PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Risto Jaloviina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yabu Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaloviina comes to the cage accompanied by UNKLE - Reign. Yabu Kersikov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Jaloviina
vs
Kersikov

209 cm
26
293 lbs
15 - 10 - 4

186 cm
27
197 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 4, fighting out of Helsinki, Risto Jaloviina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yabu Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaloviina motions for Kersikov to come forward. Jaloviina throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jaloviina.
Jaloviina throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jaloviina avoids the body shot from Kersikov.

Kersikov clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kersikov as Jaloviina tries to tie him up.
Kersikov tries to work over Jaloviina's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov lands a shot to the body.
A short right from Jaloviina.

Jaloviina breaks from the clinch.
Jaloviina throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov works Jaloviina's body with a nice hook.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kersikov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Jaloviina - the referee stops the clock and Kersikov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Jaloviina. Kersikov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Jaloviina slips the punch.
Jaloviina throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jaloviina looks to land a combination. Kersikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Jaloviina on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kersikov. Kersikov obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Jaloviina.
Jaloviina throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown.
Jaloviina uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Jaloviina's head but Jaloviina sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yabu Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Kersikov.
Jaloviina lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Jaloviina slips the punch.

Jaloviina lands a big head kick that sends Kersikov tumbling to the mat! Jaloviina takes a step backwards and waves Kersikov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Kersikov is rocked!

It looks like Yabu Kersikov has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jaloviina throws a body kick the misses
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kersikov is still on wobbly legs! Can Jaloviina finish him?
Jaloviina avoids the body shot from Kersikov.
Jaloviina throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jaloviina.
Kersikov seems to have recovered his senses.
Kersikov jabs at Jaloviina's body.
Kersikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Jaloviina circles away.
A swing and a miss from Jaloviina.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaloviina connects with a leg kick. Kersikov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Kersikov pushes Jaloviina up against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jaloviina controls his hands.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaloviina throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Jaloviina goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov pushes Jaloviina back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov pushes Jaloviina back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov stalling against the cage.
Jaloviina misses with a punch to the body.
Jaloviina struggles to land a body shot inside as Kersikov controls his hands.
Kersikov gets underhooks to prevent Jaloviina's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Risto Jaloviina. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Come on Kersikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Jaloviina is looking for a takedown.
Kersikov lands a left hand.
Jaloviina can't get the takedown.
Kersikov gets through Jaloviina's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov gets through Jaloviina's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Jaloviina gets an underhook and turns Kersikov into the cage.
Jaloviina throws a head punch that misses.

Jaloviina has hold of one of Kersikov's legs. Kersikov is fighting the takedown attempt but Jaloviina gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Jaloviina lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaloviina throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jaloviina will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kersikov controls Jaloviina momentarily but Jaloviina frees himself.
Kersikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaloviina slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kersikov is trying to control the position but Jaloviina postures up.
Kersikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jaloviina throwing strikes but missing.
Jaloviina throws a big elbow that misses.
Jaloviina loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov managing to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Yabu Kersikov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Jaloviina blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Jaloviina dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yabu Kersikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kersikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jaloviina displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Jaloviina tries to keep at a distance but Kersikov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jaloviina can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Jaloviina changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kersikov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kersikov throws a hook but Jaloviina blocks it.
Jaloviina staying out of range there.
Jaloviina throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jaloviina uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov takes a swing at Jaloviina's ribcage but misses.
Jaloviina takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jaloviina connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jaloviina shoots in but no luck this time.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov takes a swing at Jaloviina's ribcage but misses.
Jaloviina blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Risto Jaloviina is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jaloviina slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jaloviina manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov tries to clinch but Jaloviina moves out of range.
Jaloviina throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Jaloviina's head but Jaloviina sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Jaloviina.
Jaloviina lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jaloviina.
Jaloviina swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Kersikov moves into range and clinches up with Jaloviina.
Kersikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
Jaloviina drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Risto Jaloviina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov tries to work over Jaloviina's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jaloviina.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
Jaloviina tries to stall but Kersikov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kersikov lands a body punch.
Jaloviina misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jaloviina backwards.
Come on Kersikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaloviina lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jaloviina misses with an elbow strike.
Jaloviina lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Jaloviina tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
A short right from Jaloviina.
Jaloviina misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Jaloviina misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jaloviina pushes off an throws an elbow but Kersikov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kersikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
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!
Jaloviina tries to stall but Kersikov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kersikov gets through Jaloviina's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaloviina is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kersikov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kersikov pushes Jaloviina back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jaloviina goes for a takedown attempt but Kersikov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kersikov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jaloviina thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Jaloviina moved out of range nicely.
Jaloviina throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jaloviina is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kersikov tries to clinch but Jaloviina is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kersikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jaloviina throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Risto Jaloviina is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov cracks the inside of Jaloviina's front leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yabu Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Yabu Kersikov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Jaloviina connects with the punch.
Nice cross by Jaloviina.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jaloviina was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Kersikov delivers a nice body kick.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Jaloviina connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kersikov scrambles back to his feet.
Kersikov misses with a double jab.
Kersikov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jaloviina lands an overhand right.
Kersikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Jaloviina avoids it.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jaloviina steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Jaloviina lands a jab.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jaloviina. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaloviina slips a jab from Kersikov.
Jaloviina misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jaloviina throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jaloviina throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov with a nice cross.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
Jaloviina ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Kersikov takes a swing at Jaloviina's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov cracks Jaloviina with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kersikov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jaloviina slips a jab and a cross from Kersikov.
Jaloviina is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kersikov misses with a right hand
and Jaloviina counters with a left and a right that stings Kersikov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Jaloviina scores with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kersikov wants to slow Jaloviina down by chopping away at his legs.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
Jaloviina keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Jaloviina checks it
and Jaloviina counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jaloviina slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Jaloviina lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jaloviina ducks right into an uppercut from Kersikov.
Jaloviina lands a leg kick that knocks Kersikov off balance momentarily.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jaloviina swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kersikov lands a jab to the head.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Jaloviina checks it
and Jaloviina counters with a straight right hand.
Jaloviina looks to throw a body kick
and Kersikov counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov takes one to the side of the head.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Jaloviina blocks a jab.
Jaloviina is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Jaloviina finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice body punch from Kersikov.
Jaloviina misses with a body kick.
Jaloviina gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Jaloviina avoids it.
Jaloviina throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jaloviina misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Jaloviina shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kersikov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Jaloviina comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jaloviina ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaloviina swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jaloviina sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jaloviina misses with a low kick.
Jaloviina fails with the takedown.
Kersikov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Jaloviina counters with a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jaloviina on the side of the head.

Kersikov closes the distance and pushes Jaloviina back into the cage.
Jaloviina can't get the takedown.
Kersikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Jaloviina backwards.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Jaloviina controls his hands.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yabu 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yabu Kersikov!
An out of breath Yabu Kersikov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.