PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 1133 p4p, 43 weight class) and Shovel Knight (ranked 2041 p4p, 108 weight class). Knight has chosen X Gon' Give It To Ya as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kersikov
vs
Knight

167 cm
37
142 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

170 cm
33
144 lbs
22 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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 24 - 10 - 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 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shovel Knight!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov slips a jab and a cross from Knight.
Kersikov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knight sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Knight throws a lazy body kick

and Kersikov counters with a shoot takedown. Knight fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Knight is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kersikov is aware though and is defending well.
Kersikov throwing strikes but missing.
Knight trying to control the position.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kersikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Our spies down at at Xtreme Fighting Systems inform us that Knight has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Kersikov works over Knight with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Knight trying to keep a closed guard but Kersikov is proving a slippery customer.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Knight trying to keep a closed guard but Kersikov is proving a slippery customer.
Kersikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Knight has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kersikov is working away from the top position though.
Knight is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kersikov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Knight wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kersikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Knight does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Knight wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Knight keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov working over Knight with some ground and pound. Knight looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knight keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kersikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kersikov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Knight with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kersikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kersikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kersikov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Knight is rocked!
Kersikov lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Knight! More strikes land and this one is all over! Kersikov jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Boyko Kersikov!
A very excited looking Boyko Kersikov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.