PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raja Khanna (ranked 224 p4p, 815 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 37 p4p, 131 weight class). Alexander Kuznetsov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Khanna
vs
Kuznetsov

190 cm
23
185
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
23
195
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

BE Younick
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

HELLBENT
New Standard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raja Khanna!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Khanna moved out of range.
Kuznetsov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kuznetsov.
Khanna waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuznetsov.
Khanna moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Khanna is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khanna sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khanna throwing a counter right hand but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Khanna walks into a left hand.
Kuznetsov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Khanna.
Khanna avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuznetsov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khanna throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the head.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Khanna.
Khanna swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov closes the distance but Khanna moves to the side
and Khanna counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Khanna.
Both fighters circling a little - Khanna finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Khanna lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Khanna throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kuznetsov defending well as Khanna loads up on a big left hand.
Khanna swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands with a good body shot.
Khanna pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Khanna swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Khanna is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khanna.

Kuznetsov rushes Khanna and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Khanna blocks with his arms.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Khanna blocks it with crossed arms.
Khanna working hard to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a punch but it's blocked by Khanna.
Khanna throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Khanna takes a knee right on the jaw!
Khanna scores with a shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Khanna lands with a right to the head.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov misses with an elbow strike.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Khanna.
Khanna blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Khanna tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuznetsov smiles and moves away.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch there but Khanna circles away.
Khanna misses with an uppercut
and Kuznetsov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Khanna thuds his right hand into Kuznetsov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
Khanna keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jab, jab by Khanna - just one landing.
Khanna avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.
Khanna throws a shot from downtown. Kuznetsov moves away and avoids it.

Kuznetsov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Khanna misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Khanna is blocking nicely.
Khanna avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuznetsov.
Khanna swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov slowing the pace effectively.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Khanna blocks it.

Khanna breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanna throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Khanna swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuznetsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khanna.
Khanna moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Khanna keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Khanna swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A quick step to the side and Khanna tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch up but Khanna keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetsov misses with a lunging right hand
and Khanna counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses
letting Khanna counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Khanna slips under a jab.
Khanna lands a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Khanna counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raja Khanna will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov tries to counter by closing the distance.
The fighters circling - Khanna throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Khanna has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Khanna circles away.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khanna.
Kuznetsov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Khanna throws a shot from downtown. Kuznetsov moves away and avoids it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kuznetsov! But no joy.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Khanna circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov darts in trying to clinch
and Khanna connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanna misses with a straight right.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
Khanna takes a shot to the head.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Khanna blocks with his arms.
Khanna's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Khanna tries to pull guard but Kuznetsov won't allow it.

Khanna breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Khanna throwing a counter right hand but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that Khanna ducks under and follows up with a left that Khanna also avoids with ease.
Khanna connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Khanna takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov connects with a looping right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khanna uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a hook to the body. Khanna takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A telegraphed right hand from Khanna misses the target.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.

Kuznetsov clinches.
Khanna throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Khanna tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Khanna back against the cage.
Khanna tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Khanna.

Khanna breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Khanna scores with a jab. Kuznetsov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Khanna checks it.
Khanna is looking to land body kicks.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khanna.
Khanna swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to Khanna's midsection.
Kuznetsov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khanna moves away.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Khanna.
Khanna throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khanna.
Khanna lands the left hand.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khanna cracks Kuznetsov with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khanna walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Khanna moves out of range.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand
and Khanna counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Khanna misses the target.
Khanna throws a lazy right hand but Kuznetsov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khanna swinging wildly here.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kuznetsov! But no joy.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Khanna moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Khanna counter with a right hand.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Khanna avoids the punch easily.
Khanna avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khanna.
Khanna lands a nice shot that snaps Kuznetsov's head back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

A slow jab from Khanna misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov misses with a jab to the body
and Khanna counters with a nice body kick.
A jab from Khanna misses.
Khanna pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A little jabbing left from Kuznetsov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Khanna throws a hook to the side of Kuznetsov's head but Kuznetsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A nice side step and Kuznetsov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuznetsov throws an off balance right hand
enabling Khanna to counter with a crisp jab.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping right.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Khanna.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Khanna up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Khanna.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands with a left to the head.
Khanna stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Khanna scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuznetsov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Khanna lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kuznetsov letting Khanna take a breather here.
Khanna lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short uppercut from Khanna.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Khanna.
Khanna is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuznetsov gets an underhook and turns Khanna into the cage.
Khanna lands a shoulder strike.

