PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kukuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Voskresensky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kukuev
vs
Voskresensky

198 cm
31
240 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

198 cm
31
281 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

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 20 - 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 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Felix Voskresensky!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Voskresensky as Kukuev shoots in.
Voskresensky slaps away a takedown attempt from Kukuev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kukuev checks a low kick from Voskresensky.
Kukuev shoots in looking for a takedown but Voskresensky manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kukuev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Kukuev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukuev shoots for a double leg takedown but Voskresensky sprawls well. He's pushed Kukuev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Voskresensky moves into range and clinches up with Kukuev.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Voskresensky misses with a hook from the clinch.

Voskresensky breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Voskresensky swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Felix Voskresensky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kukuev dives in and scores a takedown into Voskresensky's guard.

Voskresensky looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Voskresensky has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kukuev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Voskresensky looking for a sweep. Not yet Voskresensky, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voskresensky trying to control the position.

Kukuev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kukuev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kukuev trying to control but Voskresensky is working from the bottom.
Kukuev tries to free his leg and advance position but Voskresensky is retaining full guard.

Voskresensky working for a triangle but Kukuev defends it easily.
Voskresensky looking for a sweep. Not yet Voskresensky, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voskresensky is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kukuev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Voskresensky looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Voskresensky looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Voskresensky!
Kukuev gets back to half guard.

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

Voskresensky is looking for a kimura here.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kukuev actively working from the bottom here.
Voskresensky missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Voskresensky is working for a kimura but Kukuev is defending it quite comfortably.
Kukuev is looking for a sweep. Voskresensky is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kukuev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Voskresensky wants to work for an arm triangle but Kukuev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Voskresensky is looking to advance position but Kukuev won't allow it.
Kukuev trying to hold on to Voskresensky's head to control him but Voskresensky postures up.
Kukuev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kukuev gets full guard.

Kukuev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Voskresensky is aware though and is defending well.
Voskresensky wants to pass the guard but Kukuev is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukuev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kukuev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Voskresensky got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kukuev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Voskresensky has managed to get both his arms back between Kukuev's legs - danger averted.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Voskresensky avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Voskresensky is in close to Kukuev's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kukuev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Voskresensky defends well.

Kukuev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kukuev is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kukuev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
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! Kukuev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Voskresensky lands a big head kick that sends Kukuev tumbling to the mat! Voskresensky takes a step backwards and waves Kukuev back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Nikolai Kukuev has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Voskresensky misses the shot to the body.
Voskresensky fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kukuev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kukuev misses with a takedown
and Voskresensky counters with an inside leg kick.
Voskresensky misses with a head kick.
Kukuev avoids the head kick by Voskresensky.

Kukuev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Voskresensky tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kukuev is in Voskresensky's guard.

Kukuev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Voskresensky looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Voskresensky working for a triangle but Kukuev defends it easily.

Voskresensky looking for a guillotine here but Kukuev defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukuev works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kukuev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Voskresensky sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Voskresensky manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kukuev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kukuev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Voskresensky throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kukuev pushing down on Voskresensky's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Kukuev is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voskresensky is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kukuev seems to be looking for submissions.
Nikolai Kukuev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kukuev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Voskresensky looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kukuev wants to work for an arm triangle but Voskresensky is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voskresensky moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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

Kukuev working for submissions but it's allowed Voskresensky to get to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kukuev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Voskresensky pulls his head out easily.
Voskresensky wants to control but Kukuev is keeping him busy.

Voskresensky moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Kukuev.
Kukuev is looking to regain half guard here but Voskresensky keeps moving and retains side control.
Voskresensky scores with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Voskresensky in side control lands a decent elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Voskresensky lands a nice forearm strike.
Kukuev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Voskresensky is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Voskresensky is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Kukuev is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Felix Voskresensky!
Felix Voskresensky thanked the fans post fight for their support.