PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emerson Montain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kukuev
vs
Montain

198 cm
29
240 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

203 cm
30
280 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

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 19 - 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 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emerson Montain!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Montain clinches up with Kukuev and pushes him back against the cage.
Kukuev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Montain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kukuev.

Kukuev successfully pulls guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Montain tries to stand but Kukuev is controlling from the bottom.

Kukuev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Montain defends it easily.
Kukuev is trying to control the position but Montain postures up.
Montain scoring with some ground and pound.

Kukuev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Montain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Montain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Montain engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kukuev has his foot on Montain's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Montain works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kukuev looking for a guillotine here but Montain defends easily.

Kukuev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Montain is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Montain throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kukuev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kukuev keeping moving, preventing Montain from controlling successfully.
Montain tries to stand but Kukuev is controlling from the bottom.
Kukuev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Montain controls the pace.
Montain working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Montain controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Emerson Montain.

Montain pushes Kukuev up against the cage in a clinch.

Montain has clasped his hands together around Kukuev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Montain lands a few punches from side control.
Kukuev tries to bench press Montain off him but Montain keeps the position.
Kukuev sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Montain pulls his head out easily.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kukuev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Montain.
Ground and pound from Montain.
Montain scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Montain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kukuev's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.
Kukuev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Montain scores with a couple of nice shots.
Montain trying to control from half guard but Kukuev is working away.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montain lands with a punch from half guard.
Kukuev is not content to let Montain control the position.
Montain seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Montain decides to stand and escape the position.
Kukuev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Montain swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Montain drives through and clinches with Kukuev against the cage.
Kukuev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Montain after a bit of a struggle.
Montain prevents a takedown attempt there.

Montain has hold of one of Kukuev's legs. Kukuev is fighting the takedown attempt but Montain gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kukuev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Montain defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Montain is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Montain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Montain is looking to work some ground and pound but Kukuev has wrist control.
Montain trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kukuev's guard.

Kukuev is working an open guard so Montain takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Montain. Those never looked like landing.
Montain fails in his attempt to clinch.
Montain is looking to clinch.
Montain is looking to clinch.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Montain as he avoids it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Montain shoots in for a takedown but Kukuev shows good takedown defense.
Kukuev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Montain tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kukuev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emerson Montain dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kukuev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kukuev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Nikolai Kukuev has been cut.
Kukuev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Montain pinned against the cage. Montain gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Montain tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kukuev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kukuev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Montain swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Montain fails with an attempt to clinch.
Montain shoots in but no luck this time.
Montain closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kukuev circles away.
Montain moves in looking to clinch but Kukuev pushes him off.
Montain tries to clinch but Kukuev moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kukuev misses with a takedown

and Montain counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kukuev is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kukuev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kukuev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Montain scores with a couple of nice shots.
Montain seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Montain is looking for a kimura but Kukuev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Montain to get the leverage.
Montain working over Kukuev with some ground and pound. Kukuev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Montain pulls his head out easily.

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.
Montain lands strikes from half guard.
Montain wants to pass to mount but Kukuev is defending the position.

Kukuev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Montain is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukuev tries to roll over but Montain keeps him under control.
Kukuev is staying active underneath Montain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Montain tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kukuev.
Montain landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kukuev taking some punishment here, with Montain in his half guard.

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Montain pulls his head out easily.
Montain is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Montain is taking a breather. Kukuev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Montain seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Kukuev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kukuev trying to hold on to Montain's head to control him but Montain postures up.
Montain winds up and cracks Kukuev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.
Nice strikes from Montain there.
Montain takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Montain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kukuev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Montain gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kukuev gets tackled into the cage by Montain. Montain maintains the clinch.
Montain lands a knee to the head.

Montain manages to break the clinch.
Montain doesn't manage to clinch there - Kukuev circles away.

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

Kukuev is rocked!

Montain gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Oh Kukuev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Montain shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Montain lands a big elbow - Kukuev is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Montain!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Emerson Montain!