PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 397 p4p, 208 weight class) and Juanito Escobar (ranked 55 p4p, 26 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kuznetsov
vs
Escobar

180 cm
27
195
13 - 6 - 1

190 cm
31
185
21 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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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 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juanito Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Escobar has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A shot to the body from Kuznetsov misses

and Escobar counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Escobar prevents Kuznetsov from getting back to his feet.
Kuznetsov is adopting a defensive guard.
Escobar engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kuznetsov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Kuznetsov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to stand but Escobar has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Escobar looking for a guillotine here but Kuznetsov defends easily.
Kuznetsov wants to control from the top but Escobar keeps moving.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand up but Escobar won't let him.
Kuznetsov postures up in Escobar's guard and throws a big left but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Escobar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuznetsov defends it easily.
Escobar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznetsov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Kuznetsov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Escobar does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Escobar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Kuznetsov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kuznetsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Escobar has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuznetsov working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Escobar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That kick from Escobar tenderised Kuznetsov's leg. Kuznetsov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Escobar 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 is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Escobar's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Escobar misses with a head kick.
Kuznetsov moves out of range as Escobar strikes.
Escobar throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Escobar's head.
Kuznetsov motions for Escobar to come forward. Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Escobar throws a quick inside leg kick.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick from Escobar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Escobar tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Escobar listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Escobar defending well as Kuznetsov loads up on a big left hand.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar ducks right into an uppercut from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar misses with a takedown attempt - Kuznetsov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Escobar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Escobar throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov dominated that 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.

Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Escobar looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
And Escobar tries to counter it with a takedown but Kuznetsov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Escobar slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar tries to move into range but Kuznetsov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar.
Kuznetsov avoids the head kick by Escobar.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
Escobar feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Escobar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.
Kuznetsov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Escobar counters with a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Escobar counters with a nice uppercut.
Escobar throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Escobar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
Escobar feints the counter takedown.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar moves away.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Escobar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobar changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Escobar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Escobar avoids it easily.
Escobar appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Escobar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Escobar's ribcage but misses.
Good work by Escobar as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Escobar ducked under it nicely.
Escobar with the counter takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Escobar throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Escobar misses with a low kick.
Escobar slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand

so Escobar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar looking to sit in guard and control but Kuznetsov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Escobar keeping moving, preventing Kuznetsov from controlling successfully.
Escobar is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Escobar working for a triangle but Kuznetsov defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to control from the top but Escobar keeps moving.

Escobar is looking for a triangle but Kuznetsov pushes his legs off easily.
Kuznetsov postures up.

Escobar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kuznetsov stays in close to Escobar's body and controls the position.
Escobar keeping moving, preventing Kuznetsov from controlling successfully.
Escobar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Escobar trying to control the position.
Escobar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuznetsov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Escobar is proving hard to escape from.

Escobar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Escobar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Escobar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuznetsov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuznetsov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Escobar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kuznetsov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
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 the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Escobar moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kuznetsov throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Escobar can do to turn this around?
Escobar ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Escobar on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Escobar moved out of range.
Kuznetsov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Escobar ducked under it nicely.
Escobar tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar moves away.
Escobar throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Escobar takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Escobar fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Escobar with the counter takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Escobar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Alexander Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Escobar throws a half hearted mid kick.
Escobar throws a lazy uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Juanito Escobar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Escobar avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
Escobar on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kuznetsov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses
and Escobar counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A jab from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Escobar jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuznetsov takes one to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Kuznetsov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Escobar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Alexander Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar manages to avoid it.
Escobar looks for a takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls well.
Kuznetsov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Escobar just manages to avoid it.
Escobar looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Escobar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Escobar slips under a jab.
Escobar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.
A right-left combo lands from Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov moved away.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kuznetsov moves forwards but Escobar connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Escobar slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to Escobar's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab from Escobar.
Kuznetsov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Escobar's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuznetsov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Escobar scrambles back to his feet.
Escobar throws a lazy right hand but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuznetsov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
During a confident post fight interview, Alexander Kuznetsov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.