PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Kuznetcov (ranked 124 p4p, 14 weight class) and Larry Shreve Jr (ranked 230 p4p, 26 weight class). Larry Shreve Jr has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Andrey Kuznetcov's chin.

Kuznetcov
vs
Shreve Jr

190 cm
25
287 lbs
14 - 1 - 0

209 cm
25
272 lbs
21 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Kuznetcov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Larry Shreve Jr!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Kuznetcov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kuznetcov misses with a takedown attempt - Shreve Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shreve Jr throws out a counter right but Kuznetcov avoids it with no problem.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Shreve Jr enables Kuznetcov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Shreve Jr manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Shreve Jr pulls Kuznetcov in close to prevent any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shreve Jr can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shreve Jr wants to sweep but no luck.
Shreve Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kuznetcov postures up and lands a big shot to Shreve Jr's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetcov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shreve Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetcov looking to sit in guard and control but Shreve Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kuznetcov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuznetcov keeping full guard, as Shreve Jr tries to pass.
Kuznetcov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuznetcov keeping full guard, as Shreve Jr tries to pass.
Shreve Jr looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Shreve Jr is looking to stand up but Kuznetcov won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kuznetcov has control of Shreve Jr's left arm, preventing Shreve Jr from doing any damage.
Kuznetcov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kuznetcov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuznetcov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shreve Jr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuznetcov.
Kuznetcov is keen to just control but Shreve Jr is a slippery customer.
Shreve Jr on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kuznetcov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shreve Jr keeps working.
Kuznetcov not doing much here.
Kuznetcov throwing shots but Shreve Jr is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetcov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kuznetcov throwing shots but Shreve Jr is blocking nicely.
Kuznetcov prevents Shreve Jr from improving his position.
Shreve Jr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuznetcov.
Well, if Kuznetcov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetcov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shreve Jr's head.
Kuznetcov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shreve Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuznetcov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shreve Jr is trying to stand back up but Kuznetcov is controlling him
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kuznetcov is trying to control. Shreve Jr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shreve Jr misses the jab.
Shreve Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab lands there for Kuznetcov.
Shreve Jr looks to land a left hand but Kuznetcov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetcov cracks Shreve Jr with a right hand to the side of the head.
Shreve Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetcov. Shreve Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuznetcov dives in for a single leg takedown but Shreve Jr sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A big right from Kuznetcov misses.
Shreve Jr connects with a leg kick. Kuznetcov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kuznetcov swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Kuznetcov dominated that round.
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.

Kuznetcov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetcov fails with the takedown
and Shreve Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shreve Jr staying out of range there.
Kuznetcov throws a poor cross that misses
and Shreve Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuznetcov misses with a takedown

and Shreve Jr counters with a crisp right hand that drops Kuznetcov! Shreve Jr lets Kuznetcov back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Kuznetcov is rocked!

It looks like Andrey Kuznetcov has been cut.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuznetcov scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shreve Jr drops Kuznetcov with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Kuznetcov looks back up at him and smiles so Shreve Jr waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Oh Kuznetcov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Larry Shreve Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuznetcov drops his hands momentarily and Shreve Jr needs no second invitation. He sets himself and throws a perfect high kick, that clips Kuznetcov just on the top of the head. Kuznetcov drops like a sack of potatoes to the canvas, out cold! Oooooooh yeah! Stick a fork in Kuznetcov - he's done!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Larry Shreve Jr!
Larry Shreve Jr is the new heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Larry Shreve Jr thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.