PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Drago is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Drago
vs
Kuznetsov

197 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
220 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuznetsov tries to land a leg kick but Drago saw it coming and moves away.
Kuznetsov lands a jab.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Drago avoids it well.
Drago shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov defends it nicely.
Kuznetsov blocks a head kick by Drago.
Kuznetsov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Drago looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago shoots in for a double leg but Kuznetsov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Drago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Drago is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kuznetsov's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to roll over but Drago keeps him under control.
Drago lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Drago will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Drago keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Drago not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuznetsov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Drago has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Drago stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Drago pushes Kuznetsov off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kuznetsov looks winded!

Drago moves into range and clinches up with Kuznetsov.

Drago jumps guard.
Drago keeping moving, preventing Kuznetsov from controlling successfully.
Drago has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Drago pushes Kuznetsov off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drago displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Drago moved away.

Drago dives in and scores a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard.
Drago is standing up over Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov looks to escape but Drago dives into side control.

Drago advances nicely into full mount.

Drago working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Kuznetsov turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Drago off and cradles Kuznetsov's limp body as Drago celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Ivan Drago!
Ivan Kuznetsov was interviewed post fight and said 'Thanks God!'.