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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nykolai Kersikov (ranked 193 p4p, 437 weight class) and James Johnson (ranked 19 p4p, 41 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kersikov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Frequencerz & Da Tweekaz - Full Control. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!
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| 175 cm
26
149
4 - 2 - 1 |
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172 cm
24
147
9 - 3 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nykolai Kersikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Dillan Fox.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov throws an off balance right hand
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice jab there from Johnson.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Nykolai Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson lands a jab.
Kersikov lands with a nice body punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov connects with a single shot there.
Johnson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kersikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Kersikov won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Kersikov passes into half guard.
Kersikov is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Kersikov tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Kersikov controlling the action here.
Johnson is staying active underneath Kersikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson is trying to escape back to his feet but Kersikov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kersikov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Kersikov is chipping away with strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Kersikov drags him back down.
Johnson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
James Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Johnson slips a jab from Kersikov.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Good exchange - Kersikov coming out on top.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Kersikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov misses with a left hand
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov 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.
Kersikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Kersikov is controlling him
Kersikov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Kersikov is controlling him
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Kersikov is controlling him well.
Kersikov is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson is looking to escape.
Johnson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Johnson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Johnson thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it
and Kersikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kersikov won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Kersikov stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Johnson pushes Kersikov off and scrambles back to his feet.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A bone on bone clash there as Kersikov blocks the leg kick.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Kersikov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Johnson throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Johnson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kersikov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kersikov lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson connects with a body shot.
Kersikov with a poor takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov with a poor takedown
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nykolai Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov lands with a nice combination. Johnson backs away looking to recover.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range.
Kersikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Kersikov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Johnson flicks out a counter leg kick but Kersikov steps away.
Johnson throws a combination. Kersikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A cross from Kersikov lands.
Jab by Kersikov.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Kersikov jabs Johnson right on the nose. Johnson blinks but takes it well.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Kersikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but James Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kersikov is defended easily by Johnson.
Kersikov lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnson.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Kersikov - just one landing.
Kersikov throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Johnson! But no joy.
It looks like Kersikov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
James Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Johnson lands with a cross.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kersikov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Johnson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Kersikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to stand but Kersikov is controlling the position.
Kersikov trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson wants to stand but Kersikov is controlling the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov swings widly with a right hand
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kersikov misses with a hook
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Johnson flicks out a counter leg kick but Kersikov steps away.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kersikov misses with a body punch
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov connects with a body shot.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Kersikov prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Kersikov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson is trying to escape back to his feet but Kersikov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov tries to score with some ground and pound. Johnson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
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.
Johnson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Kersikov controls the position.
Kersikov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Johnson sneaks out the side door and pushes Kersikov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Johnson tries to bum rush Kersikov with a series of wild strikes but Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Johnson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand
enabling Kersikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Jab, jab by Kersikov - just one landing.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Kersikov ducks right into an uppercut from Johnson.
Kersikov lands a jab to the nose.
Johnson throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Kersikov misses the target.
Nice uppercut lands for Kersikov. That snapped Johnson's head back.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Kersikov had a free shot at his head there.
Nice body punch from Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
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 Nykolai Kersikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Kersikov needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Johnson! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Good exchange - Kersikov coming out on top.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson unleashes a big counter combination but Kersikov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kersikov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Johnson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kersikov is controlling him well.
Kersikov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kersikov takes a little break here. Johnson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Johnson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kersikov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Johnson felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kersikov tries to score with some ground and pound. Johnson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov working the ground and pound but Johnson is defending the strikes.
Kersikov cracks Johnson with a big right hand but Johnson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Johnson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Kersikov misses with the ground and pound.
Kersikov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson tries to escape but Kersikov is in control.
Kersikov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson pushes Kersikov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kersikov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kersikov throws a strike aimed at the side of Johnson's head but Johnson avoids it well.
Johnson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kersikov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kersikov wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kersikov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Kersikov is dominant here and he's now got Johnson's back!
Johnson covers up after that shot from Kersikov.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Kersikov has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Kersikov tries to get the hooks in deep but Johnson pushed the leg off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov biding his time, looking for the opening.
Kersikov scores with strikes from the back.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Kersikov.
Kersikov 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.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Kersikov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Johnson.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Kersikov punishes Johnson with strikes from the back mount.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Kersikov is in full control for now.
Kersikov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Johnson is looking for a way out.
Kersikov trying to control momentarily.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Kersikov is in full control for now.
Kersikov lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Johnson to escape the position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand back up.
Kersikov has Johnson flattened out and is raining down punches.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Johnson has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands with a hammerfist to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kersikov is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Kersikov is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Johnson. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Johnson is trying to stand back up.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov missing with punches from the back.
Kersikov misses with an elbow to the head.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Will Kersikov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The referee is taking a good look at Johnson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Kersikov!
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Kersikov has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Kersikov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Johnson could be in trouble here!
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to get back to his feet but Kersikov is in full control for now.
Kersikov misses with punches from the back.
Kersikov is punishing Johnson with strikes - can he finish him?!
Kersikov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Johnson to escape the position.
Kersikov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Johnson to escape the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kersikov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Even with his hooks in, Kersikov manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controls the position.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Kersikov throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Johnson!
Kersikov is looking to control Johnson but Johnson is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Nykolai Kersikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kersikov scores with punches and elbows.
Johnson is trying to stand back up.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Johnson slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson is looking for the big counter here.
Kersikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Johnson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kersikov.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nykolai Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kersikov 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nykolai Kersikov!
Nykolai Kersikov retains his featherweight title!
Nykolai Kersikov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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