PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 104 p4p, 488 weight class) and Chip Nickel (ranked 13 p4p, 47 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Sefa - God's Plan. Nickel comes into a darkened arena with his song building. TISM - Greg the Stop Sign kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kersikov
vs
Nickel

184 cm
32
189
17 - 7 - 1

189 cm
37
186
38 - 19 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

NARCOS
Hoarse Pills

NARCOS
Conviction

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 17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Chip Nickel!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Nickel's shoulder, as Nickel tries to avoid the shot.
Nickel defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.
A clash of legs there as Nickel blocks the low kick.
Kersikov throws a hook but Nickel avoids it easily.
Nickel throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nickel slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Kersikov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nickel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Kersikov clobbers Nickel with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nice defenses there by Nickel.
A combination from Nickel does no damage.
It looked like Kersikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A swing and a miss from Kersikov.
Kersikov is looking to chop away at Nickel's legs.
Kersikov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at KFA in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Nickel's head but Nickel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov swings for the body but Nickel moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nickel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nickel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nickel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Nickel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nickel is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kersikov with a body shot.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
Nickel lands a slapping body shot.
Kersikov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
Nickel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nickel is able to avoid easily.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Nickel.
A swing and a miss from Nickel.
Nickel throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Nickel scores with a hook.
Kersikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chip Nickel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickel throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Nickel manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Nickel.
Kersikov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Nickel throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov slips a jab from Nickel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel lands a nice looking body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nickel tries to move into range but Kersikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nickel swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nickel chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kersikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nickel has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nickel and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Nickel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nickel throws a front kick aimed at Kersikov's knee but Kersikov avoids it well.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nickel. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nickel! But no joy.
Nickel walks into a stiff left hand from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov scores with a jab. Nickel acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kersikov throws a good cross that connects.
Nickel misses with an uppercut
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
Nickel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
Kersikov with a nice calf kick.
Kersikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nickel throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Nickel only half commits.
Kersikov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Nickel saw that one coming.
Nickel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nickel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Nickel throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nickel.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Nickel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Nickel.
A bone on bone clash there as Nickel blocks the leg kick.
Nickel looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body.
Nickel lands a nice hook to Kersikov's body. Kersikov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kersikov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Nickel.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nickel.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Nickel.
Nickel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nickel! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickel scores with a jab to the body.
Nickel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nickel closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nickel scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nickel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Nickel connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Nickel saw it coming and moves away.
Nickel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nickel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nickel misses with a right hand
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The fighters circling - Nickel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nickel throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nickel lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kersikov at a distance.
Nickel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nickel throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kersikov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nickel.
Kersikov moves out of range as Nickel strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chip Nickel will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A low kick from Nickel misses
and Kersikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nickel's knee momentarily.
Chip Nickel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nickel throws a poor cross that misses
and Kersikov counters with a left to the body.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kersikov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nickel is able to avoid easily.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
Kersikov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Nickel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nickel defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Nickel is trying to counter with his kicks.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nickel misses with a straight right.
A telegraphed right hand from Nickel misses the target.
Nickel walks into a jab.
Nickel throws an off balance right hand
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Nickel's head but Nickel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A shot to the liver by Nickel. Beautiful body shot.
Kersikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nickel momentarily.
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!
Nickel digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Nickel is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickel scores with a shot to the body.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nickel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Nickel just manages to avoid it.
Nickel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kersikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses.
Nickel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Nickel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nickel throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Nickel ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nickel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nickel throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kersikov throws a hook but Nickel avoids it easily.
Nickel throws a low kick but Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov throwing a counter right hand but Nickel manages to avoid it.
Nickel misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nickel throws a wild body kick that Kersikov sees coming a mile off.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Nickel misses.
Kersikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nickel throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Nickel moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Nickel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.
Nickel misses with a jab to the body
and Kersikov counters with a good low kick that Nickel was not able to check.
Nickel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Nickel throws a body shot but no joy.
Nickel drops his hands momentarily and Kersikov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nickel misses with a two punch combination.
Kersikov looks to land a combination but Nickel avoids it well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nickel! But no joy.
Nickel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov counters with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Nickel slips the punch.
Nickel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Nickel avoids the punch easily.
Nickel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nickel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
Nickel throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Nickel lands a jab to Kersikov's midsection.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Nickel throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Nickel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nickel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Nickel moved out of range.
Nickel misses with a looping left.
Nickel throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov half committed to a counter leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Kersikov.
Nickel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kersikov tries to score with a low kick but Nickel moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a hook but Nickel blocks it.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Nickel saw it coming and moves away.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov throwing a counter right hand but Nickel manages to avoid it.
A low kick lands for Kersikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nickel moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Nickel now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kersikov takes a swing at Nickel's ribcage but misses.
Nickel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nickel. Nickel obviously looking to wear him down.
Nickel misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Nickel misses with a hook.
A jab from Kersikov finds it's way through Nickel's defenses.
Nickel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Nickel throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nickel avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kersikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
A swing and a miss from Kersikov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Boyko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kersikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nickel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kersikov - the referee stops the clock and Nickel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kersikov. Nickel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nickel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Nickel.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nickel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A little jabbing left from Nickel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Nickel's shoulder, as Nickel tries to avoid the shot.
Nickel loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Nickel's head but Nickel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Kersikov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nickels jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nickel throws a push kick but Kersikov slaps the foot to one side.
Nickel looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nickel.
Nickel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickel defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Nickel throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov tried to counter with a leg kick but Nickel avoided it.
Nickel staying out of range there.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Kersikov throws a solid leg kick but Nickel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kersikov.
Nickel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nickel. Nickel obviously looking to wear him down.
Nickel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nickel.
Kersikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nickel lands a jab to Kersikov's midsection.
Nickel misses with a looping left.
Nickel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nickel misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Nickel misses with an uppercut.
Nickel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nickel.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nickel throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nickel throws a looping overhand right but Kersikov ducks down to avoid it.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Nickel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nickel throws a leg kick but Kersikov checks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nickel scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nickel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nickel scores with a jab to the body.
Nickel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Nickel.
Nickel throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Nickel moves away and avoids it.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Nickel moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Nickel.
Kersikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nickel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nickel throws a poor cross that misses
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Nickel misses with a low kick as Kersikov jumps back.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Nickel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nickel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nickel misses with a wild body shot.
Nickel tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kersikov is able to avoid easily.
Nickel throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A low kick lands for Kersikov.
Nickel throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kersikov throws a hook but Nickel blocks it.
Nickel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kersikov scores with the left hand. Nickel knows he should have avoided that one.
Kersikov blocks a low kick nicely.
Nickel feints and then cracks Kersikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kersikov down.
Nickel moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Kersikov pushes Nickel away with a front kick.
Nickel misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Nickel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nickel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nickel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nickel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nickel connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kersikov. Kersikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kersikov cracks Nickel with a right hand to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Nickel.
Kersikov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Kersikov misses the target.
Nickel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Nickel staying out of range there.
Nickel appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nickel. Nickel obviously looking to wear him down.
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Nickel's ribs.
Nickel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nickel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nickel throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Nickel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nickel throws out the jab.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nickel.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
Nickel throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov thinks about countering with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Boyko Kersikov.
Well Kersikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyko Kersikov!
Our winner, Boyko Kersikov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.