PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Kuznetsov (ranked 747 p4p, 90 weight class) and Jan Paul Valens (ranked 1314 p4p, 154 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kuznetsov
vs
Paul Valens

178 cm
23
170 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

177 cm
25
170 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Dauntless

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

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 9 - 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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jan Paul Valens!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Chris Downing and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valens throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov lands with a cross.

Valens closes the distance and clinches.
Valens has Kuznetsov pressed against the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Valens.
Kuznetsov is pressed up against the cage. Valens has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kuznetsov down to the mat. Kuznetsov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kuznetsov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Valens. Valens obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuznetsov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Valens throws a fast counter high kick but Kuznetsov manages to duck under it in time.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Valens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Valens.
Valens avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Valens moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuznetsov has a couple of punches blocked by Valens.
Kuznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Valens has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kuznetsov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Paul Valens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valens avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valens.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuznetsov gets underhooks to prevent Valens's takedown attempt.
Valens scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Valens is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuznetsov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valens throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Valens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Valens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuznetsov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Valens counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Valens closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuznetsov did well to prevent Valens getting side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valens stops Kuznetsov from getting back to his feet.

Kuznetsov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kuznetsov connects with a nice looking jab.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Valens circles away.
Valens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
A leg kick checked by Valens.
An inside leg kick from Kuznetsov misses.
Valens now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Valens looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Valens scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kuznetsov is trying to escape back to his feet but Valens uses the scramble to pass into side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Valens working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Valens prevents Kuznetsov from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Valens checks a leg kick.
Kuznetsov lands with a straight right. Valens didn't see that one coming.
Valens misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a stiff right hand.
Valens looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuznetsov throws a quick counter kick to the body but Valens avoids it.

Kuznetsov clinches up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Valens throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Valens can't get the takedown.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Valens.
Valens lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Valens working aggressively here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valens or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick
and Valens counters with a good, hard body kick but Kuznetsov shrugs it off.
Valens misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Valens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kuznetsov misses with a leg kick.
Valens throws the kick towards the body but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Valens misses with a head kick.
Kuznetsov looks to land a left hand but Valens moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab from Valens.
Kuznetsov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valens was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuznetsov.
Valens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick that knocks Valens off balance momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov cracks Valens with a good jab.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Valens avoids it well.
Valens drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kuznetsov defends it well.

Kuznetsov gets caught flat footed, as Valens shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kuznetsov wants to stand but Valens is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Valens.
Valens throws out a leg kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range and Valens only half commits.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetsov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Valens wants to clinch but Kuznetsov slips to the side
and Kuznetsov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Valens shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kuznetsov is trying to defend but Valens finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kuznetsov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valens can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuznetsov kicks Valens off and gets back to his feet.
Good exchange - Kuznetsov coming out on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valens looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuznetsov lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick from Valens.
Valens buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuznetsov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valens misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valens.
Valens 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.
Valens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Valens feints the counter takedown.
Valens throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov moved away.
Kuznetsov scores with a push kick.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuznetsov misses the target.
Kuznetsov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Valens avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valens.
Valens with the counter takedown but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Valens blocks a head kick by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands with a cross.
Kuznetsov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Valens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Valens steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valens tries to clinch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Good shot there by Valens.
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!

Valens throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Valens is in Kuznetsov's guard.
Valens won't allow Kuznetsov to get back to his feet.

Kuznetsov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Valens has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Valens has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Valens lands a body shot.
Valens blocks a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Valens lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Valens on the inside.
A short right from Kuznetsov on the inside.
Valens blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov is trying to break the clinch but Valens is controlling him.

Kuznetsov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valens swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Valens.
Valens is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Valens saw that one coming.
Valens tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kuznetsov counters with a stiff right hand.
Valens dives in and grabs Kuznetsov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov pushes down on Valens's head and hops out.
Valens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Valens.
Kuznetsov with a nice cross.
Kuznetsov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Valens checks the leg kick nicely there.

Kuznetsov gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Valens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuznetsov cracks Valens with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov motions for Valens to come forward. Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Valens is able to avoid easily.
Valens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Valens, right into the meat.
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!

Valens closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Kuznetsov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Valens prevents a body shot from Kuznetsov.
Valens tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuznetsov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Jan Paul Valens has been cut.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valens tries for a takedown but Kuznetsov circles away easily
and Kuznetsov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Valens avoids a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick that knocks Valens off balance momentarily.
Nice uppercut lands for Kuznetsov. That snapped Valens's head back.
Valens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Kuznetsov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jan Paul Valens's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Valens moves in looking to clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him off.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Kuznetsov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Valens on the side of the head.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Valens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A good leg kick by Valens.
Valens throws a low kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range easily.
Kuznetsov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuznetsov rushes Valens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Valens takes an elbow to the forehead.
Valens is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov is defending well.
A shot in the inside from Kuznetsov.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Valens stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valens avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
A short left from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov is working Valens over against the cage.
Valens is trying to stall.
Kuznetsov lands a hook that snaps the head of Valens backwards.
Valens blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kuznetsov fails to land.
Valens fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries a body shot but Valens blocks it.
Kuznetsov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valens is trying to pull guard but Kuznetsov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Valens fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Valens.
Valens dodges an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov sizes up Valens with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Valens.
Valens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Valens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov as he jumps to the side.
Kuznetsov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nikolai Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Paul Valens.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Valens is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuznetsov with a body shot.
Valens misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Valens.

Valens has closed the distance and engaged Kuznetsov in a clinch.
Kuznetsov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valens or not.
Valens changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuznetsov fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Valens throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Valens takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Valens misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Valens.
Kuznetsov is looking to chop away at Valens's legs.
Kuznetsov stuffs the takedown attempt from Valens. Valens gets slowly back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Valens.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Valens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valens misses with a low kick.
Valens throws a leg kick that misses.
Kuznetsov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kuznetsov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nikolai Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Valens lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Valens takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kuznetsov avoids a kick to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Valens is predictable there
enabling Kuznetsov to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valens looks to throw the jab but Kuznetsov is out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Kuznetsov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Valens takes one to the chin there.
Valens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a jab.
Kuznetsov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Valens's calf.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the leg kick from Valens.
Valens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jan Paul Valens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valens dives in for a single leg takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Valens stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuznetsov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kuznetsov.
Valens walks into a jab.
Valens swings widly with a right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Kuznetsov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuznetsov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Kuznetsov!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Nikolai Kuznetsov waved his t-shirt featuring BuriedAlive// Fight Gear's logo in front of the cameras.