PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 987 p4p, 103 weight class) and Sesto D Ippolito (ranked 1826 p4p, 186 weight class). D Ippolito is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Squeeze- Cool for Cats. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kuznetsov
vs
D Ippolito

178 cm
22
170 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
167 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Dauntless

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolai Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sesto D Ippolito!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from D Ippolito.
Good standup being displayed there by D Ippolito as he connects with a hook.
Kuznetsov 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 pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

D Ippolito feints and as Kuznetsov raises his hands in defense, D Ippolito changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
D Ippolito stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuznetsov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuznetsov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. D Ippolito has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuznetsov.

D Ippolito jumps into guard, dragging Kuznetsov to the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

D Ippolito is working an open guard so Kuznetsov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
D Ippolito throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight left.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
D Ippolito swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
D Ippolito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
D Ippolito with the counter takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
D Ippolito throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
D Ippolito shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl out of it but D Ippolito keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
D Ippolito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook. D Ippolito ducked under it nicely.
D Ippolito fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
D Ippolito misses the jab.
We've been told by Kuznetsov's head coaches at Arm Breakers/BJJ that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
D Ippolito swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on D Ippolito's shoulder, as D Ippolito tries to avoid the shot.
D Ippolito looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
D Ippolito tries for a takedown but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sesto D Ippolito.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but D Ippolito moved out of range nicely.
D Ippolito tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from D Ippolito.
D Ippolito shoots in for a takedown but Kuznetsov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but D Ippolito ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at D Ippolito's ribcage but misses.
D Ippolito misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kuznetsov duly obliges.
D Ippolito ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab.

D Ippolito is rocked!
Kuznetsov fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops D Ippolito to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! D Ippolito looks to clinch but Kuznetsov throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! D Ippolito taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Nikolai Kuznetsov!
During a confident post fight interview, Nikolai Kuznetsov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Sesto D Ippolito spoke after the fight, saying 'soundcloud.com/spinmanfinn'.