PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 312 p4p, 38 weight class) and Tobias Marshall (ranked 675 p4p, 78 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kersikov
vs
Marshall

167 cm
37
142 lbs
24 - 8 - 0

170 cm
35
139 lbs
21 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

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 24 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tobias Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kersikov tries to clinch but Marshall is having none of it.
Marshall throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kersikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Marshall tries to avoid it but Kersikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Marshall to the ground. Marshall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kersikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Marshall throws out a counter right but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.
Marshall throws a nice looking combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marshall smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
The crowd cheers as Marshall lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kersikov doesn't seem phased though.
Marshall displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Marshall.
Marshall takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Kersikov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Marshall on his heels. He'll look to pass Marshall's guard now, I'm sure.
Marshall is controlling Kersikov's posture.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kersikov.
Marshall has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Tōshi. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kersikov postures up and lands a big shot to Marshall's brow.
Marshall 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.
Marshall is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Marshall wants to pass to mount but Kersikov is defending the position.
Marshall landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kersikov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Marshall trying to pass the guard but Kersikov defending well.
Kersikov is looking for a sweep. Marshall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is controlling Marshall's trapped leg to prevent Marshall from advancing to side control.
Marshall wants to pass to mount but Kersikov is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kersikov won't allow Marshall to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kersikov tries to hold on but Marshall pushes him away.
Kersikov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kersikov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kersikov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Marshall is pushing down on Kersikov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kersikov is fighting to maintain full guard but Marshall has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kersikov won't allow Marshall to pass to mount.
Kersikov wants to improve his position but Marshall is controlling well.
Kersikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Marshall's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Marshall's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Marshall could be in trouble here!
Kersikov throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Kersikov lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Kersikov looking for the choke but no joy.
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!
Marshall tries to escape the position.

Marshall is in a bad position with Kersikov working for a choke. Marshall manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Marshall postures up.
Marshall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tobias Marshall will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kersikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Marshall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Kersikov moves in looking to clinch but Marshall pushes him off.
Kersikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Marshall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Marshall.
Tobias Marshall seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marshall misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov lands a nice looking body shot.
Marshall connects with the punch.
Marshall slips a jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Marshall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshall takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kersikov.

Kersikov has closed the distance and engaged Marshall in a clinch.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Marshall.
Kersikov prevents a body shot from Marshall.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Marshall working aggressively here.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
Marshall misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Kersikov is struggling to control the position.
Marshall works on Kersikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Marshall softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Marshall misses with some punches.
Marshall throws a head punch that misses.
Marshall blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Kersikov.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Marshall lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short left from Marshall.
A hook to the body from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marshall.
Boyko Kersikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Marshall blocks an uppercut.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Kersikov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Marshall.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Marshall backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Kersikov digs a right hand into Marshall's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Marshall's gas tank.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall pushes Kersikov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Marshall goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Marshall throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Marshall.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Marshall.
Marshall tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Marshall back against the cage.
Kersikov taking a breather.
Marshall lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Marshall backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Marshall blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marshall misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Marshall lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kersikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marshall tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov gets through Marshall's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Marshall blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Marshall backwards.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Marshall swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshall fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Marshall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
A shot in the inside from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Marshall controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov darts in and clinches Marshall up against the cage.
Marshall working aggressively here.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Marshall misses with a punch on the inside.
Marshall misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Marshall.
Marshall working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marshall misses with some punches.
Marshall lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Marshall tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Marshall lands with a right to the head.
Marshall blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Marshall controls his hands.
Kersikov lands a right hand.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Marshall avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Marshall uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Marshall - that landed with a thud.
Marshall lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Kersikov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Marshall backwards.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marshall lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marshall has a couple of punches blocked by Kersikov.
Marshall scores with a shoulder strike.
Marshall misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Marshall swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Marshall misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marshall lands a body punch in the clinch.
Marshall misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marshall misses with the head strike.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Marshall uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Marshall lands a nice shot to the body.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Marshall controls his hands.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Marshall creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Marshall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Marshall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Marshall misses with some punches.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marshall lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
Marshall throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Marshall.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Marshall doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Marshall throws a head punch that misses.
Marshall blocking some punches.
Marshall lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov looking to stall.
Marshall blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Marshall lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kersikov.
Marshall scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov's head.
Marshall lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Marshall blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Marshall fails to land.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov slows down the pace here.
Marshall lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tobias Marshall.
I think Marshall 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tobias Marshall!
During a confident post fight interview, Tobias Marshall thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.