PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harrison Kiely (ranked 2064 p4p, 2129 weight class) and Egor Kuznecov (ranked 222 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kiely
vs
Kuznecov

197 cm
25
270
3 - 0 - 0

193 cm
24
283
9 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Uncle Rufus Clothing .Co

Conviction

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Harrison Kiely!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Kuznecov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kuznecov misses.
Kiely blocks a jab.
Kuznecov looks to throw the jab but Kiely is out of range.
Kiely looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Harrison Kiely seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kiely is defended easily by Kuznecov.
Kiely has his takedown stuffed
and Kuznecov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kiely misses with a wild body shot.
Kiely misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harrison Kiely. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuznecov misses with an uppercut

and Kiely counters with a takedown into side control.

Kiely is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuznecov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kiely trying to control the position but Kuznecov is working away.
Kuznecov sneaks back into half guard.
Kuznecov has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiely moves nicely into side control.
Kuznecov holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Kuznecov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kiely asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Kiely tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kuznecov manages to get back to half guard.
Kuznecov is trying to stand.
Kuznecov desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Kiely is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kiely is looking to take a break and control but Kuznecov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kiely is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Kuznecov can't escape the position.
Kuznecov wants to control but Kiely is having none of it.
Kuznecov is controlling an arm, preventing Kiely from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Kiely tries to control but Kuznecov wriggling away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuznecov prevents Kiely from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kuznecov is still trying to improve position.
Kiely wants to take Kuznecov's back here but Kuznecov is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Kiely jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Kuznecov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Kuznecov and Kiely has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Kiely tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kiely has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kuznecov is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kuznecov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kiely with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kuznecov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kiely is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Egor Kuznecov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kuznecov digs a good body shot into Kiely's ribs.
Kuznecov thuds his right hand into Kiely's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kiely takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuznecov is looking to clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kiely or perhaps it was just good defense by Kuznecov, which made it look bad.
It seemed like Kuznecov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Kuznecov darts in and clinches Kiely up against the cage.
Kuznecov digs a right hand into Kiely's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kiely's gas tank.
A right hook to the body lands for Kuznecov.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuznecov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still in the clinch, Kuznecov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kuznecov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kuznecov.
A body shot lands from Kuznecov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznecov lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kiely wants a takedown but no success here.
Kuznecov cracks Kiely with a nice body shot.
A body shot lands from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kuznecov.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov digs a right hand into Kiely's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kiely's gas tank.
Kuznecov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kuznecov presses Kiely against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kuznecov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kuznecov cracks Kiely with a nice body shot.
Kuznecov works on Kiely's body with a couple of short punches.
Kuznecov scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Kuznecov - that landed with a thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A body shot lands from Kuznecov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuznecov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznecov is stalling here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kuznecov cracks Kiely with a nice body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kuznecov just leaning against Kiely, taking a breather.
Kuznecov stalling in the clinch.
Kiely drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kuznecov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harrison Kiely. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kiely looking for a takedown.
Kuznecov slows down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiely looking for a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kuznecov.
A right hand to the body from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kuznecov lands a body punch.
Kuznecov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kuznecov just leaning against Kiely, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Egor Kuznecov.
Kiely shoots in for a takedown but Kuznecov shows good takedown defense.

Kuznecov clinches up with Kiely and pushes him back against the cage.
Kiely jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuznecov walks away with a smile on his face. Kiely gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuznecov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuznecov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuznecov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kiely moves out of range of the strikes.
Kiely appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiely takes a swing at Kuznecov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznecov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kiely.
Kiely changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A jab from Kuznecov does it's job there.
Kiely shoots in for a takedown but Kuznecov shows good takedown defense.

Kuznecov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kiely gets full guard.
Kuznecov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kuznecov landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kiely working a defensive guard here.
Kiely tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuznecov sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Egor Kuznecov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kiely staying out of range there.
Kuznecov connects with a body shot that sends Kiely's belly button to the back.
Kuznecov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kiely shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kuznecov sprawls well. Kuznecov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kiely gets slowly back to his feet.

Kiely looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kuznecov!
Kuznecov is trying to control Kiely's posture but Kiely avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiely wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuznecov keeps working.
Kuznecov is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznecov is trying to control Kiely's posture but Kiely avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiely tries to advance to mount but Kuznecov denies him.
Harrison Kiely overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuznecov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kuznecov is trying to control Kiely's posture but Kiely avoids it.
Kuznecov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuznecov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kiely forces his way into half guard.
Kiely stops Kuznecov from getting back to his feet.
Kuznecov trying to control from the bottom.
Kiely wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuznecov keeps working.
Kuznecov wants to improve his position but Kiely is controlling well.
Kuznecov is trying is best to control the position here.
Kiely wants to pass the guard but Kuznecov is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiely is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kuznecov reverses the position - he's now on top in Kiely's guard.
Kiely looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kiely has his foot on Kuznecov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznecov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuznecov wants to control from the top but Kiely keeps moving.
Kuznecov stays in close to Kiely's body and controls the position.
Kuznecov is working Kiely over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kuznecov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiely looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kiely is looking to sweep but instead, Kuznecov has passed into half guard.
Kuznecov wants to take a breather but Kiely is having none of it.
Kuznecov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ground and pound from Kuznecov.
Kiely moves into full guard.
Kuznecov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kiely is trying to control the position but Kuznecov postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kiely wants to hit a sweep here but Kuznecov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kiely there!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kiely is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Egor Kuznecov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kuznecov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Egor Kuznecov!
A victorious Egor Kuznecov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Harrison Kiely spoke after the fight, saying 'Fix'.