PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliah Marshal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Iron Maiden - The Wicker Man. Marshal is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Remember the name. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kersikov
vs
Marshal

173 cm
30
158 lbs
20 - 3 - 0

179 cm
30
159 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Pearson Specter Litt
Beaver Jooce!

Mohito Fightwear
Pearson Specter Litt

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roman Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eliah Marshal!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Daniel Bishop and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marshal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Marshal cracks Kersikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Marshal misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kersikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marshal.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kersikov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Marshal - the referee stops the clock and Kersikov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Marshal. Kersikov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Kersikov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marshal wants to improve his position but Kersikov is controlling well.
Kersikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marshal's head.
Kersikov thows a huge punch but Marshal dodges it nicely.
Kersikov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marshal defending well though.
Marshal has hold of Kersikov's hands but Kersikov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov prevents Marshal from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kersikov lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marshal trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marshal felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Marshal is staying active underneath Kersikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kersikov thows a huge punch but Marshal dodges it nicely.
Kersikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marshal keeps working.
Marshal trying to control here.
We've been hearing that Kersikov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Marshal keeps working.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marshal tries a head kick but it misses.
Eliah Marshal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Eliah Marshal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Marshal has closed the distance and engaged Kersikov in a clinch.
Marshal misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kersikov manages to break the clinch.
A good leg kick by Marshal.
Marshal connects with a right hand. Kersikov shakes it off.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Marshal throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marshal throws a body shot but no joy.
Marshal moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Marshal moves out of range of the body kick.
Marshal works the jab nicely.
Marshal checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Marshal is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Marshal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Marshal ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Nice jab there from Marshal.
Kersikov wants to slow Marshal down by chopping away at his legs.
Marshal throws a looping overhand right but Kersikov ducks down to avoid it.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Marshal moved out of range nicely.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kersikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Marshal has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Marshal and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Marshal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Marshal missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Kersikov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marshal napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
Marshal tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Marshal to see if he's OK.
Kersikov lands an elbow.
You can see the frustration on Marshal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kersikov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Marshal is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Marshal takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Kersikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kersikov throws a low kick but Marshal moves out of range easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kersikov.
Kersikov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Marshal tries to clinch up.
Marshal misses with a low kick.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Marshal. Marshal obviously looking to wear him down.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Marshal throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
A jab from Marshal finds it's way through Kersikov's defenses.
Marshal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Marshal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Kersikov misses
enabling Marshal to counter with a crisp jab.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Marshal. That one must have hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marshal checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Marshal looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Kersikov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Marshal throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Marshal throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov throws a hook but Marshal blocks it.
Marshal tries to counter with a clinch but Kersikov shakes him off and moves away.
Marshal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marshal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Marshal.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kersikov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Marshal - the referee stops the clock and Kersikov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Marshal. Kersikov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Marshal has time to react.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marshal fakes the leg kick and cracks Kersikov in the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Marshal. That snapped Kersikov's head back.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Marshal moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.

Kersikov tries to keep at a distance but Marshal has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kersikov tries for a takedown but Marshal manages to get underhooks.
Marshal is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kersikov is defending well for now.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Marshal.
Marshal creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kersikov tries to work over Marshal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marshal.
Marshal pushes Kersikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Marshal lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Kersikov avoids the elbow strike from Marshal, against the cage.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kersikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Marshal won't allow it.
Marshal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov presses Marshal against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Marshal misses with the head strike.
Marshal lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
A short right from Marshal on the inside.
Marshal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marshal being controlled against the cage.
Marshal misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marshal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Marshal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marshal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Marshal swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Kersikov stalling in the clinch but Marshal improves position.
Marshal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov blocks the elbow strike.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliah Marshal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov avoids the head kick by Marshal.
Marshal throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body.
Marshal tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Marshal checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov cracks Marshal with a good jab.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Marshal throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Marshal checks it.
Marshal wants to counter the offense by Kersikov and move into the clinch position.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Marshal moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
Kersikov sets himself, and Marshal steps forward looking for the clinch! Kersikov avoids it this time.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Marshal sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kersikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marshal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov scores with a jab. Marshal acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Marshal moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Marshal moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Marshal.
Kersikov tries to counter with a takedown but Marshal is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov works Marshal's body with a nice hook.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Marshal saw it coming and moves away.
Marshal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Marshal lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Marshal throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Marshal tries to counter with a clinch but Kersikov shakes him off and moves away.
Jab by Kersikov.
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Marshal just misses with a punch to the body.
Marshal takes a jab right on the kisser.
Marshal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kersikov tries to counter with a takedown but Marshal is quick to defend against it.
Eliah Marshal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marshal.
Marshal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kersikov connects with a body shot.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Marshal throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Marshal misses

and Kersikov counters with a shoot takedown. Marshal fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kersikov controlling from the top position.
Marshal is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kersikov 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.
Marshal is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Marshal looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshal seems keen to control Kersikov's posture.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Marshal is continuing to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Marshal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Marshal's head backwards.
Kersikov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Marshal's head.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Marshal.
Marshal moves out of range of the body kick.
Marshal takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kersikov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Marshal throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Marshal throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Marshal takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body. Marshal takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marshal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Marshal misses with the combination.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Marshal saw that one coming.
Marshal throws a quick inside leg kick.
Marshal lands a jab.
Marshal smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Marshal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Marshal is just out of range.
Marshal finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marshal. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marshal connects with a solid leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kersikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Kersikov!
Roman Kersikov thanked the fans post fight for their support.