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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 1716 p4p, 2075 weight class) and Boyka Kersikov (ranked 260 p4p, 306 weight class). Volkanovski comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac - Hail Mary. Kersikov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Nosferatu - When Angels Cry kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 193 cm
33
217
13 - 14 - 1 |
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184 cm
28
204
5 - 5 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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 13 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksandar Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyka Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A thudding body kick lands there by Volkanovski!
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Volkanovski sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kersikov throws a shot to the body.
Volkanovski misses with a body shot.
Kersikov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Volkanovski is looking to counter with a body kick.
Kersikov is looking to slow Volkanovski down with leg kicks.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volkanovski.
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Volkanovski's ribs.
Kersikov looks to land a body kick but Volkanovski moved away.
Volkanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
Kersikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Volkanovski up against the cage.
Kersikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Volkanovski gets an underhook and turns Kersikov into the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski trying to stall but Kersikov improves his position.
A left hand lands to the body for Volkanovski.
Kersikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Volkanovski backwards.
Volkanovski can't get the takedown.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Kersikov stalling in the clinch but Volkanovski improves position.
Our sources have told us that Volkanovski has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Volkanovski tries to pull guard but Kersikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Volkanovski drops back down to his feet.
Volkanovski tries to pull guard but Kersikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkanovski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkanovski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Volkanovski throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Volkanovski looks to clinch
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski wants to clinch
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Volkanovski swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kersikov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkanovski takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Volkanovski moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Volkanovski misses with a straight left.
Volkanovski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kersikov backs up against the cage.
Volkanovski thumps Kersikov with a low kick.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Boyka Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov looks to land a body kick but Volkanovski moved away.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Volkanovski ducked under it nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Volkanovski tries to clinch up.
Kersikov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A nice combination there by Volkanovski.
Aleksandar Volkanovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkanovski gets a clinch.
Volkanovski tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
Kersikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Volkanovski jumps guard but Kersikov stands there with Volkanovski around his waist. Volkanovski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kersikov stalling against the cage.
Volkanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski is trying to break free.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Volkanovski backwards.
Kersikov prevents Volkanovski from breaking the clinch.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Volkanovski lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov has Volkanovski pressed against the cage, preventing Volkanovski from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kersikov slowing the pace effectively.
Volkanovski misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Volkanovski leaning against his opponent.
Kersikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Volkanovski is defending well for now.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Volkanovski slows down the pace here.
Kersikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Volkanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Boyka Kersikov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
A head kick misses from Volkanovski.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Volkanovski avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov throws a hook but Volkanovski avoids it easily.
Volkanovski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kersikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Volkanovski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A head kick by Volkanovski misses
and Kersikov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Volkanovski is lucky that one didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Good shot there by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski scores with a three punch combo!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Kersikov avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volkanovski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkanovski moves away.
Kersikov connects with a right hand. Volkanovski shakes it off.
Kersikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Volkanovski counters with a series of strikes. Kersikov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kersikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Volkanovski circles away quickly and effectively.
Volkanovski goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Volkanovski avoids it.
Volkanovski smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Volkanovski looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkanovski gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kersikov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Volkanovski goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kersikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Kersikov responds with a good body kick, but Volkanovski manages to step out the way in time.
Kersikov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Volkanovski back to the cage. Kersikov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Boyka Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries to clinch but Kersikov is having none of it.
Volkanovski throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Kersikov throws a head kick but Volkanovski moves out of range.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski 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 quick counter leg kick but Volkanovski is wise to it.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Volkanovski avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov thuds a left hand into Volkanovski's body.
Volkanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski trying to land knees to the body.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Volkanovski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkanovski comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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!
Volkanovski misses with a leg kick.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Volkanovski avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Volkanovski slaps the foot to one side.
Volkanovski throws a poor cross that misses
and Kersikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Volkanovski's knee momentarily.
Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kersikov has his feet on Volkanovski's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volkanovski.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body. Volkanovski takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Boyka Kersikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Volkanovski tries to move into range but Kersikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Volkanovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Volkanovski misses with a looping left.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Volkanovski misses with a few strikes there.
A nice side step and Kersikov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Good shot there by Kersikov.
Volkanovski goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
A shot to the body from Kersikov misses
and Volkanovski counters with a three punch combo that has Kersikov backing up. Kersikov nods at Volkanovski to acknowledge the strikes.
Kersikov jabs at Volkanovski's body.
Volkanovski closes the distance and clinches up with Kersikov, looking for a takedown. Volkanovski pushes Kersikov against the cage but Kersikov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kersikov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Volkanovski. Volkanovski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Volkanovski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkanovski.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov lands a nice shot that snaps Volkanovski's head back.
Volkanovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kersikov.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Volkanovski falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kersikov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Volkanovski is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov with a nice cross.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Volkanovski was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Volkanovski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A shot to the body from Volkanovski misses
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Volkanovski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by Kersikov. Beautiful body shot.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kersikov tests Volkanovski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Volkanovski is rocked!
Volkanovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oh Volkanovski is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Volkanovski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Volkanovski seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Volkanovski.
Kersikov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkanovski moves away.
Volkanovski tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Volkanovski avoids it with no problem.
Volkanovski throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov drops Volkanovski with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Volkanovski looks back up at him and smiles so Kersikov waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Volkanovski.
Some wild striking there from Volkanovski.
Aleksandar Volkanovski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kersikov. That one must have hurt.
Volkanovski doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a shot to the body.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.
Kersikov lands with a straight right. Volkanovski didn't see that one coming.
Volkanovski ducks right into an uppercut from Kersikov.
Volkanovski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kersikov counters with a nice uppercut.
And that's the end of the fight!
Boyka Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kersikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyka Kersikov!
Boyka Kersikov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
69% |
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