PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Temirov (ranked 1040 p4p, 68 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 2113 p4p, 139 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Temirov
vs
Kersikov

164 cm
29
143 lbs
17 - 7 - 1

167 cm
41
142 lbs
29 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

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 17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Temirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Temirov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Temirov slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Temirov slips under a jab from Kersikov.
Temirov checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Temirov misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Temirov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kersikov tries to counter with a clinch but Temirov shakes him off and moves away.
Temirov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Temirov tries to work over Kersikov's front leg with a kick but Kersikov checks it.
A big right from Temirov misses.
Temirov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A clash of legs there as Temirov blocks the low kick.
Temirov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The House Of Pain in the buildup to the fight.
Kersikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Temirov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Temirov misses the jab.
Kersikov defending well as Temirov loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temirov throws a nice looking combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kersikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kersikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
It looked like Temirov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Temirov moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Temirov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
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.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Temirov avoids the punch easily.
Temirov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kersikov tries to clinch up but Temirov circles away and keeps his distance.
Temirov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Temirov.
It looked like Temirov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Temirov misses with a wild body shot.
Temirov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Temirov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It looked like Temirov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Temirov lands with a cross.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Temirov throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Temirov scores with the left hand. Kersikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kersikov lands with a shot to the body.
Temirov wants to slow Kersikov down by chopping away at his legs.
Kersikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Temirov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Temirov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov with a poor takedown
and Temirov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Temirov takes a step back to recover.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Temirov, pushing him back against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Temirov controls the action.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Temirov is trying to break free.
Temirov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Temirov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Temirov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kersikov has him pressed against the ropes.
A shot in the inside from Temirov.
Temirov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kersikov up against the ropes.
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 Ruslan Temirov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kersikov throws a leg kick but Temirov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Temirov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good shot there by Temirov.
Temirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Temirov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kersikov.

It looks like Ruslan Temirov has been cut.
Kersikov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Temirov counters with a nice body shot.
Temirov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Temirov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Temirov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kersikov. Kersikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Temirov slips under a jab.
Kersikov misses with a few strikes there.
Temirov connects with a right hand. Kersikov shakes it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov moves in looking to clinch but Temirov pushes him off.
Kersikov throws a combination that misses
letting Temirov counter with a right hand.
Temirov lands a nice looking body shot.
Temirov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Temirov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kersikov scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov misses with a looping right.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Temirov.
Temirov just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kersikov.
Temirov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Temirov.
Temirov throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov thumps Temirov with a low kick.
Temirov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Temirov momentarily.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Temirov.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Temirov moves out of range.
Temirov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Temirov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Temirov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Temirov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Temirov misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov walks into a left hand.
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!
Nice cross by Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a wild combination.
Temirov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Temirov takes one on the button.
Temirov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Kersikov is looking to clinch.
Temirov throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Temirov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ruslan Temirov is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kersikov throws a hook but Temirov avoids it easily.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Temirov with a series of wild strikes but Temirov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Temirov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries a low kick but Temirov avoids it.
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.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Temirov's cut.
That's time! Temirov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kersikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Temirov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
Boyko Kersikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Temirov throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov scores with a body shot.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Temirov cracks Kersikov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kersikov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Temirov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Temirov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov wants to clinch up but Temirov keeps it at a distance.
Kersikov throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Temirov to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Temirov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Temirov avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Temirov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Temirov takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Temirov blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Temirov circles away quickly and effectively.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Temirov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Temirov moves in looking to clinch but Kersikov pushes him off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Temirov does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Temirov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Temirov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Temirov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice shot lands for Temirov.
Temirov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Temirov.
Temirov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Temirov moves forwards but Kersikov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kersikov takes one on the button.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Temirov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kersikov tries to clinch there but Temirov circles away.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Temirov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kersikov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Temirov's shoulder, as Temirov tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Temirov.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Temirov.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Temirov.
Temirov sets himself, and Kersikov steps forward looking for the clinch! Temirov avoids it this time.
Temirov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Temirov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Temirov lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
Temirov moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
A quick step to the side and Temirov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Temirov saw it coming and moves away.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Temirov throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Temirov momentarily.
Kersikov lands a two punch combo.
Temirov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice straight punches there by Temirov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Temirov.
Temirov misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Kersikov wants to counter the offense by Temirov and move into the clinch position.
Temirov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kersikov circles away quickly and effectively.
A big left from Temirov misses.

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 Ruslan Temirov.
I think Temirov 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Boyko Kersikov!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Ruslan Temirov!

The fight ends as a draw!