PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kezz Thorn (ranked 4555 p4p, 4487 weight class) and Roman Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Thorn
vs
Kersikov

190 cm
20
245
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
18
252
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kezz Thorn!
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, Roman Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Thorn slips under a jab.
Thorn misses with a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Thorn.

Thorn gets a double leg takedown into Kersikov's guard.

Thorn gets to his feet. Kersikov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Thorn forces Kersikov back against the cage and clinches.
Thorn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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

Thorn has closed the distance and engaged Kersikov in a clinch.
Thorn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Thorn breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a jab when Thorn was well out of range.
Thorn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kersikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kersikov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Thorn appears to be looking for a big counter.
Thorn feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kersikovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Thorn could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Thorn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kersikov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thorn scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kersikov in his tracks.
Thorn fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Thorn closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov is trying to break the clinch but Thorn is controlling him.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Thorn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Thorn blocks it.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.

Thorn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thorn cracks a nice hook into Kersikov's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Thorn.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Thorn counters with a nice body kick.
Thorn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Thorn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Thorn lands a lovely overhand right.
Thorn moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Thorn cracks Kersikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thorn fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kersikov to the ground. Thorn is now in Kersikov's guard.
Kersikov trying to keep a closed guard but Thorn is proving a slippery customer.
Kersikov has a closed guard, preventing Thorn from standing up.

Thorn is posturing up here but Kersikov has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Thorn tries to roll out but it's too tight and Thorn has to tap! Slick submission there by Kersikov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Roman Kersikov!