PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zlato Kuzmejniev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy McCallum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Andy McCallum was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kuzmejniev
vs
McCallum

192 cm
21
231 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

188 cm
21
250 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Elite Canadian Threads
GREEN!160

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zlato Kuzmejniev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andy McCallum!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuzmejniev slips under a jab.

McCallum shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than McCallum was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kuzmejniev avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McCallum.
McCallum throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuzmejniev is looking for a sweep.
McCallum looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
McCallum tries to advance to mount but Kuzmejniev denies him.

McCallum is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuzmejniev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kuzmejniev prevents McCallum from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from McCallum are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McCallum wants to take a breather but Kuzmejniev manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for McCallum.
McCallum trying to control but Kuzmejniev is working from the bottom.
McCallum stopping the sweep attempt from Kuzmejniev.
Kuzmejniev keeping full guard, as McCallum tries to pass.
McCallum trying to control but Kuzmejniev is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCallum's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kuzmejniev is trying to keep McCallum in close.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Andy McCallum hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
McCallum has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kuzmejniev finds it's way round the side to connect with McCallum's head.
Kuzmejniev tries to close the distance and clinch but McCallum swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuzmejniev moves out of range of the strikes.
McCallum fails with a takedown attempt.
McCallum takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuzmejniev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McCallum dodges the punch combination from Kuzmejniev.
Kuzmejniev checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCallum missing with a left hand there. Kuzmejniev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McCallum swings for the body but Kuzmejniev moves out of range.
Kuzmejniev tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCallum swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McCallum.

Kuzmejniev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuzmejniev can't find room to land a body shot as McCallum controls the action.
Kuzmejniev taking a breather.
McCallum is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zlato Kuzmejniev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy McCallum.
Nice body punch from Kuzmejniev - that landed with a thud.
Kuzmejniev lands a body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuzmejniev tries a body shot but McCallum blocks it.
Kuzmejniev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmejniev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kuzmejniev holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Kuzmejniev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuzmejniev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The fighters circling - McCallum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuzmejniev swings for the body but McCallum moves out of range.
McCallum shoots in for a double leg but Kuzmejniev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuzmejniev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've been told by Kuzmejniev's head coaches at Dragon Cage Training Camp that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCallum takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kuzmejniev slaps away a takedown attempt from McCallum, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCallum goes for a double leg but Kuzmejniev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kuzmejniev continues to drive forward.
Kuzmejniev blocks a body shot from McCallum.
Kuzmejniev misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuzmejniev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kuzmejniev duly obliges.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuzmejniev. McCallum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuzmejniev works McCallum's body with a nice hook.

McCallum drives through with a takedown into guard.
McCallum looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuzmejniev trying to control the position.
Kuzmejniev keeping moving, preventing McCallum from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuzmejniev 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.
Kuzmejniev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCallum pushing down on Kuzmejniev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McCallum is looking to take a break and control but Kuzmejniev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McCallum thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuzmejniev's head.
McCallum is keen to just control but Kuzmejniev is a slippery customer.
Kuzmejniev wants to improve his position but McCallum is controlling well.
McCallum is just content to waste time from the top position. Kuzmejniev takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kuzmejniev can't keep his opponent in guard - McCallum advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCallum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuzmejniev keeps working.

McCallum is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
McCallum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuzmejniev keeps working.
McCallum throws a strike but Kuzmejniev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuzmejniev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuzmejniev pulls McCallum in close to prevent any damage.
McCallum trying to control but Kuzmejniev is working from the bottom.
McCallum stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuzmejniev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCallum forces his way into half guard.
Kuzmejniev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCallum throws a strike but Kuzmejniev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McCallum wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kuzmejniev trying to control but McCallum is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCallum wants to sweep here but Kuzmejniev controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andy McCallum will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kuzmejniev scores with a shot to the body.
McCallum misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kuzmejniev counters with a slapping leg kick.
A slow jab from McCallum misses its intended target.

McCallum closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McCallum lands in his opponent's guard.
Andy McCallum has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kuzmejniev has control of McCallum's left arm, preventing McCallum from doing any damage.
Kuzmejniev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
McCallum wants to pass the guard but Kuzmejniev is keeping the position.
Kuzmejniev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuzmejniev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McCallum!
Kuzmejniev looking to control but McCallum is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McCallum can't escape the position.
McCallum is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCallum is working to get back to half guard.
Kuzmejniev looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
McCallum tries to hold on but Kuzmejniev postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McCallum manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kuzmejniev frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
McCallum is looking to improve his position but Kuzmejniev isn't that keen on the idea.

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 Zlato Kuzmejniev.
I think Kuzmejniev 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zlato Kuzmejniev!
The defeated Andy McCallum had this to say: 'Sorry to all my fans for this loss. Didn't perform as well as I expected, but I will come back stronger than ever.'.