PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Egor Kuznecov (ranked 1752 p4p, 2570 weight class) and Brick Knuckles (ranked 218 p4p, 315 weight class). Brick Knuckles has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuznecov
vs
Knuckles

193 cm
22
283
7 - 4 - 0

197 cm
22
280
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Kuznecov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brick Knuckles!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knuckles tries to work over Kuznecov's front leg with a kick but Kuznecov checks it.
Knuckles looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A cross from Knuckles lands.
Knuckles lands a jab.
Kuznecov 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.
Knuckles throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Knuckles lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Knuckles throws a series of punches but Kuznecov moves out of range.
Kuznecov slips a jab and a cross from Knuckles.

Knuckles lands a big uppercut and Kuznecov crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Kuznecov looks OK. Knuckles waves Kuznecov back to his feet!

Kuznecov is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knuckles misses with a right hand
enabling Kuznecov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuznecov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznecov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Knuckles.
Kuznecov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Knuckles lands with a straight right. Kuznecov didn't see that one coming.
Kuznecov throws a shot from downtown. Knuckles moves away and avoids it.
Knuckles misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuznecov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice defenses there by Knuckles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznecov throws a hook but Knuckles blocks it.
Knuckles misses with the combination.
Knuckles is looking to score with low kicks.
We've been hearing reports that Kuznecov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Decent striking displayed by Kuznecov there.

It looks like Brick Knuckles has been cut.
Knuckles defending well as Kuznecov loads up on a big left hand.
Knuckles with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Knuckles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Knuckles throws a series of punches but Kuznecov avoids them all with ease.
Knuckles misses with a wild body shot.
Knuckles pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kuznecov is out of range and Knuckles settles back down.
Kuznecov fails with the takedown.
Kuznecov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznecov. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznecov lands a nice shot that snaps Knuckles's head back.
Kuznecov throws a body punch but Knuckles moves out of range.

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!
Knuckles throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuznecov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kuznecov shoots in for a double leg but Knuckles sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Kuznecov shoots in and gets a takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Kuznecov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuznecov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznecov looking to pass the guard.
Kuznecov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznecov is looking to work some ground and pound but Knuckles has wrist control.
Knuckles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznecov prevents Knuckles from getting back to his feet.
Kuznecov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles looking for a sweep. Not yet Knuckles, not yet.
Knuckles keeping moving, preventing Kuznecov from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
No joy there for Knuckles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A quick step to the side and Kuznecov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Kuznecov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuznecov.
Knuckles throws a series of punches but Kuznecov avoids them all with ease.
Knuckles lands with a right hand.
Knuckles swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kuznecov slips under a jab from Knuckles.
Kuznecov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Knuckles throws a right and a left that both miss.

Knuckles gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kuznecov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kuznecov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knuckles swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuznecov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznecov throwing strikes from guard but Knuckles blocks nicely.
Kuznecov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznecov trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Knuckles working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuznecov.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Knuckles is on top in guard.

Knuckles must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knuckles has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kuznecov is proving hard to escape from.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brick Knuckles dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brick Knuckles's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Knuckles throws a chopping leg kick but Kuznecov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Knuckles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznecov.
A little jabbing left from Knuckles on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Knuckles misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznecov.

Kuznecov shoots in and gets a takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Knuckles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuznecov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kuznecov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuznecov is in close to Knuckles's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznecov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knuckles swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Knuckles managing to control the position.
Kuznecov tries to free his leg and advance position but Knuckles is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuznecov with a nice head shot there.
Knuckles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuznecov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kuznecov stands up over Knuckles, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Knuckles is adopting a defensive guard.
Kuznecov content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov is looking to work some ground and pound but Knuckles has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznecov trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznecov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Knuckles working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuznecov.
Knuckles keeping full guard, as Kuznecov tries to pass.
Kuznecov trying to control the position from guard on top but Knuckles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles scores with a jab to the body.
Knuckles tries to land a leg kick but Kuznecov saw it coming and moves away.
Kuznecov throws out a loose jab but Knuckles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznecov blocks a leg kick.
Kuznecov thuds a left hand into Knuckles's body.
Knuckles throws out a leg kick but Kuznecov moves out of range and Knuckles only half commits.

Kuznecov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kuznecov working the ground and pound.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Kuznecov wants to control but Knuckles is keeping him busy.
Knuckles is letting Kuznecov control him for a moment.
Kuznecov working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov throws a strike aimed at the side of Knuckles's head but Knuckles avoids it well.
Kuznecov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Egor Kuznecov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
An elbow from Kuznecov crashes against the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The strikes coming from Kuznecov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kuznecov throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Knuckles works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Kuznecov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuznecov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Egor Kuznecov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Brick Knuckles's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Knuckles throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuznecov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Brick Knuckles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kuznecov dives in and scores a takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Kuznecov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Knuckles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuznecov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knuckles not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kuznecov wants to pass the guard but Knuckles is keeping the position.
Knuckles keeping moving, preventing Kuznecov from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznecov tries to free his leg and advance position but Knuckles is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznecov throws a lazy right hand but Knuckles sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznecov looks for a takedown but Knuckles sprawls well.
Knuckles fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuznecov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Brick Knuckles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knuckles misses with the combination.
Kuznecov misses with a double jab.
Knuckles misses with a hook to the body
and Kuznecov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuznecov shoots in but no luck this time.
Knuckles moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Knuckles lands a nice hook to Kuznecov's body. Kuznecov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Knuckles.
Knuckles misses with a double jab

and Kuznecov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Knuckles's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Knuckles is on top in guard.

Knuckles wants to stand but Kuznecov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Knuckles is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kuznecov is controlling Knuckles's posture.
Kuznecov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kuznecov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kuznecov controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Knuckles tries to kick Kuznecov off but Kuznecov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kuznecov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kuznecov is keen to just control but Knuckles is a slippery customer.
Knuckles is controlling Kuznecov's trapped leg to prevent Kuznecov from advancing to side control.
Knuckles is refusing to be controlled, as Kuznecov sits in half guard.
Kuznecov throwing shots but Knuckles is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kuznecov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kuznecov throws a strike but Knuckles avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Kuznecov trying to control but Knuckles is working from the bottom.
Kuznecov prevents Knuckles from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knuckles connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kuznecov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Knuckles sees it coming and avoids it easily.

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 Egor Kuznecov.
I think Kuznecov 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Egor Kuznecov!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Egor Kuznecov waved his t-shirt featuring Conviction's logo in front of the cameras.