PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bofur Widenose (ranked 137 p4p, 87 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 16 p4p, 13 weight class). Kersikov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sefa - God's Plan. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Widenose
vs
Kersikov

150 cm
31
185
25 - 10 - 1

184 cm
32
189
18 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bofur Widenose!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Kersikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Widenose.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown.
Kersikov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Widenose tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Widenose throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Widenose is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kersikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Kersikov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widenose fails with the takedown
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Widenose tries to clinch up
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Widenose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Widenose will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Widenose fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kersikov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Widenose dives in and grabs Kersikov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kersikov pushes down on Widenose's head and hops out.
Kersikov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Widenose misses with a takedown
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Widenose misses with a takedown attempt
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Widenose tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Widenose shoots in and drives through. Kersikov sprawls well.

Widenose gets a clinch.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Widenose controls the action.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Widenose controls his hands.
Kersikov stops a takedown attempt from Widenose.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov presses Widenose against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A shot in the inside from Kersikov.
Widenose looking for a takedown.
Widenose tries to pull guard but Kersikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Widenose drops back down to his feet.
Widenose has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kersikov after a bit of a struggle.
Widenose tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kersikov smiles and moves away.
Widenose fails in his attempt to clinch.
Widenose fails with a takedown attempt.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Widenose wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Widenose fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Widenose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Widenose has his takedown stuffed
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Widenose scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kersikov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Widenose wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Widenose tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Widenose has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Widenose wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kersikov, who protects the arm well.
Kersikov tries to bench press Widenose off him but Widenose keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Widenose is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kersikov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kersikov regains half guard, as Widenose was trying to land strikes.
Widenose thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kersikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Widenose. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kersikov trying to get back to full guard but Widenose takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Widenose with the ground and pound from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to lock up and control but Widenose gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kersikov is in all sorts of trouble here.
We've been hearing that Widenose has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Widenose working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Widenose lands a couple of good shots and Kersikov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Widenose is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Kersikov is in bad spot here.
Widenose trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Widenose.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Widenose lands a shot to the head.
Kersikov is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Widenose off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Widenose working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Kersikov rolls, trying to escape but Widenose keeps control of the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov is trying to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bofur Widenose dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Widenose looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kersikov is fending him off so far but Widenose persists. Nope, Kersikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Widenose is looking to clinch.
Kersikov counters with a body kick.
Widenose tries for a takedown but Kersikov circles away easily
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Widenose shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Widenose fails to land the takedown.
Widenose backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Widenose looks to clinch
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kersikov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Widenose tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bofur Widenose seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Widenose is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kersikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Widenose fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Widenose fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kersikov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Widenose tries to clinch up but Kersikov circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Widenose looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Widenose throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Widenose shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Widenose fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Widenose has closed the distance and engaged Kersikov in a clinch.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Widenose has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kersikov after a bit of a struggle.

Widenose has clasped his hands together around Kersikov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kersikov looking for a sweep but Widenose has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Widenose tries to control but Kersikov wriggling away.
Widenose has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov working to try and regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov really dominated that round.
That's time! Widenose's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Widenose has his takedown stuffed
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Widenose looking to score a takedown here. Kersikov is defending well but Widenose drives through and ends up in Kersikov's guard.
Widenose trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bofur Widenose overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kersikov controlling Widenose's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov controls Widenose momentarily but Widenose frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Widenose accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Widenose passes into half guard.
Widenose tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kersikov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Widenose thows a huge punch but Kersikov dodges it nicely.

Widenose seems to be working for a kimura but Kersikov defends the submission attempt.
Kersikov trying to control but Widenose postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Widenose not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Widenose is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Kersikov pulls Widenose in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Widenose tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kersikov defends well and Widenose ends up having to push Kersikov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov stops a takedown attempt from Widenose.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Widenose tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kersikov smiles and moves away.
Widenose tries to clinch but Kersikov moves away
and Widenose takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Widenose tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Widenose tries for a takedown but Kersikov circles away easily
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Horrible takedown attempt by Widenose or perhaps it was just good defense by Kersikov, which made it look bad.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Widenose closes the distance looking to clinch
and Widenose takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Widenose doesn't manage to clinch there - Kersikov circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Widenose shoots for a takedown but Kersikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Widenose avoids it with no problem.
Widenose misses with a takedown
and Kersikov counters with a nice leg kick.
Widenose shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bofur Widenose. 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.
Widenose tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widenose tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Widenose.
Widenose tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kersikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Widenose doesn't manage to clinch there - Kersikov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Widenose will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck for Widenose with that takedown attempt.
Kersikov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Widenose shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov shows good takedown defense.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Widenose gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov breaks the clinch.

Kersikov gets tackled into the cage by Widenose. Widenose maintains the clinch.
Widenose looking to slow down the pace here.
Widenose drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kersikov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Widenose jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kersikov walks away with a smile on his face. Widenose gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Widenose has a takedown stuffed.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Widenose tries to clinch but Kersikov moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Boyko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Widenose fails with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Widenose shoots for a takedown but Kersikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyko Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kersikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyko Kersikov!
Boyko Kersikov is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Boyko Kersikov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.