PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jim Pounder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valeri Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pounder comes to the cage accompanied by People in Planes-Last Man Standing. Jim Pounder has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pounder
vs
Kuznetsov

186 cm
40
222 lbs
35 - 25 - 1

181 cm
23
218 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 25 - 1, fighting out of London, Jim Pounder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Valeri Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Phil Schofield and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pounder tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and Pounder counters with a left and a right that stings Kuznetsov.

Pounder closes the distance and clinches.
Kuznetsov wants to take the fight to the mat but Pounder manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Pounder decides to pull guard.
Kuznetsov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses. Pounder uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetsov's guard. Nice move by Pounder!

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

Pounder drops back looking for a leg! Kuznetsov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuznetsov manages to kick Pounder off! Pounder jumps back into Kuznetsov's guard.

Kuznetsov has his foot on Pounder's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pounder works his way back into a safe position though.
Our spies down at at The Pit inform us that Kuznetsov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pounder stands and throws Kuznetsov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov regains half guard.
Kuznetsov tries to roll over but Pounder keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov is still trying to improve position.
Kuznetsov is not content to let Pounder control the position.
Kuznetsov wants to get back to full guard.
Pounder is looking to advance position but Kuznetsov won't allow it.
Pounder seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kuznetsov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kuznetsov wants to improve his position but Pounder is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov with the active half guard here but Pounder passes nicely into side control.
Kuznetsov is trying to control Pounder's posture but Pounder avoids it.
Pounder wants to control but Kuznetsov is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep but Pounder has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Kuznetsov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pounder looking to finish Kuznetsov with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kuznetsov!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pounder putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pounder looking for a guillotine from mount but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Pounder working the ground and pound effectively.
Kuznetsov is squirming around, avoiding Pounder's attempts to control the action.
Pounder dominating with strikes here.
Kuznetsov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Kuznetsov actively working from the bottom here.
Kuznetsov preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kuznetsov moves into full guard.
Pounder is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at ~T~ Troid - Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pounder gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuznetsov 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.
Pounder distracts Kuznetsov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pounder is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuznetsov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pounder!
Kuznetsov misses with some ground and pound and Pounder recovers position to half guard.
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 Jim Pounder will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuznetsov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kuznetsov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pounder defends it easily.
Pounder stopping the sweep attempt from Kuznetsov.

Pounder got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuznetsov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pounder has managed to get both his arms back between Kuznetsov's legs - danger averted.
Kuznetsov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pounder is controlling him.
Pounder in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznetsov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pounder defends it easily.
Kuznetsov is looking to sweep but instead, Pounder has passed into half guard.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Pounder is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuznetsov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pounder's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pounder's back!
Kuznetsov has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Pounder.
Pounder covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Kuznetsov gets his hands free as Pounder looks to control.
Kuznetsov struggling to land strikes to the head as Pounder covers up.
Kuznetsov looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Kuznetsov somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov is throwing strikes by Pounder counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Pounder regains half guard.
Kuznetsov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuznetsov prevents Pounder from improving his position.

Kuznetsov in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Pounder tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Kuznetsov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Valeri Kuznetsov!
Our winner, Valeri Kuznetsov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.