PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergej Kersikov (ranked 724 p4p, 825 weight class) and Rokken Roll (ranked 79 p4p, 89 weight class). Kersikov's entrance music is Re-Style - I'm Alive. A fine choice. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kersikov
vs
Roll

178 cm
33
160
13 - 8 - 0

178 cm
31
159
20 - 11 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

FF Gear
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergej Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rokken Roll!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roll stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kersikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Roll has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Roll wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Roll throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Roll is defended easily by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a big counter combination but Roll scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kersikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roll.
Roll fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roll tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kersikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Roll somewhat.
Kersikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sergej Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rokken Roll.
Roll throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Roll.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Roll.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov slips a jab from Roll.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov throws a body punch but Roll moves out of range.
Roll looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kersikov with a jab.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roll throws out the jab.
Roll attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Roll fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov avoids it really well and circles away.
Roll bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roll lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Roll tries to land a leg kick but Kersikov saw it coming and moves away.
Roll misses with a low kick as Kersikov jumps back.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Roll pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Roll backs away, Kersikov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Roll throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Roll just manages to avoid it.
Roll tries to bum rush Kersikov with a series of wild strikes but Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Roll ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Roll gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Roll misses.
Roll throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roll throws a good cross that connects.

Roll fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kersikov sprawls well initially but Roll persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Roll missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Roll seems to be working for a kimura but Kersikov defends the submission attempt.
Kersikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Roll.
Kersikov wants to improve his position but Roll is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Roll seems to be working for a kimura but Kersikov defends the submission attempt.

Roll looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roll is looking for a kimura but Kersikov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Roll to get the leverage.

Roll is looking for a kimura here.

Kersikov is defending against the submission attempts here by Roll.
Roll trying to control the action but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rokken Roll dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Roll to score with a decent uppercut.
Roll digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
A left and a right from Roll both land. Nice combination.
Kersikov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kersikov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Roll is able to avoid easily.
Roll throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Roll.
Roll swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Roll lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Roll bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Roll connects with a body shot that sends Kersikov's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roll throws a right hand that Kersikov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kersikov also avoids with ease.
Roll connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Roll lands a slapping body shot.
Sergej Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Roll misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nice defenses there by Roll.
Roll thuds his right hand into Kersikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab from Roll misses.
Kersikov throwing a counter right hand but Roll manages to avoid it.
Rokken Roll seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Roll swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kersikov!
Roll gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Roll throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Roll closes the distance and clinches up with Kersikov, looking for a takedown. Roll pushes Kersikov against the cage but Kersikov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Roll has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Roll misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sergej Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rokken Roll.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roll takes one to the chin there.
Roll lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roll swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Roll dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kersikov. That did some damage!
Kersikov checks a low kick from Roll.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Roll has time to react.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Roll misses with a low kick.
A nice combination there by Roll.
Roll misses with a shot to the body
and Kersikov counters with a left to the body.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Roll moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov throws a hook but Roll avoids it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Roll darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Roll misses with a double jab
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Roll lands a head shot.
Roll misses with a low kick.
Kersikov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Rokken Roll seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov checks a leg kick nicely.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.
Roll throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roll takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A clash of legs there as Kersikov blocks the low kick.
Kersikov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Roll misses with a combination
and Roll takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Roll throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kersikov on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roll throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov tried to counter with a leg kick but Roll avoided it.
Kersikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Roll lands with a straight right. Kersikov didn't see that one coming.
Roll throws a low kick but Kersikov avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Roll. Roll obviously looking to wear him down.
Roll throws a front kick aimed at Kersikov's knee but Kersikov avoids it well.
Roll throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roll. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rokken Roll showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov throws a leg kick that misses.
Sergej Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roll bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Roll uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Roll rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
Roll moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.
Roll looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Roll ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Roll avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roll fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov avoids it really well and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Kersikov misses the target.
Roll misses with a shot to the body
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Roll.

Roll closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kersikov did well to prevent Roll getting side control.
Roll throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Roll is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Roll seems to be working for a kimura but Kersikov defends the submission attempt.
Roll is stalling here. Kersikov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Roll seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kersikov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Roll tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Kersikov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roll really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rokken Roll has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kersikov controlling the pace for now.
Roll tries to lock up and control but Kersikov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Roll is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Roll wants to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Roll really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controlling the position easily from mount.
Roll tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Roll is working to get back to half guard.
Kersikov controlling from the full mount.
Roll really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roll manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Roll is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kersikov jumps into side control!
Kersikov gets to mount! Roll was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Kersikov throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Roll manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergej Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Roll 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rokken Roll!
After winning the bout, Rokken Roll thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.