PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yevgeny Ignatov (ranked 917 p4p, 389 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 120 p4p, 52 weight class). Alexander Kuznetsov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Yevgeny Ignatov's chin.

Ignatov
vs
Kuznetsov

189 cm
32
194
23 - 16 - 0

180 cm
28
195
15 - 8 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Northern Zombie

Northern Zombie

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 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yevgeny Ignatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignatov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ignatov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ignatov thumps Kuznetsov with a low kick.
Ignatov misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ignatov in his tracks.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Ignatov avoids them all with ease.
Ignatov throws the kick towards the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Kuznetsov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kuznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Ignatov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kuznetsov just manages to avoid it.
Ignatov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ignatov blocks a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Ignatov as he connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov jabs at Ignatov's body.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov drops his hands momentarily and Ignatov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ignatov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ignatov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Ignatov is having none of it.
Ignatov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kuznetsov!
Ignatov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Ignatov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Kuznetsov instigates a clinch.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Ignatov blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ignatov.
Ignatov misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov lands a left hand.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ignatov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ignatov misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov controlling the action here for a moment.
Ignatov presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ignatov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ignatov stalling in the clinch but Kuznetsov improves position.
Ignatov lands with a right to the head.
Kuznetsov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ignatov is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Ignatov.
Ignatov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ignatov avoiding damage as Kuznetsov throws knees to the body.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ignatov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ignatov blocks with his arms.
Ignatov lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov scores with a shoulder strike.
Ignatov tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kuznetsov.
Ignatov tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov has Kuznetsov pushed against the cage.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ignatov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov connects with a knee to the head.
Ignatov tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kuznetsov scores with a knee to the head.
Kuznetsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ignatov backwards.
Kuznetsov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ignatov blocks with his arms.
Kuznetsov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kuznetsov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ignatov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kuznetsov can turn it around.
A head punch on the inside from Ignatov fails to land.
Kuznetsov lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Kuznetsov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ignatov blocks it with crossed arms.
Ignatov tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Ignatov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuznetsov.
Ignatov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
Ignatov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ignatov slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ignatov with the inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Ignatov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A leg kick checked by Kuznetsov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kuznetsov throws a front kick aimed at Ignatov's knee but Ignatov avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Ignatov misses the target.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ignatov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ignatov scores with a spinning back kick!

Kuznetsov has closed the distance and engaged Ignatov in a clinch.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Ignatov blocks it.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ignatov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the leg kick from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Ignatov sees it coming and moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Ignatov misses its target.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Ignatov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Ignatov slips the punch.
Ignatov defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Ignatov avoids them all with ease.
Ignatov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Ignatov misses with a body kick.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Ignatov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ignatov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Ignatov ducked under it nicely.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Ignatov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ignatov misses with an uppercut.
Ignatov moves out of range of the strikes.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
Ignatov tries to land a front kick but Kuznetsov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ignatov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ignatov misses with a body kick.
Ignatov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick that knocks Ignatov off balance momentarily.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch up but Ignatov keeps it at a distance.
Ignatov looks for the body kick but Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Ignatov lands a lovely overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov is looking to clinch but Ignatov is avoiding it.
Ignatov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ignatov with a nice calf kick.
Ignatov slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov looks to land a body kick but Kuznetsov moved away.
Kuznetsov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ignatov.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ignatov.

Kuznetsov clinches.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ignatov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuznetsov or not.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ignatov.
Ignatov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ignatov misses with a punch to the body.
Ignatov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ignatov.
Ignatov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov lands a body punch.
Kuznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ignatov lands an uppercut.
Ignatov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ignatov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Ignatov blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ignatov is defending well for now.
A hook to the body from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ignatov is defending well for now.
Ignatov lands a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ignatov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kuznetsov!
Ignatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov thumps Ignatov with a low kick.
Ignatov moves out of range as Kuznetsov throws a body kick.
A right-left combo lands from Kuznetsov.
Ignatov slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ignatov misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Ignatov is looking to chop away at Kuznetsov's legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ignatov scores with a nice body kick.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ignatov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ignatov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ignatov throws a body kick that misses.
Ignatov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Ignatov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov blocking some punches.
Ignatov blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Ignatov.
Ignatov lands a left hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ignatov.
Ignatov lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ignatov lands with a short shot to the head.
Kuznetsov misses with an elbow strike.
Ignatov tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Ignatov back against the cage.
Ignatov misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignatov blocks the elbow strike.
Ignatov misses with a body punch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Kuznetsov throws a punch but it's blocked by Ignatov.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ignatov avoids the damage to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ignatov blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ignatov is defending well for now.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Ignatov.
Ignatov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ignatov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ignatov fails to land.
Ignatov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ignatov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yevgeny Ignatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuznetsov misses with some punches.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuznetsov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ignatov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ignatov avoiding damage as Kuznetsov throws knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov misses with a knee to the head.
Ignatov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ignatov lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ignatov avoids the damage to the body.
Ignatov scores with a hook to the body.
Ignatov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ignatov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ignatov lands a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ignatov avoids the damage to the body.
Ignatov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ignatov blocks it with crossed arms.
Ignatov misses with a body punch.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ignatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Ignatov sets himself, and Kuznetsov steps forward looking for the clinch! Ignatov avoids it this time.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ignatov.
Ignatov throws the kick towards the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Ignatov loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ignatov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ignatov lands a head shot.
Kuznetsov digs a good body shot into Ignatov's ribs.
Ignatov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Ignatov.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Ignatov throws a body kick.
Ignatov throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignatov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.
Ignatov is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the leg kick from Ignatov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Ignatov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ignatov avoids a punch combination nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Ignatov throws a push kick but Kuznetsov slaps the foot to one side.
Ignatov misses the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
Kuznetsov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Alexander Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.

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 Yevgeny Ignatov.
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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
A victorious Alexander Kuznetsov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.