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WP 38 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 61 wins and 30 losses; Bogdan Kersikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 29 wins and 40 losses; Boris Balkan! The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way. A momentary lapse in concentration from Balkan enables Kersikov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Balkan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Kersikov (2) vs (0) Balkan Balkan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent. Balkan wants to control the position but Kersikov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard. Kersikov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there. Kersikov prevents Balkan from improving his position. Kersikov stalling. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Balkan is looking for a sweep. Kersikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's one minute gone in the round. Kersikov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there. Kersikov trying to control the action but Balkan is working from the bottom. Kersikov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position. Balkan trying to hold on to Kersikov's head to control him but Kersikov postures up.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Balkan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kersikov pulls his head out easily. Balkan trying to control here.
Kersikov tries to pass to full mount but Balkan defends it.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Kersikov prevents Balkan from improving his position. Kersikov is pressing down on Balkan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Balkan is holding on for now. Balkan tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg. The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Kersikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Balkan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt. Balkan is looking for a sweep. Kersikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position. Balkan wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy.
Kersikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Balkan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt. Kersikov is stalling here. Balkan is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Kersikov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Balkan has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work. Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Kersikov (2) vs (4) Balkan
That's five minutes gone in the round. Balkan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kersikov keeps working. Balkan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kersikov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK. Kersikov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at KFA, so we'll see if he gets out of it. Balkan trying to control the position but Kersikov is working away. Balkan takes a little break here. Kersikov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
That's six minutes gone in the round. Balkan trying to control the position but Kersikov is working away. Kersikov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (4) vs (4) Balkan Balkan is trying to control but can't.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard but Kersikov has passed into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (7) vs (4) Balkan The referee asks Kersikov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Kersikov prefers to stall for the moment though.
That's seven minutes gone in the round. Balkan tries to get back to half guard but can't. Balkan is letting Kersikov control him for a moment. Balkan is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
That's eight minutes gone in the round. Balkan tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Kersikov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Kersikov (9) vs (4) Balkan Kersikov avoids the attempt from Balkan to control. Balkan tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control. Kersikov wants to control but Balkan has made it back to half guard. Nice work. Balkan tries to get to full guard but Kersikov has control of the leg.
That's nine minutes gone in the round. Kersikov trying to pass the guard but Balkan defending well. Kersikov trying to control the action but Balkan is working from the bottom.
That's ten minutes gone in the round. Kersikov trying to pass the guard but Balkan defending well. Balkan is concentrating on defense, preventing Kersikov from advancing position. We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake. Balkan trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
Balkan gets full guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round. Balkan looking for a sweep. Not yet Balkan, not yet. Balkan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position. Balkan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent. Kersikov passes into half guard. Balkan is trying to get back to full guard. Kersikov trying to mount his opponent but Balkan defends it.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round. Kersikov is trying to control. Balkan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time. Kersikov performing his best blanket impression for a moment. Balkan won't allow Kersikov to pass to mount. Kersikov prevents Balkan from improving his position.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round. Balkan is refusing to be controlled, as Kersikov sits in half guard. Balkan wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy and won't allow it. Balkan tries to roll over but Kersikov keeps him under control. Kersikov is trying to control the action in half guard but Balkan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard. Balkan has his hands clasped together around Kersikov's back. He's all about the action.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round. Balkan is staying active underneath Kersikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position. Kersikov controlling the action here. Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Balkan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom. Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out! Kersikov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that's the end of the fight! Kersikov takes the fight on points by 9 to 4. After winning the bout, Bogdan Kersikov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
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