PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Herkules Nowacki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nowacki kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Moby - Flower. Kersikov has chosen Iron Maiden - The Wicker Man as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nowacki
vs
Kersikov

182 cm
27
165 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

173 cm
29
158 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu. 15%
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Beaver Jooce!
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Herkules Nowacki!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roman Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nowacki lands a jab to Kersikov's midsection.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nowacki clobbers Kersikov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
Nowacki lands with a good body shot.
Kersikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nowacki throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Nowacki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kersikov defending well as Nowacki loads up on a big left hand.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and Nowacki counters with a stiff right hand.
Nowacki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nowacki looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Nowacki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nowacki throws a series of punches but Kersikov avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
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 uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nowacki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowacki connects with an inside leg kick.
Nowacki feints a jab promting Kersikov to slip. Nowacki then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kersikov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kersikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Herkules Nowacki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov shoots for a takedown but Nowacki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nowacki.
Nowacki ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Nowacki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Nowacki!
Nowacki scores with a decent looking hook.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Nowacki sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nowacki scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.
Kersikov is looking to slow Nowacki down with leg kicks.
Nowacki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nowacki checks a leg kick.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov lands a nice looking body shot.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Nowacki sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kersikov scores with a spinning back kick!
Nowacki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Kersikov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nowacki misses with a body kick.
Kersikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nowacki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nowacki shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kersikov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki tries to land a front kick but Kersikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nowacki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nowacki defends it well.
Nowacki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nowacki throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Kersikov counters with a takedown into side control.
Nowacki struggling a bit here.
Kersikov working the ground and pound.
An elbow from Kersikov crashes against the mat.
Kersikov tries to advance to mount but Nowacki denies him.

Kersikov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nowacki is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov moves into full mount!
Kersikov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nowacki is bucking up trying to escape but Kersikov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov looking to finish Nowacki with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nowacki!
Kersikov controlling from the full mount.
Nowacki wants to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Nowacki is squirming around, avoiding Kersikov's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Herkules Nowacki will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nowacki misses with a leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kersikov, as that shot connected.
A big right from Nowacki misses.
Nowacki avoids the head kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.

Nowacki closes the distance and pushes Kersikov back into the cage.
Nowacki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nowacki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kersikov or not.
Kersikov blocks an uppercut.
Nowacki misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nowacki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nowacki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowacki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kersikov pushes Nowacki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short body shot lands from Kersikov as the two fighters clinch.
Nowacki pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nowacki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov trying to control the position but instead, Nowacki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kersikov into the cage.
Nowacki lands a nice uppercut.
Kersikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Nowacki on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nowacki.
Nowacki manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A shot in the inside from Nowacki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a shoulder strike.
Nowacki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov tries to stall but Nowacki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nowacki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've been told by Nowacki's head coaches at School Of Fighting that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kersikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Nowacki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nowacki throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Nowacki misses the jab.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Herkules Nowacki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kersikov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nowacki looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nowacki is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Kersikov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nowacki haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nowacki stops Kersikov from passing to mount.
Nowacki wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
Nowacki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kersikov taking a breather here.
Kersikov is looking to take a break and control but Nowacki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nowacki tries to bench press Kersikov off him but Kersikov keeps the position.
Kersikov wants to control but Nowacki is keeping him busy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sloppy strikes there by Kersikov.
Nowacki tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
Nowacki is trying to control Kersikov's posture but Kersikov avoids it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nowacki sizes up Kersikov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nowacki cracks the inside of Kersikov's front leg.
Nowacki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov darts in looking for a takedown but Nowacki gets double underhooks and turns Kersikov into the cage.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nowacki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nowacki connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Nowacki moves into the clinch.
Kersikov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Nowacki seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kersikov can turn it around.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kersikov breaks from the clinch.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Nowacki moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
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.
Nowacki is looking to land body kicks.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nowacki defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowacki avoids a kick to the body.
Nowacki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nowacki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nowacki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nowacki tried to score with a low kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nowacki rather than just go for the knockout.
Nowacki misses with a leg kick.
Nowacki wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nowacki throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Kersikov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kersikov is looking to work some ground and pound but Nowacki has wrist control.
Kersikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nowacki is keeping the position for now.
Nowacki looking for a sweep. Not yet Nowacki, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kersikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nowacki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kersikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kersikov thows a huge punch but Nowacki dodges it nicely.
Nowacki wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov wants to pass to mount but Nowacki is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nowacki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nowacki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nowacki wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nowacki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kersikov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Nowacki. That one must have hurt.
Kersikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nowacki lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kersikov takes a step back to recover.
Nowacki lands a head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nowacki feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kersikovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nowacki throws a lazy uppercut

