PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kalashnikov
vs
Kukuev

196 cm
25
235 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

198 cm
27
240 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Good chin

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Powerful

Russian Top Team Nutrition

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kukuev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Kukuev as Kalashnikov shoots in.

Kukuev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kalashnikov manages to get to full guard.

Kukuev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kukuev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kalashnikov wants to sweep here but Kukuev controlling him for the moment.
Kukuev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalashnikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalashnikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kukuev is one step ahead there.
Kukuev trying to control but Kalashnikov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukuev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kalashnikov is keeping the position for now.
Kukuev trying to control but Kalashnikov is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Kukuev wasn't active enough on the ground.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kukuev.

Kukuev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kalashnikov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kukuev trying to control the action but Kalashnikov is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov tries to buck Kukuev off but Kukuev is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev tries for a kimura but Kalashnikov is defending well.

Kukuev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kalashnikov, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalashnikov tries to buck Kukuev off but Kukuev is having none of it.
Kukuev is looking to take a break and control but Kalashnikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kalashnikov tries to buck Kukuev off but Kukuev is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev is trying to get an arm triangle but Kalashnikov is defending well.

Kukuev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Kukuev tries for a kimura but Kalashnikov is defending well.
Kukuev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kalashnikov keeps working.
Kalashnikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Kukuev swings around for an armbar but Kalashnikov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kukuev's guard.
Kalashnikov slips nicely into half guard.
Kalashnikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kukuev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov is thwarting Kukuev's attempts to control the position.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kalashnikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kukuev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kukuev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kalashnikov.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kalashnikov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kukuev to regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kukuev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukuev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kukuev stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Kukuev. No joy for Kalashnikov on that attempt.

Kukuev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kalashnikov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kukuev is in Kalashnikov's guard.
Kalashnikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kukuev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalashnikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nikolai Kukuev has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Kukuev scores with a takedown into Kalashnikov's guard.
Kalashnikov controls Kukuev momentarily but Kukuev frees himself.
Kukuev wants to control from the top but Kalashnikov keeps moving.
Kalashnikov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kalashnikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Kukuev has gone for a leg lock! Kalashnikov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kukuev's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Kalashnikov should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Kukuev has tightened it up now! Kalashnikov should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Nikolai Kukuev!