PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kuznetsov
vs
Kawajiri

182 cm
32
170 lbs
18 - 15 - 2

172 cm
39
155 lbs
27 - 17 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tatsuya Kawajiri!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuznetsov.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice right hand.
An inside leg kick from Kawajiri misses.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Kawajiri attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kawajiri looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov tests Kawajiri's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
Kawajiri just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A good leg kick by Kuznetsov.

Kawajiri instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kawajiri misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawajiri creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Kawajiri in his tracks for a moment.
Kuznetsov tries to throw a body punch but Kawajiri avoids it by throwing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
Kuznetsov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kawajiri digs a right hand into Kuznetsov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuznetsov's gas tank.
Kawajiri lands with a light punch inside.
Kawajiri lands with a left to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kawajiri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov misses with an elbow over the top.
Kuznetsov is stalling here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov working aggressively here.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawajiri scores with a shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kawajiri throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short right from Kawajiri on the inside.

It looks like Alexandr Kuznetsov has been cut.
Kawajiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawajiri lands a body shot in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawajiri's elbow.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
A short left from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kawajiri misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov blocking some punches.
Kawajiri lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Kawajiri.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri scores with a shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuznetsov lands a good knee to the midsection. Kawajiri won't want to take too many of those.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kawajiri struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Kuznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kawajiri slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kuznetsov throws a front kick that sends Kawajiri stumbling back into the cage.

Kawajiri darts in and clinches Kuznetsov up against the cage.
Kawajiri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov works on Kawajiri's body with a couple of short punches.
Kawajiri swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kawajiri avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Kawajiri bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov punishes Kawajiri's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawajiri was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a shot from downtown. Kawajiri moves away and avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Kawajiri on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kuznetsov throws the kick towards the body but Kawajiri avoids it.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Kawajiri up against the cage.
Kawajiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A hook to the body from Kuznetsov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tatsuya Kawajiri will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexandr Kuznetsov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kawajiri gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kuznetsov blocking some punches.
Tatsuya Kawajiri seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kawajiri misses with the head strike.
Kawajiri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick
and Kuznetsov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kawajiri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kawajiri throws out a leg kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range and Kawajiri only half commits.
Kuznetsov lands a head kick. Kawajiri smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kawajiri throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kawajiri is out of range.
Kawajiri lands with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kawajiri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kawajiri tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Kawajiri back against the cage.
Kawajiri digs a right hand underneath Kuznetsov's ribcage. Kuznetsov let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow just above Kawajiri 's eye.
Kuznetsov lands a shoulder strike.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kawajiri lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Kawajiri in his tracks for a moment.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov pushes Kawajiri back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kawajiri lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov with a knee to the head.

Kawajiri is rocked!
Kawajiri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuznetsov finish him?
Kawajiri is working Kuznetsov over against the cage.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov tries to stall but Kawajiri uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kuznetsov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kawajiri's elbow.
Kawajiri seems to have recovered his senses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawajiri creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kawajiri lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Kawajiri fails to land.
Kuznetsov taking a breather.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kawajiri misses with some punches.
Kawajiri gets through Kuznetsov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to throw a body punch but Kawajiri avoids it by throwing Kuznetsov back against the cage.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kawajiri lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kuznetsov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kawajiri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov gets through Kawajiri's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the head.
Kawajiri tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Kawajiri back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kawajiri's brow.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.
Kawajiri scores with a shoulder strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuznetsov obliges.
Kawajiri throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kawajiri is breathing heavily.
Kawajiri misses with a punch on the inside.
Kawajiri working aggressively here.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kawajiri misses with a punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kawajiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kawajiri can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Tatsuya Kawajiri has been cut.
Kawajiri blocks an elbow strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good body shot from Kuznetsov.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kawajiri throws a head punch that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawajiri takes an elbow to the temple.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
Kawajiri lands a nice uppercut.
Kawajiri misses with some punches.
Kawajiri blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
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 Alexandr Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

An inside leg kick lands from Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawajiri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kawajiri looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuznetsov is just out of range.
Kawajiri throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kawajiri takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt.
A big left from Kawajiri misses.
Kawajiri tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kawajiri uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kawajiri throws a front kick aimed at Kuznetsov's knee but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Kawajiri is looking to chop away at Kuznetsov's legs.

Kawajiri closes the distance and pushes Kuznetsov back into the cage.
Kawajiri swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
The referee calls for Kuznetsov to work.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow.
Kawajiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kawajiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kawajiri backwards.
Kuznetsov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kawajiri blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
A short uppercut from Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
A knee to the head by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kawajiri is working Kuznetsov over against the cage.
Kawajiri pushes Kuznetsov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kawajiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov can't find room to land a body shot as Kawajiri controls the action.
Kawajiri misses with the head strike.
Kawajiri has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kawajiri.
Kuznetsov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kawajiri's face.
Kawajiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kawajiri pushes Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kawajiri blocks the elbow strike.
Kuznetsov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kawajiri up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Kawajiri shrugs off.
Kawajiri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kawajiri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kawajiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kawajiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Kawajiri fails to land.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow just above Kawajiri 's eye.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kawajiri misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov manages to break the clinch.
Kawajiri tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov throws a big counter combination but Kawajiri scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznetsov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov lands a big head kick that sends Kawajiri tumbling to the mat! Kuznetsov takes a step backwards and waves Kawajiri back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov lands a front kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuznetsov.
Kawajiri tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kawajiri.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kawajiri looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.

Kuznetsov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kawajiri digs a right hand underneath Kuznetsov's ribcage. Kuznetsov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandr Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexandr Kuznetsov!