PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kermit Earlandson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Earlandson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, the theme from titanic. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Earlandson
vs
Kersikov

185 cm
33
201 lbs
25 - 33 - 1

186 cm
34
192 lbs
29 - 6 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Conviction
Pearson Specter Litt

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 25 - 33 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kermit Earlandson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 6 - 2, fighting out of New York, Vlad Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Earlandson throws a push kick but Kersikov slaps the foot to one side.

Earlandson feints and as Kersikov raises his hands in defense, Earlandson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kersikov controlling the position.
Earlandson wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Kersikov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Earlandson trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.

Earlandson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kersikov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kersikov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kersikov!

Kersikov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov controls the position.
Earlandson is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Earlandson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Earlandson is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Earlandson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Earlandson's coaches at Miletich Xtreme Fighting Systems have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Earlandson wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Kersikov has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kersikov controlling his opponent.
Kersikov looking to control but Earlandson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Earlandson is trying desperately to improve position.
Earlandson tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Earlandson is trying desperately to improve position.
Earlandson tries to improve his position but instead Kersikov has taken his back!
I would not like to be Earlandson right now.
Kersikov trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Kersikov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Kersikov working for the choke.
Kersikov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Earlandson.
Kersikov not allowing Earlandson to control his hands.
Kersikov trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Earlandson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Earlandson staying busy and making it hard for Kersikov to control.
Earlandson is trying to break free.
Kersikov biding his time, looking for the opening.
A lull in the action here.
Earlandson trying to control the hands but Kersikov breaks the grip.
Kersikov is trying to stick to Earlandson's back but Earlandson is turning into Kersikov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kersikov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Earlandson.
Earlandson trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Kersikov is trying to control the position but Earlandson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Earlandson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kersikov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Earlandson, into his guard.

Earlandson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Earlandson being controlled here, momentarily.
Kersikov pushing down on Earlandson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov is pressing down on Earlandson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Earlandson is holding on for now.
Kersikov content to control rather than advance.

Earlandson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Earlandson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kermit Earlandson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov leaves Earlandson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kersikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Earlandson's sensitive parts.
Earlandson closes the distance and clinches up with Kersikov, looking for a takedown. Earlandson pushes Kersikov against the ropes but Kersikov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kermit Earlandson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Earlandson tries for a takedown but Kersikov circles away easily
and Kersikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kersikov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Earlandson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Earlandson shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Earlandson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Earlandson with a poor takedown
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Earlandson 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kermit Earlandson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Earlandson on the side of the head.
Earlandson checks the leg kick.
Kersikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Earlandson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Earlandson darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets double underhooks and turns Earlandson into the ropes.
Earlandson backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Earlandson misses with a takedown attempt
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Earlandson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kersikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Earlandson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Earlandson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kersikov as he jumps to the side.
Kersikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Earlandson's sensitive parts.
Earlandson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Earlandson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kersikov as he jumps to the side.
Kersikov flicks out a counter leg kick but Earlandson steps away.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Earlandson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kersikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Earlandson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kersikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Earlandson somewhat.
Earlandson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kersikov scores with a nice strike.

Kersikov rushes Earlandson and presses him up against the ropes.
Earlandson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kersikov is defending well.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Earlandson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Earlandson wants to take the fight to the mat but Kersikov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kersikov landing knees to the body.
Kersikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Earlandson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kersikov taking a breather.
Kersikov is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Earlandson has denied him.
A right hand to the body from Kersikov.
Kersikov scores a nice knee to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
A bit of stalling here from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to work over Earlandson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Earlandson tries to break the clinch but Kersikov is controlling the position.
Earlandson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kersikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Earlandson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Kersikov to keep the fight standing.
Earlandson misses with some punches.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Earlandson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kersikov smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Earlandson takes one on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A good leg kick by Kersikov.
Earlandson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Earlandson blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kersikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Earlandson.
Kersikov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Earlandson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kersikov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Earlandson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Earlandson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.

Kersikov clinches up against the ropes.
A short body shot lands from Kersikov as the two fighters clinch.
Earlandson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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 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.

Earlandson misses with a takedown attempt
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Kersikov closes the distance and clinches.
Kersikov is trying to stall.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kersikov is struggling to control the position.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Earlandson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Earlandson is trying to break the clinch but Kersikov has him pressed against the ropes.
Earlandson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Earlandson is working for takedown but Kersikov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kermit Earlandson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Earlandson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Earlandson is working for takedown but Kersikov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kersikov lands a left hand.
Earlandson tries to pull guard but Kersikov forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov landing knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
Earlandson tries to pull guard but Kersikov forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike.
Vlad Kersikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kersikov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kersikov presses Earlandson against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Earlandson has Kersikov pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Kersikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kersikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Kersikov.
Earlandson's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
A short body shot lands from Kersikov as the two fighters clinch.
A body shot lands from Kersikov.

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!
Kersikov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kersikov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Earlandson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kersikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kersikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Kersikov.
A short right from Kersikov on the inside.
Earlandson prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov gets through Earlandson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Earlandson looking for a takedown.
Kersikov slows down the pace here.
Kersikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Earlandson is trying to break the clinch but Kersikov has him pressed against the ropes.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kersikov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Kersikov is working Earlandson over against the ropes.
Kersikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Kersikov.
A short body shot lands from Kersikov as the two fighters clinch.
Kersikov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Earlandson is trying to pull guard but Kersikov turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kersikov is leaning against Earlandson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Earlandsons head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.

Earlandson is rocked!
A right hook to the body lands for Kersikov.
Oh Earlandson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Earlandson.
Kersikov effectively controlling the action here.
Earlandson seems to have got his legs back now.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the side of Earlandson's head.
Kersikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Earlandson avoids it.
Kersikov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Earlandson backwards.
Kersikov jerks Earlandson's head down, straight into the path of a devastating knee! Earlandson drops to the floor in a crumpled heap! Kersikov goes to throw a finishing haymaker but pulls out - good sportsmanship from Kersikov because Earlandson was completely out of it. That was a nice finish - just the right level of brutality to send everyone home happy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knee). Vlad Kersikov!
A victorious Vlad Kersikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.