PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeniy Malkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitali Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Dj Nosferatu - When Angels Cry as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Evgeniy Malkin had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Malkin
vs
Kersikov

191 cm
23
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
209 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Project Mayhem

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeniy Malkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malkin connects with a leg kick. Kersikov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kersikov tries to clinch there but Malkin circles away.
Malkin lands with a good body shot.

Kersikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kersikov tries to land a knee to the head but Malkin blocks with his arms.
Malkin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Kersikov stalls.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Malkin controls his hands.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Malkin throws a punch but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov digs a right hand into Malkin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Malkin's gas tank.
Malkin jumps guard but Kersikov stands there with Malkin around his waist. Malkin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Malkin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kersikov walks away with a smile on his face. Malkin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Malkin pushes Kersikov away with a front kick.
Malkin slips under a jab.
Malkin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Malkin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kersikov checks it well.
Malkin just misses with a punch to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Malkin.
Malkin throws a sloppy head kick and Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Malkin throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Malkin.
Malkin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Malkin.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Malkin 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.
Kersikov swings for the body but Malkin moves out of range.
A jab from Kersikov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Malkin misses.
The fighters circling - Kersikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kersikov scores with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Malkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Malkin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malkin.
Malkin throws a shot to the body.
Malkin pushes Kersikov away with a front kick.
Kersikov sizes up Malkin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Malkin punishes Kersikov's body with a nice straight punch.
Malkin throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Malkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malkin lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kersikov takes a step back to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Malkin 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.
Malkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Malkin throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Evgeniy Malkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Malkin misses the jab.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Malkin slips the punch.
Kersikov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Malkin. That one must have hurt.
Malkin scores with a hook to the body. Kersikov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good leg kick by Malkin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Malkin works over Kersikov's head and body with a nice combination.
Malkin misses with a lunging right hand
and Kersikov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Malkin moves out of range of the leg kick from Kersikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Malkin. Malkin obviously looking to wear him down.
Kersikov checks a leg kick nicely.
Malkin explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malkin throws a leg kick but Kersikov moved away.
Malkin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Malkin.
Malkin misses with a low kick.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Malkin saw that one coming.
Malkin thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it

and Kersikov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kersikov.
Malkin is struggling to control the position.
Malkin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov misses with a punch to the body.
Malkin misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeniy Malkin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kersikov lands a body shot.
Kersikov lands a body shot.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. Malkin looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Malkin connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
Malkin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Malkin misses with an uppercut.
A low kick from Malkin misses
and Kersikov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Malkin is looking to wear down Kersikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Malkin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Malkin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Evgeniy Malkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Malkin checks a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malkin misses with a low kick.
Malkin throws a leg kick but Kersikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Malkin throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Malkin throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Malkin. Kersikov shrugs it off though.
Kersikov moves in looking to clinch but Malkin pushes him off.
Malkin 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.
Malkin misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Malkin slaps the foot to one side.
A cross from Malkin lands.
Malkin catches Kersikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malkin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Malkin ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
Malkin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kersikov's sensitive parts.
A jab from Malkin misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malkin looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Malkin misses with a leg kick.
Malkin cracks the inside of Kersikov's front leg.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Malkin misses its intended target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malkin misses with a body kick.
Malkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Malkin.
Malkin tries to score with a low kick but Kersikov moves his leg out of the way.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Malkin avoids the punch easily.
Malkin motions for Kersikov to come forward. Malkin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Malkin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Malkin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Malkin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Malkin.
Malkin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Malkin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov throws a hook but Malkin blocks it.
Malkin feints and then cracks Kersikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kersikov down.
Malkin lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
A solid leg kick lands there for Malkin.
Kersikov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Malkin.
Malkin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Malkin looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Malkin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Malkin slaps the foot to one side.
A low kick from Malkin misses
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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 takes a swing at Malkin's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov drops his hands momentarily and Malkin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Malkin throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nice straight punches there by Kersikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kersikov.
Malkin checks the leg kick.
Malkin catches Kersikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Good leg kick by Malkin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kersikov looks to throw the jab but Malkin is out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Malkin 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.
An inside leg kick from Malkin misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Evgeniy Malkin will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Malkin lands a jab.
Malkin misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov throws a lazy head kick

and Malkin counters with a single leg into guard. Kersikov didn't expect that.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Malkin preventing the sweep.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Malkin from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Evgeniy Malkin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kersikov moves out of range of the body kick.
Malkin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Malkin throws a low kick but Kersikov avoids it.
Malkin looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
Malkin missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Malkin tried to score with a low kick but Kersikov checks it.
Malkin connects with an inside leg kick.
Malkin misses with a body shot.
Malkin digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
Malkin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Vitali Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Malkin. That's going to slow Kersikov down.
Malkin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kersikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Malkin throws a push kick but Kersikov slaps the foot to one side.
Kersikov is looking to clinch but Malkin is avoiding it.
Kersikov thuds a left hand into Malkin's body.
Malkin misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kersikov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Malkin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Malkin misses with a kick to the body

and Kersikov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kersikov stalling.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Malkin.
Kersikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Evgeniy Malkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malkin misses with the head strike.
Malkin blocks an uppercut.
Kersikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Malkin fails to pull guard.
Kersikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Malkin backwards.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kersikov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Malkin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Malkin uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Malkin backwards.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kersikov taking a breather.
Kersikov tries a knee to the head but Malkin blocks it.
Malkin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Malkin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Evgeniy Malkin.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Malkin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeniy Malkin!
Evgeniy Malkin thanked the fans post fight for their support.