PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kai Ayres (ranked 4381 p4p, 4500 weight class) and Nykolai Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Ayres
vs
Kersikov

180 cm
25
170
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
159
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kai Ayres!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nykolai Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ayres lands with a slapping head kick.
Kersikov darts in looking for a takedown but Ayres gets double underhooks and turns Kersikov into the cage.

Ayres looking to score a takedown here. Kersikov is defending well but Ayres drives through and ends up in Kersikov's guard.

Kersikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Ayres got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kersikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ayres has managed to get both his arms back between Kersikov's legs - danger averted.
Ayres trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Kersikov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ayres has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ayres looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Kersikov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayres trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kersikov controls Ayres momentarily but Ayres frees himself.

That's two 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ayres slaps away a takedown attempt from Kersikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ayres is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kersikov.
Kersikov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ayres.
Ayres will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ayres ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Kersikov clinches with his opponent.
Kersikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ayres fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kai Ayres has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nykolai Kersikov.
Ayres misses with a kick to the body.

Ayres gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ayres is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ayres jumps guard but Kersikov stands there with Ayres around his waist. Ayres gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Ayres blocks it.
Ayres tries to score a body lock takedown but Kersikov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kersikov has clasped his hands together around Ayres's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kersikov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Ayres trying his best to control but Kersikov has mounted him.
Ayres is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kersikov wants to control the pace but Ayres is squirming around nicely.
Ayres tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Ayres knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kersikov on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a couple of good shots and Ayres has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Ayres defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kersikov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Ayres is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kersikov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nykolai Kersikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ayres tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.
Kersikov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ayres throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ayres circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ayres.

Kersikov clinches with his opponent.
Ayres taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ayres jumps into guard, dragging Kersikov to the mat.
Ayres can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kersikov controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kersikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kersikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nykolai Kersikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ayres is trying to keep Kersikov in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov won't allow Ayres to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov trying to control but Ayres is working from the bottom.
Kersikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov advances to half guard.
Kersikov stalling.
Ayres tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg.

That's two 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 wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ayres keeps working.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ayres on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ayres tries to get out of the position.
Ayres tries to kick Kersikov off but Kersikov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ayres darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets double underhooks and turns Ayres into the cage.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Ayres wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov closes the distance and clinches.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ayres has a takedown stuffed.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ayres shoots for a takedown but Kersikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kai Ayres. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ayres darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets double underhooks and turns Ayres into the cage.
Kersikov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ayres tries to pull guard but Kersikov won't allow it.
Ayres jumps guard but Kersikov stands there with Ayres around his waist. Ayres gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kersikov prevents Ayres from breaking the clinch.
Ayres gets underhooks to prevent Kersikov's takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Kersikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Ayres breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ayres tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kersikov counters with a single leg into guard. Ayres didn't expect that.
Ayres is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov wants to stand and escape but instead Ayres has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kersikov is trying to control the position but Ayres postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nykolai Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Kersikov or perhaps it was just good defense by Ayres, which made it look bad.
Ayres doesn't manage to clinch there - Kersikov circles away.
Ayres tries to clinch up but Kersikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Kersikov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kersikov working the ground and pound from side control.
Ayres is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Kersikov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov trying to control the action but Ayres is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayres is trying to get back to half guard.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Ayres is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov scoring with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kersikov tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Ayres takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Kersikov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kersikov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kersikov is chipping away with strikes.
Ayres tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
Ayres manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kersikov's best efforts.
Ayres controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kersikov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Kersikov seems to be looking for submissions.
Well, if Kersikov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kersikov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ayres!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ayres is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kersikov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ayres is trying to escape the mount.
Ayres is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ayres wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Kai Ayres has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nykolai Kersikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kersikov tries to keep control of the position but Ayres is staying busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nykolai Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kersikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nykolai Kersikov!