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WPGC 3.0 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 35 wins and 21 losses; Bogdan Kersikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 17 wins and 17 losses; Boris Balkan!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Chris Saunders and Josh West.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Kersikov leaves Balkan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kersikov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Balkan's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Kersikov (2) vs (0) Balkan
Balkan working a defensive guard here.
Balkan wants to control but Kersikov passes easily into half guard.
Balkan is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan trying to get back to full guard but Kersikov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (5) vs (0) Balkan
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Balkan is looking to get back to full guard here but Kersikov has managed to pass to side control instead. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (8) vs (0) Balkan
Balkan tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
Balkan is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kersikov is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (10) vs (0) Balkan
Balkan is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kersikov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan has given up his back here.
Score +3 for taking back: Kersikov (13) vs (0) Balkan
Balkan is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kersikov.
Balkan wants to escape the position.
Kersikov biding his time, controlling Balkan.
Balkan is in bad spot here.
Good control from Kersikov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is trying to break free.
Balkan trying to control the hands but Kersikov won't let him.
I really don't envy Balkan right now.
Balkan is still trying to improve position.
Kersikov doesn't have the hooks in and Balkan manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (13) vs (2) Balkan
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (15) vs (2) Balkan
Kersikov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kersikov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balkan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kersikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kersikov postures up.
Balkan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kersikov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Balkan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from Balkan.
Balkan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Balkan looking for a sweep. Not yet Balkan, not yet.
Kersikov trying to control but Balkan is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balkan working for a triangle but Kersikov defends it easily.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Balkan has Kersikov pulled in close to control his posture.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kersikov passes easily into side control. Nice work. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (18) vs (2) Balkan
Balkan is looking for a sweep.
We've been hearing good reports from Kersikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Balkan looks to move to half guard but instead Kersikov has passed into mount! Damn! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (20) vs (2) Balkan
Kersikov prevents Balkan from getting the reversal.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Balkan is trying to escape the mount.
Kersikov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kersikov prevents Balkan from getting the reversal.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is squirming around, avoiding Kersikov's attempts to control the action.
Balkan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Balkan wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back. Score +3 for taking back: Kersikov (23) vs (2) Balkan
Balkan is trying to break free.
Balkan trying to control the hands but Kersikov breaks the grip.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Balkan just trying to survive but Kersikov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Kersikov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Balkan is defending well though. Kersikov let's go of the attempt for now.
Balkan staying busy and making it hard for Kersikov to control.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to escape the position.
Balkan just trying to survive but Kersikov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Balkan tries to escape the position.
Balkan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kersikov gets his hands free as Balkan looks to control.
Kersikov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Balkan doesn't escape.
Kersikov doesn't have the hooks in and Balkan manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (23) vs (4) Balkan
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Balkan trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balkan looking to pass the guard.
Balkan trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov is trying to keep Balkan in close.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balkan looking to pass the guard.
Balkan slips nicely into half guard.
Balkan is looking for a kimura but Kersikov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Balkan to get the leverage.
My spies in Blacktalians MMA inform me that Balkan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Balkan seems to be working for a kimura but Kersikov defends the submission attempt.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is positioning himself well to prevent Balkan advancing to mount.
Balkan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balkan trying to control the action but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov takes the fight on points by 23 to 4.
Bogdan Kersikov thanked the fans post fight for their support. |
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