PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Kuznecov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Laitinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Laitinen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kuznecov
vs
Laitinen

178 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yuri Kuznecov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jesse Laitinen!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laitinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Laitinen moves in looking to clinch but Kuznecov pushes him off.
Kuznecov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznecov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Laitinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuznecov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kuznecov misses with a takedown attempt - Laitinen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kuznecov slips a jab from Laitinen.

Laitinen moves into the clinch.
Kuznecov wants to get back to striking at distance but Laitinen won't allow it.
Kuznecov tries for a takedown but Laitinen manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Kuznecov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuznecov is trying to pull guard but Laitinen has him pressed against the cage.
Laitinen is trying to stall.
Laitinen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kuznecov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Laitinen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Laitinen pushes off an throws an elbow but Kuznecov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laitinen lands an elbow inside.
Laitinen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kuznecov avoids a wild elbow strike from Laitinen.
Laitinen prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuznecov blocks the elbow strike.
Laitinen prevents Kuznecov from breaking the clinch.
Laitinen lands a damaging elbow.
Kuznecov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Laitinen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kuznecov's brow.
Kuznecov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kuznecov tries to pull guard but Laitinen holds him up against the cage and eventually Kuznecov drops back down to his feet.
Kuznecov looking to slow down the pace here.
Kuznecov working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuznecov gets an underhook and turns Laitinen into the cage.
Kuznecov dodges an elbow strike from Laitinen.
Laitinen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kuznecov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Laitinen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Laitinen wants to stall.
Laitinen throws an elbow that misses.

Kuznecov gets control of Laitinen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kuznecov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kuznecov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laitinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuznecov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuznecov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Kuznecov has his feet on Laitinen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznecov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Laitinen tries to clinch up

so Kuznecov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kuznecov postures up.
We've been informed that Laitinen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kuznecov pushing down on Laitinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Kuznecov is trying to work for a kimura but Laitinen is defending well.
Kuznecov is thwarting Laitinen's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen is trying to control but Kuznecov passes into side control!
Kuznecov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Kuznecov has hold of Laitinen's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Laitinen seems comfortable defending it but Kuznecov has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Laitinen is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Laitinen is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Kuznecov couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Yuri Kuznecov!