PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kratos Karumaa (ranked 435 p4p, 505 weight class) and Marko Kersikov (ranked 25 p4p, 28 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Karumaa
vs
Kersikov

168 cm
27
137
12 - 7 - 0

168 cm
26
139
8 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Akuma Wear

Hoarse Pills

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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kratos Karumaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karumaa throws out a powerful jab.
Kersikov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
A quick step to the side and Karumaa tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karumaa checks a leg kick nicely.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Karumaa moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
Good standup being displayed there by Karumaa as he connects with a hook.
Karumaa throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Karumaa only half commits.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Karumaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Karumaa throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov feints and then cracks Karumaa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Karumaa down.
Karumaa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Karumaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov connects with the punch.
Karumaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Good shot there by Kersikov.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kersikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Karumaa connects with the punch.
Karumaa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Karumaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karumaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kersikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Karumaa.
Karumaa scores with a leg kick.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Karumaa counters with a nice uppercut.
Karumaa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kersikov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Karumaa moves in looking to clinch but Kersikov pushes him off.
The crowd cheers as Kersikov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Karumaa doesn't seem phased though.
Karumaa connects with a jab.
Karumaa scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karumaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Karumaa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Karumaa throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Kersikov lands with a cross.
Karumaa blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Karumaa has time to react.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Karumaa slips the punch.
Karumaa tries to work over Kersikov's front leg with a kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Karumaa is out of range.
A jab lands there for Kersikov.
A telegraphed right hand from Karumaa misses the target.
Karumaa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kersikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Karumaa scrambles back to his feet.
Kersikov walks into a straight right hand from Karumaa.

Kersikov gets tackled into the cage by Karumaa. Karumaa maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov trying to stall but Karumaa improves his position.
A right hand to the body from Kersikov.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Karumaa tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Karumaa tries to pull guard but Kersikov won't allow it.
Karumaa blocking some punches.
Karumaa tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Karumaa back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kersikov is looking to control Karumaa's arms but Karumaa gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kersikov has his back to the cage.
Kersikov lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Kratos Karumaa has been cut.
Kersikov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Karumaa's face.
A short right from Kersikov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Karumaa misses with some punches.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Karumaa misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jab by Kersikov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karumaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Karumaa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Karumaa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kersikov, pushing him back against the cage.
Kersikov working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa misses with a body punch.
Karumaa 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 Karumaa up against the cage.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the side of Karumaa's head.
Karumaa misses with some punches.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Karumaa.
Kersikov taking a breather.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Karumaa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kersikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Karumaa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good leg kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Karumaa throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
An inside leg kick lands from Kersikov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kratos Karumaa's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov avoids the body shot from Karumaa.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Karumaa saw that one coming.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Karumaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A shot to the body from Karumaa misses
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kersikov thows a leg kick but Karumaa checks it
and Karumaa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kratos Karumaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karumaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Karumaa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Karumaa throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Karumaa.
Karumaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kersikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Karumaa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kersikov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Karumaa walks into a left hand.
Karumaa blocks a jab.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karumaa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A punch combination from Karumaa misses.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Karumaa.
Karumaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karumaa.
Karumaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
An attempted straight right counter from Karumaa misses the target.
Karumaa is looking to slow Kersikov down with leg kicks.
Nice uppercut there from Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Karumaa's head but Karumaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karumaa misses with a kick to the body.
Karumaa checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Karumaa lands with a shot to the body.
Karumaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov throws a right hand that misses
and Karumaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karumaa throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Karumaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa checks a leg kick.
Karumaa is looking to counter with head kicks.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Karumaa avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Karumaa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Karumaa misses with a looping left.
Karumaa misses the shot to the body.
Karumaa motions for Kersikov to come forward. Karumaa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Karumaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Karumaa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kersikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Karumaa misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov throws a front kick aimed at Karumaa's knee but Karumaa avoids it well.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov scores with a jab. Karumaa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kersikovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A solid leg kick lands there for Karumaa.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Karumaa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.
Karumaa moves in looking to clinch but Kersikov pushes him off.
Kersikov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Karumaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kersikov misses with a low kick as Karumaa jumps back.
Karumaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Karumaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
Karumaa misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Karumaa on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Karumaa.
Karumaa throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Karumaa only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Karumaa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Karumaa.
Karumaa fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kersikov checks it well.
Karumaa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Karumaa moves away and avoids it.
Karumaa misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Karumaa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kersikov is able to avoid easily.
Karumaa misses with a right hand
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karumaa.
A countering left hand to the body from Kersikov misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karumaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kersikov tries to work over Karumaa's front leg with a kick but Karumaa checks it.
Kersikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Karumaa counters with a low kick, right behind Kersikov 's knee.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Karumaa.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Karumaa is out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Karumaa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kratos Karumaa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kratos Karumaa's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Karumaa tries to clinch but Kersikov is having none of it.
Kersikov connects with the punch.
Karumaa misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov cracks Karumaa with an open hand slap.
Karumaa throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Karumaa.
Karumaa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Karumaa swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
A clash of legs there as Karumaa blocks the low kick.
Karumaa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Karumaa looks to clinch
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kersikov misses with a right hand
and Karumaa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karumaa thuds his right hand into Kersikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Karumaa slips a jab from Kersikov.
Good work by Karumaa as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Karumaa misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Karumaa.
Kersikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Karumaa moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Karumaa avoids them all with ease.
Karumaa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karumaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Kersikov with the inside leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karumaa.
Karumaa looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Karumaa tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good standup being displayed there by Kersikov as he connects with a hook.
Karumaa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Karumaa lands a right hook to the body.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Karumaa throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Karumaa.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karumaa.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Karumaa.
Kersikov tries to move into range but Karumaa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Karumaa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Karumaa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Karumaa.
Karumaa throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kersikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Karumaa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov defending well as Karumaa loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Karumaa.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Karumaa throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Karumaa checks a leg kick.

Kersikov gets tackled into the cage by Karumaa. Karumaa maintains the clinch.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Marko Kersikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Karumaa pulls Kersikov into guard.
Kersikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kersikov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kersikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Karumaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Karumaa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kersikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kersikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Karumaa looking for a guillotine here but Kersikov defends easily.
Kersikov advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kersikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Kersikov!
During a confident post fight interview, Marko Kersikov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.