PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between AJ Wilder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Kuznetcov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilder kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Talkin' Da Hardest. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Wilder
vs
Kuznetcov

190 cm
21
234 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
272 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

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Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, AJ Wilder!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Kuznetcov!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilder misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kuznetcov counters with a straight right hand.
Kuznetcov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetcov closes the distance and clinches up with Wilder, looking for a takedown. Kuznetcov pushes Wilder against the ropes but Wilder circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Wilder gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kuznetcov misses with a body punch.
Wilder lands a shoulder strike.
Wilder tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetcov avoids it by throwing Wilder back against the ropes.
Kuznetcov lands with a left to the head.
Kuznetcov wants to stall.
Wilder tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetcov avoids it by throwing Wilder back against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetcov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetcov is looking to take this one to the mat.
A right hook to the body lands for Wilder.

Wilder breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetcov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wilder was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetcov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Wilder misses.
Wilder connects with a leg kick. Kuznetcov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Wilder uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetcov.
Wilder tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetcov was well out of range. Poor timing from Wilder.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznetcov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznetcov.
Wilder scores with a shot to the body.
Kuznetcov blocks the body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuznetcov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wilder has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kuznetcov finds it's way round the side to connect with Wilder's head.
We've been told by Wilder's head coaches at LOD-Guts & Glory Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wilder tries to clinch there but Kuznetcov circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kuznetcov! But no joy.
Kuznetcov looks to score with a jab to the body but Wilder is just out of range.
Kuznetcov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetcov takes a swing at Wilder's ribcage but misses.
Wilder appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
A combination from Wilder does no damage.
Kuznetcov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kuznetcov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wilder.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetcov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wilder is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
AJ Wilder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Kuznetcov.
Wilder tries to clinch up but Kuznetcov circles away and keeps his distance.
Wilder ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've been informed that Kuznetcov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Wilder is looking to wear down Kuznetcov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Wilder tries to keep at a distance but Kuznetcov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wilder lands a right hand.
Kuznetcov taking a breather.
Kuznetcov swings wildly with an uppercut but Wilder uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wilder working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Wilder scores with a hook to the body.
Kuznetcov blocking some punches.
Kuznetcov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov lands with a short shot to the head.
Kuznetcov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetcov has a couple of punches blocked by Wilder.
Kuznetcov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kuznetcov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wilder is defending well.
Wilder working aggressively here.
Kuznetcov wants to take the fight to the mat but Wilder manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wilder misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wilder prevents the takedown attempt.
Wilder is trying to force a seperation but Kuznetcov has the dominant position.
Wilder is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetcov blocking some punches.
Wilder tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilder lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Wilder blocks a body shot from Kuznetcov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Wilder wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wilder prevents a body shot from Kuznetcov.
Wilder misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetcov has a couple of punches blocked by Wilder.
Kuznetcov prevents a body shot from Wilder.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kuznetcov.
Wilder prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuznetcov wants a takedown.
Wilder tries to stall but Kuznetcov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Wilder misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuznetcov blocking some punches.
Kuznetcov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetcov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kuznetcov fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that AJ Wilder will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuznetcov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Wilder manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wilder takes one on the button.
Kuznetcov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wilder throws a leg kick but Kuznetcov moved away.
Kuznetcov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wilder circles away.
Kuznetcov connects with a single shot there.
Wilder works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A lazy left from Wilder finds it's target.
A lazy left from Kuznetcov finds it's target.
Kuznetcov throws a jab but it's blocked by Wilder.
Kuznetcov looks to throw the jab but Wilder is out of range.
Wilder lands a really nice looking cross but Kuznetcov seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetcov scores with a jab to the head.
Wilder tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetcov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kuznetcov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznetcov darts in looking for a takedown but Wilder gets double underhooks and turns Kuznetcov into the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilder tries to work over Kuznetcov's front leg with a kick but Kuznetcov checks it.
Wilder listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wilder lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuznetcov's head.
Wilder doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetcov circles away.
Kuznetcov looks to land a right hand but Wilder moved out of range.
Wilder is looking to clinch.
Kuznetcov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wilder swings for the body but Kuznetcov moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Wilder.
A big right from Wilder misses.
Jab, jab by Kuznetcov - just one landing.
Wilder waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetcov.

Kuznetcov instigates a clinch.
Wilder looking to slow down the pace here.
Kuznetcov blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Kuznetcov lands with a light punch inside.
Wilder is trying to break the clinch but Kuznetcov is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuznetcov misses with a punch to the body.

Kuznetcov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Wilder regains guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wilder doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Wilder has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the ropes to get back to his feet. Kuznetcov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the ropes.
Kuznetcov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
AJ Wilder has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Wilder pushes Kuznetcov back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wilder.
Wilder taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Wilder misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilder lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Kuznetcov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wilder's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Wilder tries a body shot but Kuznetcov blocks it.
Wilder looking to stall.
Wilder blocks an uppercut.
Wilder misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetcov working aggressively here.
Wilder swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov is looking to take this one to the mat.
AJ Wilder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wilder is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kuznetcov lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetcov prevents a body shot from Wilder.
Wilder is pressed up against the ropes. Kuznetcov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wilder down to the mat. Wilder avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wilder with a nice cross.
Wilder tries to clinch but Kuznetcov moves out of range.
Kuznetcov moves out of range of the strikes.
Wilder throws a body punch but Kuznetcov moves out of range.
Wilder throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetcov ducks down to avoid it.
Wilder lands an overhand right.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wilder tries to clinch but Kuznetcov moves out of range.
Wilder moves away from the strike by Kuznetcov.
It looked like Wilder was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov shoots for a takedown but Wilder saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuznetcov scores with a punch to the head.
Kuznetcov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that AJ Wilder will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wilder wants to clinch up but Kuznetcov keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetcov tries to clinch but Wilder moves out of range.
Wilder misses the jab.
Wilder throws a leg kick but Kuznetcov moved away.
Kuznetcov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kuznetcov swats away the attempt to clinch by Wilder.

