PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andriy Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tirawit Kokin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov's entrance music is Manio - All The Above. A fine choice. Tirawit Kokin 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!

Kersikov
vs
Kokin

175 cm
23
173 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andriy Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tirawit Kokin!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kokin lands with a nice body punch.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kokin on the side of the head.
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
A punch combination from Kokin misses.
Kersikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kersikov.
Decent striking displayed by Kokin there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov defending well as Kokin loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Kokin avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Kokin checks it
and Kokin counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Kokin slaps the foot to one side.
Kokin slips a straight right by Kersikov.
A clash of legs there as Kokin blocks the low kick.
Kokin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokin throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Kokin.
Kokin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Kersikov. That snapped Kokin's head back.
Kokin lands with a straight right. Kersikov didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Andriy Kersikov has been cut.
Nice jab there from Kersikov.
Kokin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Kersikov tries to land a front kick but Kokin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kokin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kokin works Kersikov's body with a nice hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kokin misses with a looping left.
Kokin is looking to land body kicks.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kokin on the side of the head.
Jab by Kokin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kokin throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kokin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Kokin ducks down to avoid it.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Kokin counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Kokin.
Kokin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kokin is out of range and Kersikov settles back down.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.
Kersikov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Kokin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Kokin.
Kersikov throws a right hand that misses
and Kokin counters with a thumping low kick.
Kersikov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kersikov throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kokin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov swings for the body but Kokin moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Kokin.
Kokin tries to score with a low kick but Kersikov moves his leg out of the way.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Kokin saw it coming and moves away.
A good leg kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov moves out of range as Kokin strikes.
Kokin thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kersikov if he has to take too many more of those.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kersikov.
Kokin throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Kersikov needs to keep his hands up - Kokin had a free shot at his head there.
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Kokin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov connects with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kokin counters with a straight right hand.
Kokin takes one to the chin there.
Kokin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Kokin.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Kokin checks it.
Kokin moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Kokin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kokin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Kokin throws a front kick that sends Kersikov stumbling back into the cage.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
Kokin misses with a looping left.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kokin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kokin lands a nice looking body kick.
Kokin throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Kokin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tirawit Kokin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andriy Kersikov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kokin scores with a sloppy right hand. Kersikov should have avoided that one.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Kersikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kokin with a jab.
Kersikov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kokin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kersikov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kersikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kokin circles away quickly and effectively.
Kersikov wants to slow Kokin down by chopping away at his legs.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and Kokin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kokin lands with an overhand left.
Kersikov drops his hands momentarily and Kokin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A big left from Kersikov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Kokin.
An inside leg kick from Kokin misses.
Kokin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kokin finds it's way round the side to connect with Kersikov's head.
Kersikov misses with a right hand
and Kokin counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Kokin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Andriy Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kokin lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kersikov will feel that in the morning.
Kokin jabs at Kersikov's body.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kokin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
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!
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kokin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov checks a leg kick.
Kokin moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.
Kokin throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Kokin down.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Kokin attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tirawit Kokin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheers as Kokin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kersikov doesn't seem phased though.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Kokin moves away and avoids it.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
Kersikov is looking to slow Kokin down with leg kicks.
Kersikov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokin scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Kokin.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Kokin's leg. Kokin is trying to keep his angry face on.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kersikov.
Kokin moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Kersikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheers as Kersikov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kokin doesn't seem phased though.
Kokin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kersikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kersikov defending well as Kokin loads up on a big left hand.
Kokin slips under a jab.
Kersikov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kokin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kersikov thinking.
Kersikov lands a jab.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kokin lands a head kick. Kersikov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kokin moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Kersikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kersikov throws a hook but Kokin blocks it.
Kokin bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kersikov swings for the body but Kokin moves out of range.
Kersikov takes one to the chin there.
Kokin throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Nice body kick from Kokin.
Kokin throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov throws a body punch but Kokin moves out of range.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kokin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kokin checks a leg kick.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tirawit Kokin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andriy Kersikov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kokin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kokin throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kokin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kokin to score with a decent uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Kokin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kokin wants to slow Kersikov down by chopping away at his legs.
Nice uppercut lands for Kokin. That snapped Kersikov's head back.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Kokin scores with a hook.
Kokin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kersikov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kokin. That did some damage!
A swing and a miss from Kokin.
Kokin lands a nice shot that snaps Kersikov's head back.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Kokin's shoulder, as Kokin tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokin takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut
and Kokin counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kersikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice body kick from Kokin.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Kokin's front leg but catches the back leg as Kokin tries to avoid it.
Kokin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kokin scores with a shot to the body.
A jab from Kokin misses.
Kersikov tries to land a body kick
and Kokin counters with a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Kokin.
Kokin throws a front kick that sends Kersikov stumbling back into the cage.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Kokin staying out of range there.
Kokin moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Andriy Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with an attempted mid kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kokin checks a leg kick.
Kokin throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kokin slips a jab from Kersikov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Kokin slips the punch.
Kokin throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov delivers a nice body kick.
Kersikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Kokin.
Kersikov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kokin needs to keep his hands up - Kersikov had a free shot at his head there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Kokin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kokin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kokin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Kokin saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokin clobbers Kersikov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kokin throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Kokin only half commits.
Kersikov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kersikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kokin makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kersikov really felt that one!
Kokin throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice cross by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a hook.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kokin.
Kokin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov tries to work over Kokin's front leg with a kick but Kokin checks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kokin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kokin counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov throws a solid leg kick but Kokin takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kersikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Kokin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A left lands for Kokin.
Kersikov tries to work over Kokin's front leg with a kick but Kokin checks it.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kokin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
A shot to the body from Kersikov misses
and Kokin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kokin makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kokin connects with the punch.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kokin cracks Kersikov with a good jab.
Kokin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kersikov in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andriy Kersikov.
Well Kokin 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tirawit Kokin!
Our winner, Tirawit Kokin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.