PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Shamrock (ranked 35 p4p, 5 weight class) and Boyko Kersikov (ranked 178 p4p, 24 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shamrock might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to One Winged Angel by The Black Mages. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Shamrock
vs
Kersikov

170 cm
30
148 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

167 cm
37
142 lbs
24 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Shamrock!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Shamrock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shamrock, pushing him back against the cage.
Shamrock lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
A shot in the inside from Kersikov.
We've been informed that Kersikov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kersikov prevents a body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock misses with a body punch.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shamrock as Kersikov tries to tie him up.
Shamrock is working Kersikov over against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shamrock scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov's head.
Kersikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Shamrock on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamrock.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamrock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Shamrock.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shamrock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamrock pushes Kersikov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shamrock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shamrock working aggressively here.
Kersikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kersikov takes a shot to the head.
Shamrock tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Shamrock back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Shamrock as the two fighters clinch.
Shamrock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shamrock lands a nice uppercut.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Shamrock fails to land.
Shamrock misses with the head strike.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Shamrock.
A right hook to the body lands for Shamrock.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
I was talking to Shamrock's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamrock lands with a short shot to the head.
Shamrock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shamrock lands a nice uppercut.
Shamrock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov can't find room to land a body shot as Shamrock controls the action.
A short right from Shamrock.
Shamrock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamrock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shamrock prevents a body shot from Kersikov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamrock.
A body shot lands from Kersikov.
Kersikov looking to slow down the pace here.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamrock.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Shamrock misses with a body punch.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Shamrock.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a head punch that misses.
Shamrock throws a head punch that misses.
Shamrock misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamrock stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Shamrock lands with a light punch inside.
A short right from Shamrock.
Shamrock misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
Shamrock blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kersikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Shamrock.
Shamrock blocks an uppercut.
Shamrock throws a punch but it's blocked by Kersikov.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Shamrock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shamrock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Shamrock lands with a left to the head.
Shamrock digs a right hand underneath Kersikov's ribcage. Kersikov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamrock.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
Shamrock throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shamrock digs a right hand underneath Kersikov's ribcage. Kersikov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shamrock lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kersikov looks winded!
Shamrock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov trying to control the position but instead, Shamrock has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kersikov into the cage.
Shamrock lands an uppercut.
Kersikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamrock lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Shamrock gets through Kersikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shamrock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shamrock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kersikov cracks Shamrock with a good jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Some wild striking there from Kersikov.
Shamrock misses with a straight left.
Kersikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shamrock takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Kersikov has closed the distance and engaged Shamrock in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Shamrock.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Shamrock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
Shamrock throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shamrock lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Shamrock.
Shamrock tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Nick Shamrock has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shamrock.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamrock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shamrocks head.
Still in the clinch, Shamrock scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shamrock lands a left hand.
Kersikov looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shamrock.
A head punch on the inside from Shamrock fails to land.
A short right from Kersikov on the inside.
Shamrock misses with a body punch.
Shamrock gets through Kersikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shamrock lands a body shot.
Shamrock is working Kersikov over against the cage.
Kersikov is breathing heavily.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shamrock.
Shamrock works on Kersikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Kersikov prevents a body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamrock tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
A right handed body shot lands from Shamrock.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kersikov.
Shamrock misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamrock lands a shoulder strike.
Shamrock misses with a body punch.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Shamrock tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
Shamrock can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov controls the action.
Shamrock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamrock makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamrock misses with a punch to the body.
Shamrock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
A short right from Kersikov.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamrock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov is looking to control Shamrock's arms but Shamrock gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kersikov has his back to the cage.
Shamrock pushes Kersikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
A short right from Kersikov.
Shamrock scores with a shoulder strike.
Kersikov blocking some punches.
Shamrock lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A left hand lands to the body for Shamrock.
Shamrock digs a right hand underneath Kersikov's ribcage. Kersikov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shamrock lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Shamrock scores with a shoulder strike.
A short uppercut from Shamrock.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov takes a shot to the head.
Shamrock misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Shamrock on the inside.
A short uppercut from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamrock lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamrock misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamrock scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shamrock lands with a short shot to the head.
Shamrock is leaning against Kersikov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shamrock pushes Kersikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shamrock gets through Kersikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamrock lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Kersikov is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Kersikov is still on wobbly legs! Can Shamrock finish him?
A short right from Shamrock on the inside.
Shamrock digs a right hand into Kersikov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kersikov's gas tank.
A short uppercut from Shamrock.
Shamrock digs a right hand underneath Kersikov's ribcage. Kersikov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shamrock scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Shamrock.
Shamrock dips a shoulder and cracks Kersikov with a mighty uppercut! Kersikov falls back against the cage and Shamrock unloads with a barrage of strikes! Kersikov is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Shamrock screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nick Shamrock!
Nick Shamrock retains his featherweight title!
Nick Shamrock was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.