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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iov Kuzmin (ranked 545 p4p, 311 weight class) and Kai Tokugawa (ranked 73 p4p, 44 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kuzmin might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to La Caution - Thé à la Menthe. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tokugawa's choice of entrance music: Red Warrior. Kai Tokugawa told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 188 cm
27
225
15 - 6 - 0 |
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193 cm
34
205
21 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Iov Kuzmin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kai Tokugawa!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and James Ackerman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzmin throws a body shot but no joy.
Tokugawa avoids the body shot from Kuzmin.
It seemed like Tokugawa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuzmin scores with a jab to the body.
Tokugawa looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuzmin is just out of range.
Kuzmin with a poor takedown
and Tokugawa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kuzmin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A slow jab from Tokugawa misses its intended target.
Kuzmin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tokugawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuzmin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuzmin shoots in but Tokugawa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokugawa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tokugawa tries to clinch but Kuzmin moves out of range.
Kuzmin misses with a jab to the body
and Tokugawa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tokugawa loads up on a big right hand but Kuzmin slips the punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuzmin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kuzmin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuzmin has his takedown stuffed
and Tokugawa counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iov Kuzmin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tokugawa lands with a hook. Kuzmin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuzmin misses with a right hand
and Tokugawa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kai Tokugawa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tokugawa loads up on a big right hand but Kuzmin slips the punch.
Tokugawa has Kuzmin up against the cage in a clinch.
Tokugawa swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuzmin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuzmin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tokugawa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuzmins head.
Kuzmin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kuzmin breaks from the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa gets a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuzmin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuzmin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tokugawa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Tokugawa fails to land.
Tokugawa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuzmin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuzmin breaks the clinch.
Kuzmin swings widly with a right hand
and Tokugawa counters with a one-two to the body.
Kuzmin misses with a straight right.
Kuzmin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kuzmin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tokugawa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuzmin fails to land the takedown.
Tokugawa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kuzmin. Kuzmin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa throws a lazy right hand but Kuzmin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Iov Kuzmin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuzmin scores with a body shot.
Kuzmin is looking to wear down Tokugawa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tokugawa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuzmin moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuzmin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tokugawa.
Kuzmin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tokugawa pinned against the cage. Tokugawa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kuzmin counters with a shoot takedown. Tokugawa fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kuzmin prevents Tokugawa from getting back to his feet.
Tokugawa pushes Kuzmin off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kuzmin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tokugawa tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kuzmin is in Tokugawa's guard.
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!
Tokugawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tokugawa wants to get back to his feet but Kuzmin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tokugawa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuzmin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tokugawa wants to stand up but Kuzmin is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuzmin is looking to work some ground and pound but Tokugawa has wrist control.
Tokugawa is looking to stand up but Kuzmin isn't so interested in that idea.
Kuzmin distracts Tokugawa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tokugawa has momentary wrist control but Kuzmin slips an elbow through the middle.
Kuzmin won't allow Tokugawa to get back to his feet.
Kuzmin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tokugawa is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kuzmin presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kuzmin has had enough of the clinch but Tokugawa keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuzmin.
Tokugawa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuzmin is trying to push Tokugawa away but Tokugawa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kai Tokugawa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Kuzmin loads up on a big right hand but Tokugawa slips the punch.
Tokugawa is looking for the big counter here.
Tokugawa drives through and clinches with Kuzmin against the cage.
Kuzmin tries to break free but Tokugawa pushes him back against the cage.
Tokugawa can't find room to land a body shot as Kuzmin controls the action.
Tokugawa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tokugawa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tokugawa gets through Kuzmin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuzmin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tokugawa wants to clinch.
Tokugawa is looking to clinch but Kuzmin is avoiding it.
Kuzmin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokugawa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tokugawa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuzmin circles away quickly and effectively.
Tokugawa slips a jab from Kuzmin.
Tokugawa tries to clinch but Kuzmin moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tokugawa throws out a counter right but Kuzmin avoids it with no problem.
Tokugawa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kuzmin.
Kuzmin dives in for a single leg takedown but Tokugawa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tokugawa is leaning against Kuzmin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tokugawa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kuzmin backwards.
Tokugawa lands a nice uppercut.
Kuzmin manages to break the clinch.
That kick from Tokugawa tenderised Kuzmin's leg. Kuzmin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kuzmin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tokugawa wants to get back to his feet.
Tokugawa is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Iov Kuzmin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Tokugawa is pushing Kuzmin's head away, looking to escape. Kuzmin manages to hold on to the position though.
