PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Terry Bull (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Bull's choice of entrance music: The Last Shadow Puppets . Terry Bull will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kukuev
vs
Bull

198 cm
29
240 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

192 cm
34
255 lbs
27 - 22 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Russian Top Team Nutrition

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 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kukuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 22 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Terry Bull!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bull just misses with a punch to the body.
Kukuev fails with the takedown.

Bull has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kukuev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bull pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bull displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kukuev.
Bull throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kukuev.
Bull throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kukuev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bull swivels and escapes.
Bull slaps away a takedown attempt from Kukuev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bull tries to work over Kukuev's front leg with a kick but Kukuev checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bull throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kukuev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kukuev shoots for a double leg takedown but Bull sprawls well. He's pushed Kukuev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bull misses with a straight left.
Bull pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bull doesn't manage to clinch there - Kukuev circles away.
Kukuev blocks a low kick nicely.
Bull connects with an inside leg kick.
Terry Bull seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukuev is breathing heavily.
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!

Kukuev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bull tries to get to full guard but Kukuev has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bull is staying active underneath Kukuev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kukuev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kukuev is working for a kimura but Bull is defending it quite comfortably.

Kukuev seems to be looking for submissions.
Bull moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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

Kukuev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bull manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kukuev has Bull in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kukuev keeping full guard, as Bull tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kukuev has his foot on Bull's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bull works his way back into a safe position though.

Kukuev looking for a guillotine here but Bull defends easily.
Bull wants to pass the guard but Kukuev is keeping the position.
Bull passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bull lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kukuev can't do much from the bottom here.
Kukuev takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kukuev gets back to half guard.

Bull is working for a submission of some sort.

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bull pulls his head out easily.
Bull is controlling the pace.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kukuev wants to control but Bull is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Bull is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kukuev is just riding it out for now. Bull eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bull misses with a low kick.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bull sprawls well. Bull wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kukuev gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bull tries to work over Kukuev's front leg with a kick but Kukuev checks it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kukuev.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bull tries to clinch but Kukuev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bull lands a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kukuev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bull fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kukuev manages to avoid it.
Bull misses the shot to the body.
Bull is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kukuev closes the distance and clinches up with Bull, looking for a takedown. Kukuev pushes Bull against the cage but Bull circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kukuev checks a leg kick.
Bull throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kukuev sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Bull closes the distance and pushes Kukuev back into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kukuev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bull to keep the fight standing.
Kukuev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bull avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bull lands a nice knee to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bull.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bull lands a left hand.
Bull lands a shot to the body.

Bull breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bull throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kukuev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bull is looking to clinch but Kukuev is avoiding it.
Kukuev avoids a kick to the body.
Bull throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bull will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A head kick misses from Bull.
Bull fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bull throws a body punch but Kukuev moves out of range.
Bull ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kukuev moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bull sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kukuev takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bull motions for Kukuev to come forward. Bull throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bull.
Bull motions for Kukuev to come forward. Bull throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bull.
Terry Bull seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bull swings for the body but Kukuev moves out of range.
Bull fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bull pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A head kick misses from Bull.
Bull misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kukuev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bull defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bull fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kukuev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bull fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kukuev checks it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kukuev is defended easily by Bull.
Bull throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bull is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kukuev rather than just go for the knockout.
Kukuev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bull keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Bull moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Terry Bull showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bull throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kukuev shoots in and drives through. Bull sprawls well.
Bull takes a swing at Kukuev's ribcage but misses.
Kukuev slips under a jab from Bull.

Bull clinches up against the cage.
Kukuev managing to block the knees to the body from Bull.
A short body shot lands from Bull as the two fighters clinch.
Kukuev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kukuev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bull lands with a right to the head.
Kukuev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bull will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kukuev up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bull lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bull leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukuev wants a takedown.
Bull presses Kukuev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kukuev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bull landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bull unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kukuev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bull has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bull throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bull.
Bull lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bull slows down the pace here.
A body shot lands from Bull.
Bull lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kukuev or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bull is leaning against Kukuev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The referee calls for Bull to work.
Knees to the body from Bull.
Bull is leaning against Kukuev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bull leaning against his opponent.
Bull lands a body shot.
A short body shot lands from Bull as the two fighters clinch.
Good body shot from Bull.
Bull stalls.
Bull lands a left hand.
Terry Bull is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bull is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev is working for takedown but Bull is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bull is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Knees to the body from Bull.
Kukuev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bull fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bull misses with a body kick.
Nikolai Kukuev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bull connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bull swings for the body but Kukuev moves out of range.
Kukuev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bull throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bull darts in and clinches Kukuev up against the cage.

Bull breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bull leaves Kukuev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kukuev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Bull gets a clinch.
Bull prevents the takedown attempt.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bull landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kukuev can't find room to land a body shot as Bull controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Terry Bull comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bull has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 26:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Terry Bull!
After the big win, Terry Bull made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159++ Energy - $50 and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.