PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruben Cameron (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Kuznecov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznecov has chosen Небо Славян as his entrance music. Yuri Kuznecov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cameron
vs
Kuznecov

188 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruben Cameron!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Kuznecov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuznecov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cameron is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuznecov gets an underhook and turns Cameron into the cage.
Kuznecov tries to break free but Cameron pushes him back against the cage.
Kuznecov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kuznecov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kuznecov avoiding damage as Cameron throws knees to the body.
Cameron struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuznecov controls his hands.
Kuznecov gets underhooks to prevent Cameron's takedown attempt.

Cameron breaks from the clinch.
Cameron is looking to land body kicks.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kuznecov closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kuznecov.

Cameron pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A nice combination there by Kuznecov.
Kuznecov shoots for a double leg takedown but Cameron sprawls well. He's pushed Kuznecov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ruben Cameron has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Kuznecov.
Kuznecov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cameron but Cameron pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cameron as he avoids it easily.
Kuznecov looks winded!
Cameron stuffs the takedown attempt from Kuznecov. Kuznecov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Kuznecov as Cameron shoots in.
Kuznecov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cameron lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cameron looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuznecov is fending him off so far but Cameron persists. Nope, Kuznecov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuznecov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Horrible takedown by Kuznecov or perhaps it was just good defense by Cameron which made him look bad.
Cameron connects with a solid leg kick.

Cameron has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cameron wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuznecov has him pressed against the cage.
Cameron tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuznecov smiles and moves away.
Kuznecov misses with a body kick.
Kuznecov avoids the head kick by Cameron.
Cameron slaps away a takedown attempt from Kuznecov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuznecov shoots in for a double leg but Cameron sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cameron is defended easily by Kuznecov.
Kuznecov shoots in but no luck this time.
Cameron feints and then cracks Kuznecov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kuznecov down.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cameron.
Kuznecov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cameron is out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznecov tries for a takedown but Cameron sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ruben Cameron will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kuznecov takes the fight into the clinch.

Cameron jumps guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cameron looking to control.
Kuznecov preventing the sweep.
Cameron looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznecov preventing the sweep.
Kuznecov with a nice head shot there.
Kuznecov looking to pass the guard.
Cameron looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kuznecov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cameron is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kuznecov dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cameron manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuznecov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Cameron is refusing to be controlled, as Kuznecov sits in half guard.
Cameron looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cameron trying to control from the bottom.
Cameron is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cameron is working hard here to advance position.
Cameron is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov works his way into side control.
Kuznecov controlling the position from side mount.
Cameron is trying to get back to half guard.
Kuznecov working away.
Cameron is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kuznecov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuznecov tries to score with some ground and pound. Cameron controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Cameron manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kuznecov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuznecov decides to return to a standing position.
Cameron stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cameron wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Cameron. No joy for Kuznecov on that attempt.
Kuznecov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cameron sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuznecov somewhat.
Ruben Cameron has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Kuznecov.

Cameron changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kuznecov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Cameron decides to stand back up. Cameron steps back and let's Kuznecov get back to his feet.

Kuznecov has closed the distance and engaged Cameron in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuznecov drags the fight down to the ground.
Cameron won't allow Kuznecov to sweep him here.
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!
Cameron is looking to stand up but Kuznecov won't let him.
Cameron has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cameron wants to stand and escape but instead Kuznecov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Cameron is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cameron looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kuznecov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ruben Cameron will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cameron defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuznecov.
Kuznecov with a poor takedown
and Cameron counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kuznecov's knee momentarily.

Cameron shoots in and gets a takedown into Kuznecov's guard.
Cameron wants to get up but he can't break Kuznecov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Cameron gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
No luck for Kuznecov with that takedown attempt.
Ruben Cameron has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuri Kuznecov.
Cameron throws an off balance right hand
and Kuznecov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cameron as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznecov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznecov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznecov shoots for a double leg takedown but Cameron sprawls well. He's pushed Kuznecov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Yuri Kuznecov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cameron shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuznecov.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kuznecov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cameron - the referee stops the clock and Kuznecov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cameron. Kuznecov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Cameron fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cameron but Cameron pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cameron connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cameron tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznecov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cameron really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cameron will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kuznecov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cameron tries to avoid it but Kuznecov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cameron to the ground. Cameron escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kuznecov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuznecov keeps control of Cameron as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cameron after a bit of a struggle.

Cameron breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznecov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cameron pinned against the cage. Cameron gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cameron shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuznecov defends it nicely.
Kuznecov looks for the body kick but Cameron saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cameron is looking to clinch but Kuznecov is avoiding it.
Cameron shoots for a takedown but Kuznecov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuznecov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kuznecov tries to bum rush Cameron with a series of wild strikes but Cameron uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cameron on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kuznecov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cameron circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuznecov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Yuri Kuznecov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruben Cameron is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuznecov throws a head kick but Cameron moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruben Cameron showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cameron, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruben Cameron!