PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Svetnela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Kusimuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Svetnela's entrance music is Angel of Death by Slayer. A fine choice. Kusimuki comes into a darkened arena with his song building. National Anthem Of Japan kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Svetnela
vs
Kusimuki

187 cm
29
195 lbs
18 - 3 - 1

180 cm
23
190 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)
Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Igor Svetnela!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takeshi Kusimuki!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svetnela moves into range and connects with a jab.
Takeshi Kusimuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kusimuki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Svetnela can pounce on him.
Svetnela lands with a kick to the temple. Kusimuki shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kusimuki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Svetnela.
Kusimuki throws a lazy right hand but Svetnela sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Svetnela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kusimuki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusimuki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kusimuki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Svetnela counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kusimuki tries to clinch up but Svetnela circles away and keeps his distance.
Svetnela throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kusimuki.

That's two 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.
Kusimuki misses with an uppercut
and Svetnela connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Svetnela jabs Kusimuki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Svetnela takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kusimuki throws a combination that misses

and Svetnela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Svetnela.
Svetnela leaning against his opponent.
Nice body punch from Kusimuki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kusimuki as Svetnela tries to tie him up.
A head punch on the inside from Svetnela fails to land.
Kusimuki tries to throw a body punch but Svetnela avoids it by throwing Kusimuki back against the cage.
Svetnela being controlled against the cage.
Svetnela lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Svetnela blocks a body shot from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki tries to stall but Svetnela uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kusimuki.
Svetnela lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kusimuki backwards.
Kusimuki tries to throw a body punch but Svetnela avoids it by throwing Kusimuki back against the cage.
Kusimuki working aggressively here.
Kusimuki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Svetnela.
Svetnela avoids a wild elbow strike from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Svetnela throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Svetnela pushes off an throws an elbow but Kusimuki leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kusimuki misses with a punch to the body.
Kusimuki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Svetnela avoids it.

That's four 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.
Kusimuki leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short uppercut from Svetnela.
A right handed body shot lands from Kusimuki.
A right hand to the body from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki presses Svetnela against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Svetnela pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Svetnela working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Svetnela throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Svetnela avoids the elbow strike from Kusimuki, against the cage.
Svetnela digs a right hand into Kusimuki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kusimuki's gas tank.
Kusimuki misses with the head strike.
Svetnela blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Kusimuki.
Svetnela works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kusimuki.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kusimuki.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kusimuki.
Kusimuki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Svetnela or not.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kusimuki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Svetnela stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kusimuki tries to close the distance and clinch but Svetnela swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kusimuki closes the distance but Svetnela moves to the side
and Svetnela counters with a big head kick but Kusimuki shrugs it off.
Kusimuki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svetnela misses with a double jab
and Kusimuki counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusimuki throws a combination that misses
and Svetnela counters with a good, hard body kick but Kusimuki shrugs it off.
Svetnela misses with a head kick.
Kusimuki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Svetnela throws a front kick aimed at Kusimuki's knee but Kusimuki avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Svetnela throws a lazy uppercut
and Kusimuki counters with a right hand to the body.
Kusimuki shoots in looking for a takedown. Svetnela tries to sprawl out of it but Kusimuki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Svetnela manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kusimuki wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Svetnela throws the left hand but Kusimuki avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kusimuki misses the body punch
and Svetnela makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Donk. Kusimuki catches Svetnela right on the button with a cross.
Svetnela throws a lazy uppercut
and Kusimuki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Svetnela throws a poor cross that misses
and Kusimuki counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice leg kick lands there from Svetnela.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kusimuki 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.

Kusimuki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Svetnela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kusimuki.
Svetnela misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kusimuki throws a right hand that misses
and Svetnela counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svetnela keeps the fight on the outside.
Igor Svetnela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusimuki swings for the body but Svetnela moves out of range.
Svetnela feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kusimukis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kusimuki lands with a nice body punch.
Svetnela throws a leg kick
and Kusimuki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Svetnela thinking.
Kusimuki tries to clinch
and Svetnela counters with a head kick. That will keep Kusimuki thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela circles away from the clinch attempt

