PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Menezes (ranked 128 p4p, 228 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 18 p4p, 31 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Sefa - God's Plan as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Menezes
vs
Kersikov

180 cm
44
190
43 - 23 - 1

184 cm
31
189
15 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menezes swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Menezes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Menezes scores with a nice head shot.
Menezes throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Menezes misses with a looping left.
A nice side step and Kersikov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Some wild striking there from Menezes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Menezes throws a series of punches but Kersikov avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Menezes throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menezes misses the shot to the body.
Menezes has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Bigfoot BJJ in the buildup to the fight.
Menezes shoots for a takedown but Kersikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kersikov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kersikov lands the left hand.
Menezes lands with a shot to the body.
Arthur Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Menezes misses the target.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Menezes takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Menezes.
Menezes throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Menezes misses with a hook to the body
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Menezes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Menezes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Menezes bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Menezes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kersikov under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes misses the shot to the body.
No luck for Menezes with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Menezes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Menezes throws a sloppy body shot
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Menezes connects with a body shot that sends Kersikov's belly button to the back.
Menezes is looking to wear down Kersikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kersikov defending well as Menezes loads up on a big left hand.
Menezes cracks a nice hook into Kersikov's ribs.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Menezes is just out of range.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Menezes has time to react.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Menezes shoots in but no luck this time.
Menezes swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes dips to his left and cracks Kersikov with an uppercut!
Menezes lands a slapping body shot.
A slow jab from Menezes misses its intended target.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Menezes misses with the combination.
Nice cross by Menezes.
Menezes misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Menezes shoots in looking for a takedown. Kersikov tries to sprawl out of it but Menezes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kersikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Menezes misses the body punch
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Menezes ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Menezes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Menezes lands in his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Menezes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Menezes wants to pass the guard but Kersikov is keeping the position.
Menezes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kersikov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Menezes is trying to get an arm triangle but Kersikov is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Menezes dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Menezes misses the body punch
and Kersikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Menezes moved out of range.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Menezes's head but Menezes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Menezes keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice shot by Menezes.
Menezes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
Menezes scores with a one two! Kersikov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Menezes swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Kersikov as Menezes shoots in.
Menezes shoots in but Kersikov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kersikov is looking for the big counter here.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Kersikov stuffs the takedown.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes throws a good cross that connects.
Arthur Menezes is winning the standup battle so far.
Menezes shoots and misses
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Menezes rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kersikov counters with a crisp one two that drops Menezes! Kersikov thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Menezes to his feet! Menezes is in big trouble!

Menezes is rocked!
A big right from Menezes misses.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Menezes avoids it with no problem.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Menezes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kersikov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Boyko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Menezes misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Menezes has his takedown stuffed

and Kersikov counters with a crisp right hand that drops Menezes! Kersikov lets Menezes back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Oh Menezes is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menezes swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kersikov counters with a left to the body.
Menezes seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A telegraphed right hand from Menezes misses the target.
It seemed like Kersikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov finds Menezes's off switch, with a big overhand right that connects perfectly to the side of the head! Menezes flops back against the cage, eyes gazing into the distance. Kersikov lands an unnecessary shot before the referee has time to step in and end the fight. Brutal stuff but I'm sure Menezes will be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Boyko Kersikov!
After winning the bout, Boyko Kersikov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.