PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Exotic (ranked 112 p4p, 450 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 14 p4p, 57 weight class). Exotic's entrance music is Joe Exotic - I Saw a Tiger. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Exotic
vs
Kuznetsov

186 cm
33
185
33 - 14 - 2

180 cm
29
195
16 - 9 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

30th Century Beer Store

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 33 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Joe Exotic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznetsov clinches.
Kuznetsov with a knee to the head.

It looks like Joe Exotic has been cut.
Kuznetsov wants to stall.
Kuznetsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Exotic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Exotic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Exotic is blocking nicely.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Exotic lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Exotic - that landed with a thud.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Exotic shrugs off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Exotic throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the body.
Exotic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuznetsov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Exotic.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Exotic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
Exotic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kuznetsov misses with the head strike.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Exotic breaks from the clinch.
Exotic works Kuznetsov's body with a nice hook.

Kuznetsov has Exotic up against the cage in a clinch.
Exotic wants to break free but Kuznetsov has control.
Exotic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Exotic is trying to push Kuznetsov away but Kuznetsov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuznetsov misses with a head kick.
Exotic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kuznetsov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Exotic looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice straight punches there by Exotic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Exotic.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
Exotic throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Exotic scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Exotic moves out of range as Kuznetsov strikes.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
Exotic is looking to slow Kuznetsov down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Exotic checks it.
Kuznetsov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Exotic.
Exotic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kuznetsov on the side of the head.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Exotic.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and pushes Exotic back into the cage.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Exotic swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Exotic moves out of range.
Exotic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kuznetsov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Exotic tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuznetsov takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Exotic.
Exotic lands a body shot.
Exotic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Exotic scores with a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov misses with a straight right.
Exotic lands with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Exotic 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.
Kuznetsov slips a jab from Exotic.
Exotic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuznetsov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov moves in looking to clinch but Exotic pushes him off.
Kuznetsov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Exotic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Exotic has managed to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov works on Exotic's body with a couple of short punches.
Exotic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Exotic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kuznetsov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Exotic seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kuznetsov can turn it around.
Kuznetsov is looking to control Exotic's arms but Exotic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kuznetsov has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Exotic.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Exotic up against the cage.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Exotic scores with a shoulder strike.
Exotic lands an uppercut.
Exotic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuznetsov.
Exotic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Exotic lands with a short shot to the head.
Exotic takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Exotic's defenses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slow jab from Kuznetsov misses its intended target.
Exotic appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Exotic gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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 Joe Exotic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joe Exotic'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.

Exotic slips a straight right by Kuznetsov.
Exotic slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Exotic gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.
Kuznetsov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Exotic gets through Kuznetsov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov blocks an uppercut.
Exotic can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
Exotic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Exotic lands with a short shot to the head.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Exotic misses with the head strike.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kuznetsov has managed to clinch.
Exotic has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow just above Exotic 's eye.
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Exotic is defending well for now.
Exotic digs a right hand underneath Kuznetsov's ribcage. Kuznetsov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuznetsov is breathing heavily.
Exotic stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Exotic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuznetsov misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Exotic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Exotic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Exotic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Exotic pushes Kuznetsov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Exotic misses with a punch to the body.

Exotic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Exotic lands with a kick to the temple. Kuznetsov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Exotic instigates a clinch.
Exotic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Exotic lands with a light punch inside.
Kuznetsov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Exotic's face.
Exotic misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Exotic.
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!
Exotic misses with a body punch.
Exotic lands an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Exotic.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Exotic lands a nice shot to the body.
Exotic scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Exotic.
Exotic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Exotic can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
Exotic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Exotic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuznetsov backwards.
Exotic keeps control of Kuznetsov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the head.
Exotic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuznetsovs head.
Exotic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Exotic lands with a left to the head.
Exotic tries to throw a body punch but Kuznetsov avoids it by throwing Exotic back against the cage.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Exotic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Exotic lands a shoulder strike.
Exotic lands a body shot.
Exotic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Exotic lands an uppercut.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.

Exotic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Exotic.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Exotic circles away and keeps his distance.
Exotic lands a jab to Kuznetsov's midsection.
Exotic misses with a wild body shot.
Exotic throws out a powerful jab.
Exotic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A lazy left from Exotic finds it's target.
Exotic lands with an uppercut that bounces Kuznetsov off the cage and back into range.
A shot to the body from Kuznetsov misses
and Exotic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A nice inside leg kick there by Exotic. That's going to slow Kuznetsov down.
Exotic comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Joe Exotic is winning the standup battle so far.
Exotic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Exotic rushes Kuznetsov and presses him up against the cage.
Exotic has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.

Exotic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Exotic throws out a powerful jab.
Kuznetsov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Exotic. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Exotic lands with a right hand.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Exotic is out of range.
Nice shot by Exotic.
Exotic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuznetsov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Exotic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Exotic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Exotic keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuznetsov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Exotic doesn't seem bothered though.
Exotic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Exotic scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Exotic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Exotic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuznetsov can do to turn this around?
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznetsov avoids the body shot from Exotic.

Exotic instigates a clinch.
Exotic is leaning against Kuznetsov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Exotic tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Exotic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Exotic's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Exotic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Exotic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Exotic rushes Kuznetsov and presses him up against the cage.
Exotic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuznetsov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Exotic.
Kuznetsov tries a body shot but Exotic blocks it.
Exotic tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Exotic.
Exotic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Exotic - that landed with a thud.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Exotic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Exotic scoring well with a low kick there.
Kuznetsov throws a leg kick but Exotic checks it.
Kuznetsov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice shot lands for Exotic.

Exotic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Exotic scores with a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Exotic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuznetsovs head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic cracks Kuznetsov with a nice body shot.
Exotic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Exotic cracks Kuznetsov with a nice body shot.
Exotic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short body shot lands from Exotic as the two fighters clinch.
A short right from Exotic.
Exotic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Exotic lands a shot to the body.

Exotic breaks the clinch.
Exotic with a jab.
Exotic moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nice body kick from Exotic.
Exotic scores with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Exotic sizes up Kuznetsov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kuznetsov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Exotic has Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Exotic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuznetsov presses Exotic against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Exotic looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Exotic cracks Kuznetsov with an open hand slap.
Exotic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov with a knee to the head.
Exotic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Exotic swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Exotic can't find room to land a body shot as Kuznetsov controls the action.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Exotic blocks it.
Exotic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Exotic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuznetsov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Exotic slips under a jab from Kuznetsov.
Exotic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kuznetsov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Exotic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuznetsov.
Exotic scores with a leg kick.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch.
A slow jab from Exotic misses its intended target.
Kuznetsov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Exotic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A good leg kick by Exotic.

Exotic pushes Kuznetsov up against the cage in a clinch.
Exotic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Exotic.
Exotic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kuznetsov landing knees to the body.
Joe Exotic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Exotic is blocking nicely.
Exotic struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznetsov controls his hands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Exotic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Exotic takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice elbow from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Exotic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuznetsov's elbow.
Exotic throws a head punch that misses.
Exotic scores with a hook to the body.
Exotic throws a head punch that misses.
Kuznetsov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee to the head.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuznetsov trying to stall but Exotic improves his position.
Alexander Kuznetsov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Exotic tries a body shot but Kuznetsov blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Exotic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Exotic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Exotic!
Joe Exotic decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.