PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Kirk (ranked 1289 p4p, 1561 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 156 p4p, 182 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that James Kirk has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily James Kirk seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Kirk
vs
Kuznetsov

185 cm
37
190
23 - 16 - 1

180 cm
32
195
20 - 15 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sakura Style
FREECH! (free speech clothing inc with REFUNDS!

30th Century Beer Store
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Kirk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
enabling Kirk to counter with a crisp jab.
Kirk rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Kuznetsov counter with a right hand.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Kirk.
Kirk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kirk throws the kick towards the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and Kirk counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Kirk.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kirk throwing a counter right hand but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
We've been told by Kirk's head coaches at The House Of Pain that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kirk throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Alexander Kuznetsov has been cut.

Kuznetsov forces Kirk back against the cage and clinches.
Kirk tries to break the clinch but Kuznetsov is controlling the position.
A right hook to the body lands for Kirk.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirk takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kirk.
A jab from Kirk does it's job there.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Kirk sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kirk fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuznetsov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Kuznetsov has managed to clinch.
Kirk blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kirk tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Kirk shrugs off.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Kuznetsov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kuznetsov has Kirk pushed against the cage.

Kirk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with Kirk against the cage.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Kirk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kirk looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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 misses with a knee strike.

Kirk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirk throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznetsov moves out of range easily.
Kirk is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.

Kirk breaks from the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kirk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kirk misses with a shot to the body
and Kuznetsov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirk.
Kirk misses with a left hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Kirk.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kirk.

Kuznetsov has Kirk up against the cage in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kirk blocks it with crossed arms.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kirk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kirk blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kirk backwards.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the body.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Kirk shrugs off.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch but Kirk slips to the side
and Kirk counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A big left from Kirk misses.
Kuznetsov unleashes a big counter combination but Kirk bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kirk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice uppercut there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kirk looks for the body kick but Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
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!
Kirk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kirk misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice combination. Kirk backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kirk explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A good leg kick by Kirk.
Kirk slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Kirk looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Jab, jab by Kuznetsov - just one landing.

Kuznetsov rushes Kirk and presses him up against the cage.

Kirk manages to break the clinch.
Kirk has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Kirk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kuznetsov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kirk moves out of range of the strikes.
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.
Kuznetsov thows a leg kick but Kirk checks it
and Kirk counters with a good low kick that Kuznetsov was not able to check.

Kuznetsov moves into range and clinches up with Kirk.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kirk swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
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 Alexander Kuznetsov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kirk moves out of range of the strikes.
Kirk staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Kirk ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kirk throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Kuznetsov gets a clinch.
Kirk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kirk connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kuznetsov momentarily.
Kirk scores with a jab to the jaw.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kirk throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kuznetsov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kirk is out of range and Kuznetsov settles back down.
Kirk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirk.
Kuznetsov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kirk throws a wild body kick that Kuznetsov sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirk takes one to the side of the head.
James Kirk is winning the standup battle so far.
Kirk avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kuznetsov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Kirk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kirk circles away.
Kuznetsov lands a right hook to the body.
Kuznetsov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kirk lands with a hook. Kuznetsov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kirk falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kuznetsov counters with a stiff right hand.
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice right hand.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kirk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kuznetsov 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 Kirk has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kirk and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A counter left hand to the body from Kirk misses its target.
Kuznetsov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kirk has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kirk misses with a kick to the body.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kuznetsov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kirk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kuznetsov is looking to clinch.
Kirk misses with a low kick.
Kirk waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with Kirk against the cage.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Kirk is blocking nicely.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kirk misses with a punch on the inside.
Kirk throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuznetsovs head.
Kirk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kirk tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a body shot in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kirk.
Kirk dodges an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kirk.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the body kick.
Kirk staying out of range there.
Kirk attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kirk smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kirk slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirk.
As Kirk backs off Kuznetsov throws a huge counter combo but Kirk manages to avoid it all.
A nice leg kick from Kuznetsov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kirk is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kirk throws an off balance right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a leg kick.
Kirk walks into a stiff left hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Kirk is having none of it.
Kuznetsov with a jab.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch up but Kirk keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov darts in trying to clinch
and Kirk counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kirk circles away.
Kirk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kirk.
Kuznetsov throws a body punch but Kirk moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Kuznetsov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kuznetsov is looking to clinch but Kirk is avoiding it.
Kirk throws a body kick that misses.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Kirk circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand
and Kirk counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kirk keeps the fight on the outside.
Kirk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kirk was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that James Kirk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Kuznetsov's cut.
That's time! Kirk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kuznetsov has Kirk up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kirk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kirk scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut
and Kirk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov feints and then cracks Kirk's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kirk down.
Kuznetsov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the body kick from Kirk.
Kirk tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
Kirk lands with an overhand left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirk misses with a hook
and Kuznetsov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Kirk.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kirk tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuznetsov is able to avoid easily.
Kuznetsov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Kirk.
An inside leg kick lands from Kirk.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing blow to the side of Kirk's head.
Kuznetsov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kirk throwing a counter right hand but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kirk connects with a solid leg kick.
Kirk avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kirk misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Kuznetsov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirk throws a lazy right hand but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Kuznetsov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and Kirk counters with a head kick.
Kirk throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Kirk.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
It seemed like Kuznetsov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kirk rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kuznetsov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirk throws a quick counter kick to the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Kirk throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Good work by Kirk as he checks the leg kick.
A big left from Kirk misses.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kirk was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kirk moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kirk circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kirk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kirk throws a body shot but no joy.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
A combination from Kirk does no damage.
Kirk throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with Kirk against the cage.
Kuznetsov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kirk seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kuznetsov can turn it around.
Kirk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Kirk is blocking nicely.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kirk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kirk scores with a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kirk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuznetsov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kirk throws a low kick, looking for Kuznetsov's leg but Kuznetsov calmly moves out of range.
Kirk throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov cracks Kirk with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kirk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirk looks for the body kick but Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Kirk throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov checks it.

Kuznetsov has managed to clinch.

Kirk breaks the clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kuznetsov. Kirk shrugs it off though.
Kuznetsov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kirk misses with a looping left.
Kirk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kirk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kirk is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kuznetsov throws the kick towards the body but Kirk avoids it.
It looked like Kirk was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov with a nice calf kick.
Kuznetsov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

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 James Kirk.
I think Kirk 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Kirk!
A relieved looking James Kirk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.