PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julian Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitali Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Dj Nosferatu - When Angels Cry as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Knight
vs
Kersikov

190 cm
26
211 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

189 cm
26
209 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear
Hellbent

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julian Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knight misses with a body shot.
Knight jabs Kersikov right on the nose. Kersikov blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Vitali Kersikov has been cut.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Knight goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Knight.
Julian Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Knight.
Knight doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Knight with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Knight tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kersikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Knight somewhat.
Knight scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Knight takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown.
Vitali Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knight throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Knight moves out of range of the body kick from Kersikov.
Nice shot by Knight.
Kersikov moves out of range as Knight strikes.
Knight bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Knight connects with a leg kick. Kersikov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
That kick from Knight tenderised Kersikov's leg. Kersikov is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Knight
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Knight at a distance.
Knight throws a wild body kick that Kersikov sees coming a mile off.
Nice body kick from Knight.
Knight turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Knight throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kersikov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Knight fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kersikov to the ground. Knight is now in Kersikov's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Knight throws a big right hand that misses.
Kersikov is controlling Knight's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to sweep here but Knight controlling him for the moment.
Knight throwing strikes but missing.
Knight stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Knight has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Knight is working hard here to advance position.
Knight throws a strike but Kersikov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight looking to control.
Kersikov won't allow Knight to sweep him here.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kersikov won't allow Knight to sweep him here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Kersikov pushing down on Knight's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Knight dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kersikov misses with a jab to the body

and Knight counters with a single leg into guard. Kersikov didn't expect that.
Kersikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kersikov, not yet.
Kersikov wants to stand and escape but Knight is having none of it.
Knight looking to sit in guard and control but Kersikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Knight is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knight looking to control.
Kersikov looking to sit in guard and control but Knight gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Knight tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight cracks Kersikov with a solid left hand.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
Knight in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Knight throws a strike but Kersikov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kersikov passes Knight's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kersikov controlling the pace.
Knight is trying to get back to full guard.
Knight avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kersikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight tries to roll over but Kersikov keeps him under control.
Julian Knight overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kersikov works his way into side control.
Knight sneaks back into half guard.
Kersikov trying to control from half guard but Knight is working away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov prevents Knight from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to pass to mount but Knight is defending the position.
Kersikov is just content to waste time from the top position. Knight takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Knight keeping full guard, as Kersikov tries to pass.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Knight looking for a sweep. Not yet Knight, not yet.
Kersikov pushing down on Knight's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov prevents Knight from improving his position.
Kersikov is keen to just control but Knight is a slippery customer.
Kersikov uses his free foot to push down on Knight's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Knight.
Kersikov trying to control but Knight is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knight tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Kersikov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Julian Knight will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Knight throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from Knight misses.
Knight throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Julian Knight is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Knight sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Knight throws a leg kick but Kersikov moved away.
Kersikov looks to land a combination but Knight avoids it well.
A jab from Kersikov does it's job there.
Knight changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Knight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Knight works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Knight is looking to chop away at Kersikov's legs.
Knight tries to land a leg kick but Kersikov saw it coming and moves away.
Knight takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Knight throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Knight lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kersikov's sensitive parts.
Knight throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Knight.
Knight takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Knight shoots in looking for a takedown. Kersikov tries to sprawl out of it but Knight 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 two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Knight scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Knight throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A clash of legs there as Kersikov blocks the low kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Knight checks a leg kick.
Kersikov throws a hook but Knight blocks it.
Knight defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight fails with a takedown attempt.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Knight checks a leg kick.
Kersikov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Knight is out of range.
Knight throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the body

and Knight decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kersikov's guard.
Knight throwing strikes from guard but Kersikov blocks nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knight not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight is looking to pass into half guard but Kersikov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kersikov is in guard.
Knight trying to control the position.
Knight 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.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Knight working a defensive guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kersikov trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.

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 Julian Knight.
Well Knight has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Julian Knight!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Julian Knight!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Julian Knight!

Julian Knight wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Julian Knight thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.