PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 3508 p4p, 3278 weight class) and Connor McAtee (ranked 477 p4p, 444 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kuznetsov
vs
McAtee

180 cm
20
195
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
193
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 160q Rec&St

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Connor McAtee!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McAtee on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab
and McAtee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.
Kuznetsov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McAtee counters with a left to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and McAtee counters with a left to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. McAtee does a little dance to reset his feet.
McAtee throws out a counter right but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Kuznetsov 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.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice right hand.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
McAtee let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
McAtee moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McAtee circles away quickly and effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McAtee counters with a nice uppercut.
McAtee has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kuznetsov with a jab.
McAtee on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but McAtee is out of range.
McAtee lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and McAtee counters with a nice body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Kuznetsov there.
Kuznetsov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McAtee takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
McAtee is looking for the big counter here.
Kuznetsov misses with a right hand
and McAtee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kuznetsov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McAtee counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and McAtee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.
McAtee is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuznetsov rather than just go for the knockout.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A countering left hand to the body from McAtee misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McAtee! But no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy uppercut
and McAtee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but McAtee avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and McAtee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McAtee sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from McAtee finds it's way through Kuznetsov's defenses.
Kuznetsov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McAtee fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov is looking for a counter combo.
The fighters circle momentarily. McAtee darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Some wild striking there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but McAtee moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McAtee avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
McAtee has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McAtee thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but McAtee ducks down to avoid it.
McAtee let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A shot to the body from Kuznetsov misses
and McAtee counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McAtee darts in trying to clinch
and Kuznetsov counters with a stiff right hand.
A cross from Kuznetsov lands.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but McAtee uses good head movement to avoid it.
McAtee connects with the punch.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McAtee doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and McAtee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice shot lands for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McAtee defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and McAtee counters with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but McAtee avoids them all with ease.
McAtee is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuznetsov with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
A countering left hand to the body from McAtee misses.
Kuznetsov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
McAtee ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McAtee looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov throws a poor cross that misses
and McAtee counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Some wild striking there from McAtee.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kuznetsov lands with a nice combination. McAtee backs away looking to recover.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by McAtee.
McAtee appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A countering left hand to the body from McAtee misses.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
and McAtee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McAtee throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McAtee doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but McAtee avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
and McAtee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McAtee swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuznetsov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McAtee! But no joy.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
and McAtee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a predictable looking body shot
and McAtee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McAtee counters with a left to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut
and McAtee counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on McAtee's shoulder, as McAtee tries to avoid the shot.
A little jabbing left from McAtee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand
and McAtee counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but McAtee slips the punch.
McAtee lands a nice shot that snaps Kuznetsov's head back.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
McAtee lands the left hand.
Kuznetsov cracks McAtee with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when McAtee was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and McAtee makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
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!
McAtee just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McAtee.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but McAtee is out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and McAtee counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice jab there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but McAtee blocks it.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
McAtee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McAtee keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
McAtee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Jab from Kuznetsov.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.
McAtee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McAtee ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAtee ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little jabbing left from McAtee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuznetsov throws a left and a right that both miss
and McAtee counters with a left to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a series of wild punches.
McAtee swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
letting McAtee counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuznetsov misses the target.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McAtees jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov catches McAtee with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kuznetsov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
letting McAtee counter with a right hand.
McAtee drops his hands momentarily and Kuznetsov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut
and McAtee makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McAtee uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McAtee moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McAtee looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. McAtee saw that one coming.
McAtee throws out a counter right but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but McAtee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McAtee looks like he wants to counter punch here.
McAtee uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
McAtee blocks a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McAtee! But no joy.
McAtee displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
McAtee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McAtee has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
McAtee throws a right hand that Kuznetsov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kuznetsov also avoids with ease.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.
McAtee throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Kuznetsov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kuznetsov cracks McAtee with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
McAtee throws out a counter right but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. McAtee saw that one coming.
McAtee looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McAtee.
A little jabbing left from McAtee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McAtee misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses
and McAtee cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov cracks McAtee with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kuznetsov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McAtee counters with a left to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAtee slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
A little jabbing left from McAtee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
and McAtee makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by McAtee.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy uppercut
and McAtee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.
McAtee blocks a jab.
A nice side step and McAtee releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McAtee slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McAtee! But no joy.
Alexander Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
McAtee slips under a jab.
McAtee throws out a counter right but Kuznetsov avoids it with no problem.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like McAtee was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McAtee with a hook.
Kuznetsov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McAtee slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
McAtee doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
McAtee dodges the punch combination from Kuznetsov.
Connor McAtee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
and McAtee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznetsov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when McAtee was well out of range.
A nice side step and McAtee releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
and McAtee counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that misses
and McAtee counters with a nice body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
letting McAtee counter with a right hand.
McAtee moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
McAtee is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuznetsov with a body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut
and McAtee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kuznetsov thinking.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
McAtee ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
A countering left hand to the body from McAtee misses.
McAtee slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
A little jabbing left from McAtee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McAtee appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but McAtee ducks down to avoid it.
Alexander Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuznetsov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McAtee tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy uppercut
and McAtee counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McAtee.
McAtee looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McAtee moves away.
McAtee is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuznetsov with a body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by McAtee.
A countering left hand to the body from McAtee misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
and McAtee counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Alexander Kuznetsov has been cut.
McAtee on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McAtee.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand

and McAtee counters with a crisp right hand that drops Kuznetsov! McAtee lets Kuznetsov back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Kuznetsov is rocked!
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!
McAtee moves in looking to clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him off.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and McAtee counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kuznetsov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A nice side step and McAtee releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McAtee counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at McAtee's ribcage but misses.
McAtee swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a combination
and McAtee counters with a nice body shot.

McAtee has closed the distance and engaged Kuznetsov in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Kuznetsov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor McAtee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kuznetsov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
A very excited looking Alexander Kuznetsov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.