PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 146 p4p, 450 weight class) and Kratos Karumaa (ranked 8 p4p, 24 weight class). Kersikov's entrance music is Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall. A fine choice. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kersikov
vs
Karumaa

168 cm
27
139
10 - 3 - 0

168 cm
27
137
13 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kratos Karumaa!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Karumaa's head.
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.
Karumaa throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Karumaa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kersikov. Kersikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick
and Karumaa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kersikov's knee momentarily.
A leg kick checked by Karumaa.
Karumaa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karumaa tries to clinch up but Kersikov circles away and keeps his distance.
A leg kick checked by Karumaa.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Karumaa with a series of wild strikes but Karumaa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It seemed like Karumaa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Good leg kick by Kersikov.
Karumaa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kersikov. Kersikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Kersikov lands with a right hand.
Karumaa misses with a looping right.
Marko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Karumaa.
Karumaa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Karumaa duly obliges.
Some bone on bone action there as Karumaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Karumaa slips a straight right by Kersikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
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!
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Karumaa.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the body
and Karumaa counters with a head kick.
Kersikov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at KFA in the buildup to the fight.
A combination from Kersikov does no damage.
Karumaa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
An inside leg kick lands from Kersikov.
Karumaa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Karumaa instigates a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kersikov.
Karumaa tries to pull guard but Kersikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Karumaa drops back down to his feet.
Karumaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Kersikov.
Karumaa being controlled against the cage.
Kersikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Karumaa throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Karumaa.
A nice left hand lands by Kersikov.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Karumaa lands a right hand.
A shot in the inside from Kersikov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
A short right from Karumaa on the inside.
Karumaa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
Kersikov taking a breather.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Karumaa working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Karumaa blocks it with crossed arms.
Karumaa takes a shot to the head.
Karumaa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kersikov is leaning against Karumaa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karumaa misses with some punches.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice body kick there by Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a good cross that connects.
Kersikov works Karumaa's body with a nice hook.
Karumaa has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Karumaa counters with a head kick. That will keep Kersikov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Karumaa misses with a looping right.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov connects with the punch.
Kersikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karumaa can do to turn this around?
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Karumaa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Karumaa throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Karumaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karumaa misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Karumaa.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Karumaa's front leg but catches the back leg as Karumaa tries to avoid it.
Kersikov walks into a jab.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Karumaa has time to react.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Karumaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Karumaa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Karumaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Karumaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Karumaa down.
A low kick lands for Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick
letting Karumaa counter with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karumaa takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kersikov lands with a good body shot.
Kersikov tests Karumaa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Karumaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Kersikov.
Marko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to score with a low kick but Karumaa moves his leg out of the way.
Kersikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
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 scores with the left hand. Karumaa knows he should have avoided that one.
Kersikov throws a body punch but Karumaa moves out of range.
Karumaa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Decent striking displayed by Kersikov there.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Karumaa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Karumaa throws a fast counter high kick but Kersikov manages to duck under it in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Karumaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.
Karumaa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
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 leg kick but Karumaa sees it coming and 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 tries to clinch up.
Karumaa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Karumaa throws a sloppy head kick
and Kersikov counters with a low kick, right behind Karumaa 's knee.
Karumaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that second round.
That's time! Kersikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kersikov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kersikov lands a jab to the nose.
Kersikov lands a glancing blow to the side of Karumaa's head.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Karumaa's head but Karumaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov lands a head shot.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Karumaa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Karumaa's front leg but catches the back leg as Karumaa tries to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Karumaa feints a counter leg kick.
Kersikov scores with a jab. Karumaa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws an off balance right hand
and Karumaa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Karumaa! But no joy.
Karumaa moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Kersikov lands with a shot to the body.
Kersikov swings for the body but Karumaa moves out of range.
Karumaa missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kersikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Karumaa's hands.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov moves out of range as Karumaa strikes.
Kersikov half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a leg kick that knocks Karumaa off balance momentarily.
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.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Karumaa.
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!
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Karumaa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Karumaa saw that one coming.
Karumaa is looking for the big counter here.
Karumaa takes one to the chin there.
A jab from Kersikov finds it's way through Karumaa's defenses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kersikov.
A punch lands to the side of Kersikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kersikov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Karumaa under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Karumaa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kersikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kersikov walks into a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Kersikov there.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Karumaa avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kersikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Karumaa throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kersikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Karumaa's head.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Karumaa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kersikov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A good leg kick by Kersikov.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov throws a hook but Karumaa blocks it.
Despite the aggression on Karumaa's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Karumaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Karumaa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kersikov throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov clearly takes that round.
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.

Karumaa wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Karumaa slips a jab from Kersikov.
Karumaa 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 motions for Karumaa to come forward. Kersikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Karumaa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Karumaa moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov scores with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Karumaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov connects with a body shot that sends Karumaa's belly button to the back.
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 connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Karumaa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kersikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Karumaa's head.
Kersikov connects with a high kick.
Karumaa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Karumaa shoots and misses
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov tries to work over Karumaa's front leg with a kick but Karumaa checks it.
Karumaa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kersikov scores with a one two! Karumaa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Karumaa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kersikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov works the jab nicely.
Kersikov misses the jab.
Jab, jab by Kersikov - just one landing.
Karumaa throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kersikov.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Karumaa's leg. Karumaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kersikov with a nice calf kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Kersikov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Karumaa doesn't seem phased though.
Karumaa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Karumaa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Karumaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kersikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kersikov throws a jab when Karumaa was well out of range.
Karumaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kersikov misses with a low kick as Karumaa jumps back.
A little jabbing left from Karumaa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Karumaa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slips a jab from Karumaa.
Kersikov works Karumaa's body with a nice hook.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Karumaa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kersikov lands a jab to the head.
Kersikov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Karumaa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kersikov's knee momentarily.
Kersikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karumaa manages to avoid it.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov had his way with Kratos Karumaa in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Karumaa moved out of range.
Kratos Karumaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kersikov connects with a right hand. Karumaa shakes it off.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Karumaa's head backwards.
Kersikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Karumaa moves forwards but Kersikov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses the jab.
Karumaa counters with a body kick.
Karumaa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Karumaa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Karumaa.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Karumaa is looking to land body kicks.
Karumaa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Marko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some bone on bone action there as Kersikov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Decent striking displayed by Kersikov there.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick.
Kersikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Karumaa off the cage and back into range.
Some bone on bone action there as Karumaa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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.
Kersikov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Karumaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karumaa pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range and Karumaa settles back down.
Kersikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Karumaa throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Karumaa moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.
Good exchange - Kersikov coming out on top.
Kersikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Karumaa's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Karumaa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kersikov cracks Karumaa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kersikov lands a jab to the head.
Karumaa checks a low kick from Kersikov.
It seemed like Karumaa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Karumaa is out of range.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Karumaa avoids it.
You can see that Karumaa has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Kersikov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Karumaa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Karumaa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Karumaa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karumaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov delivers a nice body kick.
Karumaa defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karumaa.
A clash of legs there as Karumaa blocks the low kick.
Karumaa lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A slow jab from Karumaa misses its intended target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karumaa throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Karumaa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Karumaa. That did some damage!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kersikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:44
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:44
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Kersikov!
Marko Kersikov retains his bantamweight title!
A victorious Marko Kersikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.