PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Kushnirov (ranked 1166 p4p, 817 weight class) and Vadik Koslov (ranked 174 p4p, 120 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kushnirov
vs
Koslov

175 cm
22
195
5 - 3 - 0

193 cm
22
192
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilya Kushnirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vadik Koslov!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koslov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kushnirov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kushnirov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kushnirov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Koslov slips under a jab from Kushnirov.
Koslov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Koslov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kushnirov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kushnirov throws a solid leg kick but Koslov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kushnirov.
Kushnirov throws a series of punches but Koslov moves out of range.
Kushnirov looks to land a right hand but Koslov moved out of range.
Kushnirov cracks Koslov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Koslov misses with a wild body shot.
Kushnirov scores with a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A good leg kick by Kushnirov.
Koslov tries to clinch up
letting Kushnirov counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov throws a solid leg kick but Koslov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kushnirov.

Koslov takes the fight into the clinch.

Koslov wants the takedown. Kushnirov is fighting it off but Koslov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kushnirov's guard against the cage.

Kushnirov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Koslov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kushnirov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ilya Kushnirov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Koslov lands a nice shot that snaps Kushnirov's head back.

Koslov clinches up with Kushnirov and pushes him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koslov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kushnirov is defending well.
Koslov looking for a takedown.
Koslov throws a head punch that misses.

Kushnirov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kushnirov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Koslov will feel that in the morning.
Kushnirov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kushnirov swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koslov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kushnirov is just out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kushnirov.
Kushnirov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kushnirov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kushnirov throws a right hand that Koslov ducks under and follows up with a left that Koslov also avoids with ease.
Kushnirov sets himself, and Koslov steps forward looking for the clinch! Kushnirov avoids it this time.
Nice shot by Kushnirov.
A cross from Kushnirov lands.
Kushnirov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kushnirov jabs Koslov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kushnirov scores with a decent looking hook.
A good leg kick by Kushnirov.
Koslov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kushnirov.

Koslov forces Kushnirov back against the cage and clinches.

Kushnirov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Koslov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kushnirov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kushnirov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Koslov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but Koslov moved away.
Koslov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov throws a right hand that Koslov ducks under and follows up with a left that Koslov also avoids with ease.
Kushnirov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kushnirov swats away the attempt to clinch by Koslov.
Koslov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Koslov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kushnirov. Kushnirov obviously looking to wear him down.
Kushnirov throws a sloppy body shot

and Koslov counters by clinching up.

Koslov tightens his grip and picks Kushnirov up, before dumping him to the ground. Kushnirov manages to land in guard.
Kushnirov is wriggling around but Koslov manages to pass to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kushnirov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Koslov thows a huge punch but Kushnirov dodges it nicely.
Koslov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Koslov drops an elbow to the side of Kushnirov's head.
Kushnirov trying to control here.
We've been hearing good reports from Kushnirov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kushnirov is refusing to be controlled, as Koslov sits in half guard.
Koslov wants to pass the guard but Kushnirov is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kushnirov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kushnirov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Koslov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kushnirov momentarily.
Kushnirov lands a jab to the head.
Koslov throws the left hand but Kushnirov avoids the punch easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kushnirov. Koslov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kushnirov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Koslov.
Koslov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Koslov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kushnirov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Kushnirov as Koslov shoots in.
Kushnirov delivers a nice body kick.
Ilya Kushnirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koslov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ilya Kushnirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vadik Koslov.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kushnirov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koslov can do to turn this around?
Koslov is looking to clinch.
A big left from Kushnirov misses.

Koslov rushes Kushnirov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Koslov tries to score a body lock takedown but Kushnirov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kushnirov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Kushnirov misses.
Koslov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kushnirov scores with a nice right hand.
Koslov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kushnirov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kushnirov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kushnirov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kushnirov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Koslov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kushnirov.
Koslov wants to counter the offense by Kushnirov and move into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Kushnirov finds it's target.
Kushnirov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koslov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koslov.
Koslov connects with a crisp jab.
Koslov throws a right hand that misses
and Kushnirov counters with a three punch combo that has Koslov backing up. Koslov nods at Kushnirov to acknowledge the strikes.
Kushnirov jabs Koslov right on the nose. Koslov blinks but takes it well.
Kushnirov connects with a body shot that sends Koslov's belly button to the back.
Kushnirov clobbers Koslov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kushnirov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Koslov's head.
Kushnirov misses with a leg kick.
Kushnirov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov throws a head kick that misses.
Kushnirov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick which misses Koslov's front leg but catches the back leg as Koslov tries to avoid it.
Kushnirov throws a hook to the side of Koslov's head but Koslov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kushnirov loads up on a big right hand but Koslov slips the punch.
Koslov dives in for a single leg takedown but Kushnirov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kushnirov throws a hook but Koslov avoids it easily.
Kushnirov cracks Koslov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kushnirov lands with a good body shot.
Koslov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kushnirov throws a shot from downtown. Koslov moves away and avoids it.

Kushnirov gets tackled into the cage by Koslov. Koslov maintains the clinch.

Koslov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kushnirov is trying to keep an underhook but Koslov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koslov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov tries to roll over but Koslov keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kushnirov is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Koslov lands a nice short elbow.
Koslov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Koslov is nestled in close to Kushnirov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Koslov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kushnirov's head.
Koslov lands strikes from half guard.
Kushnirov is looking to escape.
Koslov lands strikes from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Kushnirov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Donk. Kushnirov catches Koslov right on the button with a cross.
Koslov swings for the body but Kushnirov moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koslov manages to avoid it.
Kushnirov misses with a hook.
Koslov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kushnirov scores with a nice body kick.

Koslov closes the distance and clinches.
Kushnirov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Koslov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kushnirov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnirov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Koslov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kushnirov trying to land knees to the body.
Kushnirov gets underhooks to prevent Koslov's takedown attempt.
A shot in the inside from Koslov.
Kushnirov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koslov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kushnirov can't fight it off and eventually Koslov manages to take the fight to the floor. Kushnirov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Koslov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kushnirov trying to keep a closed guard but Koslov is proving a slippery customer.
Kushnirov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kushnirov, not yet.
Kushnirov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Koslov landing some decent shots from guard.
Vadik Koslov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koslov lands a couple of elbows.
Koslov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Koslov prevents Kushnirov from getting back to his feet.
Koslov throwing strikes but missing.
Koslov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kushnirov's head.
Kushnirov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Koslov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Koslov is looking to work some ground and pound but Kushnirov has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koslov with a nice head shot there.
Ilya Kushnirov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kushnirov has momentary wrist control but Koslov slips an elbow through the middle.
Koslov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kushnirov's head.
Kushnirov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koslov on the ground.
Koslov landing with the ground and pound.
Kushnirov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Koslov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Koslov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Koslov checks it well.
Koslov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov lands a really nice looking cross but Koslov seems unphased.
A punch combination from Kushnirov misses.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kushnirov enables Koslov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kushnirov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Koslov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koslov throws a big elbow that misses.

Koslov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Koslov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vadik Koslov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kushnirov 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Kushnirov!
A relieved looking Ilya Kushnirov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.