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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Paul Eclaro (ranked 456 p4p, 1350 weight class) and Nykolai Kersikov (ranked 36 p4p, 110 weight class). Eclaro comes into the arena with I'm The Boy blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kersikov's choice of entrance music: Frequencerz & Da Tweekaz - Full Control. Paul Eclaro has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.
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| 168 cm
28
155
16 - 4 - 0 |
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175 cm
25
159
1 - 1 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Eclaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nykolai Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Elvis Blanc.
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.
A shot to the body from Eclaro misses
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
It looks like Paul Eclaro has been cut.
Eclaro has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Eclaro is looking to clinch.
Kersikov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Eclaro misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eclaro tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Eclaro jabs Kersikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Eclaro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Eclaro throws a shot to the body.
Eclaro misses with a wild body shot.
Eclaro misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Eclaro to score an easy takedown into full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Eclaro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kersikov landing with the ground and pound.
Kersikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Eclaro wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Eclaro is trying to keep Kersikov in close.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kersikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Eclaro bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kersikov's guard.
Eclaro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eclaro is working hard here to advance position.
Eclaro trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eclaro won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
Eclaro trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kersikov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Kersikov works over Eclaro with some ground and pound from guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov stays in close to Eclaro's body and controls the position.
Kersikov trying to control but Eclaro is working from the bottom.
Eclaro working for submissions but it's allowed Kersikov to get to half guard.
Kersikov slows the pace down in half guard.
Nice strikes from Kersikov there.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kersikov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg.
Kersikov is controlling the pace.
Eclaro tries to roll over but Kersikov keeps him under control.
Kersikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kersikov working over Eclaro with some ground and pound. Eclaro looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Eclaro is trying to get back to full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kersikov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Eclaro tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg.
Kersikov wants to control but Eclaro is keeping him busy.
Eclaro wants to sweep but Kersikov has passed to side control!
Kersikov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kersikov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Eclaro tries to bench press Kersikov off him but Kersikov keeps the position.
Eclaro is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kersikov off and has taken his back!
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov turns into Eclaro and is now in his guard.
Kersikov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Eclaro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov trying to control but Eclaro is working from the bottom.
Kersikov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eclaro keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Kersikov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kersikov preventing the sweep.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Eclaro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kersikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from Eclaro.
Kersikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Eclaro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov passes Eclaro's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Kersikov there.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Eclaro is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kersikov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kersikov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy.
Eclaro tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg.
Eclaro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kersikov working Eclaro over with strikes.
Eclaro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Eclaro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kersikov lands a nice short elbow.
Kersikov trying to control from half guard but Eclaro is working away.
Kersikov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nykolai Kersikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Eclaro's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Eclaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Eclaro.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Eclaro swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Eclaro misses with a takedown attempt
and Eclaro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Eclaro.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Eclaro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Eclaro avoids it with no problem.
Eclaro drives through and clinches with Kersikov against the cage.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Eclaros head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kersikov.
Kersikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eclaro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eclaro misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Eclaro throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Eclaro is looking to wear down Kersikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Eclaro misses with a body shot.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Eclaro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kersikov tries to avoid it but Eclaro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kersikov to the ground. Kersikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro misses with a body punch
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Eclaro misses the body punch
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nykolai Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Eclaro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Eclaro throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eclaro is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kersikov's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Eclaro. Eclaro gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Eclaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Eclaro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.
Eclaro misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Eclaro.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Eclaro misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a right hand to the body.
Eclaro shoots in looking for a takedown. Kersikov tries to sprawl out of it but Eclaro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kersikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Eclaro shoots for a double leg takedown but Kersikov sprawls well. He's pushed Eclaro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Eclaro rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Eclaro throws a predictable looking body shot
and Eclaro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nykolai Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Eclaro misses the shot to the body.
Paul Eclaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Eclaro throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
As Eclaro backs off Kersikov throws a huge counter combo but Eclaro manages to avoid it all.
A shot to the body from Eclaro misses
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Eclaro.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Eclaro darts in trying to clinch
and Kersikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Eclaro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Eclaro.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Eclaro swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Eclaro wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Kersikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Eclaro manages to get himself to full guard.
Kersikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Eclaro keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Eclaro wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nykolai Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Eclaro's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Eclaro misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Eclaro shoots and misses
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Eclaro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Eclaro throws a series of punches but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eclaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Eclaro wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Eclaro misses with a right hand
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Eclaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Eclaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Eclaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Eclaro avoids it with no problem.
Eclaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Kersikov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Eclaro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Eclaro.
Eclaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Eclaro misses the shot to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Eclaro misses with a jab to the body
and Kersikov counters with a three punch combo that has Eclaro backing up. Eclaro nods at Kersikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Eclaro.
Eclaro with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kersikov counters with a right hand to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Eclaro avoids it with no problem.
Eclaro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Eclaro throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
No luck for Eclaro with that takedown attempt.
Paul Eclaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Eclaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro throws a body shot but no joy.
Eclaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Eclaro avoids it with no problem.
Eclaro throws a body shot but no joy.
Eclaro looks to land a combination but Kersikov avoids it well.
Eclaro tries to clinch up but Kersikov circles away and keeps his distance.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Eclaro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eclaro dives in and scores a takedown into Kersikov's guard.
Eclaro is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
Kersikov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kersikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Eclaro tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov is retaining full guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Eclaro's guard.
Kersikov lands a couple of elbows.
Kersikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eclaro looking for subs off his back but Kersikov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Eclaro is staying active underneath Kersikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kersikov controlling the action here.
Kersikov is trying to control. Eclaro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands strikes from half guard.
Eclaro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Eclaro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov working Eclaro over with strikes.
Eclaro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Eclaro manages to get to full guard.
Kersikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Eclaro keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Eclaro has his foot on Kersikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kersikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kersikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kersikov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kersikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eclaro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kersikov has managed to get both his arms back between Eclaro's legs - danger averted.
Kersikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Eclaro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nykolai Kersikov.
Well Kersikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nykolai Kersikov!
A victorious Nykolai Kersikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
27% |
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