PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Grant Alyoshin (ranked 1486 p4p, 2352 weight class) and Iov Kuzmin (ranked 190 p4p, 281 weight class). Kuzmin comes into a darkened arena with his song building. La Caution - Thé à la Menthe kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Alyoshin
vs
Kuzmin

200 cm
42
265
32 - 16 - 0

188 cm
24
225
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Grant Alyoshin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Iov Kuzmin!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alyoshin moves into the clinch.
Alyoshin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuzmin avoids it.
Kuzmin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alyoshin prevents it.
Kuzmin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuzmin is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Alyoshin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuzmin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Alyoshin after a bit of a struggle.
Grant Alyoshin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iov Kuzmin.
A left hand lands to the body for Alyoshin.
Kuzmin avoiding damage as Alyoshin throws knees to the body.
Alyoshin tries to throw a body punch but Kuzmin avoids it by throwing Alyoshin back against the ropes.

Kuzmin gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Alyoshin regains guard.
Alyoshin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuzmin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kuzmin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alyoshin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuzmin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alyoshin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Alyoshin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuzmin on the ground.
Kuzmin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuzmin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kuzmin is looking to work some ground and pound but Alyoshin has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzmin throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuzmin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alyoshin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alyoshin has momentary wrist control but Kuzmin slips an elbow through the middle.
Kuzmin lands a couple of elbows.
Kuzmin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kuzmin throwing strikes from guard but Alyoshin blocks nicely.
Kuzmin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kuzmin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuzmin throwing strikes but missing.
Kuzmin is looking to work some ground and pound but Alyoshin has wrist control.
Kuzmin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kuzmin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alyoshin is breathing heavily.
Kuzmin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kuzmin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuzmin throws a strike but Alyoshin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kuzmin pulls Alyoshin in close to prevent any damage.
Kuzmin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alyoshin is one step ahead there.
Kuzmin pulls Alyoshin in close to his closed guard and prevents Alyoshin from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kuzmin looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuzmin, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kuzmin trying to control the position.
Kuzmin wants to control the position but Alyoshin says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Kuzmin is doing well to control the position and prevent Alyoshin from advancing to side control.
Kuzmin is looking to control Alyoshin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuzmin avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuzmin has a hand on Alyoshin's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Alyoshin takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Alyoshin looking to control but Kuzmin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kuzmin tries to hold on but Alyoshin postures up.
Kuzmin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Alyoshin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Alyoshin wants to control the pace but Kuzmin is squirming around nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Iov Kuzmin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Kuzmin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Alyoshin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grant Alyoshin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iov Kuzmin.
Kuzmin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alyoshin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Alyoshin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alyoshin prevents a takedown attempt there.
Alyoshin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuzmin's elbow.
Alyoshin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kuzmin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Alyoshin landing knees to the body.
Alyoshin misses with a body punch.
Alyoshin misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alyoshin missing with knees to the body.
Kuzmin is breathing heavily.
Alyoshin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alyoshin misses with a punch to the body.
Kuzmin wants to take the fight to the mat but Alyoshin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Alyoshin tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuzmin avoids the damage to the body.
Kuzmin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alyoshin misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzmin tries to score a body lock takedown but Alyoshin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzmin.
Kuzmin is working for takedown but Alyoshin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nice body punch from Alyoshin.
Alyoshin scores a nice knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Alyoshin as the two fighters clinch.
Alyoshin unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Alyoshin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Alyoshin tries a body shot but Kuzmin blocks it.
Alyoshin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuzmin or not.
Alyoshin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kuzmin avoiding damage as Alyoshin throws knees to the body.
Alyoshin working Kuzmin over with knees to the body.
Alyoshin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuzmin is defending well for now.
A short right from Alyoshin on the inside.
Alyoshin prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuzmin can't get the takedown.
Alyoshin lands a shoulder strike.
Alyoshin lands a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alyoshin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuzmin's elbow.
Alyoshin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuzmin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alyoshin lands a good knee to the midsection. Kuzmin won't want to take too many of those.
Kuzmin takes a shot to the head.
Alyoshin tries to throw a body punch but Kuzmin avoids it by throwing Alyoshin back against the ropes.
Kuzmin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body punch from Alyoshin.
Alyoshin throws a head punch that misses.
Kuzmin managing to block the knees to the body from Alyoshin.
Kuzmin takes a shot to the head.
Alyoshin trying to land knees to the body.
Alyoshin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuzmin backwards.
Alyoshin throws a head punch that misses.
Alyoshin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuzmin.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Alyoshin.
Alyoshin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuzmin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alyoshin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alyoshin lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuzmin avoids it.
Kuzmin tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short uppercut from Alyoshin.
Kuzmin can't get the takedown.
Alyoshin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Alyoshin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuzmins head.
Kuzmin is working for takedown but Alyoshin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alyoshin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Alyoshin gets through Kuzmin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuzmin is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Alyoshin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuzmin blocks a body shot from Alyoshin.
Kuzmin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alyoshin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Alyoshin trying to land knees to the body.
Alyoshin tries a body shot but Kuzmin blocks it.
Good body shot from Alyoshin.
Alyoshin is pressed up against the ropes. Kuzmin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Alyoshin down to the mat. Alyoshin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Alyoshin moves into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Alyoshin.
I was talking to Alyoshin's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Alyoshin misses with the head strike.
Alyoshin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

