PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Volodymyr Kersikov (ranked 319 p4p, 560 weight class) and Peter Gretel (ranked 23 p4p, 44 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by DEF LEPPARD - Pour Some Sugar On Me. Peter Gretel has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kersikov
vs
Gretel

170 cm
27
140
6 - 3 - 0

170 cm
28
137
11 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
Conviction

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Volodymyr Kersikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Peter Gretel!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gretel avoids the body shot from Kersikov.

Kersikov scores with a takedown into Gretel's guard.
Kersikov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gretel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gretel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gretel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gretel pulls Kersikov in close to his closed guard and prevents Kersikov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kersikov is looking to work some ground and pound but Gretel has wrist control.
Kersikov postures up in Gretel's guard and throws a big left but Gretel blocks it.
Kersikov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gretel looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gretel moves out of range of the strikes.
Gretel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Gretel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Gretel misses with a body shot

and Kersikov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gretel!
Kersikov looks up at the clock and then as Gretel takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kersikov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kersikov cracks Gretel with a big elbow.
Gretel prevents Kersikov from improving position.
Kersikov is working Gretel over with some ground and pound from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gretel is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kersikov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Kersikov happy to just control the position for now.
Kersikov lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Gretel is trying to control Kersikov's posture but Kersikov avoids it.
Gretel is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Gretel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gretel struggling a bit here.
Kersikov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kersikov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kersikov lands some shots froms side control.
You can see the frustration on Gretel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gretel takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gretel tries to improve position but can't.
Kersikov scores with punches from side control.
Kersikov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov working the ground and pound but Gretel is defending the strikes.
Gretel is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Volodymyr Kersikov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gretel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gretel misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Gretel misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gretel swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov trying to stall but Gretel improves his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov is trying to pull guard but Gretel has him pressed against the cage.
Gretel tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gretel lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov jumps guard but Gretel stands there with Kersikov around his waist. Kersikov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Gretel manages to break the clinch.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volodymyr Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gretel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov moves out of range as Gretel strikes.
Gretel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov tries to counter with a takedown but Gretel is quick to defend against it.
Kersikov scores with the left hand. Gretel knows he should have avoided that one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kersikov.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gretel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Gretel.
Gretel throws a leg kick

and Kersikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov throwing strikes but missing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gretel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kersikov throwing strikes but missing.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gretel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Gretel is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kersikov scoring with some ground and pound.
Kersikov stands up over Gretel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gretel keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Kersikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kersikov throwing strikes but missing.
Kersikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gretel pulls Kersikov in close to his closed guard and prevents Kersikov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kersikov cracks Gretel with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gretel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kersikov is one step ahead there.
Gretel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kersikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kersikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kersikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kersikov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kersikov trying to control but Gretel is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gretel ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
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 Volodymyr Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gretel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Kersikov counters with a takedown into side control.
Gretel tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
The strikes coming from Kersikov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Kersikov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kersikov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kersikov misses with the ground and pound.
Kersikov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gretel can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gretel tries to bench press Kersikov off him but Kersikov keeps the position.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gretel keeps working.
Gretel can't do much from the bottom here.
Kersikov cracks Gretel with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gretel keeps working.
Gretel is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
An elbow from Kersikov crashes against the mat.
Gretel is trying to improve his position.
Kersikov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Kersikov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gretel is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Kersikov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Gretel's shoulder. That is not cool.
Gretel is trying to improve his position.
Volodymyr Kersikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kersikov just content to control the position.
Gretel gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is landing with some decent strikes but Gretel is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kersikov avoids the attempt from Gretel to control.
Kersikov prevents Gretel from getting the reversal.
Gretel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kersikov with the ground and pound from mount.
Kersikov scoring with strikes but Gretel is staying in there.
Gretel gets back to half guard.
Kersikov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gretel regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kersikov.
Gretel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Gretel keeps moving.
Kersikov stays in close to Gretel's body and controls the position.
Kersikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kersikov is looking to work some ground and pound but Gretel has wrist control.
Kersikov postures up and lands a big shot to Gretel's brow.
Kersikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kersikov postures up in Gretel's guard and throws a big left but Gretel blocks it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gretel pulls Kersikov in to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Volodymyr Kersikov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gretel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gretel throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Gretel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kersikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kersikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gretel throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov tries to counter with a takedown but Gretel is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gretel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gretel misses with a looping right.
Kersikov lands with a good body shot.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gretel throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gretel misses the shot to the body.
Gretel avoids the body shot from Kersikov.
Kersikov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Peter Gretel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gretel needs to keep his hands up - Kersikov had a free shot at his head there.
Kersikov misses with a body shot
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gretel throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Peter Gretel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gretel throws a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gretel. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Gretel avoids it well and moves away.
Gretel scores with a head kick.
Gretel stuffs the takedown.
Kersikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gretel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kersikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gretel scrambles back to his feet.
Peter Gretel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gretel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kersikov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Gretel keeps moving.
Kersikov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Gretel keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kersikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kersikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kersikov trying to control but Gretel is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kersikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Gretel sprawls well. He's pushed Kersikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volodymyr Kersikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gretel.
Gretel throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Gretel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gretel fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kersikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slips a jab from Gretel.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Good shot there by Gretel.
Gretel misses with a right hand

and Kersikov counters with a single leg into guard. Gretel didn't expect that.
Kersikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kersikov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gretel's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kersikov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kersikov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gretel wants to sweep but no luck.
Kersikov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kersikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kersikov advances to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Volodymyr Kersikov 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. And we move into the final round!

Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Gretel digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
Gretel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.

Kersikov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kersikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Gretel is trying to keep Kersikov in close.
Kersikov trying to control but Gretel is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov is really struggling to control Gretel but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gretel has momentary wrist control but Kersikov slips an elbow through the middle.
Gretel pulls Kersikov in to control the position.
Kersikov is working Gretel over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gretel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gretel is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kersikov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gretel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Peter Gretel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kersikov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kersikov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gretel controls Kersikov momentarily but Kersikov frees himself.
Gretel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gretel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kersikov stands up over Gretel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kersikov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kersikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov content to stall in guard here.
Kersikov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gretel's head.
Kersikov trying to control but Gretel is working from the bottom.
Gretel wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov trying to control but Gretel is working from the bottom.
Kersikov throwing strikes from guard but Gretel blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gretel trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Gretel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Gretel.
Gretel thows a left - swing and a miss!
No luck for Kersikov with that takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Volodymyr Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kersikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 50:45
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 50:45
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Volodymyr Kersikov!
Volodymyr Kersikov retains his bantamweight title!
A relieved looking Volodymyr Kersikov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.