PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergej Kusnemirpow (ranked 1390 p4p, 1373 weight class) and Hjalmar Raak (ranked 162 p4p, 159 weight class). Sergej Kusnemirpow had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kusnemirpow
vs
Raak

193 cm
30
197
11 - 10 - 1

191 cm
30
197
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Solid chin

⚔️Conquest Nutrition⚔️

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 11 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergej Kusnemirpow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Hjalmar Raak!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Raak lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kusnemirpow doesn't seem phased though.
Kusnemirpow is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raak sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kusnemirpow shoots in for a takedown but Raak shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Raak shoots in and bounces Kusnemirpow off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Raak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kusnemirpow swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kusnemirpow looking for a guillotine here but Raak defends easily.

Kusnemirpow working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raak doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raak manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kusnemirpow seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raak controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kusnemirpow had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Raak defends it easily.

Kusnemirpow looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kusnemirpow has an active guard here but Raak has managed to pass into half guard.

Kusnemirpow is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raak pulls his head out easily.

Raak is working for a kimura but Kusnemirpow is defending it quite comfortably.

Kusnemirpow actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kusnemirpow looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kusnemirpow looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Raak is looking to take a break and control but Kusnemirpow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kusnemirpow looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Raak pushes past his half guard into mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kusnemirpow is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Raak looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusnemirpow manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Kusnemirpow is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raak pulls his head out easily.
Raak seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Kusnemirpow is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raak pulls his head out easily.
Raak wants to take a breather but Kusnemirpow is having none of it.
Kusnemirpow gets full guard.
Raak trying to control but Kusnemirpow is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Raak avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Raak would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Raak stopping the sweep attempt from Kusnemirpow.
Raak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kusnemirpow swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kusnemirpow working for a triangle but Raak defends it easily.

Kusnemirpow working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raak doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Kusnemirpow is tightening it up a little... Raak has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Raak reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Raak taps out! Nice BJJ there by Kusnemirpow!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Sergej Kusnemirpow!
An out of breath Sergej Kusnemirpow thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.