PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aubrey Grant (ranked 212 p4p, 183 weight class) and Dmitri Kersikov (ranked 20 p4p, 16 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Builder - Her Voice (Headhunterz Remix) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Grant
vs
Kersikov

183 cm
29
147
18 - 10 - 1

176 cm
29
149
10 - 3 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Aubrey Grant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Dmitri Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grant jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grant looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Kersikov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grant appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Grant thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aubrey Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grant lands a front kick.
Grant connects with the punch.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Grant misses its intended target.
Grant misses with a wild body shot.
Grant's corner calls for a 1-2. Grant obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kersikov throws a wild body kick that Grant sees coming a mile off.
Grant looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grant fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kersikov checks it well.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
We've been told by Grant's head coaches at Hammer House of Horror that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Grant throws an off balance right hand
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
A shot to the liver by Grant. Beautiful body shot.
Kersikov jabs Grant right on the nose. Grant blinks but takes it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grant throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Grant's head but Grant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grant moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slow jab from Grant misses its intended target.
Grant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Grant stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Grant throws out a powerful jab.
Grant on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Grant misses with an attempted mid kick.
Grant lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grant was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Grant keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Grant was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov lands a really nice looking cross but Grant seems unphased.
Kersikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grant throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grant looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
Kersikov throws a hook but Grant blocks it.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Grant.
Grant throws a front kick that sends Kersikov stumbling back into the cage.
Grant jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Grant ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Grant doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Grant works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kersikov throws a solid leg kick but Grant takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Kersikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Grant works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Grant connects with a looping right hand.
Grant moves out of range of the strikes.
Grant tried to counter with a leg kick but Kersikov avoided it.
Kersikov checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant lands with a nice combination. Kersikov backs away looking to recover.
Kersikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Grant connects with a jab.
Kersikov moves in looking to clinch but Grant pushes him off.
Grant throws a leg kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Grant loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Grant sets himself, and Kersikov steps forward looking for the clinch! Grant avoids it this time.
Grant steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a body punch but Grant moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab by Kersikov.
Grant blocks a jab.
Grant is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Grant bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Grant throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Grant connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grant was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Grant throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Grant loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov closes the distance and clinches.
Grant really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A right hand to the body from Grant.
Grant blocks a body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Grant fails to land.
Grant displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kersikov up against the cage.
Grant taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Grant for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Grant has Kersikov pressed against the cage.
Grant misses with some punches.
Grant being controlled against the cage.
Kersikov lands a body punch.
Grant dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kersikov tries to work over Grant's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aubrey Grant dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Grant tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kersikov catches Grant with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Grant ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
A jab lands there for Grant.
Nice shot lands for Kersikov.
Grant slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
A jab lands there for Grant.

Kersikov closes the distance and clinches.
Kersikov tries a body shot but Grant blocks it.

Grant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grant connects with a solid leg kick.
Grant swats away the attempt to clinch by Kersikov.
Grant jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Grant avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Dmitri Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Grant.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov tries to clinch up.
Grant throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kersikov cracks Grant with a good jab.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aubrey Grant is winning the standup battle so far.
Grant throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grant was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Grant thinks about countering with a body kick.
Kersikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Grant counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grant tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grant throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
A left lands for Grant.
Grant walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to land a leg kick but Grant is out of range.
Grant scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Grant just misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grant.
Grant is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
Grant thumps Kersikov with a low kick.

Kersikov moves into the clinch.
Grant misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov slowing the pace effectively.
Grant blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Grant tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Grant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grant feints a jab promting Kersikov to slip. Grant then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kersikov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Grant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Grant slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Grant misses its intended target.
Kersikov looks to land a combination but Grant avoids it well.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Grant ducked under it nicely.
Grant was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A swing and a miss from Grant.
A leg kick checked by Grant.
Grant checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kersikov scores with a sloppy right hand. Grant should have avoided that one.
Grant bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kersikov's head backwards.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kersikov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Grant - the referee stops the clock and Kersikov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Grant. Kersikov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Grant misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Grant moves away and avoids it.
Grant clobbers Kersikov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grant lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch on the inside from Grant fails to land.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Grant tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grant misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov has Grant pressed against the cage.
Grant trying to land knees to the body.
Grant unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Grant displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kersikov up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aubrey Grant will probably get the nod.
That's time! Grant's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Grant drops his hands momentarily and Kersikov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Grant lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kersikov throws a nice head kick!
Kersikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Grant connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kersikov scrambles back to his feet.
Grant connects with an inside leg kick.

Kersikov forces Grant back against the cage and clinches.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Grant tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Grant displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kersikov up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grant is trying to maintain a safe position but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns Grant into the cage.
Dmitri Kersikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Grant tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Grant swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant has a couple of punches blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Grant.
Kersikov stalling.
Grant throws a head punch that misses.
Grant struggles to land a body shot inside as Kersikov controls his hands.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov blocks a body shot from Grant.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Grant as Kersikov tries to tie him up.
Grant fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Grant misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Grant is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kersikov is defending well for now.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kersikov as Grant tries to tie him up.
Kersikov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grant blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov pushes Grant back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Grant backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grant tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Grant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grant swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grant.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grant tries to stall but Kersikov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Grant crunches a lovely knee into Kersikov's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant working aggressively here.
Kersikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Grant stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Grant misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grant misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov trying to control the position but instead, Grant has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kersikov into the cage.
Kersikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kersikov misses with a knee to the head.
Kersikov managing to block the knees to the body from Grant.
Grant tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Grant leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Kersikov.
Grant takes a shot to the head.
Grant blocking some punches.
Grant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short right from Kersikov on the inside.
Grant misses with some punches.
Kersikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grant backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grant.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grant.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov stalling against the cage.
Grant takes a shot to the head.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Grant.
Kersikov blocks a body shot from Grant.
Kersikov digs a right hand underneath Grant's ribcage. Grant let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grant.
A nice left hand lands by Grant.
Grant stalling against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kersikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitri Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grant 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aubrey Grant!
After winning the bout, Aubrey Grant thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.