PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sycek (ranked 737 p4p, 522 weight class) and Alexander Kuznetsov (ranked 81 p4p, 51 weight class). Alexander Kuznetsov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sycek
vs
Kuznetsov

178 cm
29
193
15 - 14 - 1

180 cm
29
195
17 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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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 15 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Samuel Sycek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sycek.
Kuznetsov misses the shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sycek.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Sycek moves out of range.

Sycek shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kuznetsov's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kuznetsov is on top in guard.

Kuznetsov is fighting to break Sycek's control of his arms but Sycek is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kuznetsov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kuznetsov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sycek not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznetsov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sycek keeping moving, preventing Kuznetsov from controlling successfully.
Kuznetsov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sycek looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kuznetsov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sycek blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice left hand lands by Sycek.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Kuznetsov 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 misses with a jab, cross combination.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sycek is trying to pull guard but Kuznetsov has him pressed against the cage.
Sycek is working for takedown but Kuznetsov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sycek gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sycek throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov managing to control the position.
Sycek stopping the sweep attempt from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sycek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuznetsov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sycek's guard.

Sycek looking for a sweep. Not yet Sycek, not yet.
Kuznetsov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sycek has a closed guard, preventing Kuznetsov from standing up.
Kuznetsov passes Sycek's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kuznetsov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kuznetsov trying to control from half guard but Sycek is working away.
Sycek is looking for a sweep. Kuznetsov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kuznetsov is thwarting Sycek's attempts to control the position.
Kuznetsov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov wants to control but Sycek is keeping him busy.
Kuznetsov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sycek wants to get back to full guard.
Sycek trying to control from the bottom.
Kuznetsov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuznetsov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kuznetsov wants to take a breather but Sycek is having none of it.
Kuznetsov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sycek haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sycek tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

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

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Kuznetsov as Sycek shoots in.

Kuznetsov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sycek, pushing him back against the cage.
Kuznetsov working Sycek over with knees to the body.
Sycek is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov prevents a body shot from Sycek.
Kuznetsov lands with a short shot to the head.
I was talking to Sycek's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sycek blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov stalling in the clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sycek blocks it with crossed arms.
Kuznetsov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sycek has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sycek doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A knee to the head by Kuznetsov.

It looks like Samuel Sycek has been cut.
Kuznetsov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Sycek jumps guard but Kuznetsov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kuznetsov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Sycek seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kuznetsov can turn it around.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice takedown defense from Kuznetsov. No joy for Sycek on that attempt.
Kuznetsov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Sycek moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.
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 Samuel Sycek's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kuznetsov sizes up Sycek with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Sycek gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.

Sycek pulls Kuznetsov into guard.
Sycek looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuznetsov is one step ahead there.

Kuznetsov gets to his feet - Sycek follows without any prompting.
No luck for Sycek with that takedown attempt.
Sycek walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kuznetsov slaps away a takedown attempt from Sycek, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sycek is trying to pull guard but Kuznetsov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sycek tries to pull guard but Kuznetsov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Kuznetsov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice sprawl there from Kuznetsov as Sycek shoots in.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild body shot.
Kuznetsov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuznetsov lands with a right hand.
Sycek slips a jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Sycek avoids it easily.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sycek moves away.
Sycek displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.
Kuznetsov lands with an uppercut that bounces Sycek off the cage and back into range.

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sycek wants a takedown.
Kuznetsov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sycek as Kuznetsov tries to tie him up.
Sycek fails to pull guard.
Kuznetsov tries to land a knee to the head but Sycek blocks with his arms.
Kuznetsov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kuznetsov misses with a knee strike.
Sycek tries to pull guard but Kuznetsov won't allow it.

Sycek pulls Kuznetsov into guard.

Kuznetsov stands up and waves to Sycek to follow him.
Kuznetsov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sycek. Sycek circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a looping left.
Kuznetsov misses with a hook.
A quick step to the side and Sycek tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sycek fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sycek is able to avoid easily.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sycek moves away.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuznetsov but Kuznetsov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sycek fails with a takedown attempt.
Sycek will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuznetsov swinging wildly here.
Sycek will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kuznetsov cracks Sycek with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov moves into range and clinches up with Sycek.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuznetsov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kuznetsov blocks a body shot from Sycek.
Sycek is trying to pull guard but Kuznetsov has him pressed against the cage.
Alexander Kuznetsov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sycek shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl out of it but Sycek keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
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 misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sycek lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Sycek drives through with a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Kuznetsov.
Sycek is trying to pull guard but Kuznetsov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Samuel Sycek'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. This is the final round!

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Sycek up against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands a damaging elbow.
Sycek tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuznetsov smiles and moves away.
Sycek tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuznetsov swivels and escapes.
Kuznetsov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sycek swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuznetsov.
Sycek tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuznetsov swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov as he jumps to the side.
Kuznetsov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alexander Kuznetsov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sycek fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sycek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuznetsov.

Sycek tries to keep at a distance but Kuznetsov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kuznetsov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sycek jumps guard but Kuznetsov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sycek lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kuznetsov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuznetsov throws an elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow.
Kuznetsov looking to throw knees to the head but Sycek is blocking nicely.
Kuznetsov lands an elbow inside that Sycek shrugs off.
Kuznetsov is struggling to control the position.
Kuznetsov pressing his opponent against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Sycek fails to land.
Sycek stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kuznetsov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Sycek has Kuznetsov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Sycek pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kuznetsov tumbling to the mat - Sycek dives into Kuznetsov's 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 is looking to stand up but Sycek isn't so interested in that idea.
Kuznetsov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Kuznetsov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuznetsov, not yet.
Sycek trying to control but Kuznetsov is working from the bottom.
Kuznetsov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sycek with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sycek misses with a takedown
and Kuznetsov counters with a straight right hand.

Sycek dives in and scores a takedown into Kuznetsov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sycek postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kuznetsov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sycek wants to control from the top but Kuznetsov keeps moving.
Sycek keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.
Kuznetsov is trying to keep Sycek in close.
Alexander Kuznetsov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sycek keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kuznetsov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sycek lands a couple of elbows.
Sycek postures up in Kuznetsov's guard and throws a big left but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Sycek trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sycek's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kuznetsov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sycek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuznetsov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Samuel Sycek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sycek landing with the ground and pound.
Kuznetsov wants to stand but Sycek is controlling the position.
Sycek stopping the sweep attempt from Kuznetsov.
Alexander Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sycek scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kuznetsov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Kuznetsov!
An out of breath Alexander Kuznetsov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.