PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Steamboat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Iron Maiden - The Wicker Man. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kersikov
vs
Steamboat

173 cm
29
158 lbs
18 - 3 - 0

178 cm
34
161 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Beaver Jooce!
Conviction

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roman Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ricky Steamboat!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steamboat thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Steamboat paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

It looks like Roman Kersikov has been cut.
Steamboat throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Steamboat throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Steamboat tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Steamboat throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Good leg kick by Steamboat there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice straight punches there by Kersikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kersikov.
Steamboat misses with a few strikes there.
Steamboat lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kersikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kersikov tries to land a leg kick but Steamboat saw it coming and moves away.
Steamboat steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kersikov.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Steamboat is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Steamboat avoids it well and moves away.
Steamboat moves out of range of the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kersikov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Steamboat is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.
Steamboat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Ricky Steamboat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Steamboat takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Steamboat jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A clash of legs there as Kersikov blocks the low kick.
Steamboat pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steamboat.
Steamboat misses with a head kick.
Steamboat throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Steamboat lands a leg kick that knocks Kersikov off balance momentarily.
Steamboat will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
Kersikov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kersikov throws a body punch but Steamboat moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Steamboat saw that one coming.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Steamboat.
Kersikov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Steamboat defends it nicely.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Steamboat throws out the jab.
Steamboat lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A clash of legs there as Kersikov blocks the low kick.
A shot to the body from Kersikov misses
and Steamboat connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Steamboat looks to land a body kick but Kersikov moved away.
Steamboat fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kersikov checks it well.
Steamboat throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A head kick misses from Steamboat.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ricky Steamboat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steamboat throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Kersikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Steamboat throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.
Kersikov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Steamboat will feel that in the morning.
Jab by Kersikov.
Kersikov with a hook.
Steamboat cracks Kersikov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Steamboat checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Steamboat misses with a head kick.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steamboat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov walks into a stiff left hand from Steamboat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands with a shot to the body.
Steamboat takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A head kick by Steamboat misses

and Kersikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kersikov won't allow Steamboat to get back to his feet.
Kersikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Steamboat trying to control the position.
Kersikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kersikov won't allow Steamboat to sweep him here.
Kersikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Steamboat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov chips away with some ground and pound.
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 Roman Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Kersikov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Steamboat throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Kersikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Steamboat is keeping the position.
Kersikov controlling from the top position.
Steamboat controlling Kersikov's posture.
Kersikov postures up.
Steamboat keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steamboat is keeping the position for now.
Kersikov throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Steamboat trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steamboat keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Steamboat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Steamboat throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Steamboat tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov misses with an attempted mid kick.
A punch combination from Steamboat misses.
Steamboat defending well as Kersikov loads up on a big left hand.
Steamboat misses with a lunging right hand

so Kersikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kersikov trying to control but Steamboat is working from the bottom.
Steamboat trying to keep a closed guard but Kersikov is proving a slippery customer.
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Steamboat is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kersikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Steamboat keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Steamboat is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Steamboat seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Kersikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Steamboat wants to stand up but Kersikov is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steamboat prevents Kersikov from improving his position.
Steamboat content to control rather than advance.
Steamboat seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kersikov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Steamboat prevents Kersikov from improving his position.
Kersikov is working hard here to advance position.

That's four 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.
Kersikov gets full guard.
Steamboat postures up.
Steamboat trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kersikov's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Steamboat misses with a body kick.
Steamboat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov attempts a counter takedown but Steamboat avoids it well and moves away.
Steamboat scores with a punch to the head.
Steamboat throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Steamboat.
Steamboat tries a head kick but it misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Steamboat swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throwing a counter right hand but Steamboat manages to avoid it.
Steamboat throws a head kick but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A big left from Steamboat 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 Roman Kersikov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Kersikov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A slow jab from Steamboat misses its intended target.
Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Steamboat.
Kersikov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Steamboat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Steamboat throws a lazy head kick
and Kersikov counters with a nice body kick.
Steamboat is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Kersikov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Steamboat on the side of the head.
Kersikov avoids the head kick by Steamboat.
Steamboat misses with a combination
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Steamboat does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steamboat throws a poor cross that misses

and Kersikov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kersikov.
Kersikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kersikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kersikov forces his way into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov trying to pass the guard but Steamboat defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to control but Steamboat is keeping him busy.
Kersikov is really struggling to control Steamboat but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Steamboat is looking for a sweep. Kersikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kersikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Steamboat is trying to get back to full guard.
Steamboat is trying to maintain the position but Kersikov is very close to passing his half guard.
Steamboat is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kersikov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kersikov's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is in bad spot here.
Steamboat really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kersikov.
Kersikov is trying to break free.
Steamboat controlling the position well here. Kersikov rolled but Steamboat kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Kersikov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov is refusing to be controlled, as Steamboat sits in half guard.
Kersikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Steamboat wants to stand up but Kersikov is controlling the position.
Steamboat is keen to just control but Kersikov is a slippery customer.

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 wants to improve his position but Steamboat is controlling well.
Steamboat is keen to just control but Kersikov is a slippery customer.
Steamboat trying to control the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jab from Kersikov.
Ricky Steamboat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steamboat dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Steamboat is out of range and Kersikov settles back down.

Kersikov scores with a takedown into Steamboat's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov postures up.
Steamboat is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kersikov is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kersikov, 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 Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Kersikov!
A very excited looking Roman Kersikov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.