PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuki Takano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Takano
vs
Kersikov

169 cm
24
146 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

167 cm
24
150 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yuki Takano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Takano.
Takano misses with an attempted mid kick.
Takano has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Beauty School in the buildup to the fight.
Kersikov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking hook.
Kersikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Takano counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Takano slaps the foot to one side.
Kersikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takano misses the shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takano.
Takano with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Takano misses with the body kick
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Takano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takano lands with an uppercut that bounces Kersikov off the cage and back into range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a front kick aimed at Takano's knee but Takano avoids it well.
Kersikov tries to score with a low kick but Takano moves his leg out of the way.
Takano appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Takano lands a front kick.
Kersikov throws a sloppy body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Takano. That did some damage!
Takano throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Takano.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
A leg kick checked by Takano.
Takano feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Takano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Takano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Takano goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takano has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kersikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Takano's head.
Kersikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
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 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.
Takano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kersikov.
Takano fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kersikov just manages to avoid it.
Takano displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kersikov swings for the body but Takano moves out of range.
Takano was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Takano throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Takano has closed the distance and engaged Kersikov in a clinch.
Takano throws a head punch that misses.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.
Takano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Takano.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Takano jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Yuki Takano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kersikov is defended easily by Takano.
Yuki Takano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boyko Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takano takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Takano moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
A bone on bone clash there as Takano blocks the leg kick.
Kersikov misses with the body kick
and Takano counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Takano connects with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Takano slaps the foot to one side.
Takano misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a nice body kick.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Takano avoids it.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Takano checks it.
Takano feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a sloppy body shot
and Takano counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takano takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kersikov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Takano.
Takano's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kersikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takano scrambles back to his feet.
Takano throws an off balance right hand
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.

Takano moves into the clinch successfully.
A body shot lands from Takano.
Kersikov is leaning against Takano and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Takano misses with some punches.
Kersikov lands with a light punch inside.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Takano misses with some punches.
Takano lands with a light punch inside.
Takano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Takano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kersikov.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Takano blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yuki Takano will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kersikov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Takano.
Kersikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A lazy body kick from Takano
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Takano stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Takano throws a nice outside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takano. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Takano saw that one coming.
Takano checks the leg kick.
Kersikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Takano's calf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takano listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Takano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Takano misses with a looping left.
Takano scores with a slapping inside leg 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!
Takano jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Takano slips the punch.
Kersikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Takano misses the shot to the body.
Takano looks to land a body kick but Kersikov moved away.
Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Takano.
Takano throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Takano throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kersikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Takano tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice side step and Kersikov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Takano lands a leg kick that knocks Kersikov off balance momentarily.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takano.
Takano tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good leg kick by Kersikov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Takano takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takano looks to land a body kick but Kersikov moved away.
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!
Takano misses with a low kick.
Kersikov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Takano rather than just go for the knockout.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Takano manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
An attempted straight right counter from Takano misses the target.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Takano.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takano was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Takano misses with a body shot.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Takano was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands with a slapping head kick.
Kersikov lands with a straight right. Takano didn't see that one coming.
Takano misses with a body shot.
Takano throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Takano is just out of range.
Takano goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
An inside leg kick from Takano misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Takano misses with a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a low kick, right behind Takano 's knee.
Takano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takano, right into the meat.
Kersikov throws a wild body kick that Takano sees coming a mile off.
Takano stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov cracks the inside of Takano's front leg.
Takano misses with a body kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Takano, right into the meat.
Takano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kersikov.
Takano tries to score with a low kick but Kersikov moves his leg out of the way.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Takano.
Takano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takano misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kersikov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kersikov there as he acknowledges the shot.
A big right from Takano misses.
Takano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Takano is just out of range.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Takano's front leg but catches the back leg as Takano tries to avoid it.
Kersikov connects with a body shot that sends Takano's belly button to the back.
Takano wants to slow Kersikov down by chopping away at his legs.
Takano takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
enabling Takano to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Takano just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

An inside leg kick from Takano misses.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Takano checks it
and Takano counters with a leg kick.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Takano eats them both and turns towards Kersikov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Takano works the jab nicely.
Takano misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takano's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kersikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Takano scrambles back to his feet.
Takano throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
An inside leg kick from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Takano misses with a straight left.
Kersikov follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Takano throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Takano tries to land a front kick but Kersikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Takano.
Kersikov fakes the leg kick and cracks Takano in the body.
Kersikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takano manages to avoid it.

Takano rushes Kersikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Takano throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Takano makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Takano.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Takano counters with a stiff right hand.
Takano misses with a looping right.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Takano thinks about countering with a body kick.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
A solid leg kick lands there for Takano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Takano avoids it.
Takano throwing a counter right hand but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Takano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Takano misses with a leg kick.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov throws a hook but Takano blocks it.
Takano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kersikov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Takano ducks down to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Takano on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov fakes the leg kick and cracks Takano in the body.
Kersikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Takano counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Takano's shoulder, as Takano tries to avoid the shot.
Takano misses with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Takano moves out of range easily.
Takano tried to counter with a leg kick but Kersikov avoided it.
Kersikov checks a leg kick.
Takano scores with a shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A little feinted left hand from Takano on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Takano swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Takano will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Takano throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Takano throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Takano walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov moves out of range of the body kick.
Kersikov lands with a hook. Takano tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Takano throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a right hook to the body.
Takano tries to clinch up
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Takano sprawls well. He's pushed Kersikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Takano tries to clinch but Kersikov moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Takano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.
Takano avoids a kick to the body.
Takano fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kersikov throws out a powerful jab.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Takano gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyko 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Boyko Kersikov!
A relieved looking Boyko Kersikov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.