and Svetnela counters by clinching up.
Kusimuki tries to throw a body punch but Svetnela avoids it by throwing Kusimuki back against the cage.
Svetnela trying to stall but Kusimuki improves his position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Svetnela stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kusimuki blocking some punches.
Svetnela blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki takes an elbow to the temple.
Svetnela works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kusimuki lands a left hand.
Kusimuki leaning against his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Svetnela creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Svetnela taking a breather.
Kusimuki trying to stall but Svetnela improves his position.
Kusimuki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Svetnela is trying to maintain a safe position but Kusimuki gets an underhook and turns Svetnela into the cage.
Kusimuki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kusimuki throws a punch but it's blocked by Svetnela.
Kusimuki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Svetnela stalling in the clinch but Kusimuki improves position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Svetnela obliges.
A short body shot lands from Svetnela as the two fighters clinch.
Kusimuki digs a right hand underneath Svetnela's ribcage. Svetnela let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kusimuki scores with a hook to the body.
Svetnela missing with knees to the body.
Kusimuki misses with some punches.
Svetnela doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Takeshi Kusimuki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kusimuki lands a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kusimuki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Svetnela letting Kusimuki take a breather here.
Kusimuki misses with a punch to the body.
Kusimuki throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kusimuki avoiding damage.
Svetnela fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kusimuki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Svetnela has Kusimuki pressed against the cage.
Kusimuki is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Svetnela trying to stall but Kusimuki improves his position.
Kusimuki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Svetnela lands a shoulder strike.
Svetnela taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Svetnela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kusimuki really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kusimuki tries to clinch but Svetnela moves out of range.
Kusimuki just misses with a punch to the body.
Svetnela throws a lazy uppercut

and Kusimuki counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svetnela prevents a body shot from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Svetnela makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Svetnela dodges an elbow strike from Kusimuki.
Svetnela lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kusimuki avoids the elbow strike from Svetnela, against the cage.
Svetnela lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Svetnela lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusimuki blocks a body shot from Svetnela.
Kusimuki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Kusimuki.
Svetnela throws a punch but it's blocked by Kusimuki.
Kusimuki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kusimuki digs a right hand into Svetnela's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Svetnela's gas tank.
Kusimuki stalling the fight.
Svetnela pushes Kusimuki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kusimuki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Svetnela doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Svetnela avoids a wild elbow strike from Kusimuki.
With the fighters up against the cage, Svetnela throws an elbow but misses.
Kusimuki lands a right hand.
Kusimuki being controlled against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Svetnela just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kusimuki's brow.
Kusimuki managing to block the knees to the body from Svetnela.
Kusimuki misses with a punch on the inside.
Svetnela prevents a body shot from Kusimuki.
Svetnela tries to stall but Kusimuki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Svetnela throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kusimukis head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki throws an elbow but it misses.
Svetnela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Svetnela pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kusimuki misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Kusimuki - that landed with a thud.
Kusimuki working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kusimuki is working Svetnela over against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Svetnela just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kusimuki's brow.
Kusimuki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Svetnela takes a shot to the head.
Kusimuki slows down the pace here.
A short body shot lands from Kusimuki as the two fighters clinch.
Kusimuki misses with a knee to the head.
Kusimuki throws an elbow that misses.
Kusimuki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Svetnela backwards.
Svetnela holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Kusimuki.
Svetnela gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Svetnela just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kusimuki's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusimuki scores with a hook to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kusimuki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kusimuki lands a shot to the body.
Kusimuki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Svetnela or not.
Kusimuki dodges an elbow strike from Svetnela.
Kusimuki comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kusimuki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Good body shot from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kusimuki lands with a light punch inside.
Kusimuki digs a right hand underneath Svetnela's ribcage. Svetnela let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kusimuki dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kusimuki lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Kusimuki.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kusimuki lands with a light punch inside.
Kusimuki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kusimuki.
A short right from Kusimuki.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki digs a right hand into Svetnela's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Svetnela's gas tank.
Kusimuki lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki works on Svetnela's body with a couple of short punches.
Svetnela's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kusimuki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Svetnela backwards.
Kusimuki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nice body punch from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki lands a nice uppercut.
Kusimuki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Svetnela.
Kusimuki scores with a shot to the side of Svetnela's head.
Stalling in the clinch from Kusimuki.
A shot in the inside from Kusimuki.
Kusimuki lands a body punch.
Kusimuki lands a body shot in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kusimuki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kusimuki slows down the pace here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kusimuki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Kusimuki dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kusimuki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svetnela manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kusimuki tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Svetnela connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Svetnela.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svetnela lands a jab to Kusimuki's midsection.
Kusimuki falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Svetnela counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusimuki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Svetnela manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kusimuki tries to clinch up but Svetnela circles away and keeps his distance.
Kusimuki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kusimuki throws a big shot that misses.
Kusimuki looks to score with a jab to the body but Svetnela is just out of range.
Kusimuki moves out of range of the leg kick from Svetnela.
Kusimuki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Svetnela counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Svetnela lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kusimuki at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kusimuki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Igor Svetnela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Svetnela is looking to score with low kicks.
Kusimuki misses with a body shot
and Kusimuki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kusimuki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kusimuki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kusimuki looks to score with a jab to the body but Svetnela is just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kusimuki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Svetnela paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Svetnela takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Svetnela showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kusimuki has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 46:49
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeshi Kusimuki!
Takeshi Kusimuki is the new middleweight champion!