PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steel has chosen Kollegah - Bossaura as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Kersikov
vs
Steel

188 cm
30
211 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

190 cm
29
215 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, David Steel!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Steel looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Steel.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Steel misses with a body kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Kersikov misses its target.
Kersikov throws a combination that misses
and Steel makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kersikov blocks a head kick by Steel.
Steel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Steel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kersikov to score with a decent uppercut.
Steel dodges the punch combination from Kersikov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut lands for Steel. That snapped Kersikov's head back.
A leg kick checked by Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Steel counters with an outside leg kick.
Steel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kersikov can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kersikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kersikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Steel to score with a decent uppercut.
Steel cracks the inside of Kersikov's front leg.
Nice body kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Steel misses with a body kick.
David Steel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Steel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Donk. Kersikov catches Steel right on the button with a cross.
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Steel's ribs.
Marko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Steel throws a body kick that misses.
Kersikov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Steel slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kersikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Steel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Despite the aggression on Steel's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Steel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Steel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Steel.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Steel moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
A big right from Steel misses.
Kersikov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick
and Steel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov throws a jab when Steel was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steel tries to work over Kersikov's front leg with a kick but Kersikov checks it.
Steel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Steel looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Steel swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kersikov counters with a good low kick that Steel was not able to check.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
Steel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Steel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Steel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Steel.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Steel moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kersikov checks a leg kick.
As Steel backs away, Kersikov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Steel lands the left hand.
Kersikov lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steel throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
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!
Kersikov fakes the leg kick and cracks Steel in the body.
Kersikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kersikov lands a nice looking body kick.
Steel looks winded!
Kersikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kersikov lands a jab to Steel's midsection.
Kersikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kersikov.
Steel takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Steel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kersikov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steel throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Kersikov cracks Steel with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Steel looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Kersikov finish him?
Kersikov checks a leg kick nicely.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Steel avoids it well and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kersikov lands a body shot.
Kersikov cracks Steel with a good jab.
Steel throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Steel.
Steel lands a leg kick that knocks Kersikov off balance momentarily.
Steel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Steel wants it to stay on the feet.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Steel throws a big counter head kick but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Steel's hands.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Steel there.
Steel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kersikov can pounce on him.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Steel.

Kersikov dives in and scores a takedown into Steel's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov postures up in Steel's guard and throws a big left but Steel blocks it.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steel can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Steel holds on and takes a little breather.
Let's hope that Steel 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 looking to sit in guard and control but Steel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kersikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kersikov, not yet.
Kersikov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Steel controls the pace.
Kersikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kersikov, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two 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.
Steel sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Steel won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
Kersikov is working hard here to advance position.
Kersikov being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A jab from Steel misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a nice hook to Steel's body. Steel takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Steel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Steel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Steel.
Steel misses with a low kick.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Steel avoids it well and moves away.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steel throws out the jab.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
And Steel responds with a good body kick, but Kersikov manages to step out the way in time.
Kersikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Steel looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Steel throws a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Kersikov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steel defends it nicely.
Kersikov backing away here, and Steel unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the body
and Steel counters with a good, hard body kick but Kersikov shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov cracks the inside of Steel's front leg.
Steel misses with a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Steel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Steel throws a low kick, looking for Kersikov's leg but Kersikov calmly moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a nice head kick!

It looks like David Steel has been cut.
Kersikov misses with a left hand
and Steel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steel throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov scores with a nice head shot.
Steel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Kersikov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on David Steel's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Steel lands a glancing blow to the side of Kersikov's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Steel as he connects with a hook.
Steel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Steel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range and Steel settles back down.
Marko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Steel throws a push kick but Kersikov slaps the foot to one side.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Steel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A low kick from Kersikov is predictable there
and Steel finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Steel staying out of range there.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Steel - that will leave a mark!
Steel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Steel checks a leg kick.
Steel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kersikov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Steel has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kersikov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kersikov throws an elbow that misses. Steel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kersikov's guard. Nice move by Steel!

Steel won't allow Kersikov to sweep him here.
Steel pushing down on Kersikov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kersikov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kersikov.
Steel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
David Steel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steel passes Kersikov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kersikov gets back to full guard.
Steel slips nicely into half guard.
Kersikov tries to roll over but Steel keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Steel in particular looking to stall.
Steel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kersikov is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Steel keeps Kersikov at a distance using the push kick.
Kersikov checks a leg kick nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Kersikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kersikov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Steel down.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Steel.
Kersikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Marko Kersikov has been cut.
Steel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kersikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Steel tries a quick counter leg kick but Kersikov is wise to it.
Steel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to David Steel.
Well Kersikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Kersikov!