Khanna's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov cracks Khanna with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Khanna keeps the fight on the outside.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khanna blocks an elbow strike.
Khanna tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanna lands an uppercut.
Kuznetsov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kuznetsov missing with knees to the body.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Khanna blocks it.
Khanna softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Khanna blocking some punches.
Khanna lands a shoulder strike.
A short left from Khanna.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Khanna scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Khanna misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Khanna blocks it.
Khanna works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kuznetsov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khanna managing to block the knees to the body from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Khanna lands a hook to the side of the head.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Khanna is working Kuznetsov over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khanna manages to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch
and Khanna counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Khanna fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
A cross from Khanna lands.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Khanna moves away
and Khanna makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Khanna lands with an overhand left.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
A big left from Khanna misses.
Khanna slips under a jab.
Khanna scores with a hook to the body. Kuznetsov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Khanna goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Khanna ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetsov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khanna throws a front kick that sends Kuznetsov stumbling back into the cage.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khanna.
Kuznetsov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Khanna with a body shot.
Khanna connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Khanna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuznetsov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khanna.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Khanna.
Khanna swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Khanna connects with a jab.
Kuznetsov is still on wobbly legs! Can Khanna finish him?
Khanna throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
Khanna was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Khanna's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuznetsov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Khanna scrambles back to his feet.
Kuznetsov seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khanna throws out the jab.
Khanna throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raja Khanna clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A thudding body kick lands there by Khanna!
Khanna is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuznetsov can do to turn this around?
Khanna throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuznetsov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Khanna looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Kuznetsov staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Khanna's shoulder, as Khanna tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khanna misses with a double jab.
Khanna is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is looking for the big counter here.
Kuznetsov with a jab.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook
and Kuznetsov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanna takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Khanna throws a lazy uppercut
and Khanna takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch
and Khanna counters with a stiff right hand.
Khanna has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kuznetsov finds it's way round the side to connect with Khanna's head.
Khanna looks to throw the jab but Kuznetsov is out of range.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Khanna's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov scores with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov scores with a sloppy right hand. Khanna should have avoided that one.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Khanna slips the punch.
It looked like Khanna wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A combination from Kuznetsov does no damage.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Khanna is just out of range.
A jab from Kuznetsov finds it's way through Khanna's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khanna steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khanna.
Khanna throws a big shot that misses.
Khanna avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kuznetsov defending well as Khanna loads up on a big left hand.

Kuznetsov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Khanna, pushing him back against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Khanna misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khanna.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Khanna misses with a hook from the clinch.
Khanna doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Khanna lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuznetsov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Khanna misses with the head strike.
Khanna tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Khanna jumps guard and drags Kuznetsov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kuznetsov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kuznetsov preventing the sweep.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses. Khanna uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetsov's guard. Nice move by Khanna!

Kuznetsov wants to stand up but Khanna is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuznetsov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khanna looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Khanna throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov lands a two punch combo.
Khanna throws a shot from downtown. Kuznetsov moves away and avoids it.
Kuznetsov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khanna on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Khanna's head but Khanna sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice jab there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Khanna under the eye.
Khanna takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Khanna staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Khanna.
Kuznetsov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Khanna moves out of range.
It looked like Khanna wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Khanna uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khanna swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov throws a good cross that connects.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Khanna manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It looked like Khanna wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Khanna connects with a single shot there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kuznetsov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Khanna takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Khanna avoids it easily.
Khanna misses the jab.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.

Khanna gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.

Khanna breaks from the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Khanna moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Khanna misses the target.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Khanna slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khanna connects with a jab.

It looks like Alexander Kuznetsov has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
Khanna throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Khanna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznetsov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Khanna bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch up but Khanna keeps it at a distance.
A lazy left from Kuznetsov finds it's target.
Khanna doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tests Khanna's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khanna circles away quickly and effectively.
Khanna throws a big shot that misses.
Khanna scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kuznetsov in his tracks.
Khanna slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov slips a jab from Khanna.
Kuznetsov wants to counter the offense by Khanna and move into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov slips a straight right by Khanna.
Khanna pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuznetsov lands the left hand.
Khanna misses with the body kick
and Kuznetsov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Khanna slips the punch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kuznetsov.
Khanna moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
Khanna scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Khanna sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Khanna dodges the punch combination from Kuznetsov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khanna with a hook.
Kuznetsov connects with a looping right hand.
Kuznetsov avoids a kick to the body.
Khanna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khanna moves away from the strike by Kuznetsov.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov slips a jab from Khanna.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Khanna ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov avoids a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kuznetsov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 47:48
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
Alexander Kuznetsov is the new middleweight champion!
Alexander Kuznetsov thanked the fans post fight for their support.