PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alex Coxall (ranked 2347 p4p, 113 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 2493 p4p, 117 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Alex Coxall has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alex Coxall seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Coxall
vs
Kersikov

167 cm
40
135 lbs
19 - 16 - 1

167 cm
34
142 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Coxall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Coxall tries to avoid it but Kersikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Coxall to the ground. Coxall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Coxall.
Coxall lands a nice hook to Kersikov's body. Kersikov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Coxall tries to bum rush Kersikov with a series of wild strikes but Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Coxall looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Coxall was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Coxall appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kersikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Coxall thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it

and Kersikov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Coxall!
Coxall's coaches at Outer Heaven Dojo 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.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kersikov tries to move to mount but Coxall blocks the move with his legs.
Kersikov controls the position.
Coxall defending against the ground and pound.
Coxall wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Coxall tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kersikov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coxall wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Kersikov trying to control the position but Coxall is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov happy to just control the position for now.
Kersikov trying to control the position but Coxall is working away.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Coxall wants to control but Kersikov postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Coxall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Coxall. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Coxall catches Kersikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Coxall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Coxall misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Coxall is fending him off so far but Kersikov persists. Nope, Coxall circles away and we're back to standing.
Kersikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Coxall scores with a jab. Kersikov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Coxall paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kersikov takes one to the chin there.
Coxall avoids the head kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a sloppy head kick

and Coxall counters by moving into the clinch.
Kersikov can't get the takedown.
Alex Coxall has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boyko Kersikov.
Coxall lands with a right to the head.
Kersikov tries to break free but Coxall pushes him back against the cage.
Coxall lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kersikov.
Coxall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Coxall fails to land.
Coxall tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Coxall back against the cage.
Kersikov wants to stall.
Kersikov has Coxall pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Coxall manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Coxall has Kersikov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Coxall pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kersikov tumbling to the mat - Coxall dives into Kersikov's guard.
Coxall trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Coxall is stalling in the full guard.
Coxall preventing the sweep.
Kersikov is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coxall is stalling in the full guard.
Kersikov keeping full guard, as Coxall tries to pass.
Coxall won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
Coxall looking to sit in guard and control but Kersikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Coxall working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kersikov has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Coxall dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

That kick from Kersikov tenderised Coxall's leg. Coxall is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kersikov throws a right hand that Coxall ducks under and follows up with a left that Coxall also avoids with ease.
Kersikov throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Coxall is looking to wear down Kersikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kersikov wants to clinch up but Coxall keeps it at a distance.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Coxall moves away.
Kersikov throws a shot to the body.
Coxall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Coxall is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coxall uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Coxall moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Coxall takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Coxall manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov throws a solid leg kick but Coxall takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kersikov.
Coxall keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Coxall.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Coxall avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Coxall is just out of range.
Kersikov throws a head kick that half lands.
Kersikov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Coxall waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Kersikov blocks a leg kick.
Coxall defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A jab from Coxall misses.
Kersikov cracks Coxall with a good jab.
Coxall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kersikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Some bone on bone action there as Coxall checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Coxall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov checks a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Coxall cracks a nice hook into Kersikov's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coxall throws a body kick that misses.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Coxall with a series of wild strikes but Coxall uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Coxall is just out of range.
Coxall with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kersikov throws a jab when Coxall was well out of range.
Kersikov throws a head kick but Coxall moves out of range.
Coxall pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range and Coxall settles back down.
Coxall connects with a high kick.

Coxall rushes Kersikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Coxall doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Coxall 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.
Coxall swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Kersikov.
Coxall is pushing Kersikov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Coxall misses with a punch to the body.
Coxall blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coxall working aggressively here.
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Coxall.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Coxall working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Coxall misses with a body punch.
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Coxall backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Coxall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
Coxall misses with a body punch.
Kersikov trying to stall but Coxall improves his position.
Nice body punch from Coxall - that landed with a thud.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Coxall goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to stall but Coxall uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kersikov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Coxall avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Coxall lands with a left to the head.
Kersikov wants to stall.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Coxall misses with a short punch on the inside.
Coxall misses with a punch on the inside.
Coxall misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coxall lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Coxall lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kersikov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Coxall is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Coxall tries to bench press Kersikov off him but Kersikov keeps the position.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A chopping leg kick lands by Coxall.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kersikov.
Coxall lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov lands with a kick to the temple. Coxall shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Coxall rushes Kersikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Coxall lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Coxall fails to land.

Coxall works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Coxall forces his way into half guard.
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!
Coxall passes to side control.
The strikes coming from Coxall are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The ground and pound from Coxall seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Coxall throws an elbow but Kersikov slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coxall tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kersikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kersikov being controlled for a moment.
Coxall has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kersikov!
Kersikov is just holding on here. Coxall manages to take his back.

Coxall looking for the choke from the back.
Coxall is trying to stick to Kersikov's back but Kersikov is turning into Coxall. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Coxall's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kersikov.
Boyko Kersikov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Coxall has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kersikov has managed to get both his arms back between Coxall's legs - danger averted.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Coxall keeps moving.

Coxall throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Coxall working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kersikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kersikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kersikov looking to sit in guard and control but Coxall gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Coxall looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Coxall tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov is retaining full guard.
Coxall wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Coxall showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Coxall looking to pass the guard.
Coxall won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Coxall is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Coxall preventing the sweep.
Coxall works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov is looking to control Coxall's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kersikov avoid being mounted?
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Coxall showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Coxall 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Coxall!