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WP 3 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 17 wins and 18 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 36 wins and 21 losses; Bogdan Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Kersikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kersikov wants it to stay on the feet.
Balkan shoots in looking for a takedown but Kersikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balkan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Balkan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kersikov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boris Balkan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balkan is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kersikov's half guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (0) Kersikov
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balkan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kersikov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Balkan trying to work for an americana but Kersikov has managed to regain full guard.
Kersikov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Balkan's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (2) Kersikov
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov content to stall in guard here.
Balkan wants to sweep but no luck.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
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 is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Balkan is keeping the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Balkan has his foot on Kersikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kersikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Balkan has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kersikov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Balkan. Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (2) vs (5) Kersikov
Balkan is looking for a sweep.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controls the position.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Balkan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kersikov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Balkan haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've been hearing good reports from Balkan'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.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kersikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (2) vs (8) Kersikov
Balkan tries to lock up and control but Kersikov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Balkan is working to get back to half guard.
Kersikov looking to control but Balkan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Balkan tries to control Kersikov's body but Kersikov pushes him off. Balkan squirms to his side and now Kersikov has his back! Score +3 for taking back: Balkan (2) vs (11) Kersikov
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan turns into Kersikov and is now in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (4) vs (11) Kersikov
Balkan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kersikov is keeping the position for now.
Kersikov seems keen to control Balkan's posture.
Balkan looking to sit in guard and control but Kersikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (4) vs (13) Kersikov
Kersikov forces his way into half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kersikov content to control rather than advance.
Balkan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kersikov is working away from the top position though.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is looking to improve his position.
Balkan is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kersikov jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (4) vs (16) Kersikov
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Balkan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Balkan is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
Balkan tries to control but Kersikov manages to take his back. Score +3 for taking back: Balkan (4) vs (19) Kersikov
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is not going to allow Balkan to sit and survive in this position.
Kersikov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Balkan's body.
Kersikov trying to control momentarily.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov has the hooks in. Balkan is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
My spies in KFA inform me that Kersikov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Balkan.
Kersikov struggling to keep hold of the position.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controlling from the back.
Balkan is trying to break free.
Balkan looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
You can see the frustration on Balkan's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Well,Balkan is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to control but Balkan is keeping busy.
Balkan can't escape the position.
Balkan wants to control his opponent's hands but Kersikov gets his hands free.
What can Balkan do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Will Kersikov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Balkan is in bad spot here.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is working hard here to advance position.
Balkan is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Kersikov.
Balkan can't escape the position.
Kersikov is riding his opponent, not letting Balkan buck him off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov wins on points by 19 to 4.
Bogdan Kersikov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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