PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladymyr Kersikov (ranked 4496 p4p, 4535 weight class) and Bengt Engdahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kersikov
vs
Engdahl

194 cm
18
209
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
18
214
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladymyr Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bengt Engdahl!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Engdahl lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
Engdahl dodges the punch combination from Kersikov.
Engdahl bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Nice shot by Engdahl.
Kersikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Engdahl circles away.
Engdahl is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kersikov dives in for a single leg takedown but Engdahl sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Engdahl is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Engdahl controlling the action here for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov stalling against the cage.
Engdahl is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Engdahl trying to stall but Kersikov improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engdahl tries to break free but Kersikov pushes him back against the cage.
Kersikov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Engdahl smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladymyr Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov takes one to the side of the head.

Kersikov drives through and clinches with Engdahl against the cage.
Kersikov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Engdahl pulls his leg out and moves away.
Engdahl jabs Kersikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Engdahl, pushing him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Engdahl wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kersikov tries to pull guard but Engdahl holds him up against the cage and eventually Kersikov drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Engdahl wants to break free but Kersikov has control.
Engdahl wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kersikov has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Kersikov.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Engdahl wants to stall.
Kersikov tries to score a body lock takedown but Engdahl shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Engdahl keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Engdahl looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kersikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Engdahl, as that shot connected.
Engdahl is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Engdahl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Engdahl slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Engdahl tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kersikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kersikov misses with a takedown attempt - Engdahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kersikov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Engdahl bucks up and tries to throw Kersikov off but instead Kersikov has got his back!
Engdahl wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kersikov looking for the choke from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bengt Engdahl will probably get the nod.
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.

Kersikov clinches.
Engdahl trying to stall but Kersikov improves his position.
Kersikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Engdahl fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kersikov moves forwards but Engdahl connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Engdahl digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
Engdahl lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kersikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Engdahl circles away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Engdahl tests Kersikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Engdahl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov scores with a kick to the body.
Engdahl cracks Kersikov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bengt Engdahl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A decent looking cross lands there for Engdahl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a takedown attempt
and Engdahl counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladymyr Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov throws a nice looking combination but Engdahl bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bengt Engdahl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Engdahl fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kersikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Engdahl lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kersikov at a distance.
Vladymyr Kersikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kersikov clinches up against the cage.
Engdahl wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Engdahl has had enough of the clinch but Kersikov keeps him there for the moment.

Kersikov manages to break the clinch.
Kersikov throws a sloppy head kick and Engdahl moves out of range easily.
Engdahl looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Engdahl lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kersikov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Engdahl lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kersikov stops Engdahl from getting back to his feet.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Engdahl is defending well.
Engdahl tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Kersikov manages to move to mount!
Kersikov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

It looks like Bengt Engdahl has been cut.
Kersikov looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is landing with some decent strikes but Engdahl is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kersikov tries to control but Engdahl wriggling away.
Kersikov controlling the position easily from mount.
Kersikov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Engdahl for as long as he can get away with.

Kersikov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Engdahl turns into him and now he's in Kersikov's guard.
Engdahl has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Kersikov kicks Engdahl off and gets to his feet.
Engdahl with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Engdahl jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Engdahl.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov throws a combination that misses
and Engdahl connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bengt Engdahl showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bengt Engdahl's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Engdahl tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Engdahl avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kersikov needs to keep his hands up - Engdahl had a free shot at his head there.
Engdahl cracks a nice hook into Kersikov's ribs.
Kersikov fails with the takedown
and Engdahl counters with a nice uppercut.
Engdahl tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kersikov walks into a stiff left hand from Engdahl.
Kersikov wants to clinch but Engdahl slips to the side
and Engdahl counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Engdahl cracks Kersikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Engdahl with a hook.
Engdahl lands the left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses.
Engdahl lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov has his takedown stuffed
and Engdahl counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kersikov misses with a takedown
and Engdahl counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladymyr Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov fails with the takedown
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Engdahl misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kersikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kersikov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Engdahl counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice uppercut there from Engdahl.
Kersikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Engdahl with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Engdahl with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Engdahl scores with a jab to the body.
Engdahl paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Engdahl catches Kersikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kersikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kersikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Engdahl moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Engdahl stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Engdahl stuffs the takedown attempt from Kersikov. Kersikov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kersikov moves forwards but Engdahl connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Engdahl moves into the clinch.
Kersikov tries to pull guard but Engdahl won't allow it.
Kersikov is trying to drag Engdahl to the mat but Engdahl just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kersikov as Engdahl tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kersikov as Engdahl tries to tie him up.

Kersikov decides to pull guard.
Engdahl stopping the sweep attempt from Kersikov.
Kersikov is trying to control the position but Engdahl postures up.
Kersikov wants to sweep here but Engdahl controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov looking to control.

Engdahl gets to his feet - Kersikov follows without any prompting.

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.
Engdahl lands a jab.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Engdahl saw that one coming.
Kersikov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kersikov shoots for a takedown but Engdahl saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good exchange - Engdahl coming out on top.
Kersikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bengt Engdahl is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Engdahl lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
No joy there for Engdahl, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kersikov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kersikov misses with a takedown attempt - Engdahl sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kersikov wants to clinch but Engdahl slips to the side
and Engdahl counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vladymyr Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice takedown defense from Engdahl. No joy for Kersikov on that attempt.
Engdahl appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bengt Engdahl comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Engdahl 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bengt Engdahl!
A very excited looking Bengt Engdahl made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.