PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathew Ridgeway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ridgeway is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Forgotten War. Mathew Ridgeway has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuznetsov
vs
Ridgeway

182 cm
33
170 lbs
22 - 16 - 2

174 cm
32
164 lbs
26 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

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 22 - 16 - 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 26 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mathew Ridgeway!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a straight right.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ridgeway lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuznetsov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ridgeway moves away.
Ridgeway throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Ridgeway is looking to land body kicks.
Ridgeway throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Ridgeway has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kuznetsov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Ridgeway dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kuznetsov. That did some damage!
Kuznetsov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ridgeway tries to clinch up.
Nice uppercut there from Ridgeway.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kuznetsov checks a leg kick.
Ridgeway tries to score with a low kick but Kuznetsov moves his leg out of the way.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Ridgeway's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Kuznetsov clinches up with Ridgeway and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov stalls.
Ridgeway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ridgeway tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with an uppercut but Ridgeway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kuznetsov just leaning against Ridgeway, taking a breather.
Ridgeway tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
A right hand to the body from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway avoiding damage as Kuznetsov throws knees to the body.
Ridgeway lands a body shot.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Our sources have told us that Kuznetsov has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Ridgeway lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Ridgeway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Ridgeway tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway lands a nice shot to the body.
Ridgeway misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway misses with a body punch.
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ridgeway tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ridgeway dodges an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ridgeway blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway lands an uppercut.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov tries to land knees in the clinch but Ridgeway avoids the damage to the body.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Ridgeway shrugs off.
Kuznetsov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuznetsov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ridgeway misses with a hook to the ribs.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick from Ridgeway misses.
Kuznetsov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ridgeway takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Ridgeway closes the distance and pushes Kuznetsov back into the cage.
Ridgeway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuznetsov or not.
Ridgeway content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ridgeway tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov missing with knees to the body.
Ridgeway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ridgeway lands with a right to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ridgeway can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Ridgeway lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Ridgeway presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Ridgeway scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ridgeway throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ridgeway stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ridgeway misses with some punches.
Kuznetsov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ridgeway working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ridgeway misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway dominated that round.
That's time! Kuznetsov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Ridgeway avoids the punch easily.
Ridgeway slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway feints and then cracks Kuznetsov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kuznetsov down.
Ridgeway jabs Kuznetsov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ridgeway tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Ridgeway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway thumps Kuznetsov with a low kick.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
Ridgeway flicks out a counter leg kick but Kuznetsov steps away.
Ridgeway moves out of range of the leg kick from Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ridgeway uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ridgeway cracks the inside of Kuznetsov's front leg.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Ridgeway moves forwards but Kuznetsov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good leg kick by Ridgeway there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ridgeway lands a nice hook to Kuznetsov's body. Kuznetsov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Ridgeway fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ridgeway. Kuznetsov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A quick step to the side and Kuznetsov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ridgeway tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuznetsov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ridgeway counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ridgeway thumps Kuznetsov with a low kick.
Ridgeway scoring well with a low kick there.
Ridgeway misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ridgeway misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ridgeway wants to slow Kuznetsov down by chopping away at his legs.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ridgeway manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ridgeway punishes Kuznetsov's body with a nice straight punch.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ridgeway lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ridgeway connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice defenses there by Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov walks into a straight right hand from Ridgeway.

Kuznetsov takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Ridgeway misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ridgeway lands with a right to the head.
Kuznetsov lands a right hand.
Ridgeway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ridgeway misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Ridgeway lands a nice uppercut.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ridgeway has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ridgeway is defending well for now.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Ridgeway lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ridgeway pushes Kuznetsov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ridgeway working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ridgeway lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Ridgeway slowing the pace effectively.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Ridgeway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Ridgeway lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ridgeway tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head.
Ridgeway lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ridgeway wants to stall.
A short right from Ridgeway.
Mathew Ridgeway seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ridgeway misses with some punches.
Kuznetsov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ridgeway's face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left hand lands to the body for Ridgeway.
Ridgeway fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ridgeway misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ridgeway has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ridgeway lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Ridgeway.
A right hand to the body from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ridgeway misses with the head strike.
Ridgeway is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kuznetsov is keeping busy.
Nice body punch from Ridgeway - that landed with a thud.
Ridgeway throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov stalling in the clinch but Ridgeway improves position.
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Ridgeway tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ridgeway.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ridgeway's brow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ridgeway goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway takes a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathew Ridgeway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ridgeway getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kuznetsov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Ridgeway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuznetsov.
Ridgeway throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ridgeway misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Ridgeway throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov checks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Ridgeway does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
Ridgeway with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ridgeway stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ridgeway thuds a left hand into Kuznetsov's body.
Ridgeway ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ridgeway.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ridgeway scores with a leg kick.
Ridgeway scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but Ridgeway moves out of range.
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Ridgeway.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. Ridgeway ducked under it nicely.
Ridgeway throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuznetsov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ridgeway. Ridgeway obviously looking to wear him down.
Ridgeway looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ridgeway throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Ridgeway.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuznetsov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ridgeway drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ridgeway avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A good leg kick by Ridgeway.
Some bone on bone action there as Ridgeway checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ridgeway! But no joy.
Ridgeway misses with an uppercut. Kuznetsov saw that one coming.
Ridgeway waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Ridgeway fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Ridgeway clinches up against the cage.
Kuznetsov can't find room to land a body shot as Ridgeway controls the action.
A hook to the body from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a punch on the inside.
Ridgeway misses with a punch to the body.
Ridgeway tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Ridgeway - that landed with a thud.
Ridgeway blocks an uppercut.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ridgeway blocks the elbow strike.
Alexandr Kuznetsov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ridgeway lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Kuznetsov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ridgeway is keeping busy.
Kuznetsov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ridgeway has Kuznetsov pressed against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Ridgeway shrugs off.
Ridgeway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ridgeway lands with a light punch inside.
Ridgeway working aggressively here.
Ridgeway blocks the elbow strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway misses with a hook from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Kuznetsov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuznetsov tries to stall but Ridgeway uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kuznetsov tries to stall but Ridgeway uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ridgeway tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ridgeway lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ridgeway lands with a right to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ridgeway.
Mathew Ridgeway is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ridgeway on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ridgeway presses Kuznetsov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short body shot lands from Ridgeway as the two fighters clinch.
Ridgeway struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Ridgeway throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ridgeway tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Ridgeway.
Ridgeway lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Ridgeway misses with a body punch.
Ridgeway scores with a hook to the body.
Ridgeway tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathew Ridgeway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ridgeway has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mathew Ridgeway!
Mathew Ridgeway thanked the fans post fight for their support.