PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tom Thomas (ranked 992 p4p, 56 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 1130 p4p, 63 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thomas
vs
Kersikov

160 cm
28
140 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

167 cm
38
142 lbs
25 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Thomas.
Kersikov dives in for a single leg takedown but Thomas sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A slow jab from Thomas misses its intended target.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Thomas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thomas misses with a straight left.
Kersikov tries a quick counter leg kick but Thomas is wise to it.
Thomas defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Thomas connects with a body shot.
Thomas scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thomas on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Thomas avoids it.
A jab from Thomas misses.
Thomas blocks a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Thomas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Thomas moves in looking to clinch but Kersikov pushes him off.
Thomas comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas tries to sprawl but Kersikov drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Thomas has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kersikov is on him like a limpet, forcing Thomas back against the cage.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thomas.
Thomas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Thomas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thomas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.
Thomas lands a nice shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kersikov lands with a nice body punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov looking to stall.
We've been informed that Kersikov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas stalling the fight.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Kersikov.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kersikov throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kersikov misses the jab.
Thomas throws a nice looking combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kersikov wants to counter with a clinch but Thomas pushes him away.
Thomas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kersikov tries to work over Thomas's front leg with a kick but Thomas checks it.
Thomas is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas cracks Kersikov with a right hand to the side of the head.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thomas, pushing him back against the cage.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thomas misses with a body shot.
Tom Thomas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
Thomas cracks Kersikov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kersikov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Thomas is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thomas is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Thomas scores with a decent looking hook.
Kersikov ducks right into an uppercut from Thomas.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Thomas misses the target.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thomas throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Kersikov shoots in and gets a takedown into Thomas's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kersikov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Thomas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kersikov lands a couple of digs.
Thomas keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Thomas wants to stand up but Kersikov is controlling him.
Thomas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kersikov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov working some strikes from top position.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thomas is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thomas being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tom Thomas will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kersikov tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Kersikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thomas does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Thomas moves out of range.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
An inside leg kick from Thomas misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kersikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Thomas has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Thomas and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Thomas is looking to counter with a body kick.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.

Kersikov rushes Thomas and presses him up against the cage.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Thomas fails to land.
Thomas working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee calls for Kersikov to work.
Kersikov effectively controlling the action here.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thomas.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
Kersikov looking to stall.
Kersikov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Thomas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thomas misses with the head strike.
Thomas can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas stalls.
Kersikov stalling.
Thomas lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kersikov as Thomas tries to tie him up.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov wants to stall.
Kersikov lands a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A hook to the body from Thomas.
Thomas scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov's head.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thomas.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thomas.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
Kersikov tries to clinch but Thomas moves out of range.
Thomas lunges at Kersikov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kersikov's hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thomas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thomas half committed to a counter leg kick.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
Thomas throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.

Kersikov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Thomas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Thomas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thomas prevents Kersikov from improving his position.
Kersikov trying to control here.

Thomas stands up from half guard.
Kersikov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Kersikov clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas misses with the head strike.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thomas lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Thomas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas blocking some punches.
Kersikov gets through Thomas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Come on Kersikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Thomas.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Boyko Kersikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab, jab by Thomas - just one landing.

Kersikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thomas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thomas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Thomas on the inside.
Thomas misses with some punches.
Kersikov slows down the pace here.

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tom Thomas is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov misses with a takedown attempt
and Thomas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Thomas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas misses with a left hand

and Kersikov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Thomas.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kersikov lands a head shot.
Thomas misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Thomas off the cage and back into range.
Thomas throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov tries to clinch up but Thomas circles away and keeps his distance.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.

Kersikov rushes Thomas and presses him up against the cage.
Thomas blocking some punches.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Thomas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kersikov is looking to clinch.
Kersikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Kersikov clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Thomas blocks an uppercut.
Thomas blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Thomas swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thomas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Thomas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheers as Thomas lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kersikov doesn't seem phased though.
Thomas throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Thomas keeps the fight on the outside.
Thomas is looking for a counter combo.
Thomas tries to bum rush Kersikov with a series of wild strikes but Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kersikov swings for the body but Thomas moves out of range.
Kersikov has a takedown stuffed.
Tom Thomas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boyko Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas scores with a jab to the jaw.
Thomas throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Thomas misses with an uppercut.
Good shot there by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a body shot.
Thomas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Thomas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kersikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Thomas lands an overhand right.
Kersikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thomas.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thomas.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kersikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Thomas on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Thomas in his tracks.

Kersikov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Thomas manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Kersikov keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
Thomas content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov takes a shot to the head.
Thomas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Thomas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thomas misses with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kersikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Thomas circles away.
Thomas is looking to counter punch.
Kersikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

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 Tom Thomas.
I think Thomas 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Thomas!
Tom Thomas seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.