PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 3068 p4p, 131 weight class) and Tim Lincekum (ranked 4799 p4p, 185 weight class). Lincekum comes into a darkened arena with his song building. BYOB kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kersikov
vs
Lincekum

167 cm
40
142 lbs
26 - 14 - 1

160 cm
33
136 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
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 26 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Lincekum!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lincekum swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Kersikov. Beautiful body shot.
Lincekum thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Lincekum.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Lincekum.
Lincekum swinging wildly here.
Lincekum takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lincekum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lincekum. That did some damage!
Kersikov wants to clinch.
Lincekum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lincekum rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kersikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lincekum takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kersikov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lincekum avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov slips a jab from Lincekum.
Lincekum throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Lincekum takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Lincekum.
Kersikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lincekum.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body. Lincekum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lincekum takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kersikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lincekum moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kersikov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lincekum's guard.
Kersikov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lincekum's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kersikov looking to sit in guard and control but Lincekum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kersikov trying to control the position.

Kersikov looking for a guillotine here but Lincekum defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Kersikov working a defensive guard but Lincekum passes into half guard.
Kersikov trying to control but Lincekum postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lincekum lands a nice short elbow.
Kersikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Lincekum is controlling the pace.
Kersikov wants to control but Lincekum is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum winds up and cracks Kersikov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov is trying to control but Lincekum passes into side control!
Kersikov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Lincekum presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Lincekum avoids the attempt from Kersikov to control.
Lincekum pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kersikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kersikov is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lincekum.
Kersikov wants to control the action here but instead Lincekum manages to pass to full mount!
Lincekum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kersikov regains half guard.
Kersikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lincekum's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lincekum's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kersikov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Lincekum can't escape the position.
Kersikov avoiding Lincekum 's attempts to control his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kersikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kersikov feints and then cracks Lincekum's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lincekum down.
Boyko Kersikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lincekum falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Lincekum avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Lincekum moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Lincekum sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov moves out of range as Lincekum strikes.
Lincekum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kersikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Lincekum misses with a two punch combination.
Lincekum throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lincekum throws a head kick that half lands.
Lincekum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lincekum connects with a jab.
Kersikov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Boyko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov shoots in and drives through. Lincekum sprawls well.

Kersikov darts in and clinches Lincekum up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a right hand.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lincekum creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Lincekum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lincekum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lincekum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Lincekum misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Lincekum avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Lincekum.
Lincekum is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lincekum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov pushes Lincekum back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Kersikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov tries to work over Lincekum's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kersikov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lincekum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.
Lincekum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Boyko Kersikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kersikov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.
Lincekum tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Lincekum back against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lincekum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Lincekum uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lincekum can do to turn this around?
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lincekum.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lincekum.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Lincekum.
Kersikov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Lincekum.
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!
Lincekum misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Lincekum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lincekum.
Lincekum swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lincekum lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lincekum swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Lincekum takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lincekum takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lincekum misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Kersikov tries to counter by clinching up but Lincekum breaks away and moves out of range.

Kersikov clinches.
Lincekum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kersikov is defending well for now.
Lincekum takes a shot to the head.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lincekum misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Kersikov cracks Lincekum with a nice body shot.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Lincekum controls the action.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kersikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lincekum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Kersikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lincekum up against the cage.
Kersikov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Lincekum avoiding damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Lincekum.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lincekum.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Lincekum blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Kersikov wants to stall.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lincekum.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Lincekum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lincekum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
Kersikov stalling.
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Lincekum slows down the pace here.
Lincekum misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.
Lincekum tries to land knees in the clinch but Kersikov avoids the damage to the body.
Kersikov avoiding damage.
Lincekum holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.
Kersikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kersikov lands a body punch.
Tim Lincekum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the side of Lincekum's head.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kersikov managing to block the knees to the body from Lincekum.
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!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyko Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kersikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyko Kersikov!
A victorious Boyko Kersikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Tim Lincekum spoke after the fight, saying 'Hi guys, sorry I lost, I will make sure to try much better next time,ok?'.