PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Jimenez (ranked 2379 p4p, 2191 weight class) and Boyka Kersikov (ranked 305 p4p, 281 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Nosferatu - When Angels Cry as his entrance music. Boyka Kersikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jimenez
vs
Kersikov

178 cm
27
185
9 - 10 - 0

184 cm
27
175
3 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roberto Jimenez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boyka Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jimenez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Jimenez.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Jimenez looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Jimenez throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Jimenez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jimenez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kersikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kersikov wants it to stay on the feet.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov clobbers Jimenez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've been hearing reports that Jimenez has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jimenez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Jimenez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A swing and a miss from Jimenez.
Kersikov misses with a left hand
and Jimenez counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Jimenez avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov digs a good hook to Jimenez's body.
Kersikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jimenez misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov lands a high kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jimenez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kersikov is looking to escape.
Jimenez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kersikov!
Kersikov tries to reverse the position but Jimenez maintains control.
Jimenez looking to control but Kersikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Jimenez looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Jimenez goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kersikov is on top in guard.
Jimenez looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jimenez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kersikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jimenez wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kersikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jimenez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kersikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jimenez is keeping the position for now.
Kersikov won't allow Jimenez to sweep him here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Boyka Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov misses with a hook. Jimenez ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut

and Jimenez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kersikov!
Who's going to make the next move?
A lull in the action here.
Kersikov is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov is not content to let Jimenez control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to bench press Jimenez off him but Jimenez keeps the position.
Kersikov is still trying to improve position.
Roberto Jimenez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jimenez moves into full mount!

Jimenez has control of Kersikov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kersikov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kersikov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Jimenez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kersikov is looking to get to half guard.
Kersikov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jimenez wants to control but instead Kersikov manages to regain half guard.

Jimenez seems to be looking for submissions.
Jimenez tries to pass to full mount but Kersikov defends it.
Jimenez passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kersikov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Jimenez wants to take Kersikov's back but he can't do it this time.
Kersikov tries to hold on but Jimenez postures up.
Jimenez looking to control but Kersikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kersikov has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Jimenez's lack of action.
Kersikov wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kersikov wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov is looking to control Jimenez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kersikov avoid being mounted?
Jimenez is keen to just control but Kersikov is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov wants to control but Jimenez is keeping busy.
Jimenez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kersikov keeps trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Jimenez dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Jimenez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Jimenez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Jimenez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jimenez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jimenez fails to land the takedown.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jimenez cracks Kersikov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Jimenez slips the punch.
Jimenez tried to counter with a leg kick but Kersikov avoided it.
Nice shot by Kersikov.
Jimenez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kersikov tries to avoid it but Jimenez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kersikov to the ground. Kersikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimenez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kersikov on the side of the head.
Kersikov throws a head kick but Jimenez moves out of range.
It looked like Jimenez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jimenez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Jimenez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jimenez goes for a double leg but Kersikov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kersikov continues to drive forward.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jimenez.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Jimenez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Kersikov.
Jimenez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jimenez is trying to maintain a safe position but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns Jimenez into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is working Jimenez over against the cage.
A short left from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov pushes Jimenez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kersikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kersikov works on Jimenez's body with a couple of short punches.
Jimenez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jimenez blocks an uppercut.
Jimenez is trying to pull guard but Kersikov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Jimenez.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Jimenez throws knees to the body.
Kersikov pushes Jimenez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Jimenez is trying to pull guard but Kersikov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kersikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Jimenez up against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jimenez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kersikov walks away with a smile on his face. Jimenez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kersikov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Jimenez.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jimenez throws a nice looking combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Jimenez avoids it with no problem.
Jimenez has his takedown stuffed
and Kersikov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Jimenez thinking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyka 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Boyka Kersikov!
Boyka Kersikov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.