PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 2560 p4p, 2624 weight class) and Joseph Futeran (ranked 270 p4p, 274 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall. Futeran has chosen Jesus Christ Superstar as his entrance music. Marko Kersikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kersikov
vs
Futeran

168 cm
24
150
3 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
150
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Joseph Futeran!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Futeran misses
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Futeran moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Futeran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Futeran takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Futeran moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Futeran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Futeran looking to score a takedown here. Kersikov is defending well but Futeran drives through and ends up in Kersikov's guard.

Kersikov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Futeran is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Futeran stalling in the clinch but Kersikov improves position.
A nice left hand lands by Futeran.
Kersikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kersikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Futeran uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Futeran creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kersikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Futeran lands a hook that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.
Kersikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Futeran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov fails to land.
Kersikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kersikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Futeran trying to land knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Futeran avoids the damage to the body.
Futeran tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov's elbow.
Futeran misses with a short punch on the inside.
Futeran tries a body shot but Kersikov blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Futeran.
Futeran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov lands a nice uppercut.
Kersikov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right from Kersikov on the inside.

Kersikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov motions for Futeran to come forward. Kersikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses.
Futeran throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov throws a right and a left that Futeran avoids nicely.
Futeran cracks a nice hook into Kersikov's ribs.
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!
A lazy left from Kersikov finds it's target.
Nice uppercut there from Futeran.
Marko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov throws a hook but Futeran blocks it.
Futeran looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kersikov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The fighters circle momentarily. Futeran darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Futeran scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Futeran throws a sloppy body shot
and Kersikov counters with a good low kick that Futeran was not able to check.
Kersikov drops his hands momentarily and Futeran takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kersikov swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov slips a jab from Futeran.
Futeran shoots for a double leg takedown but Kersikov sprawls well. He's pushed Futeran's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It looked like Kersikov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Futeran.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Futeran throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Futeran.
Futeran looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
A solid body kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Futeran keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Futeran moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Futeran.
A swing and a miss from Futeran.
Futeran misses with a looping right.
Futeran throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.
Kersikov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov wants to slow Futeran down by chopping away at his legs.
Futeran scores with a jab to the body.
Futeran shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kersikov as he avoids it easily.
Kersikov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Futeran just manages to avoid it.
Futeran misses with a straight right.
Futeran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Futeran takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kersikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Futeran gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kersikov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Futeran displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Futeran throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Futeran looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Futeran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kersikov connects with a nice looking jab.
Kersikov misses with a double jab.
Futeran feints the counter takedown.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kersikov 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 Futeran has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Futeran and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kersikov takes one to the chin there.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Futeran looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
An inside leg kick from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Futeran misses with a two punch combination.
Futeran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Kersikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Futeran misses with a wild body shot.
Futeran checks a low kick from Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futeran lands with an overhand left.
Futeran throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Kersikov clobbers Futeran with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Futeran takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Futeran moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Futeran is looking to chop away at Kersikov's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futeran takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kersikov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Futeran will feel that in the morning.
Kersikov tried to score with a low kick but Futeran checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kersikov.
Futeran scores with a nice head shot.
Marko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Futeran swinging wildly here.
Kersikov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Futeran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Futeran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Futeran looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Futeran.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Futeran moves away and avoids it.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Futeran takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Futeran misses with an uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Futeran. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Kersikov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Futeran tries for a takedown but Kersikov circles away easily
and Kersikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Futeran can do to turn this around?
Futeran stuns Kersikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Futeran takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Futeran throws a lazy body kick
and Futeran takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Futeran staying out of range there.
An inside leg kick lands from Kersikov.
Futeran is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kersikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Futeran. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Futeran sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Futeran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Futeran misses the jab.
Kersikov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kersikov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a looping overhand right but Futeran ducks down to avoid it.
Kersikov is looking to slow Futeran down with leg kicks.
Futeran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov throwing a counter right hand but Futeran manages to avoid it.
Donk. Kersikov catches Futeran right on the button with a cross.
Futeran throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Futeran's front leg but catches the back leg as Futeran tries to avoid it.
Kersikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Futeran throws a series of strikes that have Kersikov backpedaling.
Kersikov lands with an overhand left.

Futeran feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Futeran throws a big right hand that misses.
Kersikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futeran.
Futeran stopping the sweep attempt from Kersikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controlling the position.
Futeran stopping the sweep attempt from Kersikov.
Futeran throws a strike but Kersikov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Futeran looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kersikov is one step ahead there.
Kersikov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Futeran has control of Kersikov's left arm, preventing Kersikov from doing any damage.
Kersikov throwing strikes from guard but Futeran blocks nicely.
Futeran is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kersikov throws an elbow that misses. Futeran uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kersikov's guard. Nice move by Futeran!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Futeran throws a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body. Futeran takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd cheers as Futeran lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kersikov doesn't seem phased though.
Futeran throws a leg kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Futeran.
Futeran slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Futeran takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Futeran's front leg but catches the back leg as Futeran tries to avoid it.
Kersikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Futeran has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a jab when Futeran was well out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Futeran misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov slips a jab from Futeran.
A big right from Kersikov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Futeran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kersikov. Futeran shrugs it off though.
A good leg kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a jab to the body
and Futeran counters with a stiff right hand.
Futeran swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Futeran.
Futeran lands a body shot.
Futeran misses with a body kick.
Kersikov jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Futeran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kersikov scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Futeran throws out a leg kick but Kersikov moves out of range and Futeran only half commits.
A big left from Futeran misses.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Joseph Futeran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futeran darts in looking for a takedown but Kersikov gets double underhooks and turns Futeran into the cage.
Kersikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Kersikov throws a shot to the body.
Futeran shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kersikov as he jumps to the side.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kersikov, as that shot connected.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Futeran scores with a sloppy right hand. Kersikov should have avoided that one.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Futeran moved out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kersikov.
Futeran shoots in and drives through. Kersikov sprawls well.
Marko Kersikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Futeran.
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Futeran.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kersikov - that will leave a mark!
Futeran closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kersikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Futeran takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Futeran takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kersikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kersikov lands a lovely overhand right.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Futeran has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Futeran stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Futeran throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Futeran staying out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kersikov.
Futeran blocks a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Kersikov as he connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Futeran moves out of range.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Futeran checks it well.
Futeran throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Futeran lands a nice looking body shot.
Kersikov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Futeran lands a jab to the head.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses.
Futeran swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Some wild striking there from Kersikov.
Futeran scores with a jab. Kersikov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Futeran slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Futeran misses with a jab, cross combination.
A shot to the liver by Kersikov. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Futeran throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
Kersikov scores with a spinning back kick!
Futeran dives in for a single leg takedown but Kersikov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Futeran is just out of range.
Futeran throws a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kersikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

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