PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 49 p4p, 221 weight class) and Pavel Kostov (ranked 4 p4p, 32 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Sefa - God's Plan. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kersikov
vs
Kostov

184 cm
32
189
19 - 7 - 1

185 cm
32
190
20 - 12 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Shadow Realm Apparel
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 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Kostov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kostov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the body
and Kostov counters with a straight right hand.
Kostov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kostov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Kostov misses its intended target.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Kostov is out of range.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostov.
Kostov throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kostov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kostov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov slips a jab from Kostov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostov. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at KFA in the buildup to the fight.
Kostov misses with a straight right.
Kersikov checks the leg kick.
Kostov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kersikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kostov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kostov jabs at Kersikov's body.
Kersikov throws a jab when Kostov was well out of range.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Kostov.
Kostov misses with a hook
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kostov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kersikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Kostov's head.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Kersikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kostov feints and then cracks Kersikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kersikov down.
Kersikov misses with a low kick as Kostov jumps back.
Kostov throws out a counter right but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.
Kostov misses with a straight left.
Kersikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kostov checks it well.
A big left from Kostov misses.
Kostov blocks a jab.
Kostov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kostov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kostov throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kostov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.

Kersikov tries to keep at a distance but Kostov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kostov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov trying to stall but Kostov improves his position.
Kostov misses with a body punch.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kostov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
It seemed like Kostov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kostov throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Kersikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
That kick from Kostov tenderised Kersikov's leg. Kersikov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kostov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
A good leg kick by Kostov.
Kostov moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kostov misses its intended target.
Kostov misses the shot to the body.
Good exchange - Kersikov coming out on top.
Kostov throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Kostov only half commits.
Kersikov tries a low kick but Kostov avoids it.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
Kostov punishes Kersikov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kersikov blocks a low kick nicely.
Kostov checks a leg kick nicely.
Kostov throws a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Kostov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kersikov's sensitive parts.
Kostov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kostov misses with a right hand
and Kostov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Pavel Kostov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov connects with a nice looking jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kostov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kersikov with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov throws a jab when Kostov was well out of range.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Kostov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kostov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a three punch combo that has Kostov backing up. Kostov nods at Kersikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Kostov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Kostov's leg. Kostov is trying to keep his angry face on.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Kostov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Kostov swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov walks into a straight right hand from Kostov.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kersikov checks a leg kick.
A shot to the body from Kostov misses
and Kostov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Boyko Kersikov 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.

Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kostov moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Kostov throws a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kostov swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Good exchange - Kersikov coming out on top.
Kostov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Boyko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kostov.
Kostov swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Kostov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Kostov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kostov throws a big shot that misses.
Kostov throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kostov throws a right and a left that Kersikov avoids nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kostov throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kostov keeps Kersikov at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kostov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov throws a right and a left that Kostov avoids nicely.
Kersikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kostov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kostov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kostov throws a good cross that connects.
Kostov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kostov tries to clinch but Kersikov is having none of it.
Kersikov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kostov checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Kostov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kostov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kostov slips under a jab.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Kostov moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Kostov.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kostov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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!
Kostov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kostov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kersikov at a distance.
Kostov works the jab nicely.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kostov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kostov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kostov swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Kostov misses with a looping right.
Kersikov throws a hook but Kostov avoids it easily.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Kostov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov misses with a leg kick.
Kersikov blocks a low kick nicely.
Kostov defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.

