PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Murphy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murphy has chosen Róisín Murphy - Primitive as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Brian Murphy enters the cage!

Kersikov
vs
Murphy

188 cm
33
207 lbs
21 - 4 - 0

188 cm
37
213 lbs
33 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
Bullet Proof System

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 21 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Brian Murphy!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy checks the leg kick nicely there.
Murphy lands a nice looking body kick.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Murphy misses with a head kick.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Murphy takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Murphy scores with a head kick.
Murphy looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Murphy has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body
and Murphy counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Murphy. That did some damage!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Murphy.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kersikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Murphy unleashes a big counter combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Murphy lands a nice looking body kick.
A head kick misses from Murphy.
Murphy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses.
Murphy throws a counter combo.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kersikov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murphy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Murphy throws a body kick that misses.
Kersikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Murphy.
Murphy scores with a nice body kick.
Murphy throws a head kick that Kersikov semi-blocks.

It looks like Marko Kersikov has been cut.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A good leg kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov punishes Murphy's body with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov throws a hook but Murphy blocks it.
Kersikov misses with a body shot
and Murphy counters with a body kick that stops Kersikov in his tracks momentarily.
Murphy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kersikov on the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murphy cracks Kersikov with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kersikov lands with a nice body punch.
Murphy looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Murphy blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Murphy.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Brian Murphy has been cut.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Kersikov swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
And Murphy responds with a good body kick, but Kersikov manages to step out the way in time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Murphy throws a combination. Kersikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kersikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Murphy counters with a two punch combo.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Murphy sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Murphy follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kersikov.
Murphy throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.

Oooooh!!! Murphy has knocked Kersikov down with a huge combo! Murphy steps away and waves a wobbly Kersikov back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Kersikov is rocked!
Kersikov is looking to wear down Murphy with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Murphy on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Oh Kersikov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Murphy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Kersikov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kersikov swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
And Murphy responds with a good body kick, but Kersikov manages to step out the way in time.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Murphy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body kick there by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Murphy at a distance.
Murphy looks winded!
Kersikov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Murphy will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Murphy dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Murphy blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Murphy manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov throws a sloppy head kick
and Murphy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Murphy throws a lazy head kick
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Murphy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
Kersikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kersikov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kersikov looks to throw a body kick
and Murphy counters with a body kick that stops Kersikov in his tracks momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a front kick aimed at Murphy's knee but Murphy avoids it well.
It seemed like Murphy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Murphy throws a front kick that sends Kersikov stumbling back into the cage.
Kersikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Despite the aggression on Murphy's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kersikov tries to work over Murphy's front leg with a kick but Murphy checks it.
Murphy throws a big counter head kick but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Murphy throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Murphy tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Murphy has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Murphy, as that shot connected.
A leg kick checked by Murphy.
Kersikov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Murphy if he has to take too many more of those.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Murphy misses with a straight left.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Murphy stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Murphy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Kersikov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murphy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab, jab by Murphy - just one landing.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.
Kersikov feints and then cracks Murphy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Murphy down.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murphy throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Good exchange - Murphy coming out on top.
Murphy pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Brian Murphy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murphy throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Murphy is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murphy looks for the body kick but Kersikov saw that one coming.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kersikov.
A clash of legs there as Murphy blocks the low kick.
Murphy replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kersikov blocks it well.
Murphy takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Murphy throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Murphy thinks about the counter body kick.
Kersikov swings for the body but Murphy moves out of range.
Murphy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Murphy.
A leg kick checked by Murphy.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murphy throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Murphy takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kersikov misses with a combination
and Murphy counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kersikov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murphy looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kersikov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kersikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Murphy's hands.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Murphy checks a leg kick.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses.
Murphy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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 Marko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kersikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kersikov moves out of range as Murphy throws a body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Murphy as he connects with a hook.
Marko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Murphy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Murphy ducks down to avoid it.
Kersikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Murphy's calf.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Murphy slaps the foot to one side.
You can see that Murphy has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Kersikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kersikov drops his hands momentarily and Murphy takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Murphy! But no joy.
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Kersikov lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kersikov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Murphy checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Murphy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Murphy misses with a left hand
and Kersikov counters with a two punch combo.
Murphy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Murphy moves out of range easily.
Kersikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kersikov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Murphy is looking to land body kicks.
Kersikov throws a big counter combination but Murphy scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kersikov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Murphy counters with a stiff right hand.
Murphy throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kersikov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Murphy looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Murphy thinks about the counter body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy misses with a body kick.
Kersikov looks to throw a body kick
and Murphy counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Murphy thows a body kick. Kersikov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kersikov misses with a jab to the body
and Murphy counters with a nice uppercut.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Murphy.
Kersikov connects with a right hand. Murphy shakes it off.
Murphy scores with a nice body kick.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kersikov!
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Murphy's ribs.
Murphy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the body
and Murphy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Murphy checks a leg kick.
Murphy lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Murphy misses with an uppercut.
Murphy lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kersikov will feel that in the morning.
Murphy takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Murphy lands a high kick!
Murphy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Murphy moves out of range easily.
Murphy looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Nice defenses there by Murphy.
Murphy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Murphy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands with a right hand.
Murphy blocks a jab.
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.
Some wild striking there from Kersikov.
Murphy replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kersikov blocks it well.
Kersikov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Murphy's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murphy misses with a head kick.
Murphy gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kersikov.
Murphy throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov lands a head kick!
Murphy misses with a jab, cross combination.
A bone on bone clash there as Murphy blocks the leg kick.

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 Marko Kersikov.
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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Kersikov!