PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Time To Fight Wright (ranked 2546 p4p, 2550 weight class) and Sergej Kusnemirpow (ranked 313 p4p, 314 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.

Wright
vs
Kusnemirpow

189 cm
24
198
11 - 9 - 0

193 cm
25
197
5 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Un-Kaged Nutrition

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Time To Fight Wright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergej Kusnemirpow!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Mauricio Rocha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kusnemirpow throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wright.
Wright moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kusnemirpow lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wright.
Wright scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kusnemirpow stuns Wright with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kusnemirpow 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.
Wright throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kusnemirpow.
Kusnemirpow is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sloppy strikes from Wright. Those never looked like landing.
Wright avoids a punch combination nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kusnemirpow throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kusnemirpow changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wright tries to avoid it but Kusnemirpow manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wright to the ground. Wright escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Wright looking to score a takedown here. Kusnemirpow is defending well but Wright drives through and ends up in Kusnemirpow's guard.
Wright is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kusnemirpow trying to keep a closed guard but Wright is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright stopping the sweep attempt from Kusnemirpow.
Wright is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Wright got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kusnemirpow has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wright has managed to get both his arms back between Kusnemirpow's legs - danger averted.
Wright trying to control but Kusnemirpow is working from the bottom.
Wright stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kusnemirpow swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Wright trying to control but Kusnemirpow is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kusnemirpow displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wright throws out the jab.

Kusnemirpow feints and as Wright raises his hands in defense, Kusnemirpow changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wright is wriggling around but Kusnemirpow manages to pass to half guard.

Wright gets back to full guard.

Wright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kusnemirpow defends it easily.
Wright is trying to control the position but Kusnemirpow postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusnemirpow is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusnemirpow wants to get up but he can't break Wright's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wright wants to sweep but no luck.

Wright looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wright bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kusnemirpow's guard.

Wright is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wright pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusnemirpow is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright trying to control but Kusnemirpow is working from the bottom.
Wright chips away with some ground and pound.
Kusnemirpow looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wright is one step ahead there.
Wright postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wright advances to half guard.
Wright wants to pass the guard but Kusnemirpow is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Time To Fight Wright dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kusnemirpow shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wright as he jumps to the side.
Kusnemirpow misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wright.
It looked like Wright wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Time To Fight Wright is winning the standup battle so far.
Kusnemirpow throws a hook but Wright blocks it.
Wright looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Time To Fight Wright is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wright fails to land with a series of punches.
Kusnemirpow slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kusnemirpow tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wright paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kusnemirpow fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kusnemirpow missing with a left hand there. Wright was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kusnemirpow misses the shot to the body.
Kusnemirpow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright looks for a takedown but Kusnemirpow sprawls well.
Wright connects with a looping right hand.
Kusnemirpow scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wright in his tracks.
Nice uppercut lands for Wright. That snapped Kusnemirpow's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Kusnemirpow misses.
Kusnemirpow thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wright lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kusnemirpow throws a body punch but Wright moves out of range.
Kusnemirpow tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kusnemirpow gets caught flat footed, as Wright shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wright pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusnemirpow is keeping the position for now.
Wright is looking to pass into half guard but Kusnemirpow pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kusnemirpow is in guard.

Wright has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kusnemirpow can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wright wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright trying to keep a closed guard but Kusnemirpow is proving a slippery customer.
Kusnemirpow is standing up over Wright. Wright looks to escape but Kusnemirpow dives into side control.
Wright is looking for a sweep.
Wright prevents Kusnemirpow from improving position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wright tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wright is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright wants to control but Kusnemirpow postures up.

Kusnemirpow is trying to get an arm triangle but Wright is defending well.
Wright tries to bench press Kusnemirpow off him but Kusnemirpow keeps the position.
Wright can't do much from the bottom here.

Kusnemirpow stands up and beckons Wright to his feet.
Wright throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kusnemirpow's waist but Kusnemirpow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wright off to one side.
A telegraphed right hand from Wright misses the target.
Wright on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kusnemirpow counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Time To Fight Wright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wright doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kusnemirpow counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Kusnemirpow shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Wright has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kusnemirpow has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kusnemirpow is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wright gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wright is looking to take this one to the mat.

Kusnemirpow lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kusnemirpow tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Wright.
Wright wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergej Kusnemirpow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kusnemirpow looks to score with a jab to the body but Wright is just out of range.
Kusnemirpow misses with a body shot.
Wright swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kusnemirpow.
Wright tries to clinch but Kusnemirpow is having none of it.
Wright clobbers Kusnemirpow with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Wright drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Time To Fight Wright overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wright advances nicely into full mount.
Wright is trying to control here but Kusnemirpow has managed to regain half guard.
Kusnemirpow keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Kusnemirpow is trying to control but Wright passes into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusnemirpow wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Kusnemirpow tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kusnemirpow manages to get back to half guard.

Wright is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kusnemirpow has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kusnemirpow is looking to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Wright is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Wright thows a huge punch but Kusnemirpow dodges it nicely.
Wright is trying to control. Kusnemirpow wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kusnemirpow is looking to control Wright's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kusnemirpow avoid being mounted?
Wright is controlling the pace.
Kusnemirpow is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Wright's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Wright's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright is in bad spot here.

Kusnemirpow looking to break Wright's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Wright remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kusnemirpow will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Wright is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kusnemirpow working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Wright is really stuck here.
Wright trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
You can see the frustration on Wright's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wright trying to control the hands but Kusnemirpow won't let him.
Wright is really stuck here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sergej Kusnemirpow.
I think Kusnemirpow 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

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