Kersikov gets tackled into the cage by Kostov. Kostov maintains the clinch.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kostov wants to slow Kersikov down by chopping away at his legs.
A left lands for Kostov.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kostov throws out the jab.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Kostov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kersikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kostov looks to clinch
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostov lands with an overhand left.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostov.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Kostov checks it
and Kostov counters with a nice body kick.
Kostov moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kostov. Kostov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Kostov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kostov tries to clinch but Kersikov is having none of it.
A jab from Kostov misses.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kostov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A good leg kick by Kostov.
Kersikov cracks Kostov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pavel Kostov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
A nice side step and Kostov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kostov misses with a low kick as Kersikov jumps back.
Kostov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kostov misses with a body shot.
Kostov misses with a kick to the body.
Kostov misses with a looping right.
Kostov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kostov thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kostov.
Kersikov throws a good cross that connects.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kostov. That's going to slow Kersikov down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kostov.
It looked like Kersikov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kersikov misses the jab.
Kostov takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kostov moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Kostov misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov catches Kostov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Kostov takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Kostov.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Kostov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kostov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kostov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kostov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kostov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kostov misses with a kick to the body.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Kostov's leg. Kostov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kostov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kostov throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kostov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kostov checks a leg kick.
Kostov flicks out a counter leg kick but Kersikov steps away.
Kersikov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kostov can pounce on him.
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!
Kostov ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Kostov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kostov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kostov misses the shot to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kostov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kersikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kostov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Kersikov with a nice cross.
Kostov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Kostov moved out of range nicely.
Kostov feints a counter leg kick.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostov.
Kostov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kostov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Kostov.
Kersikov lands a right hook to the body.
Kostov throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostov.
Kostov throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Kostov only half commits.
Kostov checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Kostov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kersikov slips a jab from Kostov.
Kostov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov with a jab.
Kersikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kostov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kostov lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kostov slips under a jab.
Kostov checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Kostov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
Kostov blocks the body kick.
Kostov tries a quick counter leg kick but Kersikov is wise to it.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Kostov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kostov throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Pavel Kostov just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Kersikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kostov loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kostov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Kostov closes the distance and clinches.
Kersikov stalling in the clinch but Kostov improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kostov.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
Kostov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
Kostov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov is looking to control Kostov's arms but Kostov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kersikov has his back to the cage.
Kostov digs a right hand into Kersikov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kersikov's gas tank.
A head punch on the inside from Kostov fails to land.
Kostov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Kostov fails to land.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kostov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kersikov - that landed with a thud.

Kersikov breaks the clinch.
Kersikov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Kersikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kostov's sensitive parts.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Kostov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kostov tries to land a front kick but Kersikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kostov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kostov back to the cage. Kersikov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kersikov dips to his left and cracks Kostov with an uppercut!
Kostov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Kostov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kostov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Kostov is out of range.
Kostov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kersikov can pounce on him.
Kersikov slips a jab from Kostov.
Kostov tried to score with a low kick but Kersikov checks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostov. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Kostov.
Kostov swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Kostov down.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Kersikov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kostov. That did some damage!
Kersikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The fighters circling - Kostov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Kostov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostov misses with a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kostov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range and Kostov settles back down.
Kostov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kersikov throws a hook but Kostov avoids it easily.
Kostov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kostov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kostov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Kostov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kersikov's sensitive parts.
Kostov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Kostov is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kostov! But no joy.
Kersikov scores with a jab.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kostov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Kostov misses with a looping left.
A slow jab from Kostov misses its intended target.
Kersikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kostov tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.
Kostov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Kostov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kostov.
Kostov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Boyko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kostov scores with the left hand. Kersikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kostov misses with a wild body shot.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kostov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kersikov misses with a left hand
and Kostov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kersikov misses with a few strikes there.

Kostov has closed the distance and engaged Kersikov in a clinch.
Kostov throws a head punch that misses.
Kostov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kostov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kostov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kostov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kersikov is trying to break the clinch but Kostov is controlling him.
Kostov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kostov lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pavel Kostov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kersikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kostov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostov tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kostov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kersikov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kostov misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Kostov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kersikov cracks Kostov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kostov.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Kostov.
Nice straight punches there by Kersikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a jab when Kostov was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov misses with a shot to the body
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
Kersikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kostov misses with a shot to the body
and Kersikov counters with a low kick, right behind Kostov 's knee.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Kostov ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kostov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kostov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kostov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kersikov looking to slow down the pace here.
Kersikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kostov or not.
Kersikov stalling in the clinch but Kostov improves position.
Nice body punch from Kostov.
Nice body punch from Kostov - that landed with a thud.
Kostov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov can't break the clinch.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Kostov's shoulder, as Kostov tries to avoid the shot.
Kostov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov tried to score with a low kick but Kostov checks it.
Kostov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A slow jab from Kostov misses its intended target.
Kostov checks a leg kick.
Kostov misses with a body shot.
Kostov misses the jab.
Kostov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Kostov.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Kostov's leg. Kostov is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostov throws a right and a left that Kersikov avoids nicely.
Kersikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kostov scores with a push kick.
Kostov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kostov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kostov misses with an uppercut.
Kostov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Kostov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kostov slips under a jab.
Kostov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kersikov swings widly with a right hand
and Kostov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kostov misses the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pavel Kostov.
I think Kostov 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:49
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Boyko Kersikov retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!