PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Somsak Jiam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Kuznecov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jiam
vs
Kuznecov

160 cm
18
134 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

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 The Island, Somsak Jiam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yuri Kuznecov!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznecov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jiam just misses with a punch to the body.
Jiam misses with a kick to the body

and Kuznecov moves into the clinch.

Jiam breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A shot to the body from Jiam misses
and Kuznecov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kuznecov or perhaps it was just good defense by Jiam, which made it look bad.
Kuznecov walks into a stiff left hand from Jiam.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuznecov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kuznecov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jiam throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznecov moves out of range easily.
Kuznecov tries to counter with a clinch but Jiam shakes him off and moves away.
Jiam stuffs the takedown attempt from Kuznecov. Kuznecov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznecov moves into the clinch.
Jiam stalling in the clinch but Kuznecov improves position.
Jiam misses with a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kuznecov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kuznecov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kuznecov - that landed with a thud.
Jiam trying to land knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kuznecov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Kuznecov manages to break the clinch.
Kuznecov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jiam tries to avoid it but Kuznecov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jiam to the ground. Jiam escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Somsak Jiam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Kuznecov.
Kuznecov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jiam swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jiam catches Kuznecov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Jiam gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kuznecov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kuznecov stays in close to Jiam's body and controls the position.
Kuznecov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jiam works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jiam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jiam wants to improve his position but instead Kuznecov has moved into half guard.
Kuznecov uses his free foot to push down on Jiam's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Jiam.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jiam wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Jiam tries to break free.

Kuznecov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Jiam is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kuznecov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jiam is really stuck here.
Kuznecov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Jiam doesn't escape.
Jiam wants to control his opponent's hands but Kuznecov gets his hands free.
Jiam knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuznecov on the ground.
Kuznecov throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Kuznecov is cranking Jiam's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Jiam! He's tightened the choke and Jiam is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Yuri Kuznecov!