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TWGC 36 (205lbs, D1): Las Vegas Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the light heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 2 losses; Bogdan Kersikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of St Petersburg, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 1 losses; Phol Boxaaja!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Kersikov moves into the clinch.
Boxaaja has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kersikov uses from the top position.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from Boxaaja.
Kersikov passes Boxaaja's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Boxaaja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boxaaja actively working from the bottom here.
Kersikov seems to be looking for submissions.
We've been hearing good reports from Kersikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kersikov uses his free foot to push down on Boxaaja's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Boxaaja. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (3) vs (0) Boxaaja
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boxaaja tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Kersikov looking to control but Boxaaja is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Boxaaja working to try and regain half guard.
Boxaaja is squirming around, avoiding Kersikov's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Boxaaja felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Boxaaja is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kersikov looking to control but Boxaaja is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boxaaja manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Boxaaja is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Boxaaja is defending well.
Boxaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Boxaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kersikov trying to control from half guard but Boxaaja is working away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Boxaaja actively working from the bottom here.
Kersikov wants to control but Boxaaja is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boxaaja is looking for a sweep. Kersikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kersikov trying to control the action but Boxaaja is working from the bottom.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Boxaaja is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja actively working from the bottom here.
Boxaaja looking for submissions off his back.
Boxaaja is staying active underneath Kersikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kersikov trying to mount his opponent but Boxaaja defends it.
Boxaaja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Boxaaja is refusing to be controlled, as Kersikov sits in half guard.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is stalling here. Boxaaja is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Kersikov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Boxaaja has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work. Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Kersikov (3) vs (4) Boxaaja
Boxaaja tries for a kimura but Kersikov is defending well.
Boxaaja trying to control the action but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Boxaaja wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kersikov, who protects the arm well.
Kersikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to control but Boxaaja postures up.
Kersikov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kersikov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Boxaaja advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (3) vs (7) Boxaaja
Boxaaja is looking to take a break and control but Kersikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boxaaja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Boxaaja tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Boxaaja has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja is looking to take a break and control but Kersikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kersikov is trying to work for a sweep but Boxaaja has mounted him! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (3) vs (9) Boxaaja
Boxaaja wants to finish this one by submission but Kersikov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Boxaaja.
Kersikov prevents Boxaaja from taking his back.
Kersikov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja is looking for a kimura but Kersikov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Boxaaja to get the leverage.
Boxaaja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kersikov trying to control here.
Kersikov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kersikov.
Boxaaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boxaaja postures up.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (5) vs (9) Boxaaja
Kersikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (8) vs (9) Boxaaja
Kersikov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kersikov prevents Boxaaja from getting the reversal.
Boxaaja keeps trying to improve his position.
Kersikov controlling from mount.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kersikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Boxaaja is looking to escape.
Boxaaja working to try and regain half guard.
Kersikov controlling the position easily from mount.
Boxaaja manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Boxaaja is defending well.
Kersikov wants to control but Boxaaja is keeping him busy.
Kersikov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kersikov passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (11) vs (9) Boxaaja
Boxaaja is looking to reverse the position.
Boxaaja gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (13) vs (9) Boxaaja
Kersikov wants to control the pace but Boxaaja is squirming around nicely.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Boxaaja is squirming around, avoiding Kersikov's attempts to control the action.
Boxaaja is working to get back to half guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kersikov passes to side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (16) vs (9) Boxaaja
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Boxaaja is trying to get back to half guard.
Kersikov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Boxaaja! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (18) vs (9) Boxaaja
Boxaaja bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (18) vs (11) Boxaaja
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja looking to pass the guard.
Kersikov pulls Boxaaja in close to prevent any damage.
Boxaaja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boxaaja is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov takes the fight on points by 18 to 11.
An out of breath Bogdan Kersikov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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