PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 1579 p4p, 1950 weight class) and Boyka Kersikov (ranked 238 p4p, 293 weight class). Volkanovski kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 2pac - Hail Mary. Kersikov has chosen Nosferatu - When Angels Cry as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Volkanovski
vs
Kersikov

193 cm
32
217
13 - 14 - 0

184 cm
28
193
5 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Conviction

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 - 0, 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 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boyka Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkanovski scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kersikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkanovski.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Volkanovski misses with the body kick
and Kersikov counters with a three punch combo that has Volkanovski backing up. Volkanovski nods at Kersikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Volkanovski fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kersikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Volkanovski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Despite the aggression on Kersikov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Volkanovski looks to land a combination but Kersikov avoids it well.
Volkanovski delivers a nice body kick.
Volkanovski throws a leg kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Volkanovski blocks it well.
Volkanovski blocks a leg kick.
It looked like Volkanovski wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Volkanovski moves out of range easily.
Volkanovski tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.
Kersikov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Kersikov throws a right hand that Volkanovski ducks under and follows up with a left that Volkanovski also avoids with ease.
Volkanovski appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Aleksandar Volkanovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Volkanovski bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Volkanovski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Volkanovski with a series of wild strikes but Volkanovski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Volkanovski sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kersikov moves out of range of the body kick from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volkanovski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kersikov.
Volkanovski appears to be looking for a big counter.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Volkanovski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
A jab from Kersikov finds it's way through Volkanovski's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volkanovski scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kersikov doesn't seem bothered though.
Kersikov pushes Volkanovski away with a front kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski wants to clinch.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kersikov dips to his left and cracks Volkanovski with an uppercut!
Kersikov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Volkanovski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kersikov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Volkanovski is looking to clinch.
And Kersikov responds with a good body kick, but Volkanovski manages to step out the way in time.
Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kersikov but Kersikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Volkanovski throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Volkanovski misses with a few strikes there.
Volkanovski misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Volkanovski lands a jab to Kersikov's midsection.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses.
Volkanovski blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkanovski ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Boyka Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Volkanovski.
Nice shot by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries to clinch up.
Kersikov replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Volkanovski blocks it well.
Volkanovski scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Volkanovski moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Volkanovski lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksandar Volkanovski will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Volkanovski throws a nice inside leg kick.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Some wild striking there from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski lands with a slapping head kick.
Kersikov misses with a two punch combination.
Volkanovski throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kersikov is looking for the big counter here.
Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is winning the standup battle so far.
Volkanovski scores with a jab to the head.
Boyka Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a right hand that Volkanovski ducks under and follows up with a left that Volkanovski also avoids with ease.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkanovski appears to be looking for a big counter.
Volkanovski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Volkanovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Volkanovski. Those never looked like landing.
A head kick misses from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Volkanovski scores with a spinning back kick!
Volkanovski misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a nice leg kick.
Volkanovski scores with a push kick.
Volkanovski connects with a body shot that sends Kersikov's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kersikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Volkanovski has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Volkanovski and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkanovski tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Volkanovski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Volkanovski misses with a straight left.
Kersikov is looking to slow Volkanovski down with leg kicks.
Volkanovski is looking to wear down Kersikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Volkanovski moved out of range.
Volkanovski throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kersikov takes a swing at Volkanovski's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kersikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Volkanovski lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Volkanovski.
Volkanovski wants to clinch.
Kersikov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Volkanovski misses with a looping left.
Volkanovski scores with a three punch combo!
Volkanovski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kersikov throws a right hand that Volkanovski ducks under and follows up with a left that Volkanovski also avoids with ease.
Kersikov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Volkanovski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski scores with a head 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 misses with an uppercut.
Volkanovski misses with the combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Volkanovski saw that one coming.
Volkanovski slips a jab and a cross from Kersikov.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volkanovski throws a wild body kick that Kersikov sees coming a mile off.
Kersikov throws a hook but Volkanovski blocks it.
Kersikov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Volkanovski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Volkanovski closes the distance but Kersikov moves to the side
and Kersikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandar Volkanovski dominated that second 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Volkanovski swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A punch combination from Volkanovski misses.
Volkanovski throws a body kick that misses
and Kersikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Volkanovski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Volkanovski finds it's way round the side to connect with Kersikov's head.
Volkanovski throws an off balance right hand
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkanovski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Volkanovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kersikov throws a nice looking combination but Volkanovski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A left lands for Volkanovski.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov takes a swing at Volkanovski's ribcage but misses.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Volkanovski lands with a kick to the temple. Kersikov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Volkanovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Volkanovski throws a combination that misses
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Volkanovski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A punch combination from Kersikov misses.
It looks like Volkanovski has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

Volkanovski clinches up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kersikov keeps control of Volkanovski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries to break the clinch but Kersikov is controlling the position.
Volkanovski misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov lands a left hand.
Kersikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Volkanovski can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Volkanovski is trying to break the clinch but Kersikov is controlling him.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Volkanovski avoids them all with ease.
Volkanovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Volkanovski avoids it.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkanovski is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kersikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski misses with a wild body shot.
As Volkanovski backs off Kersikov throws a huge counter combo but Volkanovski manages to avoid it all.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Volkanovski's head but Volkanovski sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Volkanovski fails with a takedown attempt.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Volkanovski just misses with a punch to the body.
Volkanovski lands with a nice combination. Kersikov backs away looking to recover.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Volkanovski avoids it.
Volkanovski fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkanovski with a body punch. A glancing blow.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Boyka Kersikov.
I think Volkanovski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!