PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yabu Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russo has chosen Volbeat - The Human Instrument as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kersikov
vs
Russo

186 cm
28
211 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

181 cm
29
186 lbs
19 - 5 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Yabu Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vinny Russo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov misses with a head kick.
Russo avoids the body shot from Kersikov.
Russo throws out a powerful jab.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Russo's front leg but catches the back leg as Russo tries to avoid it.
Russo wants to clinch.
Kersikov lands a nice hook to Russo's body. Russo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kersikov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Russo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kersikov swivels and escapes.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
A shot to the liver by Russo. Beautiful body shot.
Russo lands a jab.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russo was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov cracks Russo with a good jab.
Russo throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Russo only half commits.

Russo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kersikov trying to control from the bottom.
Kersikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russo.
Russo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Russo is just content to waste time from the top position. Kersikov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo is in close to Kersikov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russo 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.
Kersikov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russo trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Kersikov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Russo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kersikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Russo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kersikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Russo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Russo 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.

Russo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kersikov is aware though and is defending well.

Russo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kersikov is sitting in close to Russo's body. Russo has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Kersikov is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Kersikov is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Russo.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Vinny Russo!
Post fight, Vinny Russo took to the microphone: 'That was awesome - just awesome. I finally got my grade 10 and I'm ready to fight again. Lets go. The EPL is right up my alley. I like to fight and will fight injured, whatever.'.