PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Escobar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetsov comes to the cage accompanied by Siberia - Cold winter night whispers. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuznetsov
vs
Escobar

183 cm
26
217 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
220 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pablo Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar lands a head shot.

Kuznetsov instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Escobar.
Escobar working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Escobar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar working aggressively here.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Escobar throws a combination. Kuznetsov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Ivan Kuznetsov 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!
Kuznetsov throws a push kick but Escobar slaps the foot to one side.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Escobar was well out of range.
Escobar tries to move into range but Kuznetsov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.
Escobar lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Escobar was well out of range.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Escobar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuznetsov.
It looked like Kuznetsov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Escobar lands with a kick to the temple. Kuznetsov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A jab from Escobar finds it's way through Kuznetsov's defenses.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Escobar moves away and avoids it.
We've been informed that Escobar has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Escobar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuznetsov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Escobar defends it nicely.
Escobar misses with a wild combination.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circling - Escobar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
Escobar throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar tests Kuznetsov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuznetsov is defended easily by Escobar.
Escobar swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Escobar motions for Kuznetsov to come forward. Escobar throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick from Escobar is predictable there
enabling Kuznetsov to counter with a crisp jab.
Escobar avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws out a leg kick but Escobar moves out of range and Kuznetsov only half commits.
Escobar scores with a sloppy right hand. Kuznetsov should have avoided that one.
Escobar thows a leg kick but Kuznetsov checks it
and Kuznetsov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab
and Escobar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kuznetsov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kuznetsov misses with a right hand
and Escobar counters with a good low kick that Kuznetsov was not able to check.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Escobar catches Kuznetsov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Escobar.
Escobar was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.
Escobar fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Escobar throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escobar.
Kuznetsov slips a straight right by Escobar.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Escobar takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuznetsov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kuznetsov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Escobar waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches up with Escobar, looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov pushes Escobar against the cage but Escobar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Kuznetsov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Escobar checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kuznetsov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kuznetsov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donk. Escobar catches Kuznetsov right on the button with a cross.
Escobar scoring well with a low kick there.
A big right from Escobar misses.
It looked like Kuznetsov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Escobar looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Escobar avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Escobar tries to counter by closing the distance.
Escobar throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuznetsov lands with a straight right. Escobar didn't see that one coming.
Escobar looks to land a body kick but Kuznetsov moved away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
Escobar throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Escobar misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Escobar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Kuznetsov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kuznetsov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Escobar throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Escobar scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Escobar wants to counter the offense by Kuznetsov and move into the clinch position.
Escobar jabbing away but nothing is landing.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuznetsov misses the target.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Escobar's shoulder, as Escobar tries to avoid the shot.
Escobar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Escobar checks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar misses with a right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from Kuznetsov does it's job there.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Escobar's body.
Kuznetsov misses with an attempted mid kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Escobar checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Escobar throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kuznetsov lands with a hook. Escobar tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Escobar misses with a hook to the body
and Kuznetsov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.

Escobar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Escobar blocking some punches.
Escobar lands a left hand.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Escobar.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the head.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Escobar moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escobar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Escobar goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is looking to slow Escobar down with leg kicks.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar misses with a head kick.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuznetsov takes one to the chin there.
Escobar tries to clinch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Escobar.
Escobar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Escobar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Escobar ducked under it nicely.
Escobar scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ivan Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov missing with a left hand there. Escobar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Escobar ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov cracks the inside of Escobar's front leg.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Escobar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Escobar misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Escobar wants to land a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Escobar throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar moves forwards but Kuznetsov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuznetsov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov throws a sloppy head kick and Escobar moves out of range easily.
Kuznetsov blocks the body kick.
Escobar connects with a crisp jab.
Escobar with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kuznetsov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Escobar with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Escobar lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Escobar takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick
and Escobar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A solid leg kick lands there for Escobar.
Kuznetsov blocks a low kick nicely.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kuznetsov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ivan Kuznetsov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Escobar looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circling - Escobar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar blocks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Escobar counters with a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Kuznetsov. Those never looked like landing.
Escobar checks a leg kick.
Escobar moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Escobar is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Donk. Kuznetsov catches Escobar right on the button with a cross.
Kuznetsov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Escobar tries to clinch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
Escobar lands a right hook to the body.
Kuznetsov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Escobar. Escobar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A slow jab from Escobar misses its intended target.
Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a poor cross that misses
and Escobar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.
Escobar lands a really nice looking cross but Kuznetsov seems unphased.
The fighters circling - Escobar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
As Escobar looks to move away, Kuznetsov throws a big counter combo bu Escobar just gets out of the way.
Escobar misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Escobar throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov cracks a nice hook into Escobar's ribs.
Kuznetsov punishes Escobar's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuznetsov throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Escobar counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Escobar avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab.
Escobar slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
Escobar connects with a leg kick. Kuznetsov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Escobar avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Escobar! But no joy.
Escobar tries to land a front kick but Kuznetsov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Escobar gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.
Escobar content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Escobar is defending well for now.
Kuznetsov wants to break free but Escobar has control.
A hook to the body from Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Escobar moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Escobar steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kuznetsov.
Escobar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuznetsov throws a quick counter kick to the body but Escobar avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Escobar misses with a straight left.
A little feinted left hand from Kuznetsov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Escobar moves forwards but Kuznetsov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A chopping leg kick lands by Escobar.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Escobar.
A combination from Kuznetsov does no damage.
Kuznetsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Escobar.
Escobar throws a nice inside leg kick.
Escobar misses the jab.
Kuznetsov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a left hand
and Escobar counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov thuds a left hand into Escobar's body.
Escobar takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Escobar pushes Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuznetsov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Escobar has him pressed against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Escobar.
A shot in the inside from Kuznetsov.
Escobar is pushing Kuznetsov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Pablo Escobar seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Escobar lands an uppercut.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Escobar moves away and avoids it.

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 Ivan Kuznetsov.
I think Kuznetsov 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kuznetsov!
An out of breath Ivan Kuznetsov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Pablo Escobar had this to say: 'fuck'.