PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Amuy Tarugo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yury Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Amuy Tarugo
vs
Kuznetsov

193 cm
25
239 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

217 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abdul Amuy Tarugo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yury Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Amuy Tarugo has a takedown stuffed.
Amuy Tarugo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuznetsov as he avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov shoots and misses

and Amuy Tarugo counters with a single leg into guard. Kuznetsov didn't expect that.
Kuznetsov keeping full guard, as Amuy Tarugo tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuznetsov working for a triangle but Amuy Tarugo defends it easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kuznetsov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Amuy Tarugo stands and throws Kuznetsov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Amuy Tarugo tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Amuy Tarugo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Amuy Tarugo tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Amuy Tarugo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuznetsov has escaped the position, nice work there.

Amuy Tarugo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Kuznetsov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Amuy Tarugo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuznetsov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kuznetsov keeps Amuy Tarugo under control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amuy Tarugo advances to full mount.

Amuy Tarugo goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kuznetsov turns into him and now he's in Amuy Tarugo's guard.
Amuy Tarugo is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kuznetsov postures up in Amuy Tarugo's guard and throws a big left but Amuy Tarugo blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amuy Tarugo looking for a sweep. Not yet Amuy Tarugo, not yet.
Kuznetsov prevents Amuy Tarugo from getting back to his feet.
Kuznetsov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Amuy Tarugo is keeping the position for now.
Kuznetsov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand up but Amuy Tarugo won't let him.
Kuznetsov postures up in Amuy Tarugo's guard and throws a big left but Amuy Tarugo blocks it.
Amuy Tarugo wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Amuy Tarugo with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kuznetsov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kuznetsov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Amuy Tarugo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznetsov trying to control but Amuy Tarugo is working from the bottom.
Amuy Tarugo pulls Kuznetsov in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to free his leg and advance position but Amuy Tarugo is retaining full guard.
Kuznetsov wanted to stand there but Amuy Tarugo had control of the position.
Kuznetsov throws a big right hand that misses.

Amuy Tarugo pushes Kuznetsov off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Amuy Tarugo shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuznetsov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Amuy Tarugo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Amuy Tarugo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.

Kuznetsov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Amuy Tarugo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuznetsov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuznetsov's back!

Amuy Tarugo seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Kuznetsov's chin but Kuznetsov turns very nicely into Amuy Tarugo's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Kuznetsov.
Amuy Tarugo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Amuy Tarugo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kuznetsov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kuznetsov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kuznetsov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Amuy Tarugo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amuy Tarugo wants to stand up but Kuznetsov is controlling him.
Amuy Tarugo pulls Kuznetsov in close to prevent any damage.
Kuznetsov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Amuy Tarugo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kuznetsov is controlling him.
Amuy Tarugo seems keen to control Kuznetsov's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amuy Tarugo being controlled here, momentarily.
Kuznetsov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Amuy Tarugo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Amuy Tarugo looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Amuy Tarugo passes into half guard.
Amuy Tarugo passes to side control.
Kuznetsov is trying to control Amuy Tarugo's posture but Amuy Tarugo avoids it.

Amuy Tarugo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Amuy Tarugo works to advance to full mount. Kuznetsov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Kuznetsov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Amuy Tarugo.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kuznetsov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Amuy Tarugo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Amuy Tarugo dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Amuy Tarugo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Amuy Tarugo showed some decent athleticism there.
Amuy Tarugo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kuznetsov!

Amuy Tarugo looking for a guillotine from mount but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Amuy Tarugo is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Amuy Tarugo with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Amuy Tarugo jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kuznetsov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kuznetsov tries to improve position but can't.
Kuznetsov is trying to control Amuy Tarugo's posture but Amuy Tarugo avoids it.
Kuznetsov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Amuy Tarugo tries to pass to full mount but Kuznetsov defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Amuy Tarugo is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kuznetsov is looking to improve his position.
Kuznetsov won't allow Amuy Tarugo to pass to mount.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Amuy Tarugo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kuznetsov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Amuy Tarugo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Amuy Tarugo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuznetsov, who protects the arm well.

Amuy Tarugo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Amuy Tarugo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuznetsov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kuznetsov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Amuy Tarugo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Amuy Tarugo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Amuy Tarugo moves into full mount!

Amuy Tarugo is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kuznetsov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Amuy Tarugo is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Kuznetsov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Kuznetsov shrugs it off.

Amuy Tarugo looking for a guillotine from mount but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Amuy Tarugo is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Amuy Tarugo working for a guillotine from mount but Kuznetsov is in no mood to give up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Amuy Tarugo goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kuznetsov turns into him and now he's in Amuy Tarugo's guard.
Amuy Tarugo wants to stand up but Kuznetsov is controlling him.
Yury Kuznetsov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov throwing strikes from guard but Amuy Tarugo blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdul Amuy Tarugo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Amuy Tarugo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdul Amuy Tarugo!