PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nick Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Kuznecov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznecov has chosen Небо Славян as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Yuri Kuznecov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Figueroa
vs
Kuznecov

168 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Figueroa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Kuznecov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznecov shoots in looking for a takedown but Figueroa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kuznecov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Figueroa shoots in for a takedown but Kuznecov shows good takedown defense.

Figueroa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kuznecov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Figueroa is in Kuznecov's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Figueroa looking to pass the guard.
Figueroa distracts Kuznecov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Figueroa wants to pass the guard but Kuznecov is keeping the position.
Figueroa looking to sit in guard and control but Kuznecov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Figueroa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Figueroa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznecov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov trying to control the position from guard on top but Figueroa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznecov controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Yuri Kuznecov.

Figueroa closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Figueroa lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov has a closed guard, preventing Figueroa from standing up.
Figueroa throws a strike but Kuznecov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Figueroa has an active guard here but Kuznecov has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Figueroa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Figueroa is pulling down on Kuznecov's head. It's preventing any offense from Kuznecov, at least for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Figueroa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuznecov is looking to clinch but Figueroa is avoiding it.

Figueroa gets a takedown into half guard.

Figueroa wants to work for an arm triangle but Kuznecov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Figueroa passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa wants to stand but Kuznecov is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

Figueroa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kuznecov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kuznecov!
Figueroa controls Kuznecov momentarily but Kuznecov frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa is pulling down on Kuznecov's head. It's preventing any offense from Kuznecov, at least for the moment.
Kuznecov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Figueroa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Figueroa working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kuznecov has passed into half guard!
Figueroa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kuznecov is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Figueroa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Figueroa trying to hold on to Kuznecov's head to control him but Kuznecov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

We're going to have a standup here because Nick Figueroa wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Some wild striking there from Figueroa.

Figueroa scores with a takedown into Kuznecov's guard.
Figueroa wants to control from the top but Kuznecov keeps moving.
Figueroa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Figueroa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

No luck for Figueroa with that takedown attempt.
Kuznecov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Figueroa swivels and escapes.
Figueroa throws a body punch but Kuznecov moves out of range.
Figueroa misses with the combination.
Figueroa misses with the combination.

Figueroa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kuznecov is looking to control Figueroa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuznecov avoid being mounted?
Figueroa is stalling here. Kuznecov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Figueroa seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kuznecov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa tries to improve position but can't.
Kuznecov gets to mount! Figueroa was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Figueroa is trying to reverse the position but instead Kuznecov has taken his back - oops!
Figueroa is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Figueroa doesn't escape.
Figueroa trying to control but not successfully.
Figueroa is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa is working hard here to advance position.
Figueroa trying to control the position but Kuznecov manages to sink in the hooks.
Figueroa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kuznecov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kuznecov has the hooks in. Figueroa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nick Figueroa.

Kuznecov instigates a clinch.
Kuznecov tries for a takedown but Figueroa manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Figueroa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nick Figueroa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Kuznecov.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown but Figueroa shows good takedown defense.
Kuznecov darts in looking for a takedown but Figueroa gets double underhooks and turns Kuznecov into the cage.

Figueroa wants the takedown. Kuznecov is fighting it off but Figueroa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kuznecov's guard against the cage.
Figueroa looking to sit in guard and control but Kuznecov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Figueroa wants to hit a switch here but Kuznecov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Figueroa there!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Figueroa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Figueroa, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Figueroa!