PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Kersikov (ranked 6 p4p, 21 weight class) and Mike Haggar (ranked 1 p4p, 3 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Head of the Table. This should be fireworks!

Kersikov
vs
Haggar

201 cm
31
269
23 - 7 - 0

202 cm
38
266
41 - 25 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Brooklyn Threads
Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andrei Kersikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 41 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Haggar!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Ben Hemmingworth and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov throws a head kick but Haggar moves out of range.
Haggar scores with a nice head shot.
Haggar paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kersikov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at KFA in the buildup to the fight.
Haggar's corner calls for a 1-2. Haggar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Haggar connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kersikov. Kersikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Haggar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov throws a chopping leg kick but Haggar manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A punch lands to the side of Kersikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Haggar scores with a hook.
Haggar takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Haggar with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Kersikov lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Mike Haggar has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov.
Haggar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Haggar moves away and avoids it.
Mike Haggar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haggar avoids a kick to the body.
Andrei Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Haggar scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Haggar uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Haggar shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kersikov sprawls well. Kersikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haggar gets slowly back to his feet.
Andrei Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Haggar.
A cross from Haggar lands.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Haggar shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kersikov sprawls well. Kersikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haggar gets slowly back to his feet.
Haggar lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Haggar moves out of range of the body kick from Kersikov.
Haggar lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haggar blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Haggar lands a right hook to the body.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kersikov swings for the body but Haggar moves out of range.
Haggar might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kersikov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Haggar's head.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses

and Haggar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Haggar is pressing down on Kersikov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kersikov is holding on for now.
Haggar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Haggar slips a nice elbow through Kersikov's hands, connecting with Kersikov's forehead.
Kersikov gets back to full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Haggar's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Haggar has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haggar wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Haggar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Haggar postures up and lands a big shot to Kersikov's brow.
Haggar working some strikes from top position.
Kersikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Haggar is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Haggar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Haggar postures up in Kersikov's guard and throws a big left but Kersikov blocks it.
Haggar scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggar is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov is pulling down on Haggar's head to control his posture.
Kersikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Haggar trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Haggar distracts Kersikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Haggar landing with the ground and pound.
Haggar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Haggar throwing strikes but missing.
Haggar throwing strikes from guard but Kersikov blocks nicely.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Haggar's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Haggar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Haggar's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Haggar connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kersikov momentarily.
Kersikov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice sprawl there from Kersikov as Haggar shoots in.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Haggar saw that one coming.
Haggar with the counter takedown but Kersikov avoids it easily.

Haggar changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kersikov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kersikov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Haggar.
Kersikov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Haggar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kersikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Haggar.
Haggar wants to pass to mount but Kersikov is defending the position.
Haggar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mike Haggar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Haggar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Haggar working his ground and pound in the gym.
Haggar trying to mount his opponent but Kersikov defends it.
Kersikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haggar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggar throwing shots but Kersikov is blocking nicely.
Kersikov tries to roll over but Haggar keeps him under control.
Kersikov manages to get to full guard.
Haggar postures up in Kersikov's guard and throws a big left but Kersikov blocks it.
Kersikov trying to keep a closed guard but Haggar is proving a slippery customer.
Haggar chips away with some ground and pound.
Haggar postures up in Kersikov's guard and throws a big left but Kersikov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Haggar wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Kersikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kersikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Haggar.
Haggar throwing strikes but missing.
Kersikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Haggar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kersikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Haggar.
Haggar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kersikov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Haggar is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kersikov punishes Haggar's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggar scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Nice cross by Haggar.
Kersikov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Haggar if he has to take too many more of those.
Haggar is breathing heavily.
Kersikov throws a sloppy head kick and Haggar moves out of range easily.
Haggar has a takedown stuffed.
Kersikov gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Haggar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Haggar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kersikov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kersikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haggar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggar trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Haggar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Haggar scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
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!
Haggar lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haggar.
Haggar misses with a low kick.
Haggar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kersikov circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Haggar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Haggar's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kersikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Haggar connects with a single shot there.
Haggar shoots in looking for a takedown. Kersikov tries to sprawl out of it but Haggar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kersikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Haggar avoids it.
Haggar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Haggar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kersikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Haggar somewhat.
Haggar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kersikov cracks a nice hook into Haggar's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haggar ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a head kick.
Haggar lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggar moves out of range of the body kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov looks to throw a body kick

