PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stas Kuznetcov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Sales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetcov's entrance music is Russian Kriminal. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuznetcov
vs
Sales

175 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stas Kuznetcov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Sales!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kuznetcov misses.
Sales uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetcov.
Sales showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuznetcov.

Sales closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuznetcov quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sales controlling the pace.
Sales wants to pass to mount but Kuznetcov is defending the position.

Kuznetcov actively working from the bottom here.

Kuznetcov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sales decides to stand up.
Kuznetcov tries to bum rush Sales with a series of wild strikes but Sales uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stas Kuznetcov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sales closes the distance and clinches.

Sales drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sales kicks Kuznetcov off and gets to his feet.

Sales has taken the fight to the clinch.

Sales breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sales keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetcov.
Sales ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetcov misses with a double jab

and Sales counters with a shoot takedown. Kuznetcov fights it but they end up in guard.

Kuznetcov is looking for a triangle but Sales pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kuznetcov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sales is aware though and is defending well.
Kuznetcov is breathing heavily.
Sales chips away with some ground and pound.
Sales controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sales forces his way into half guard.
Kuznetcov works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sales slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Kuznetcov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sales defends well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuznetcov keeping moving, preventing Sales from controlling successfully.

Kuznetcov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sales defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sales looking to pass the guard.
Sales engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kuznetcov is looking for a triangle but Sales pushes his legs off easily.
Sales must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kuznetcov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sales gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sales trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetcov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sales thows a big elbow that misses.
Sales scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sales slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sales is in close to Kuznetcov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kuznetcov keeping moving, preventing Sales from controlling successfully.

Kuznetcov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sales doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sales manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kuznetcov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sales defends well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sales stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuznetcov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pedro Sales will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sales fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuznetcov sprawls well initially but Sales persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sales wants to pass the guard but Kuznetcov is defending well.
Kuznetcov tries to roll over but Sales keeps him under control.
Sales is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kuznetcov!
Sales is landing with some decent strikes but Kuznetcov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kuznetcov taking shots to the head.
Kuznetcov is desperately trying to improve his position but Sales has a good base and remains in mount.
Kuznetcov wants to hold on but Sales pushes him away.
Sales trying to control but Kuznetcov is having none of it.
Sales controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sales landing punches.
Kuznetcov is looking to improve his position but Sales isn't that keen on the idea.

Sales looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Sales is breathing heavily.
Kuznetcov is squirming around, avoiding Sales's attempts to control the action.
Kuznetcov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sales scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kuznetcov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kuznetcov is working hard here to advance position.
Kuznetcov tries to improve his position but instead Sales has taken his back!
I really don't envy Kuznetcov right now.
Kuznetcov grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Sales is riding his opponent, not letting Kuznetcov buck him off.
Sales keeps control of the position as Kuznetcov tries to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov can't escape the position.
A lull in the action here.
Sales doesn't have the hooks in and Kuznetcov manages to turn into his guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kuznetcov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kuznetcov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Kuznetcov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sales sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kuznetcov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kuznetcov is looking for a kimura here.

Kuznetcov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pedro Sales will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kuznetcov looks to land a left hand but Sales moved out of range nicely.

Sales feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Pedro Sales has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sales stands and steps away. Kuznetcov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Sales gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kuznetcov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Sales has hold of one of Kuznetcov's legs. Kuznetcov is fighting the takedown attempt but Sales gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sales controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kuznetcov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sales is aware though and is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kuznetcov is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Sales has his hands clasped together but Kuznetcov extends an breaks Sales's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Kuznetcov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Stas Kuznetcov!