PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Kuchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Jevgenij (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kuchenko
vs
Jevgenij

200 cm
25
262 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

208 cm
20
280 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kuchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Boris Jevgenij!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuchenko tries to clinch up

and Jevgenij counters with a shoot takedown. Kuchenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Kuchenko keeping moving, preventing Jevgenij from controlling successfully.

Kuchenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jevgenij scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jevgenij really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuchenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kuchenko keeping full guard, as Jevgenij tries to pass.
Kuchenko controls Jevgenij momentarily but Jevgenij frees himself.
Jevgenij throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuchenko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Jevgenij postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kuchenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jevgenij wants to control from the top but Kuchenko keeps moving.
Jevgenij is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jevgenij has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kuchenko is proving hard to escape from.
Jevgenij must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kuchenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jevgenij is aware though and is defending well.
Jevgenij trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jevgenij might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kuchenko kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jevgenij is looking to work some ground and pound but Kuchenko has wrist control.

Jevgenij thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kuchenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jevgenij doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jevgenij manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jevgenij trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kuchenko's guard.
Kuchenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuchenko, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jevgenij trying to control but Kuchenko is working from the bottom.
Jevgenij pushing down on Kuchenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jevgenij wants to stand up but Kuchenko is controlling the position.

Jevgenij is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kuchenko is breathing heavily.
Jevgenij thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuchenko's head.
Jevgenij tries to pass to full mount but Kuchenko defends it.
Jevgenij missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Jevgenij seems to be working for a kimura but Kuchenko defends the submission attempt.
Jevgenij trying to control from half guard but Kuchenko is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuchenko is trying to control but can't.
Kuchenko tries to get to full guard but Jevgenij has control of the leg.
Kuchenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Kuchenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jevgenij pulls his head out easily.
Jevgenij sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuchenko defending well though.
Jevgenij thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Jevgenij escapes and gets back to his feet.
A jab from Jevgenij finds it's way through Kuchenko's defenses.

Jevgenij looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Jevgenij seems to be working for a kimura but Kuchenko defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuchenko is looking to control Jevgenij's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuchenko avoid being mounted?
Jevgenij missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Jevgenij is working for a submission of some sort.
Kuchenko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jevgenij.
Jevgenij is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jevgenij looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jevgenij passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Jevgenij dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jevgenij clinches.
Kuchenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jevgenij obliges.
Kuchenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jevgenij unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Jevgenij landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jevgenij is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Jevgenij stalling in the clinch.
Jevgenij with a knee to the head.
Jevgenij scores a nice knee to the body.
Jevgenij lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Jevgenij throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A knee to the head by Jevgenij.
Kuchenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Jevgenij breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jevgenij misses with a low kick.

Kuchenko tries to keep at a distance but Jevgenij has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kuchenko pushes off an throws an elbow but Jevgenij leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jevgenij utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jevgenij is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kuchenko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jevgenij obliges.
Kuchenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuchenko works on Jevgenij's body with a couple of short punches.
Jevgenij has Kuchenko pushed against the cage.
Kuchenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuchenko has a couple of punches blocked by Jevgenij.
Kuchenko is trying to force a seperation but Jevgenij has the dominant position.
Jevgenij landing knees to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jevgenij.
Kuchenko tries to circle away but Jevgenij has him pinned against the cage.
Kuchenko tries to pull guard but Jevgenij won't allow it.
Kuchenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kuchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees to the body from Jevgenij.
Kuchenko tries to break the clinch but Jevgenij is controlling the position.

Jevgenij pulls guard.
Jevgenij wants to sweep here but Kuchenko controlling him for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jevgenij can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jevgenij is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuchenko is aware though and is defending well.

Kuchenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jevgenij lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kuchenko!
Jevgenij raining down shots from the mount!
Kuchenko is looking to get to half guard.
Jevgenij landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jevgenij is working for a guillotine from mount but Kuchenko frees his head quite easily.

Jevgenij working for a guillotine from mount but Kuchenko is in no mood to give up.
Jevgenij controlling the pace for now.
Jevgenij lands a heavy elbow.

Jevgenij working for a guillotine from mount but Kuchenko is in no mood to give up.
Jevgenij lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kuchenko hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jevgenij in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Boris Jevgenij has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jevgenij controlling from the full mount.
Kuchenko tries to hold on but Jevgenij pushes him away.
Jevgenij lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kuchenko hang on?
Kuchenko is trying to escape the mount.
Kuchenko is working hard here to advance position.

Jevgenij wants to finish this one by submission but Kuchenko is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Jevgenij.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuchenko in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Jevgenij showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jevgenij throws a wild body kick that Kuchenko sees coming a mile off.

Jevgenij closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Jevgenij tries a knee to the head but Kuchenko blocks it.
Jevgenij works on Kuchenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Jevgenij with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jevgenij landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Jevgenij jumps guard.

Jevgenij is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuchenko defends well.
Jevgenij has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jevgenij manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jevgenij thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuchenko is bucking up trying to escape but Jevgenij cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jevgenij connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kuchenko is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jevgenij looking to secure an arm triangle but Kuchenko defends it well.

Jevgenij stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Ivan Kuchenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jevgenij is looking to clinch.
Jevgenij looks to land a combination but Kuchenko avoids it well.
Jevgenij circles away from the clinch attempt

and Jevgenij counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jevgenij.

Kuchenko uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Kuchenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Jevgenij clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jevgenij digs a right hand into Kuchenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuchenko's gas tank.
Jevgenij lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A frustrated look appears on Kuchenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jevgenij tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuchenko takes a knee to the side of the body.

Jevgenij manages to break the clinch.
Jevgenij tries to clinch up but Kuchenko circles away and keeps his distance.
Jevgenij looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Jevgenij moves into range and clinches up with Kuchenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jevgenij manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Jevgenij connects with a knee to the head.
Boris Jevgenij seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kuchenko is looking to control Jevgenij's arms but Jevgenij gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kuchenko has his back to the cage.
Kuchenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuchenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jevgenij unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Jevgenij unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kuchenko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees to the body from Jevgenij.
Jevgenij pushes Kuchenko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jevgenij obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuchenko tries to pull guard but Jevgenij won't allow it.
Kuchenko wants to stall.
Jevgenij landing knees to the body.
Jevgenij throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuchenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jevgenij just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kuchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuchenko being controlled against the cage.
Jevgenij landing knees to the head.
Jevgenij lands a knee to the body.
Kuchenko letting Jevgenij take a breather here.
Kuchenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Jevgenij throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jevgenij is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A knee to the head by Jevgenij.
Jevgenij scores with a knee to the head.
Jevgenij keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuchenko's efforts to push away.
Jevgenij lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Jevgenij lands a knee to the head.
Jevgenij landing knees to the head.
Jevgenij blocking some punches.
Jevgenij holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jevgenij utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Jevgenij landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kuchenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jevgenij fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Jevgenij clinches with his opponent.
Jevgenij lands with a right to the head.
Kuchenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jevgenij walks away with a smile on his face. Kuchenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Jevgenij looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jevgenij pushes down on Kuchenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuchenko flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boris Jevgenij comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jevgenij has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boris Jevgenij!