PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazuki Takeda (ranked 895 p4p, 940 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 123 p4p, 131 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Sefa - God's Plan as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Boyko Kersikov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kazuki Takeda's chin.

Takeda
vs
Kersikov

185 cm
27
188
15 - 7 - 0

184 cm
27
189
8 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuki Takeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Takeda moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Takeda is looking to clinch.
Takeda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takeda throws a series of punches but Kersikov avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Takeda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kersikov is fending him off so far but Takeda persists. Nope, Kersikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Takeda shoots in but no luck this time.
Takeda just misses with a punch to the body.
Takeda misses the jab.
Takeda lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Takeda or perhaps it was just good defense by Kersikov, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuki Takeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Takeda misses.
Takeda looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Takeda misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takeda connects with a looping right hand.
Kersikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Takeda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takeda fails in his attempt to clinch.
Takeda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Despite the aggression on Kersikov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kersikov cracks Takeda with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Takeda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takeda connects with a jab.
Takeda misses with a body shot.
Takeda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Takeda finds it's way round the side to connect with Kersikov's head.
Kersikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Takeda to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kersikov throws a nice looking combination but Takeda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Takeda misses with a left hand
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kersikov looks to land a body kick but Takeda moved away.
Takeda takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kersikov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Takeda throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov tries to work over Takeda's front leg with a kick but Takeda checks it.

Takeda gets a double leg takedown into Kersikov's guard.

Kersikov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Takeda has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Takeda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kersikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Takeda avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Takeda swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Takeda misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Takeda blocks it.

Takeda jumps into guard, dragging Kersikov to the mat.

Takeda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kersikov preventing the sweep.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Takeda looking for a guillotine here but Kersikov defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Takeda had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kersikov defends it easily.

Takeda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Takeda keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Boyko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takeda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov flicks out a counter leg kick but Takeda steps away.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Takeda avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kersikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Takeda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Takeda connects with a single shot there.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Takeda was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov scores with a nice strike.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Takeda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Takeda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Takeda counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Takeda checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Takeda blocks the leg kick.
Kersikov tries to land a body kick
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Takeda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Takeda.
Kersikov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Takeda.
Kersikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Takeda avoids it.
Kersikov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kersikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Takeda misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Takeda has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kersikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Takeda blocks it.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Takeda throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.
Takeda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kersikov just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov with a nice calf kick.
Kersikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Takeda swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Takeda misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov unleashes a big counter combination but Takeda bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Takeda's leg. Takeda is trying to keep his angry face on.
Takeda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Takeda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kersikov tries a low kick but Takeda avoids it.
Takeda looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kersikov is fending him off so far but Takeda persists. Nope, Kersikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Takeda backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuki Takeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takeda slips under a jab.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Takeda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Takeda was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takeda takes a jab right on the kisser.
Takeda misses with a takedown
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takeda.
Takeda misses with a few strikes there.
Kersikov 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.
Takeda fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Takeda slips under a jab from Kersikov.
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!
Takeda tries to clinch up.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Takeda throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Takeda blocks the body kick.

Kersikov gets caught flat footed, as Takeda shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kersikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Takeda lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Takeda takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov throws a jab when Takeda was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Takeda. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Takeda cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Takeda moves out of range of the strikes.
Takeda bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Takeda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Takeda looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Takeda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kersikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Takeda to score with a decent uppercut.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that is checked

and Takeda counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kersikov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kersikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takeda drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Takeda jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Takeda throws a big right hand that misses.
Kersikov seems keen to control Takeda's posture.
Takeda postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Takeda throws a big elbow that misses.
Takeda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Takeda from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Takeda jabs at Kersikov's body.
Kersikov takes a swing at Takeda's ribcage but misses.
Takeda looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Takeda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takeda just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov lands a glancing blow to the side of Takeda's head.
Takeda misses the shot to the body.
And Kersikov responds with a good body kick, but Takeda manages to step out the way in time.
Takeda tries to clinch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Takeda ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Takeda loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Kersikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Takeda's hands.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Takeda moves out of range easily.
Takeda swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov is looking to slow Takeda down with leg kicks.
Kersikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takeda has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
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!
Takeda jabs Kersikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kazuki Takeda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takeda is defended easily by Kersikov.
A decent looking cross lands there for Takeda.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Takeda slaps the foot to one side.
Takeda takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Takeda closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.
Good leg kick by Kersikov.
Takeda takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Takeda looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Takeda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Takeda has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Takeda will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuki Takeda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kersikov throws a good cross that connects.
Kersikov scores with the left hand. Takeda knows he should have avoided that one.
Takeda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov cracks Takeda with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Good leg kick by Kersikov.
Takeda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov lands with a shot to the body.
Takeda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kersikov swivels and escapes.
Kersikov is looking to slow Takeda down with leg kicks.
Nice shot lands for Kersikov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyko 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

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