PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kusok Govna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Govna has chosen Morbid Angel - Day of Suffering as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kukuev
vs
Govna

198 cm
31
240 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

190 cm
26
250 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 19 - 12 - 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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kusok Govna!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukuev fails with a takedown attempt.
Govna throws out a loose jab but Kukuev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Govna defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kukuev.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukuev avoids a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Govna. Those never looked like landing.
Some wild striking there from Govna.
Govna stuffs the takedown.

Kukuev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Kukuev is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Govna has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Govna!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kukuev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Govna.
Govna is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kukuev keeping moving, preventing Govna from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govna has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kukuev is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Govna got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kukuev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Govna has managed to get both his arms back between Kukuev's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Govna trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukuev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kukuev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kukuev keeping moving, preventing Govna from controlling successfully.

Kukuev working for submissions but it's allowed Govna to get to half guard.
Govna not doing much here.
Kukuev is pressing down on Govna's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kukuev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Govna pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kukuev is keeping the position for now.

Kukuev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Govna has passed into half guard!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kukuev looking for submissions off his back.
Govna wants to stand up but Kukuev is controlling the position.
Kukuev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Govna is working away from the top position though.
Kukuev wants to improve his position but Govna is controlling well.
Govna tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Govna missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Govna wants to stand but Kukuev has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Govna is nestled in close to Kukuev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Govna tries to pass to full mount but Kukuev defends it.
Govna is keen to just control but Kukuev is a slippery customer.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Govna lands a nice short elbow.
Govna tries to stand and escape but Kukuev is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev gets full guard.

Govna gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kukuev shoots in for a takedown but Govna shows good takedown defense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Govna throws a leg kick but Kukuev checks it.

Govna gets caught flat footed, as Kukuev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Kukuev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Govna dives on top into guard.

Govna gets to his feet. Kukuev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Govna misses with a jab, cross combination.

Kukuev drives through with a takedown into Govna's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Govna keeping moving, preventing Kukuev from controlling successfully.
Kukuev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Govna swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Govna looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Govna tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nikolai Kukuev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch combination from Govna misses.
Govna throws a right hand that Kukuev ducks under and follows up with a left that Kukuev also avoids with ease.
Govna lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kukuev circles away quickly and effectively.
Govna looks to land a combination but Kukuev avoids it well.

Kukuev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kukuev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Govna doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kukuev.
Govna is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kukuev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kukuev's back!
Kukuev is really stuck here.
Govna cracks Kukuev with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Kukuev from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Govna doesn't have the hooks in and Kukuev manages to turn into his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govna controls Kukuev momentarily but Kukuev frees himself.
Govna wants to stand but Kukuev is controlling the position.
Govna wants to sweep but no luck.

Kukuev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Govna manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kukuev has Govna in his guard.

Govna avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Govna must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Govna postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Govna wants to pass the guard but Kukuev is keeping the position.

Govna decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Govna pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Govna.
Kukuev tries for a takedown but Govna circles away easily
and Govna counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Govna tries to close the distance and clinch but Kukuev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kukuev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Govna throws a right and a left that both miss.
Govna jabs at Kukuev's body.
Govna pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Govna throws out a powerful jab.
Govna throws a nice looking combination but Kukuev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kukuev slips a jab and a cross from Govna.
Kukuev dodges the punch combination from Govna.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Govna counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Govna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kukuev looks for a takedown but Govna sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Govna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kukuev defending well as Govna loads up on a big left hand.
Govna tries to bum rush Kukuev with a series of wild strikes but Kukuev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kusok Govna seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No luck for Kukuev with that takedown attempt.
Govna misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Govna looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kukuev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kukuev lands in his opponent's guard.
Govna really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kukuev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kukuev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Govna is keeping the position for now.

Kukuev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kukuev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Govna 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Govna looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kusok Govna 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! And we move into the final round!

A punch combination from Govna misses.
A clash of legs there as Kukuev blocks the low kick.
Govna is looking to clinch but Kukuev is avoiding it.
Kukuev tries for a takedown but Govna circles away easily
and Govna cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Govna misses with the combination.
Kukuev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Govna is fending him off so far but Kukuev persists. Nope, Govna circles away and we're back to standing.
Govna misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Govna throws a sloppy head kick and Kukuev moves out of range easily.
Govna keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Govna wants to clinch up but Kukuev keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Govna fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kukuev on the side of the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Govna.
Kukuev slips a jab and a cross from Govna.
Kukuev has a takedown stuffed.
Kukuev shoots for a takedown but Govna saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Govna throws a leg kick

and Kukuev counters with a takedown into side control.
Govna prevents Kukuev from moving into mount.

Kukuev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kukuev tries for a kimura but Govna is defending well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Govna gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Kukuev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Govna has managed to free his arm - good work.
Govna is trying to stand back up but Kukuev is controlling him
Govna trying to control here.

Kukuev wants to work for an arm triangle but Govna is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Govna trying to hold on to Kukuev's head to control him but Kukuev postures up.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Govna wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Govna is looking to improve his position.
Govna preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Kukuev seems to be working for a kimura but Govna defends the submission attempt.
Govna is trying to stand up here but Kukuev is controlling him well.
Govna wants to get back to full guard.
Govna tries to kick Kukuev off but Kukuev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kukuev is looking for a kimura but Govna is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kukuev to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Govna tries to get to full guard but Kukuev has control of the leg.

Kukuev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kukuev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Govna sees it coming and defends easily.
Govna tries to kick Kukuev off but Kukuev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kukuev seems to be working for a kimura but Govna defends the submission attempt.
Govna trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kukuev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kukuev seems to be looking for submissions.

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 Nikolai Kukuev.
I think Kukuev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Nikolai Kukuev!