PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitali Kersikov I I (ranked 4667 p4p, 5812 weight class) and Bush Wookiee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kersikov I I
vs
Wookiee

188 cm
18
209
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov I I!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bush Wookiee!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wookiee moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Vitali Kersikov I I has been cut.
Wookiee will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kersikov I I rushes Wookiee and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov I I stalling against the cage.

Kersikov I I breaks the clinch.

Kersikov I I shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wookiee manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kersikov I I trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov I I knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wookiee on the ground.
Wookiee wants to sweep here but Kersikov I I controlling him for the moment.
Wookiee controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wookiee is on top in guard.

Wookiee trying to control but Kersikov I I is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kersikov I I keeping moving, preventing Wookiee from controlling successfully.

Kersikov I I is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wookiee defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov I I trying to control the position.
Kersikov I I wants to get back to his feet but Wookiee passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wookiee is taking a breather. Kersikov I I says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Wookiee trying to control the action but Kersikov I I is working from the bottom.
Kersikov I I has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wookiee is working away from the top position though.

Wookiee escapes and gets back to his feet.
Wookiee avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wookiee wants to counter with a clinch but Kersikov I I pushes him away.
Kersikov I I pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I slaps away a takedown attempt from Wookiee, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Wookiee wants to clinch up but Kersikov I I keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kersikov I I or perhaps it was just good defense by Wookiee, which made it look bad.
Kersikov I I tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wookiee swivels and escapes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wookiee.
Vitali Kersikov I I has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bush Wookiee.
Wookiee cracks Kersikov I I with an open hand slap.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wookiee wants to clinch up but Kersikov I I keeps it at a distance.
Wookiee darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov I I gets double underhooks and turns Wookiee into the cage.
Kersikov I I shoots in for a double leg but Wookiee sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kersikov I I changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wookiee looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Wookiee bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
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 I I swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Wookiee.
Kersikov I I fires out a quick counter leg kick but Wookiee just manages to avoid it.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wookiee manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wookiee scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wookiee manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kersikov I I shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kersikov I I was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Wookiee bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bush Wookiee dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov I I's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kersikov I I tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wookiee paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wookiee feints the counter takedown.

Kersikov I I shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wookiee is trying to defend but Kersikov I I finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Wookiee manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wookiee moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov I I tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wookiee swivels and escapes.
Bush Wookiee seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wookiee dives in and grabs Kersikov I I's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kersikov I I pushes down on Wookiee's head and hops out.
Vitali Kersikov I I is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kersikov I I shoots in for a takedown but Wookiee shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wookiee darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov I I gets double underhooks and turns Wookiee into the cage.
Wookiee shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kersikov I I but Kersikov I I pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vitali Kersikov I I has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bush Wookiee.

Wookiee tries to sprawl but Kersikov I I drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Wookiee has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kersikov I I is on him like a limpet, forcing Wookiee back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wookiee just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kersikov I I fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kersikov I I is pressed up against the cage. Wookiee has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kersikov I I down to the mat. Kersikov I I avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kersikov I I rushes Wookiee and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov I I just leaning against Wookiee, taking a breather.
Wookiee can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov I I controls the action.
Kersikov I I prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wookiee lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wookiee blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov I I controlling the action here for a moment.
A bit of stalling here from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I has Wookiee pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wookiee manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wookiee letting Kersikov I I take a breather here.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.

Kersikov I I pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch up.
Wookiee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wookiee looks for the body kick but Kersikov I I saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I wants to clinch.
Wookiee fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck for Wookiee with that takedown attempt.
Kersikov I I throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wookiee's waist but Wookiee gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kersikov I I off to one side.
Wookiee darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov I I gets double underhooks and turns Wookiee into the cage.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch but Wookiee is having none of it.
Wookiee counters with a body kick.
Kersikov I I fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kersikov I I shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wookiee tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov I I swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov I I is looking to counter with head kicks.
Wookiee throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kersikov I I stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wookiee.
Wookiee throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wookiee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wookiee slips under a jab.
Kersikov I I tries to clinch up but Wookiee circles away and keeps his distance.
Wookiee shoots in looking for a takedown but Kersikov I I manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wookiee's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wookiee throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kersikov I I's waist but Kersikov I I gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wookiee off to one side.
Wookiee is looking to clinch.
Kersikov I I misses with a few strikes there.
Kersikov I I blocks a head kick by Wookiee.
Wookiee moves out of range as Kersikov I I throws a body kick.
Kersikov I I throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Wookiee counters with a left and a right that stings Kersikov I I.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bush Wookiee showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov I I's cut.
That's time! Kersikov I I's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Good work by Wookiee as he checks the leg kick.

Kersikov I I scores with a takedown into Wookiee's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Wookiee manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Kersikov I I is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wookiee to keep the fight standing.
Wookiee is trying to break free.

Kersikov I I manages to break the clinch.
Kersikov I I fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Kersikov I I as Wookiee shoots in.
Wookiee tries to clinch but Kersikov I I moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kersikov I I looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wookiee is looking to clinch but Kersikov I I is avoiding it.
Kersikov I I swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wookiee tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wookiee fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov I I avoids it really well and circles away.
Kersikov I I shoots and misses
and Wookiee counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wookiee tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kersikov I I defends well and Wookiee ends up having to push Kersikov I I into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vitali Kersikov I I has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bush Wookiee.
Wookiee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Wookiee. No joy for Kersikov I I on that attempt.
Kersikov I I shoots in looking for a takedown. Wookiee tries to sprawl out of it but Kersikov I I keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wookiee manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wookiee misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov I I is looking to clinch.
Wookiee misses with a takedown attempt - Kersikov I I sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wookiee shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kersikov I I pinned against the cage. Kersikov I I gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kersikov I I walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Wookiee checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov I I looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wookiee fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I wants to clinch.

Kersikov I I gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kersikov I I manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Kersikov I I. No joy for Wookiee on that attempt.
Wookiee misses with a takedown attempt - Kersikov I I sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kersikov I I swats away the attempt to clinch by Wookiee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wookiee misses with a kick to the body.
Wookiee shoots in but Kersikov I I avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kersikov I I half committed to a counter leg kick.

Kersikov I I feints and as Wookiee raises his hands in defense, Kersikov I I changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kersikov I I trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kersikov I I wants to control from the top but Wookiee keeps moving.

Wookiee is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kersikov I I defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wookiee keeping moving, preventing Kersikov I I from controlling successfully.

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 Vitali Kersikov I I.
I think Wookiee has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bush Wookiee!