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WP 129 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 101 wins and 68 losses; Bogdan Kersikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 67 wins and 76 losses; Strega Notturna!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Notturna is defended easily by Kersikov.
Kersikov gets caught napping as Notturna dives in and scores a takedown. Kersikov manages to retain guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Kersikov (0) vs (2) Notturna
Notturna trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kersikov holds on and takes a little breather.
Notturna trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Notturna looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
My spies in Average Judas Gym inform me that Notturna has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Notturna trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Notturna controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Notturna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Notturna trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Notturna 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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kersikov is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (2) vs (2) Notturna
Kersikov postures up.
Kersikov looking to pass the guard.
Notturna working a defensive guard here.
Kersikov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov won't allow Notturna to sweep him here.
We've been hearing good reports from Kersikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Notturna controls Kersikov momentarily but Kersikov frees himself.
Kersikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Notturna looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Notturna working a defensive guard here.
Notturna wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Kersikov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Notturna keeping full guard, as Kersikov tries to pass.
Kersikov is fighting to break Notturna's control of his arms but Notturna is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Notturna is retaining full guard.
Notturna is trying to keep Kersikov in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Notturna is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (2) vs (4) Notturna
Kersikov being controlled here, momentarily.
Notturna trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Notturna must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Notturna looking to pass the guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Notturna trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Notturna looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kersikov keeping full guard, as Notturna tries to pass.
Notturna not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Notturna wants to pass the guard but Kersikov is keeping the position.
Notturna trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Notturna stays in close to Kersikov's body and controls the position.
Kersikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kersikov, not yet.
Notturna looking to pass the guard.
Kersikov wants to sweep here but Notturna controlling him for the moment.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Notturna sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Notturna from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kersikov holds on and takes a little breather.
Notturna sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Notturna has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kersikov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Notturna's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (4) vs (4) Notturna
Notturna is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kersikov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Notturna is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov slips nicely into half guard.
Notturna is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kersikov pulls his head out easily.
Kersikov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Notturna trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
Notturna wants to get back to full guard.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Notturna tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kersikov has advanced to mount. Uh oh. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (7) vs (4) Notturna
Notturna tries to lock up and control but Kersikov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Notturna tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Notturna tries to hold on but Kersikov postures up.
Notturna regains half guard.
Notturna wants to control but Kersikov is keeping busy.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Notturna is controlling Kersikov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Notturna actively working from the bottom here.
Notturna wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov is controlling the pace.
Notturna trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is taking a breather. Notturna says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Notturna is looking to improve his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but Notturna defending well.
Kersikov trying to control the pace.
Notturna is looking to control Kersikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Notturna avoid being mounted?
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov slows the pace down in half guard.
Notturna is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Notturna is trying to maintain the position but Kersikov is very close to passing his half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov takes the fight on points by 7 to 4.
During a confident post fight interview, Bogdan Kersikov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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