and Haggar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Haggar takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Haggar lands strikes from half guard.
Haggar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haggar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Haggar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haggar throwing shots but Kersikov is blocking nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Haggar lands a nice short elbow.
Haggar is trying to control the action in half guard but Kersikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Haggar is controlling the pace.
Haggar is nestled in close to Kersikov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggar working Kersikov over with strikes.
Haggar takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kersikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haggar.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haggar working over Kersikov with some ground and pound. Kersikov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Haggar lands a nice short elbow.
Haggar controlling the pace.
Haggar lands with a punch from half guard.
Haggar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haggar working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kersikov's head.
Haggar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haggar not doing much here.
Haggar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kersikov defending well though.
Haggar lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Haggar throwing shots but Kersikov is blocking nicely.
Kersikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haggar.
Haggar slips a nice elbow through Kersikov's hands, connecting with Kersikov's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggar working over Kersikov with some ground and pound. Kersikov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Haggar lands a nice short elbow.
Haggar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haggar landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Haggar thows a huge punch but Kersikov dodges it nicely.
Kersikov is not content to let Haggar control the position.
Haggar might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kersikov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Haggar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haggar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haggar thows a huge punch but Kersikov dodges it nicely.
Haggar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Haggar really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Haggar's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haggar was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Haggar lands an overhand right.
Haggar catches Kersikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Haggar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kersikov pinned against the cage. Kersikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Haggar ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Haggar ducks down to avoid it.
Haggar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov takes one on the button.
Haggar ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Haggar changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a lazy body kick

so Haggar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Haggar is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
Haggar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Haggar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kersikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Haggar stopping the sweep attempt from Kersikov.
Kersikov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Haggar on the ground.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kersikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Haggar controlling from the top position.
Haggar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Haggar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haggar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Haggar is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
Haggar advances position into side control!
Haggar throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggar throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Haggar working the ground and pound from side control.
Kersikov regains half guard, as Haggar was trying to land strikes.
Haggar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Haggar lands with a punch from half guard.
Haggar working Kersikov over with strikes.
Haggar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haggar thows a huge punch but Kersikov dodges it nicely.
Haggar working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kersikov's thigh. Kersikov counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggar works over Kersikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Haggar from controlling successfully.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Haggar lands a couple of digs.
Kersikov trying to control the position.
Haggar scoring with some ground and pound.
Haggar trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Haggar is looking to work some ground and pound but Kersikov has wrist control.
Haggar trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
Kersikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Haggar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kersikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kersikov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Haggar has passed into side control.
Kersikov is looking to regain half guard here but Haggar keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sloppy strikes there by Haggar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Haggar dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Mike Haggar's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A lazy left from Haggar finds it's target.
Andrei Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haggar fails to land the takedown.
Haggar lands a nice shot to the body.
Kersikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Haggar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Haggar throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kersikov on the side of the head.
Haggar misses with a takedown attempt - Kersikov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Haggar lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haggar.
Horrible takedown attempt by Haggar or perhaps it was just good defense by Kersikov, which made it look bad.
Andrei Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Haggar.
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Haggar is out of range.
Mike Haggar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kersikov misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kersikov.
Haggar looks for a takedown but Kersikov sprawls well.
Kersikov tries to move into range but Haggar moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kersikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Haggar crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kersikov - the referee stops the clock and Haggar gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kersikov. Haggar manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Haggar is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Haggar scores with a nice strike.
Haggar moves out of range of the body kick from Kersikov.
Haggar takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kersikov throws a jab when Haggar was well out of range.
Haggar blocks a low kick nicely.
Haggar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kersikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Haggar momentarily.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And Haggar tries to counter it with a takedown but Kersikov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov throws a wild body kick that Haggar sees coming a mile off.
Haggar misses with a straight left.
Kersikov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Haggar connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
Haggar scores with a decent looking hook.
Kersikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Haggar shoots and misses
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Haggar checks it well.
Haggar shoots in looking for a takedown but Kersikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Haggar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Haggar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haggar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kersikov misses with a right hand

and Haggar counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kersikov!
Haggar throws an elbow but Kersikov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Haggar postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggar connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kersikov some visible discomfort.
Kersikov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Haggar.
Haggar throws a strike aimed at the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov avoids it well.
Kersikov can't do much from the bottom here.
Haggar throws a strike aimed at the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov avoids it well.
Haggar scoring with punches from side control.
Haggar working the body and head with strikes.
Haggar wants to control but Kersikov is keeping him busy.
The strikes coming from Haggar are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Haggar lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggar fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Haggar tries to score with some ground and pound. Kersikov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Haggar grinds an elbow into Kersikov's temple.
Haggar works to advance to full mount. Kersikov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Haggar looking to control but Kersikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Haggar lands a nice shot to the head.
Haggar scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kersikov?
Haggar scoring with strikes but Kersikov is staying in there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Haggar with good strikes from the mount here!
Mike Haggar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Haggar wants to control the pace but Kersikov is squirming around nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Haggar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Haggar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Haggar!
Mike Haggar is the new super heavyweight champion!