and Kersikov counters with a single leg into guard. Nowacki didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kersikov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nowacki wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kersikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Nowacki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Herkules Nowacki did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Nowacki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nowacki throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Nowacki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nowacki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nowacki defends it well.
Nowacki misses with a hook.
Kersikov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nowacki finds it's way round the side to connect with Kersikov's head.
Kersikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nowacki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kersikov is able to avoid easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Nowacki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kersikov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kersikov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nowacki misses with a straight right.
Kersikov with the counter takedown but Nowacki avoids it easily.
Nowacki lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov lunges at Nowacki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nowacki's hand.
Nowacki checks a leg kick.
Nowacki lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Nowacki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nowacki connects with an inside leg kick.

Nowacki moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a left hand.
Kersikov misses with some punches.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nowacki lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Nowacki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki lands an elbow just above Kersikov 's eye.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov lands with a right to the head.
Nowacki lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Roman Kersikov has been cut.
Nowacki misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kersikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov.
Nowacki scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov's head.
Nowacki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab lands there for Nowacki.
Nowacki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nowacki defends it well.
Nowacki cracks Kersikov with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nowacki blocks a jab.
Kersikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Kersikov tries to keep at a distance but Nowacki has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nowacki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nowacki can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Nowacki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nowacki misses with some punches.
A hook to the body from Nowacki.
Nowacki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov avoids a wild elbow strike from Nowacki.
Nowacki lands a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nowacki blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nowacki backwards.
A short right from Nowacki on the inside.
Nowacki misses with the head strike.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov looking to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Nowacki fails to land.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Nowacki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kersikov blocks the elbow strike.
Kersikov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nowacki has him pressed against the cage.
Nowacki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kersikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herkules Nowacki had his way with Roman Kersikov in that round.
The cut man is working on Roman Kersikov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nowacki throws a body kick that misses.
Kersikov swings widly with a right hand
and Nowacki makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kersikov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nowacki misses the shot to the body.
Herkules Nowacki is winning the standup battle so far.
Nowacki misses with a head kick.
Kersikov scores with a nice body kick.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nowacki.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nowacki is out of range and Kersikov settles back down.
Kersikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nowacki missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nowacki digs a good hook to Kersikov's body.
A head kick from Nowacki lands but Kersikov takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowacki motions for Kersikov to come forward. Nowacki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nowacki throws a good cross that connects.
Nowacki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab, jab by Nowacki - just one landing.
Kersikov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nowacki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kersikov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nowacki as he jumps to the side.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Roman Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nowacki is out of range.
Nowacki throws a low kick, looking for Kersikov's leg but Kersikov calmly moves out of range.
Nowacki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Nowacki throws a front kick aimed at Kersikov's knee but Kersikov avoids it well.
Kersikov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nowacki counters with a stiff right hand.
An inside leg kick from Nowacki misses.
Kersikov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nowacki misses with a looping right.
And Kersikov tries to counter it with a takedown but Nowacki pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov lands a head kick. Nowacki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowacki throws a wild body kick that Kersikov sees coming a mile off.
A big right from Nowacki misses.
Kersikov with the counter takedown but Nowacki avoids it easily.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kersikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Nowacki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stalling in the clinch from Kersikov.
Nowacki scores with a shoulder strike.
Nowacki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
Nowacki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nowacki lands a nice shot to the body.
Nowacki lands a damaging elbow.
Nowacki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nowacki lands with a left to the head.
Nowacki looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nowacki.
Nowacki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Herkules Nowacki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nowacki.
Nowacki gets through Kersikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nowacki scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Kersikov on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Nowacki.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nowacki.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nowacki lands a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Herkules Nowacki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nowacki 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Herkules Nowacki!
Herkules Nowacki retains his lightweight title!
Post fight, Herkules Nowacki stared into the camera and said 'Wow! It was very tough matchup for me. My European Neighbour from Ukraine was great contender for sure. So it's good to have my hand rised after final bell. Thanks to everyone that believed in me!'.