Kuznetcov forces Wilder back against the ropes and clinches.

Kuznetcov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kuznetcov manages to end up in side control.
Kuznetcov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetcov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kuznetcov working the head with strikes.
Kuznetcov takes a little break here. Wilder wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov is putting a hurting on Wilder here, landing some big shots from side control.
Wilder is trying to control Kuznetcov's posture but Kuznetcov avoids it.
Kuznetcov working the ground and pound.
Wilder tries to buck Kuznetcov off but Kuznetcov is having none of it.
Kuznetcov scores with punches from side control.
Wilder managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Wilder sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Andrey Kuznetcov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov trying to control the action but Wilder is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kuznetcov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kuznetcov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Wilder taking a bit of punishment here - Kuznetcov scoring with strikes.
Kuznetcov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Kuznetcov fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilder tries to bench press Kuznetcov off him but Kuznetcov keeps the position.
Kuznetcov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Wilder is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kuznetcov connects with a decent elbow.
Kuznetcov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kuznetcov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Wilder some visible discomfort.
Kuznetcov working away.
Kuznetcov cracks Wilder with a big elbow.
An elbow from Kuznetcov crashes against the mat.
Wilder is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kuznetcov throws a strike aimed at the side of Wilder's head but Wilder avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilder is not content to let Kuznetcov control the position.
Kuznetcov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Wilder is avoiding damage well.
Kuznetcov working the head with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuznetcov wants to control but Wilder is keeping him busy.
Kuznetcov tries to score with some ground and pound. Wilder controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wilder tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kuznetcov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetcov with the counter takedown but Wilder avoids it easily.

Kuznetcov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Wilder!
Wilder is trying to control Kuznetcov's posture but Kuznetcov avoids it.
Wilder is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kuznetcov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Kuznetcov slows the pace down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilder stops Kuznetcov from passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Wilder is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Wilder is not content to let Kuznetcov control the position.
Wilder dodges the ground and pound from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov wants to control but Wilder is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Wilder's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kuznetcov fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kuznetcov working the ground and pound.
Kuznetcov is chipping away with strikes.
Wilder takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kuznetcov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Wilder is looking for a sweep.
Kuznetcov working the ground and pound from side control.
Kuznetcov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Wilder is avoiding damage well.
Kuznetcov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kuznetcov lands some shots froms side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kuznetcov is putting a hurting on Wilder here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Wilder works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Wilder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov lands with a punch from half guard.
Kuznetcov is thwarting Wilder's attempts to control the position.
Kuznetcov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kuznetcov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Wilder defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kuznetcov content to control rather than advance.
Wilder is looking to escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wilder scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Wilder has closed the distance and engaged Kuznetcov in a clinch.
Wilder tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetcov avoids it by throwing Wilder back against the ropes.
Kuznetcov stalling.
Kuznetcov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wilder blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetcov is looking for a takedown.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wilder.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Kuznetcov dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Wilder's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Kuznetcov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wilder looks to land a left hand but Kuznetcov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetcov walks into a straight right hand from Wilder.
Kuznetcov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wilder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wilder is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kuznetcov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wilder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuznetcov somewhat.
Wilder appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Wilder moves to clinch but Kuznetcov breaks away
and Kuznetcov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetcov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetcov. Wilder does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilder swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wilder lands a jab to the head.
Kuznetcov throws a hook but Wilder avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Wilder tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wilder gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wilder scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznetcov clinches.
Kuznetcov lands a shot to the body.
Kuznetcov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Wilder blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetcov lands with a short shot to the head.

Wilder manages to break the clinch.
Wilder misses with a hook
and Kuznetcov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetcov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetcov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wilder.
Wilder throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kuznetcov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Wilder avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznetcov is looking to advance position but Wilder has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's two 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!
Wilder wants to control but Kuznetcov has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Kuznetcov is refusing to be controlled, as Wilder sits in half guard.
Kuznetcov is holding on to half guard well.
Wilder trying to control the action but Kuznetcov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuznetcov wants to control but Wilder is keeping busy.
Wilder trying to control the action but Kuznetcov is working from the bottom.
Kuznetcov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wilder trying to control but Kuznetcov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wilder content to stall in guard here.
Kuznetcov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetcov, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kuznetcov has control of Wilder's left arm, preventing Wilder from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuznetcov tries to clinch up but Wilder circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuznetcov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetcov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wilder misses with a hook. Kuznetcov ducked under it nicely.
AJ Wilder is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kuznetcov has closed the distance and engaged Wilder in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrey Kuznetcov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kuznetcov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Kuznetcov!
Andrey Kuznetcov is the new heavyweight champion!
After winning the bout, Andrey Kuznetcov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.