PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alvar Aalto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Aalto
vs
Kuznetsov

185 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

197 cm
21
255 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alvar Aalto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aalto misses with a takedown attempt - Kuznetsov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aalto closes the distance and clinches up with Kuznetsov, looking for a takedown. Aalto pushes Kuznetsov against the cage but Kuznetsov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a one two combo.

It looks like Alvar Aalto has been cut.
Kuznetsov shoots in but Aalto avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aalto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Aalto avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov leaves Aalto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alvar Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Aalto feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuznetsov is controlling Aalto's posture.
Aalto tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuznetsov is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov pulls Aalto in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Aalto trying to control but Kuznetsov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Aalto fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Aalto with that takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov misses the body punch

and Aalto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kuznetsov's guard.
Aalto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Aalto trying to control but Kuznetsov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Kuznetsov managing to control the position.
Aalto stops Kuznetsov from standing up.
Aalto trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alvar Aalto.
Kuznetsov slaps away a takedown attempt from Aalto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aalto is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov scores with a takedown into Aalto's guard.
Kuznetsov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznetsov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznetsov throws a big right hand that misses.

Kuznetsov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Aalto dives on top into guard.
Kuznetsov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kuznetsov holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Aalto wants to stand but Kuznetsov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kuznetsov is trying to keep Aalto in close.
Aalto wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sergei Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alvar Aalto's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aalto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Aalto misses with a takedown attempt

and Kuznetsov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aalto won't be happy with that.
Aalto wants to control but Kuznetsov postures up.
Aalto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kuznetsov's best efforts.

Kuznetsov escapes and gets back to his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Aalto shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alvar Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy uppercut

and Aalto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kuznetsov won't be happy with that.
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!
Aalto wants to control but Kuznetsov is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznetsov tries to buck Aalto off but Aalto is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kuznetsov tries to control but Aalto manages to take his back.
Kuznetsov trying to get back to his feet but Aalto is in full control for now.
Will Aalto go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Aalto is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kuznetsov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kuznetsov holding both Aalto 's hands and preventing any damage.
Kuznetsov turns into Aalto and is now in his guard.
Kuznetsov works over Aalto with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to stand but Aalto is controlling his posture from full guard.
Alvar Aalto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuznetsov postures up in Aalto's guard and throws a big left but Aalto blocks it.
Aalto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuznetsov prevents Aalto from getting back to his feet.
Kuznetsov wants to stand and escape but instead Aalto has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kuznetsov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kuznetsov wants to control the position but Aalto says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Aalto throwing shots but Kuznetsov is blocking nicely.

Aalto is working for a submission of some sort.
Aalto controlling the action here.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sergei Kuznetsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alvar Aalto's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aalto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it really well and circles away.
Sergei Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Kuznetsov misses.
Aalto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov fails to land the takedown.
Aalto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alvar Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto has a takedown stuffed.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab
and Aalto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov has his takedown stuffed

and Aalto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kuznetsov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto prevents Kuznetsov from getting back to his feet.
Kuznetsov keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Kuznetsov keeping moving, preventing Aalto from controlling successfully.
Aalto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kuznetsov is looking to stand up but Aalto isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

We're going to have a standup here because Alvar Aalto wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kuznetsov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aalto avoids it really well and circles away.
Aalto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Alvar Aalto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aalto is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Kuznetsov.
Aalto misses with a body kick.
Aalto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that Aalto ducks under and follows up with a left that Aalto also avoids with ease.
Aalto shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Aalto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown but Aalto shows good takedown defense.
Aalto shoots in and drives through. Kuznetsov sprawls well.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aalto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuznetsov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aalto somewhat.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kuznetsov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aalto doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
Sergei Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aalto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Aalto dives in and grabs Kuznetsov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov pushes down on Aalto's head and hops out.
Aalto wants to clinch but Kuznetsov slips to the side
and Kuznetsov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuznetsov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Kuznetsov clinches up against the cage.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Aalto moves out of range.

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with Aalto against the cage.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aalto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuznetsov is fending him off so far but Aalto persists. Nope, Kuznetsov circles away and we're back to standing.

Kuznetsov moves into range and clinches up with Aalto.
Kuznetsov prevents the takedown attempt.
Alvar Aalto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alvar Aalto.
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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!