PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetsov comes to the cage accompanied by National Anthem of Russia. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kuznetsov
vs
Smith

187 cm
23
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexei Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Felix Smith!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Kuznetsov lands a left and a right that sends Smith crashing to the canvas! Kuznetsov dives into mount looking to finish!

Smith is rocked!

It looks like Felix Smith has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kuznetsov.
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Kuznetsov finish him?
Kuznetsov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuznetsov is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Kuznetsov swinging wilding here.
A good leg kick by Kuznetsov.
Smith throws a low kick, looking for Kuznetsov's leg but Kuznetsov calmly moves out of range.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Some wild striking there from Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuznetsov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand up but Kuznetsov is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looks gassed!

Kuznetsov stands and steps away. Smith gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Kuznetsov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kuznetsov lands with a light punch inside.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kuznetsov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuznetsov smiles and moves away.
Alexei Kuznetsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Felix Smith.
Kuznetsov moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Smith misses with a combination
and Kuznetsov counters with a left to the body.
Kuznetsov lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Kuznetsov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Kuznetsov doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses
and Smith counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Kuznetsov moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short right from Kuznetsov on the inside.

Kuznetsov breaks from the clinch.
Kuznetsov blocks a head kick by Smith.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith blocks a jab.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice combination there by Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Felix Smith'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.

Smith slips a jab and a cross from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Kuznetsov is pushing Smith up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kuznetsov prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Kuznetsov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch.
Alexei Kuznetsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuznetsov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and clinches.
A short uppercut from Kuznetsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.

Kuznetsov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
A jab-cross combination lands for Kuznetsov and sends Smith crashing to the mat! Kuznetsov follows him down to the mat - Smith regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Smith!
Smith in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Smith tries to lock up and control but Kuznetsov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kuznetsov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Smith?
Kuznetsov content just to control the position here.
Kuznetsov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Smith for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuznetsov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Kuznetsov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith lands with a nice combination. Kuznetsov backs away looking to recover.
Kuznetsov shoots and misses
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That has opened up Felix Smith's cut even more.
Kuznetsov misses the jab.
Kuznetsov is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
Alexei Kuznetsov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuznetsov swinging wilding here.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov throws a combination that misses

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Kuznetsov didn't expect that.

Kuznetsov had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kuznetsov Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov trying to control momentarily.
Smith just trying to survive but Kuznetsov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Smith is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kuznetsov is staying active.
Smith is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kuznetsov controlling the position well here. Smith rolled but Kuznetsov kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith won't enjoy being in this position. Kuznetsov looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Smith is tapping - it's over boys! Kuznetsov picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Alexei Kuznetsov!