PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arthmael HardStyle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rubin Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov has chosen wu-tang clan fast shadow as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

HardStyle
vs
Kersikov

222 cm
26
270 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

202 cm
21
277 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Hilo Clothing Co **Laundry 3% fee**

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arthmael HardStyle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Rubin Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
HardStyle tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kersikov forces HardStyle back against the cage and clinches.
HardStyle wants to break the clinch but can't.
HardStyle 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. HardStyle gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

HardStyle moves into the clinch.
HardStyle slows down the pace here.
HardStyle tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
HardStyle 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. HardStyle gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthmael HardStyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown attempt from HardStyle. HardStyle gets slowly back to his feet.
Kersikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck HardStyle on the side of the head.
A head kick from Kersikov lands but HardStyle takes it in his stride.
HardStyle tries for a takedown but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kersikov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
HardStyle dodges the punch combination from Kersikov.
Kersikov is looking to clinch.
HardStyle takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kersikov throws a head kick but HardStyle moves out of range.
Kersikov scores with a one two! HardStyle had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

HardStyle moves into the clinch.
Kersikov is trying to break free.
Kersikov prevents the takedown attempt.
Kersikov is trying to force a seperation but HardStyle has the dominant position.
Kersikov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kersikov can't break the clinch.

HardStyle manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from HardStyle.
HardStyle working a defensive guard here.
HardStyle has a closed guard, preventing Kersikov from standing up.
HardStyle is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

HardStyle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

HardStyle wriggles free and stands up.
Kersikov lands a head kick. HardStyle smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
HardStyle blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
HardStyle looks to clinch
and Kersikov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
HardStyle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov tries to clinch but HardStyle is having none of it.
HardStyle tries for a takedown but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
HardStyle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
HardStyle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kersikov swivels and escapes.
HardStyle is breathing heavily.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
HardStyle stuffs the takedown.
Kersikov throws a combination. HardStyle tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
HardStyle closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.

Kersikov lands a big head kick that sends HardStyle tumbling to the mat! Kersikov takes a step backwards and waves HardStyle back to his feet - he wants the finish!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rubin Kersikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. HardStyle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
HardStyle misses with a double jab.
A head kick from Kersikov lands but HardStyle takes it in his stride.

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

HardStyle is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov throws a lazy head kick
and HardStyle counters with a good low kick that Kersikov was not able to check.
HardStyle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kersikov.

Kersikov rushes HardStyle and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but HardStyle blocks it with crossed arms.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
HardStyle manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
HardStyle is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.
HardStyle is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kersikov.

HardStyle feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Kersikov pushes HardStyle off and scrambles back to his feet.
HardStyle fails with an attempt to clinch.

HardStyle drives through and clinches with Kersikov against the cage.
HardStyle looking for a takedown.
Kersikov prevents HardStyle from breaking the clinch.
Kersikov is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle jumps guard but Kersikov stands there with HardStyle around his waist. HardStyle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov lands a nice elbow.
Kersikov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
HardStyle really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov lunges at HardStyle with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by HardStyle's hand.
Rubin Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from HardStyle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthmael HardStyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fight stays on the outside here - HardStyle looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by HardStyle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for HardStyle with that takedown attempt.
Rubin Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kersikov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but HardStyle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kersikov trying to control the action but HardStyle is working from the bottom.

HardStyle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

HardStyle looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kersikov tries to stand but can't do so whilst HardStyle controls his leg.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
HardStyle is refusing to be controlled, as Kersikov sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rubin Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

HardStyle closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.
Kersikov looks to land a combination but HardStyle avoids it well.
Kersikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by HardStyle.
Kersikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but HardStyle moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kersikov throws a right hand that HardStyle ducks under and follows up with a left that HardStyle also avoids with ease.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.
Kersikov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and HardStyle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kersikov keeps the fight on the outside.
HardStyle throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HardStyle slaps away a takedown attempt from Kersikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arthmael HardStyle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
HardStyle dives in and grabs Kersikov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kersikov pushes down on HardStyle's head and hops out.

HardStyle closes the distance and clinches.
HardStyle prevents Kersikov from breaking the clinch.
Kersikov tries to break free but HardStyle pushes him back against the cage.
HardStyle stalling in the clinch but Kersikov improves position.

HardStyle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov doesn't manage to clinch there - HardStyle circles away.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch but HardStyle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
HardStyle tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Kersikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kersikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kersikov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
HardStyle looks for a takedown but Kersikov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthmael HardStyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kersikov pushes HardStyle up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov is trying to push HardStyle away but HardStyle has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kersikov has had enough of the clinch but HardStyle keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HardStyle lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
HardStyle tries to land knees in the clinch but Kersikov avoids the damage to the body.
HardStyle prevents Kersikov from breaking the clinch.
HardStyle blocks an elbow strike from Kersikov.
Kersikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
HardStyle wants to take the fight to the mat but Kersikov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
HardStyle lands a hook to the side of the head.
HardStyle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kersikov smiles and moves away.
HardStyle shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kersikov but Kersikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Kersikov.
Rubin Kersikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kersikov catches HardStyle with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Arthmael HardStyle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
HardStyle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kersikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov misses with a head kick.
A low kick from HardStyle misses
and Kersikov counters with a low kick, right behind HardStyle 's knee.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov misses with a wild combination.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rubin Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kersikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rubin Kersikov!
Rubin Kersikov made sure to mention his sponsor, Hilo Clothing Co **Laundry 3% fee** in his post fight interview.