PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Finkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Finkle
vs
Kersikov

193 cm
31
203 lbs
24 - 12 - 1

186 cm
33
192 lbs
26 - 6 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ray Finkle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 6 - 2, fighting out of New York, Vlad Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finkle tries to clinch up.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Finkle lands a nice shot to the body.

Finkle has managed to clinch.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Finkle avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
Finkle prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Finkle as Kersikov tries to tie him up.
Finkle creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kersikov's defenses.

It looks like Vlad Kersikov has been cut.
Finkle avoiding damage as Kersikov throws knees to the body.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Finkle.
Kersikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Finkle or not.
Finkle trying to land knees to the body.
Kersikov works on Finkle's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkle presses Kersikov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Finkle.
Kersikov avoids the elbow strike from Finkle, against the cage.
Finkle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Finkle connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kersikov's face.
Finkle misses with an elbow over the top.
Finkle lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kersikov works on Finkle's body with a couple of short punches.
Finkle lands an elbow inside that Kersikov shrugs off.

That has opened up Vlad Kersikov's cut even more.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Kersikov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Finkle makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Finkle prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Finkle throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Finkle softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov avoids the elbow strike from Finkle, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finkle tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Finkle misses with the head strike.
A knee to the head by Finkle.
Finkle throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Finkle misses with an elbow strike.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Finkle softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kersikov obliges.
Finkle lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Kersikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
Finkle throws an elbow but it misses.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Finkle throws knees to the body.
Finkle lands a damaging elbow.
Kersikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Finkle uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finkle prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Finkle makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

The cut above Vlad Kersikov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Finkle blocks a body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov trying to land knees to the body.
Kersikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Finkle avoids the damage to the body.
Finkle 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 has a couple of punches blocked by Finkle.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Finkle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov missing with knees to the body.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Finkle controls the action.
Finkle tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A bit of stalling here from Kersikov.
Finkle blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Finkle.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Finkle controls his hands.
Kersikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Finkle tries to land a knee to the head but Kersikov blocks with his arms.
Kersikov avoids the elbow strike from Finkle, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kersikov obliges.
Finkle prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Finkle lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
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!
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Kersikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Finkle is breathing heavily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Finkle is looking to break free of the clinch but Kersikov has double underhooks.
A body shot lands from Kersikov.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Finkle throws an elbow but misses.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
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 Ray Finkle will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vlad Kersikov's cut.
That's time! Finkle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good work by Finkle as he checks the leg kick.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Finkle.
A countering left hand to the body from Kersikov misses.
Finkle uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Finkle looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Finkle's shoulder, as Finkle tries to avoid the shot.
Finkle 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.
Finkle takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Finkle tests Kersikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kersikov tests Finkle's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov walks into a jab.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
A jab from Kersikov does it's job there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finkle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Finkle backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kersikov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Finkle walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vlad Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finkle misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Kersikov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Finkle is out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kersikov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kersikov moves forwards but Finkle connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Finkle moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body. Finkle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kersikov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Kersikov has managed to clinch.
Kersikov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vlad Kersikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finkle using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kersikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Finkle's elbow.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kersikov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Finkle lands an elbow just above Kersikov 's eye.
Kersikov lands a nice knee to the body.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Finkle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kersikov blocks the elbow strike.
Finkle blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finkles head.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kersikov blocks the elbow strike.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Kersikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Finkle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kersikov dodges an elbow strike from Finkle.
Kersikov looking to throw knees to the head but Finkle is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov missing with knees to the body.
Kersikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Finkle avoids the damage to the body.
Finkle lands an elbow inside that Kersikov shrugs off.

Finkle manages to break the clinch.
A big left from Finkle misses.
Kersikov misses the body punch
and Finkle counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kersikov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Finkle rather than just go for the knockout.
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 is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kersikov thuds his right hand into Finkle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick from Finkle lands but Kersikov takes it in his stride.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kersikov - that will leave a mark!
Finkle throws a poor cross that misses
and Kersikov counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov lands a nice looking body shot.
Finkle throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Finkle moves into the clinch successfully.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Finkle throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Finkle missing with knees to the body.
Kersikov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Finkle avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
Finkle takes a knee right on the jaw!
Finkle using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kersikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kersikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Finkle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.
Finkle pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Kersikov - that landed with a thud.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov scores a nice knee to the body.
Kersikov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vlad Kersikov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kersikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
It looked like Finkle wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov digs a good body shot into Finkle's ribs.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Finkle.
Kersikov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Finkle throws a big shot that misses.

Kersikov rushes Finkle and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Kersikov.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Finkle blocking some punches.
Kersikov pressing his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finkle lands a damaging elbow.
Finkle pushes off an throws an elbow but Kersikov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Finkle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkle lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov taking a breather.
A body shot lands from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Finkle avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Kersikov.
Kersikov is working Finkle over against the cage.
Finkle blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Finkle throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov pushes Finkle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kersikov gets through Finkle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Finkle takes a shot to the head.
Kersikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

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!
Finkle throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Finkle looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finkles head.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
Finkle tries to land knees in the clinch but Kersikov avoids the damage to the body.
Kersikov pushes Finkle back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov managing to block the knees to the body from Finkle.
Kersikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kersikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kersikov lands a knee to the body.
Finkle's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kersikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kersikov gets through Finkle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.

Finkle is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Finkles head.
Oh Finkle is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kersikov creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Finkle's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Finkle drops to his knees and Kersikov pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:13 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vlad Kersikov!