PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 2348 p4p, 233 weight class) and Ethan Sheehy (ranked 2897 p4p, 273 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sheehy's choice of entrance music: Tree falls - Timber!. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kersikov
vs
Sheehy

167 cm
43
142 lbs
30 - 17 - 2

168 cm
28
149 lbs
13 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 30 - 17 - 2, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ethan Sheehy!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov is looking to clinch.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Sheehy on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sheehy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kersikov sprawls well. Kersikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sheehy gets slowly back to his feet.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Sheehy.
Sheehy misses with a straight right.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kersikov wants to land a leg kick but Sheehy is out of range.
Sheehy takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sheehy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kersikov thinking.
Sheehy blocks a leg kick.
Sheehy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kersikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Sheehy counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Kersikov is predictable there
and Sheehy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sheehy on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sheehy moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.
Sheehy connects with a nice looking jab.
Sheehy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sheehy.
Sheehy throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kersikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Sheehy avoids the punch easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sheehy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov is looking to clinch but Sheehy is avoiding it.
Sheehy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sheehy is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Sheehy has managed to clinch.
Kersikov digs a right hand into Sheehy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sheehy's gas tank.
Sheehy lands with a left to the head.
Sheehy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Sheehy.
Sheehy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sheehy lands an uppercut.
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice elbow from Sheehy.
Sheehy struggles to land a body shot inside as Kersikov controls his hands.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sheehy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sheehy blocking some punches.
Sheehy tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Sheehy back against the cage.
Sheehy tries to pull guard but Kersikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Come on Kersikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kersikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Sheehy gets an underhook and turns Kersikov into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Sheehy fails to land.
A short right from Sheehy on the inside.
Sheehy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sheehy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sheehy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sheehy tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov managing to block the knees to the body from Sheehy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sheehy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Kersikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheehy's elbow.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Sheehy.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Sheehy pushes Kersikov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kersikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sheehy lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
Sheehy's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kersikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Sheehy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sheehy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sheehy leaning his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sheehy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Kersikov gets a clinch.
Sheehy is trying to maintain a safe position but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns Sheehy into the cage.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Sheehy.
Sheehy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sheehy up against the cage.
Sheehy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov trying to control the position but instead, Sheehy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kersikov into the cage.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Sheehy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sheehy taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Sheehy jumps guard and drags Kersikov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kersikov stays in close to Sheehy's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov postures up and lands a big shot to Sheehy's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sheehy's head.
Sheehy throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kersikov distracts Sheehy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sheehy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Sheehy looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kersikov has picked Sheehy up and slammed him! Sheehy can't keep hold of the triangle and Kersikov manages to pass to side control!
Kersikov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kersikov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sheehy is looking to reverse the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is chipping away with strikes.
Sheehy is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Sheehy trying to remain calm as Kersikov controls from the top position.
Sheehy wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Sheehy is looking for a sweep.
Sheehy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kersikov content to control rather than advance.
Kersikov is keen to just control but Sheehy is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheehy is looking to control Kersikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sheehy avoid being mounted?
Kersikov not doing much here.
Kersikov is looking to stall here but Sheehy recovers full guard.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Sheehy is keeping the position.
Kersikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kersikov stands and throws Sheehy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sheehy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kersikov trying to control the action but Sheehy is working from the bottom.
Sheehy is trying to improve his position.
Sheehy throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sheehy struggling a bit here.
Sheehy is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kersikov scores with a body shot.
Kersikov throws a jab when Sheehy was well out of range.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Boyko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Sheehy throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sheehy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sheehy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kersikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sheehy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Sheehy down.
Sheehy throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kersikov, as that shot connected.
Kersikov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Ethan Sheehy has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sheehy lunges at Kersikov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kersikov's hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Sheehy moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Sheehy moved out of range nicely.
A shot to the body from Kersikov misses
enabling Sheehy to counter with a crisp jab.
Kersikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Sheehy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kersikov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Sheehy dives into side control.

Kersikov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sheehy trying to mount his opponent but Kersikov defends it.
Kersikov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Sheehy trying to control from half guard but Kersikov is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheehy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kersikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sheehy is working away from the top position though.
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sheehy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kersikov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sheehy is looking to take a break and control but Kersikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov pushes Sheehy off looking to stand but Sheehy dives back in and keeps control.
Kersikov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sheehy can do to turn this around?
Sheehy postures up in Kersikov's guard and throws a big left but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov is trying to control the position but Sheehy postures up.
Sheehy scoring with some ground and pound.
Ethan Sheehy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sheehy throws a big right hand that misses.
Sheehy content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sheehy being controlled here momentarily.
Sheehy working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sheehy wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Kersikov is trying to control the position but Sheehy postures up.
Sheehy throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov looking to control.
Sheehy wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Sheehy lands a couple of elbows.
Kersikov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kersikov working a defensive guard but Sheehy manages to pass into side control anyway.
Kersikov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kersikov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Sheehy.
I think Kersikov 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyko Kersikov!
Our winner, Boyko Kersikov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.