PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 195 p4p, 547 weight class) and Frank Rizzo (ranked 11 p4p, 37 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kersikov
vs
Rizzo

168 cm
29
140
13 - 5 - 0

150 cm
27
140
12 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rizzo thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rizzo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kersikov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Rizzo is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kersikov with a body shot.
Rizzo misses with a shot to the body
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the body.

Kersikov lands a big head kick that sends Rizzo tumbling to the mat! Kersikov takes a step backwards and waves Rizzo back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Frank Rizzo has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rizzo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rizzo scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kersikov swings widly with a right hand
and Rizzo counters with a nice uppercut.
Rizzo stuns Kersikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rizzo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kersikov to score with a decent uppercut.
Frank Rizzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rizzo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rizzo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kersikov rather than just go for the knockout.
Rizzo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Rizzo is rocked!
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Rizzo throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rizzo fails to land the takedown.
Rizzo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
Rizzo moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Kersikov misses with a hook
enabling Rizzo to counter with a crisp jab.
Rizzo throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Rizzo scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov checks the leg kick.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rizzo.
Rizzo slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Rizzo let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Rizzo saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rizzo! But no joy.
Rizzo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rizzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rizzo throws out the jab.
Rizzo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kersikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kersikov throws a jab when Rizzo was well out of range.
Rizzo misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Rizzo.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Rizzo defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.

Rizzo has managed to clinch.
Rizzo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kersikov pushes Rizzo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rizzo prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov has had enough of the clinch but Rizzo keeps him there for the moment.
Rizzo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rizzo throws an elbow that misses.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov controlling the action here for a moment.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kersikov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Rizzo counters by clinching up.
Rizzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rizzo working aggressively here.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Rizzo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Rizzo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rizzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rizzo misses the shot to the body.
Rizzo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kersikov.
Kersikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
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 Marko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Rizzo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rizzo tries to clinch there but Kersikov circles away.

Rizzo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kersikov to the ground. Rizzo is now in Kersikov's guard.
Rizzo has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at ubergym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Kersikov is adopting a defensive guard.
Rizzo with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rizzo postures up in Kersikov's guard and throws a big left but Kersikov blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rizzo working some strikes from top position.
Kersikov wants to improve his position but instead Rizzo has moved into half guard.
Rizzo prevents Kersikov from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Kersikov manages to get to full guard.
Rizzo wants to pass the guard but Kersikov is keeping the position.
Kersikov controlling Rizzo's posture.
Rizzo landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Kersikov is trying to keep Rizzo in close.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Rizzo throws a big elbow that misses.
Rizzo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Rizzo throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Rizzo misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rizzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Rizzo misses with a straight left.

Rizzo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kersikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rizzo is one step ahead there.
Rizzo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Rizzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rizzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rizzo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Rizzo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rizzo scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice uppercut lands for Kersikov. That snapped Rizzo's head back.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rizzo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Frank Rizzo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Kersikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a three punch combo!
Rizzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Rizzo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rizzo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kersikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rizzo tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy body kick from Rizzo
and Rizzo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rizzo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rizzo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kersikov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rizzo darts in trying to clinch
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rizzo is still on wobbly legs! Can Kersikov finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rizzo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rizzo seems to have recovered his senses.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Rizzo scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rizzo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Rizzo moved out of range.
Rizzo looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Rizzo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A swing and a miss from Rizzo.
Rizzo misses with a takedown
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Marko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rizzo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rizzo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Rizzo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd cheers as Rizzo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kersikov doesn't seem phased though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No luck for Rizzo with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Rizzo has his takedown stuffed
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Marko Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Rizzo.
Rizzo shoots for a double leg takedown but Kersikov sprawls well. He's pushed Rizzo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kersikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rizzo connects with a single shot there.
Rizzo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rizzo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rizzo. Rizzo obviously looking to wear him down.
Rizzo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kersikov doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rizzo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kersikov did well to prevent Rizzo getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kersikov working a defensive guard here.
Kersikov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rizzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kersikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rizzo is one step ahead there.
Rizzo wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Rizzo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kersikov 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!