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!
Alyoshin tries to work over Kuzmin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alyoshin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuzmin avoids it.
Kuzmin takes a shot to the head.
Alyoshin tries a knee to the head but Kuzmin blocks it.
Kuzmin managing to block the knees to the body from Alyoshin.
Kuzmin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Alyoshin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Alyoshin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alyoshin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kuzmin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Alyoshin's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Alyoshin duly obliges.
Iov Kuzmin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuzmin checks a leg kick.
Alyoshin misses with a head kick.

Kuzmin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kuzmin throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuzmin distracts Alyoshin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Grant Alyoshin dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Alyoshin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuzmin.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kuzmin.
Alyoshin looks for the body kick but Kuzmin saw that one coming.
Kuzmin shoots for a takedown but Alyoshin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Grant Alyoshin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Iov Kuzmin.
Alyoshin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kuzmin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Alyoshin defends well and Kuzmin ends up having to push Alyoshin into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Alyoshin lands a right hook to the body.
Alyoshin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuzmin can do to turn this around?

Alyoshin closes the distance and pushes Kuzmin back into the ropes.
Alyoshin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kuzmin backwards.
Alyoshin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuzmin avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alyoshin stops a takedown attempt from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin tries for a takedown but Alyoshin manages to get underhooks.
Alyoshin misses with a punch on the inside.
Kuzmin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Alyoshin lands with a light punch inside.

Kuzmin has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Alyoshin regains guard immediately.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuzmin postures up in Alyoshin's guard and throws a big left but Alyoshin blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Alyoshin holds on and takes a little breather.
Alyoshin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alyoshin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuzmin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuzmin throwing strikes but missing.
Kuzmin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuzmin postures up in Alyoshin's guard and throws a big left but Alyoshin blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kuzmin has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kuzmin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kuzmin lands a few punches from side control.
Kuzmin with the ground and pound but Alyoshin regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Kuzmin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alyoshin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kuzmin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kuzmin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kuzmin is nestled in close to Alyoshin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Alyoshin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kuzmin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Alyoshin defending well though.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Alyoshin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kuzmin not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kuzmin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alyoshin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Alyoshin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kuzmin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kuzmin is thwarting Alyoshin's attempts to control the position.
Kuzmin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kuzmin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kuzmin throwing shots but Alyoshin is blocking nicely.
Kuzmin drops an elbow to the side of Alyoshin's head.
Ground and pound from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kuzmin working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kuzmin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kuzmin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuzmin thows a huge punch but Alyoshin dodges it nicely.
Alyoshin has hold of Kuzmin's hands but Kuzmin slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kuzmin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuzmin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kuzmin connects with a nice short shot to Alyoshin's temple.
Kuzmin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kuzmin is nestled in close to Alyoshin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iov Kuzmin really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Alyoshin stuffs the takedown attempt from Kuzmin. Kuzmin gets slowly back to his feet.
Kuzmin dives in for a single leg takedown but Alyoshin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Kuzmin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kuzmin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Alyoshin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kuzmin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuzmin with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuzmin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kuzmin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuzmin scoring with some ground and pound.
Alyoshin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kuzmin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzmin throwing strikes from guard but Alyoshin blocks nicely.
Kuzmin is looking to work some ground and pound but Alyoshin has wrist control.
Kuzmin throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuzmin lands a couple of elbows.
Alyoshin has momentary wrist control but Kuzmin slips an elbow through the middle.
Alyoshin is trying to keep Kuzmin in close.
Alyoshin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alyoshin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Alyoshin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kuzmin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Alyoshin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuzmin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuzmin throwing strikes but missing.
Kuzmin works over Alyoshin with some ground and pound from guard.
Kuzmin throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuzmin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuzmin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuzmin postures up and lands a big shot to Alyoshin's brow.
Alyoshin has momentary wrist control but Kuzmin slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuzmin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuzmin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kuzmin with a nice head shot there.
Kuzmin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuzmin cracks Alyoshin with a solid left hand.
Kuzmin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Alyoshin's head.
Kuzmin working some strikes from top position.
Kuzmin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuzmin chips away with some ground and pound.
Alyoshin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kuzmin stands up over Alyoshin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kuzmin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kuzmin stands up over Alyoshin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Alyoshin is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Alyoshin covers up, he's hurt! Kuzmin keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Kuzmin and the ref steps in to end the fight! Kuzmin can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Iov Kuzmin!
Iov Kuzmin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.