PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raja Khanna (ranked 2591 p4p, 2565 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 351 p4p, 347 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Khanna
vs
Kuznetsov

190 cm
20
185
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
20
195
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Raja Khanna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Eddie Farnsworth and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Khanna seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Khanna has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Alfred Top Team in the buildup to the fight.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Khanna was well out of range.
Khanna defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Khanna looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Khanna tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.
Khanna just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Khanna. That snapped Kuznetsov's head back.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Khanna swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It seemed like Kuznetsov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khanna circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Khanna lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuznetsov doesn't seem phased though.
Khanna dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Khanna moved out of range nicely.
Khanna staying out of range there.
Khanna tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kuznetsov manages to circle out of the way.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov walks into a stiff left hand from Khanna.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khanna. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Good shot there by Kuznetsov.
Khanna throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Khanna moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Khanna slips the punch.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Khanna is looking to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch.
Khanna slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Khanna digs a good hook to Kuznetsov's body.
Nice shot by Khanna.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Khanna moved out of range.
Khanna ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Khanna ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khanna lands a really nice looking cross but Kuznetsov seems unphased.
Khanna looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov 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.
Khanna keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khanna moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Khanna does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Khanna uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Khanna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Khanna is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Khanna misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetsov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Khannas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Khanna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khanna lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Khanna saw that one coming.
Kuznetsov lands a nice shot that snaps Khanna's head back.
Kuznetsov throws a poor cross that misses

and Khanna counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Khanna.
Khanna is leaning against Kuznetsov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Khanna.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Khanna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Khanna avoids it easily.
Khanna slips under a jab.
Khanna is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Khanna's shoulder, as Khanna tries to avoid the shot.
Khanna misses with a hook
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Khanna stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good exchange - Khanna coming out on top.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khanna looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Khanna uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Khanna moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov lands with an uppercut that bounces Khanna off the cage and back into range.
Kuznetsov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Jab by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov slips a straight right by Khanna.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Khanna is out of range.
Khanna looks to land a combination but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Nice straight punches there by Khanna. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Khanna.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov connects with a jab.
Khanna scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Khanna throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Khanna moves away and avoids it.
Khanna takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Khanna is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Khanna loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
A little jabbing left from Kuznetsov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Khanna.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Khanna pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Khanna lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuznetsov backs up against the cage.
Khanna looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuznetsov throws a good cross that connects.
Khanna misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khanna uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Khanna wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khanna.
Kuznetsov tries to move into range but Khanna moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Khanna avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Khanna is out of range.
Khanna thows a left - swing and a miss!
Khanna throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khanna cracks Kuznetsov with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Khanna back to the cage. Kuznetsov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Khanna looks to throw the jab but Kuznetsov is out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Khanna darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Khanna jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Khanna jabs at Kuznetsov's body.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.
Khanna has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Khanna lands a right hook to the body.
Khanna is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kuznetsov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Khanna misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khanna. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Khanna ducks down to avoid it.
Khanna tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kuznetsov manages to circle out of the way.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Khanna avoids the punch easily.
Khanna throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Khanna defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Khanna lands a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Khanna moved out of range.
Khanna throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Khanna throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A cross from Khanna lands.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Khanna ducked under it nicely.
Khanna tries to counter by clinching up but Kuznetsov breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Khanna misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov throws out a counter right but Khanna avoids it with no problem.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A combination from Kuznetsov does no damage.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khanna lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Khanna ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khanna misses the shot to the body.
Khanna lands a jab.
Khanna throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Khanna changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khanna.
Khanna fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Khanna's head but Khanna sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khanna.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanna throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A jab from Khanna misses.
Khanna avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khanna throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Khanna.
A telegraphed right hand from Khanna misses the target.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Khanna.
Khanna swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Khanna staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Khanna ducks down to avoid it.
Khanna wants to clinch but Kuznetsov slips to the side
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.
Khanna misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Khanna takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Khanna throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khanna slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
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 Raja Khanna will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Khanna misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kuznetsov walks into a left hand.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khanna scores with a hook to the body. Kuznetsov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Khanna misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Khanna thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big right from Khanna misses.
Khanna bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Khanna is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut there from Kuznetsov.
Khanna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khanna blocks a jab.
Khanna ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetsov lands a lovely overhand right.
Khanna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Khanna misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Khanna throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Khanna slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Khanna takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Khanna is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khanna scores with a decent looking hook.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
The fighters circling - Khanna throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuznetsov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Khanna defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Khanna wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Khanna ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khanna is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Khanna blocks it.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khanna.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanna throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Khanna saw that one coming.
Khanna is looking to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khanna.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Khanna's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Khanna is out of range.
Khanna scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Khanna moved out of range.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov connects with a jab.
Khanna misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Khanna smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Khanna is out of range.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Khanna moved out of range nicely.
Khanna slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Khanna misses the target.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khanna walks into a left hand.
Khanna scores with a jab to the jaw.
Khanna gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Khanna wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Khanna defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Khanna.
Kuznetsov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Khanna scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A combination from Kuznetsov does no damage.
Kuznetsov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Khanna waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
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!
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Khanna cracks Kuznetsov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Khanna saw that one coming.
Khanna fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuznetsov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Khanna seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Khanna just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Khanna is just out of range.
Khanna misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Khanna was well out of range.
Kuznetsov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov lands a right hook to the body.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Khanna moved out of range nicely.
Khanna moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Kuznetsov.
I think Kuznetsov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
Alexander Kuznetsov thanked the fans post fight for their support.