PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuznetsov
vs
McGregor

178 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
169 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yuri Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McGregor defends well and Kuznetsov ends up having to push McGregor into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McGregor drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuznetsov as he avoids it easily.
McGregor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuznetsov.
McGregor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kuznetsov's waist but Kuznetsov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McGregor off to one side.

McGregor looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kuznetsov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. McGregor keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kuznetsov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but McGregor moves out of range.
McGregor dives in for a single leg takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Yuri Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor McGregor.

Kuznetsov pushes McGregor up against the cage in a clinch.
McGregor can't get the takedown.

Kuznetsov jumps guard.
Kuznetsov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kuznetsov pulls McGregor in close to prevent any damage.
Kuznetsov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McGregor is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Kuznetsov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McGregor defends well.
Kuznetsov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McGregor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kuznetsov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGregor swivels and escapes.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

McGregor gets the takedown into side control.

Kuznetsov sneaks out the side door and pushes McGregor away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
McGregor takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McGregor looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kuznetsov pushes McGregor off and gets back to his feet.
McGregor looks winded!
Kuznetsov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGregor tries to avoid it but Kuznetsov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGregor to the ground. McGregor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McGregor to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Kuznetsov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. McGregor presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Kuznetsov jumps guard.
Kuznetsov looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGregor is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGregor swivels and escapes.
McGregor fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McGregor.
McGregor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuznetsov wants it to stay on the feet.
Yuri Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor McGregor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor fails with a takedown attempt.
McGregor is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with McGregor against the cage.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuznetsov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGregor somewhat.
McGregor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A combination from Kuznetsov does no damage.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt - Kuznetsov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov stuffs the takedown.
McGregor has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuznetsov tries for a takedown but McGregor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McGregor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuznetsov pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuznetsov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGregor defends it nicely.
McGregor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuznetsov pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov shoots in looking for a takedown. McGregor tries to sprawl out of it but Kuznetsov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McGregor manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuznetsov throws a big counter combination but McGregor scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
McGregor slaps away a takedown attempt from Kuznetsov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McGregor as he jumps to the side.
Yuri Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.

Kuznetsov clinches up with McGregor and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov jumps guard but McGregor stands there with Kuznetsov around his waist. Kuznetsov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuznetsov goes for a takedown attempt but McGregor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yuri Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGregor shoots in but Kuznetsov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.
And McGregor tries to counter it with a takedown but Kuznetsov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kuznetsov has closed the distance and engaged McGregor in a clinch.
Kuznetsov tries to score a body lock takedown but McGregor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Kuznetsov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

McGregor tries for a takedown but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kuznetsov tries to sprawl but McGregor drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kuznetsov is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
McGregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov wants to control but McGregor is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McGregor throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to maintain the position but McGregor is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to full guard.
Kuznetsov is trying to maintain the position but McGregor is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuznetsov moves into full guard.
Kuznetsov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kuznetsov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kuznetsov moves into range and clinches up with McGregor.
Kuznetsov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGregor pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGregor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kuznetsov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Kuznetsov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at McGregor's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
McGregor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov tries to avoid it but McGregor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kuznetsov to the ground. Kuznetsov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A low kick from Kuznetsov is predictable there

and McGregor counters with a single leg into guard. Kuznetsov didn't expect that.
Kuznetsov is wriggling around but McGregor manages to pass to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuznetsov gets full guard.
McGregor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McGregor is aware though and is defending well.
Kuznetsov is looking to sweep but instead, McGregor has passed into half guard.
Kuznetsov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kuznetsov has hold of McGregor's hands but McGregor slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

McGregor seems to be working for a kimura but Kuznetsov defends the submission attempt.
Connor McGregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yuri Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand back up but McGregor is controlling him

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor McGregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kuznetsov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Kuznetsov!