PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Avila Alvarez (ranked 3671 p4p, 399 weight class) and Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 4426 p4p, 455 weight class). Alvarez comes into the arena with Barbarian by The Darkness blaring out of the sound system. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Alvarez
vs
Kuznetsov

190 cm
37
180 lbs
19 - 31 - 2

182 cm
39
170 lbs
31 - 26 - 4

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Trashy Bar (158+q / 30$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 31 - 2, fighting out of London, Avila Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 26 - 4, fighting out of New York, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuznetsov connects with a knee to the head.
Alvarez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov is defending well.
Alvarez tries for a takedown but Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks.
Alvarez is trying to drag Kuznetsov to the mat but Kuznetsov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avila Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez blocks the elbow strike.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Avila Alvarez has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow just above Alvarez 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alvarez avoids it.
Kuznetsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.
Alvarez dodges an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alvarez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kuznetsov after a bit of a struggle.
Alvarez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov prevents the takedown attempt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Alvarez's brow.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Alvarez's brow.
Alvarez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kuznetsov looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alvarez has Kuznetsov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuznetsov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kuznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kuznetsov pushes off an throws an elbow but Alvarez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuznetsov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Alvarez's brow.
Alvarez avoids the elbow strike from Kuznetsov, against the cage.
Alvarez goes for a takedown attempt but Kuznetsov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up.
Alvarez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Alvarez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuznetsov did well to prevent Alvarez getting side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alvarez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nice strikes from Alvarez there.
Alvarez is thwarting Kuznetsov's attempts to control the position.
Kuznetsov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez winds up and cracks Kuznetsov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Alvarez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kuznetsov is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alvarez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov wants to improve his position but Alvarez is controlling well.
Alvarez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuznetsov defending well though.
Alvarez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kuznetsov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Alvarez.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position here.
Alvarez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kuznetsov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alvarez being controlled here momentarily.
Kuznetsov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alvarez is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Alvarez postures up in Kuznetsov's guard and throws a big left but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Alvarez lands a couple of elbows.
Alvarez throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alvarez is one step ahead there.
Kuznetsov trying to keep a closed guard but Alvarez is proving a slippery customer.
Alvarez lands a couple of elbows.
Alvarez throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
Kuznetsov pulls Alvarez in close to his closed guard and prevents Alvarez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Alvarez chips away with some ground and pound.
Alvarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuznetsov is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexandr Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Avila Alvarez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kuznetsov drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage.

Alvarez turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Alvarez manages to end up in side control.
Kuznetsov regains half guard.

Alvarez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Alvarez drops an elbow to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov trying to hold on to Alvarez's head to control him but Alvarez postures up.
Nice strikes from Alvarez there.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Alvarez connects with a nice short shot to Kuznetsov's temple.
Alvarez lands strikes from half guard.
Kuznetsov trying to control from the bottom.
Kuznetsov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznetsov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Alvarez is fighting to break Kuznetsov's control of his arms but Kuznetsov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Alvarez's guard.

Alvarez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuznetsov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuznetsov preventing the sweep.

Alvarez looking for a guillotine here but Kuznetsov defends easily.

Alvarez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuznetsov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Alvarez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuznetsov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuznetsov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.

Alvarez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuznetsov defends well.
Kuznetsov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kuznetsov won't allow Alvarez to sweep him here.
Kuznetsov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Alvarez working for a triangle but Kuznetsov defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez being controlled here, momentarily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuznetsov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kuznetsov throws a punch but it's blocked by Alvarez.

Alvarez gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Alvarez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kuznetsov tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
Kuznetsov is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuznetsov avoid being mounted?
Avila Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuznetsov tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
Alvarez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kuznetsov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kuznetsov trying to control but Alvarez postures up.
Alvarez working Kuznetsov over with strikes.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Alvarez is working for a submission of some sort.
Kuznetsov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avila Alvarez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Avila Alvarez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kuznetsov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Alvarez looks for a takedown but Kuznetsov sprawls well.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
Alvarez takes an elbow to the temple.
Kuznetsov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Alvarez blocks an elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kuznetsov.
Alexandr Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it misses.
Alvarez blocks an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov misses with an elbow over the top.
Kuznetsov trying to land knees to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez is working for takedown but Kuznetsov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alvarez blocks an elbow strike.
Alvarez blocks an elbow strike.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow that stopped Alvarez in his tracks for a moment.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alvarez avoids it.

Alvarez is trying to trip Kuznetsov. He has hold of a leg but Kuznetsov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Alvarez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kuznetsov has momentary wrist control but Alvarez slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alvarez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuznetsov is keeping the position for now.
Alvarez postures up.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznetsov pulls Alvarez in close to his closed guard and prevents Alvarez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Alvarez landing some decent shots from guard.
Alvarez distracts Kuznetsov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Alvarez controlling him for the moment.
Alvarez scoring with some ground and pound.

Alvarez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Alvarez throws a big elbow that misses.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznetsov is pulling down on Alvarez's head. It's preventing any offense from Alvarez, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alvarez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Alvarez controlling him for the moment.
Kuznetsov is pulling down on Alvarez's head to control his posture.
Alvarez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Alvarez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuznetsov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alvarez won't allow Kuznetsov to sweep him here.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Kuznetsov is keeping the position.
Alvarez works over Kuznetsov with some ground and pound from guard.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov looking to control.
Alvarez distracts Kuznetsov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Alvarez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Alvarez controlling him for the moment.
Alvarez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kuznetsov holds on and takes a little breather.
Alvarez works over Kuznetsov with some ground and pound from guard.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Kuznetsov trying to control the position.
Kuznetsov is still in real trouble! Can Alvarez finish him?
Kuznetsov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kuznetsov seems to have recovered his senses.
Alvarez lands a couple of elbows.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position here.
Kuznetsov keeping full guard, as Alvarez tries to pass.
Kuznetsov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Avila Alvarez.
I think Alvarez 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!