PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 373 p4p, 830 weight class) and Manny Tavares (ranked 46 p4p, 106 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kuznetsov
vs
Tavares

180 cm
28
195
14 - 7 - 2

183 cm
32
185
23 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Northern Zombie

NARCOS
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 14 - 7 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Tavares.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kuznetsov.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tavares.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kuznetsov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tavares under the eye.
Tavares works the jab nicely.
Tavares misses with a looping right.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Tavares misses with a looping right.
Kuznetsov throwing a counter right hand but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the nose.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Tavares avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Tavares looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good leg kick by Kuznetsov.
Tavares throws the left hand but Kuznetsov avoids the punch easily.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that Tavares ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavares also avoids with ease.
Kuznetsov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kuznetsov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kuznetsov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tavares checks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares scores with a hook to the body. Kuznetsov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
Tavares lands a left hand.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kuznetsov.

It looks like Manny Tavares has been cut.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tavares lands a shot to the body.
Tavares has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Tavares blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Tavares manages to break the clinch.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov lands with a slapping head kick.
Kuznetsov digs a good body shot into Tavares's ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares cracks a nice hook into Kuznetsov's ribs.
A leg kick checked by Tavares.
Kuznetsov tries a low kick but Tavares avoids it.
Kuznetsov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tavares manages to circle out of the way.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Tavares bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tavares is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kuznetsov with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Tavares.
Tavares gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kuznetsov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kuznetsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tavares moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tavares might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Tavares loads up on a big right hand but Kuznetsov slips the punch.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Tavares avoids them all with ease.
A nice side step and Tavares releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuznetsov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kuznetsov throws a body kick that misses.
Kuznetsov dodges the punch combination from Tavares.
Tavares moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Tavares avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kuznetsov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tavares throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice uppercut.
A big right from Tavares misses.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kuznetsov throws a poor cross that misses
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Kuznetsov works Tavares's body with a nice hook.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Kuznetsov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tavares finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov swings widly with a right hand
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Kuznetsov scores with a three punch combo!
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 bum rush Tavares with a series of wild strikes but Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tavares, as that shot connected.
Tavares takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov walks into a left hand.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Kuznetsov moves away from the strike by Tavares.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Tavares gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Kuznetsov moved away.
Kuznetsov connects with a body shot.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Tavares's front leg with a kick but Tavares checks it.
A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuznetsov throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuznetsov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Kuznetsov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tavares jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Manny Tavares's cut.
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.

Kuznetsov connects with a body shot that sends Tavares's belly button to the back.
Kuznetsov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tavares's sensitive parts.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuznetsov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A jab from Tavares does it's job there.
We've been told by Kuznetsov's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kuznetsov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kuznetsov duly obliges.
Tavares lands a head shot.
Tavares stuns Kuznetsov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tavares fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuznetsov is able to avoid easily.
Jab from Tavares.
Tavares takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tavares has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kuznetsov.
Tavares looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov jabs Tavares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kuznetsov cracks Tavares with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick from Tavares.
Kuznetsov is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Tavares.
Kuznetsov defending well as Tavares loads up on a big left hand.
Tavares on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice uppercut there from Kuznetsov.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tavares.
Alexander Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
Tavares getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tavares throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kuznetsov on the side of the head.
Tavares throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuznetsov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tavares throws out the jab.
A jab lands there for Kuznetsov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuznetsov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tavares.
Kuznetsov moves forwards but Tavares connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Kuznetsov.
The crowd cheers as Kuznetsov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tavares doesn't seem phased though.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick which misses Tavares's front leg but catches the back leg as Tavares tries to avoid it.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick which misses Tavares's front leg but catches the back leg as Tavares tries to avoid it.
Tavares throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Tavares lands a big right hand that sends Kuznetsov crashing to the mat! Tavares stays standing though and waves Kuznetsov back to his feet!

Kuznetsov is rocked!

It looks like Alexander Kuznetsov has been cut.
Jab, jab by Kuznetsov - just one landing.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Manny Tavares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Tavares moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Tavares lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuznetsov doesn't seem phased though.
Kuznetsov scores with a leg kick.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kuznetsov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tavares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuznetsov doesn't seem bothered though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznetsov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
That kick from Tavares tenderised Kuznetsov's leg. Kuznetsov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tavares works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov slips a jab and a cross from Tavares.
Tavares slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Tavares misses the jab.
Kuznetsov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kuznetsov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tavares circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavares thuds his right hand into Kuznetsov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tavares misses with a hook. Kuznetsov ducked under it nicely.
Tavares's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kuznetsov lunges at Tavares with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tavares's hand.
Tavares has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuznetsov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tavares thinking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares tries to move into range but Kuznetsov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kuznetsov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a looping right.
A cross from Kuznetsov lands.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Tavares avoids them all with ease.
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kuznetsov throws a right hand that Tavares ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavares also avoids with ease.
Kuznetsov ducks right into an uppercut from Tavares.
Kuznetsov scores with a push kick.
A slow jab from Tavares misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Tavares on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tavares takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a big shot that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Tavares bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tavares lands a really nice looking cross but Kuznetsov seems unphased.
The fighters circling - Kuznetsov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tavares connects with a solid leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Kuznetsov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tavares lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tavares lands a nice hook to Kuznetsov's body. Kuznetsov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuznetsov throws a predictable looking body shot

and Tavares counters with a nice right hand that sends Kuznetsov toppling to the canvas! Kuznetsov scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Tavares finish him?!
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tavares is looking to land body kicks.
Kuznetsov tries to get into range but Tavares steps to the side and lands a beautiful hook that drops Kuznetsov! He's faceplanted into the mat, ass in the air... he's out cold! That's an image he won't want to show his grandkids when he gets older! Tavares scores the big KO victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Manny Tavares!
An out of breath Manny Tavares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.