PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lev Kuznetsov (ranked 2232 p4p, 2034 weight class) and Givaldo Torres (ranked 0 p4p, 263 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kuznetsov
vs
Torres

184 cm
25
194
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
200
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lev Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Givaldo Torres!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Torres leaves Kuznetsov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Torres's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kuznetsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Torres's waist but Torres gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuznetsov off to one side.

Kuznetsov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Torres wants to get back to full guard.
Torres keeps trying to improve his position.
Torres manages to get to full guard.
Torres looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuznetsov is one step ahead there.
Torres keeping full guard, as Kuznetsov tries to pass.
Torres looking for a sweep. Not yet Torres, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kuznetsov is pushing down on Torres's leg trying to pass to half guard. Torres is fighting to maintain full guard but Kuznetsov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kuznetsov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kuznetsov landing shots from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kuznetsov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kuznetsov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
BOOM! Kuznetsov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Torres is trying desperately to improve position.
Kuznetsov with shots to the head and body - Torres looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kuznetsov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kuznetsov 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Torres is looking to improve his position but Kuznetsov isn't that keen on the idea.
Kuznetsov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kuznetsov with the ground and pound from mount.
Torres looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kuznetsov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Kuznetsov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kuznetsov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Kuznetsov landing punches.

Torres is rocked!
Torres bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Torres won't allow Kuznetsov to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuznetsov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Torres drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Torres jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Torres controlling him for the moment.
Torres trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznetsov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Torres 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.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Kuznetsov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Torres wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.
Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov preventing the sweep.
Kuznetsov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kuznetsov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Torres manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kuznetsov manages to get himself to full guard.

Torres thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep but no luck.
Torres looking to pass the guard.
Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

Kuznetsov stands up over Torres, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kuznetsov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Torres has momentary wrist control but Kuznetsov slips an elbow through the middle.
Torres tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuznetsov is working Torres over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Torres really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuznetsov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Torres looking for a sweep. Not yet Torres, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is pushing down on Torres's leg trying to pass to half guard. Torres is fighting to maintain full guard but Kuznetsov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kuznetsov working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Torres moves into full guard.
Kuznetsov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kuznetsov chips away with some ground and pound.
Kuznetsov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kuznetsov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Torres bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kuznetsov's guard.

Kuznetsov striking from the bottom here.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Torres controlling him for the moment.

Kuznetsov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Torres is aware though and is defending well.
Torres trying to control but Kuznetsov is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Torres stopping the sweep attempt from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

Torres looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuznetsov is one step ahead there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lev Kuznetsov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kuznetsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Torres's waist but Torres gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuznetsov off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from Torres as Kuznetsov shoots in.
Kuznetsov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Torres counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Lev Kuznetsov has been cut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lev Kuznetsov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznetsov shoots in for a double leg but Torres sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuznetsov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Torres counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Torres fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuznetsov is defended easily by Torres.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Torres lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuznetsov circles away quickly and effectively.
Torres lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuznetsov shoots and misses
and Torres connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kuznetsov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Torres defends it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Torres connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Torres defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuznetsov.
Torres lands a right hook to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Torres darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kuznetsov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Torres can do to turn this around?
Torres lands a nice shot to the body.
Torres tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Torres jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Torres cracks Kuznetsov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Torres jabs Kuznetsov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kuznetsov misses with a takedown attempt
and Torres counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov tries to move into range but Torres moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Kuznetsov is rocked!

Lev Kuznetsov's cut is getting worse.
Kuznetsov fails with a takedown attempt.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuznetsov's head.

Kuznetsov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kuznetsov showed some decent athleticism there.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Torres works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kuznetsov cracks Torres with a solid left hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Torres is on top in guard.

Kuznetsov wants to sweep here but Torres controlling him for the moment.
Torres trying to control but Kuznetsov is working from the bottom.
Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

Torres had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kuznetsov defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov pushes down on Torres's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Torres is trying to get back to full guard.
Torres taking some punishment here, with Kuznetsov in his half guard.
Torres has hold of Kuznetsov's hands but Kuznetsov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kuznetsov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kuznetsov prevents Torres from improving his position.
Kuznetsov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuznetsov passes to full mount!
Kuznetsov landing punches.
Torres sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kuznetsov prevents Torres from improving his position.
Kuznetsov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov passes to side control.
Torres tries to bench press Kuznetsov off him but Kuznetsov keeps the position.
Torres gets back to half guard.
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!
Kuznetsov working over Torres with some ground and pound. Torres looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kuznetsov lands with a punch from half guard.
Torres is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kuznetsov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kuznetsov uses his free foot to push down on Torres's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Torres.
Kuznetsov breaks from Torres's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lev Kuznetsov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuznetsov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Torres is still in real trouble! Can Kuznetsov finish him?
Torres bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Torres seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Givaldo Torres will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Lev Kuznetsov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Torres stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Torres wants it to stay on the feet.

Kuznetsov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Torres is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Torres is working for a kimura but Kuznetsov is defending it quite comfortably.
Kuznetsov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Torres 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.
Kuznetsov trying to strike off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuznetsov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kuznetsov tries to get out of the position.
Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

Kuznetsov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torres is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Torres is trying to control. Kuznetsov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kuznetsov manages to get to full guard.
Kuznetsov keeping moving, preventing Torres from controlling successfully.
Kuznetsov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Torres is one step ahead there.
Kuznetsov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Torres's guard.

Kuznetsov wants to pass the guard but Torres is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Torres is on top in guard.

Kuznetsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Torres manages to get himself to full guard.

Kuznetsov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Torres is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuznetsov is one step ahead there.
Kuznetsov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Torres tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuznetsov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Torres takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Torres gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Torres is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuznetsov is nestled in close to Torres, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kuznetsov is nestled in close to Torres, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are battling for position here. Torres manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kuznetsov distracts Torres with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kuznetsov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kuznetsov stopping the sweep attempt from Torres.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kuznetsov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Torres some visible discomfort.
Torres is looking to reverse the position.
Kuznetsov advances nicely into full mount.
Torres is looking to get to half guard.
Torres takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuznetsov lands a couple of good shots and Torres has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Torres fending off the submission attempt from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is punishing Torres with some ground and pound.
Kuznetsov lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Givaldo Torres has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands strikes to the head.
Kuznetsov lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Torres is trying to break free.
Kuznetsov scores with punches to the body.
Kuznetsov is punishing Torres with strikes - can he finish him?!
Kuznetsov lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Torres is trapped and Kuznetsov is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Kuznetsov. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Kuznetsov is landing with strikes from the back.
Kuznetsov is working the ground and pound. Can Torres escape?
Kuznetsov throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Torres!
Kuznetsov is raining down hard shots and and Torres has had enough - he's tapped out due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Lev Kuznetsov!
A relieved looking Lev Kuznetsov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.