows up with a left that Briggs also avoids with ease.
Kuznetsov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Briggs.
Briggs throws a right hand that Kuznetsov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuznetsov also avoids with ease.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kuznetsov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Briggs throws a nice looking combination but Kuznetsov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Briggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Briggs fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuznetsov sprawls well initially but Briggs persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kuznetsov is trying to control but can't.

Kuznetsov kicks Briggs off and gets back to his feet.
Briggs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Briggs scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Briggs lands a head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Briggs.
Briggs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Briggs slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.

Briggs decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kuznetsov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Briggs is on him like a limpet, forcing Kuznetsov back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Briggs swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Briggs misses with a short punch on the inside.

Briggs's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Briggs.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Briggs eats them both and turns towards Kuznetsov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Briggs's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuznetsov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Briggs scrambles back to his feet.
Kuznetsov throws a combination. Briggs tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kuznetsov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jab by Briggs.
Briggs swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice uppercut.
Briggs misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy right hand. Briggs should have avoided that one.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Briggs is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briggs looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Kuznetsov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuznetsov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Briggs tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuznetsov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Briggs somewhat.
Alexander Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Briggs throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Briggs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Briggs throws a lazy uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd cheers as Kuznetsov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Briggs doesn't seem phased though.
A slow jab from Briggs misses its intended target.
Jab, jab by Kuznetsov - just one landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kuznetsov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Briggs. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Briggs scores with a jab.
Kuznetsov connects with a body shot.
Kuznetsov lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Briggs comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Briggs connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The fighters circling - Briggs throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Briggs slips under a jab.
Briggs tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Briggs throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Briggs thinking.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Briggs sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Briggs throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuznetsov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Briggs avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuznetsov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Briggs swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov works Briggs's body with a nice hook.
Briggs avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kuznetsov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
Our winner, Alexander Kuznetsov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.