PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Radu Dracul (ranked 10 p4p, 144 weight class) and Vitali Kersikov I I (ranked 3 p4p, 23 weight class). Kersikov I I has chosen Sefa & Mr. Ivex - LSD Problem as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Dracul
vs
Kersikov I I

190 cm
31
202
22 - 4 - 0

188 cm
29
209
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Radu Dracul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov I I!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Kersikov I I listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kersikov I I connects with a crisp jab.
Dracul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov I I.
Dracul uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov I I.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kersikov I I throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dracul moves out of range as Kersikov I I strikes.
Dracul attempts a counter takedown but Kersikov I I avoids it well and moves away.
Kersikov I I throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I throws a leg kick

and Dracul counters with a single leg into guard. Kersikov I I didn't expect that.
Dracul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dracul wants to control from the top but Kersikov I I keeps moving.
Dracul scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

It looks like Vitali Kersikov I I has been cut.
Kersikov I I keeping full guard, as Dracul tries to pass.
Dracul working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dracul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dracul has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kersikov I I pulls Dracul in close to his closed guard and prevents Dracul from doing any damage or advancing position.
Dracul trying to control but Kersikov I I is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dracul throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dracul tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov I I is retaining full guard.

Dracul drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dracul jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kersikov I I wants to stand but Dracul is controlling the position.
Kersikov I I avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Dracul drops back looking for a leg! Kersikov I I is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kersikov I I manages to kick Dracul off! Dracul jumps back into Kersikov I I's guard.
Dracul throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dracul throws a big elbow that misses.
Kersikov I I is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kersikov I I misses with a right hand

and Dracul decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kersikov I I's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov I I avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dracul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dracul chips away with some ground and pound.
Kersikov I I working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dracul.
Dracul wants to control from the top but Kersikov I I keeps moving.
Dracul lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dracul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov I I swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dracul throwing strikes from guard but Kersikov I I blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dracul throwing strikes but missing.
Kersikov I I keeping moving, preventing Dracul from controlling successfully.
Kersikov I I preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kersikov I I is pulling down on Dracul's head to control his posture.
Dracul lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dracul throwing strikes but missing.
Kersikov I I utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Radu Dracul dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov I I's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kersikov I I works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kersikov I I misses with an uppercut. Dracul saw that one coming.
Dracul tries to counter with a takedown but Kersikov I I is quick to defend against it.
Kersikov I I scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dracul slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov I I throws a looping overhand right but Dracul ducks down to avoid it.
Dracul drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kersikov I I sprawls and moves away.
Kersikov I I gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Dracul counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Kersikov I I manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dracul prevents a body shot from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I presses Dracul against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kersikov I I keeps control of Dracul as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dracul leaning against his opponent.

Dracul breaks from the clinch.
Dracul looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kersikov I I throws a jab but it's blocked by Dracul.
Dracul changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kersikov I I fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dracul has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A good leg kick by Kersikov I I.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I throws an off balance right hand

and Dracul counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kersikov I I is concentrating on defense, preventing Dracul from advancing position.
Dracul lands strikes from half guard.

That has opened up Vitali Kersikov I I's cut even more.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dracul is looking for a kimura here.
Kersikov I I tries to kick Dracul off but Dracul keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kersikov I I wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov I I taking some punishment here, with Dracul in his half guard.

The cut above Vitali Kersikov I I's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Vitali Kersikov I I's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Radu Dracul!
Radu Dracul retains his light heavyweight title!
Radu Dracul thanked the fans post fight for their support.