Kuzmin in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kuzmin prevents Tokugawa from escaping the position.
Kuzmin working the ground and pound.
Tokugawa is pushing Kuzmin's head away, looking to escape. Kuzmin manages to hold on to the position though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa throws Kuzmin to one side and escapes!
Kuzmin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tokugawa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tokugawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuzmin dodges the punch combination from Tokugawa.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Tokugawa enables Kuzmin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tokugawa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tokugawa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kuzmin cracks Tokugawa with a solid left hand.
Tokugawa uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Tokugawa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuzmin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tokugawa scrambles back to his feet.
Tokugawa tries a head kick but it misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin fails with the takedown.
Kuzmin throws a poor cross that misses
and Tokugawa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuzmin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tokugawa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iov Kuzmin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuzmin misses with a body shot.
Tokugawa slips under a jab from Kuzmin.
Tokugawa drives through and clinches with Kuzmin against the cage.
Tokugawa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Tokugawa misses with a punch to the body.
Tokugawa keeps control of Kuzmin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tokugawa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kuzmin backwards.
Tokugawa misses with a body punch.
Tokugawa digs a right hand underneath Kuzmin's ribcage. Kuzmin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tokugawa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuzmins head.
Kuzmin breaks the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kai Tokugawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuzmin avoids a punch combination nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tokugawa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kuzmin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tokugawa to score with a decent uppercut.
Tokugawa swings widly with a right hand
and Kuzmin counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tokugawa!
Tokugawa tries to escape but Kuzmin is in control.
Kuzmin tries to score with some ground and pound. Tokugawa controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tokugawa is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kai Tokugawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Kuzmin shoots for a double leg takedown but Tokugawa sprawls well. He's pushed Kuzmin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tokugawa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kuzmin throws a body punch but Tokugawa moves out of range.
A low kick from Tokugawa is predictable there
and Kuzmin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tokugawa's guard.
Tokugawa is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kuzmin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tokugawa lands with a light punch inside.
Kuzmin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuzmin throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tokugawa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Tokugawa.
Nice cross by Kuzmin.
Kuzmin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kuzmin throws a body shot but no joy.
Tokugawa misses with a low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kuzmin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Tokugawa to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuzmin slips a jab from Tokugawa.
Kuzmin swings for the body but Tokugawa moves out of range.
Kuzmin misses with a left hand
and Tokugawa counters with a slapping leg kick.
Tokugawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tokugawa tries to work over Kuzmin's front leg with a kick but Kuzmin checks it.
Kuzmin blocks a head kick by Tokugawa.
Tokugawa throws a lazy uppercut
so Kuzmin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kuzmin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kuzmin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kuzmin prevents Tokugawa from getting back to his feet.
Tokugawa has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kuzmin has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuzmin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa misses with the head strike.
Kuzmin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tokugawa working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tokugawa misses with some punches.
Kai Tokugawa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kuzmin has had enough of the clinch but Tokugawa keeps him there for the moment.
Kuzmin manages to break the clinch.
Tokugawa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuzmin.
Kuzmin with a poor takedown
and Tokugawa counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iov Kuzmin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tokugawa misses with a straight right.
Kuzmin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kuzmin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kuzmin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tokugawa.
Kuzmin lands with a right hand.
Tokugawa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kuzmin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kuzmin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tokugawa counters with a straight right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmin blocks a jab.
Tokugawa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuzmin tries to circle away but Tokugawa has him pinned against the cage.
Kuzmin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kuzmin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tokugawa as he jumps to the side.
Tokugawa cracks Kuzmin with an open hand slap.
Kuzmin swats away the attempt to clinch by Tokugawa.
Tokugawa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from Tokugawa.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Tokugawa duly obliges.
Tokugawa misses with a low kick.
Kuzmin looks for a takedown but Tokugawa sprawls well.
Tokugawa feints a counter leg kick.
Kuzmin looks to land a right hand but Tokugawa moved out of range.
Tokugawa missing with a left hand there. Kuzmin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tokugawa misses with an uppercut. Kuzmin saw that one coming.
Kuzmin closes the distance and clinches up with Tokugawa, looking for a takedown. Kuzmin pushes Tokugawa against the cage but Tokugawa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tokugawa. Kuzmin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tokugawa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tokugawa flicks out a counter leg kick but Kuzmin steps away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tokugawa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Iov Kuzmin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuzmin misses with a takedown attempt
and Tokugawa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Tokugawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tokugawa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Tokugawa!
A relieved looking Kai Tokugawa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
70% |
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