PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Megadeth - Crush 'Em. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Kukuev
vs
Drago

198 cm
28
240 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

199 cm
23
270 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Kukuev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Axel Drago!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago tries to clinch but Kukuev moves out of range.

Drago clinches with his opponent.
Kukuev has Drago pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Drago manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kukuev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Drago prevents it.
A hook to the body from Drago.

Drago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Drago pushes Kukuev up against the cage in a clinch.
Kukuev wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukuev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Drago is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Drago is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Drago is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kukuev fails to pull guard.
Kukuev tries to score a body lock takedown but Drago shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kukuev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Drago smiles and moves away.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch but Kukuev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Axel Drago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kukuev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kukuev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drago sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kukuev somewhat.
Nice uppercut there from Drago.

It looks like Nikolai Kukuev has been cut.
Kukuev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drago swivels and escapes.
Drago scores with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drago stuffs the takedown.
Kukuev looks for a takedown but Drago sprawls well.
Drago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drago tries to clinch there but Kukuev circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Drago. Kukuev does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago tries to clinch there but Kukuev circles away.
Drago lands the left hand.
Drago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kukuev moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Drago misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Kukuev.

Drago moves into range and clinches up with Kukuev.

Drago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Drago pushes Kukuev up against the cage in a clinch.

Drago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kukuev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Drago drives through and clinches with Kukuev against the cage.
Drago is pressed up against the cage. Kukuev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Drago down to the mat. Drago avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Drago keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Drago clinches up with Kukuev and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kukuev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kukuev is working for takedown but Drago is calmly controlling the position for now.

Drago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Kukuev. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Kukuev swats away the attempt to clinch by Drago.

Kukuev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Kukuev is working for a kimura but Drago is defending it quite comfortably.

Kukuev seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev is looking for submissions but instead, Drago has regained full guard.

Kukuev has gone for a leg lock! Drago slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kukuev's guard.
Drago must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Drago wants to stand but Kukuev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Drago won't allow Kukuev to sweep him here.

Kukuev is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Drago rolls with it to try and escape but Kukuev cranks on the arm and Drago is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nikolai Kukuev!