PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitali Kersikov I I (ranked 1305 p4p, 1575 weight class) and Jana Iii Sobieskiego (ranked 166 p4p, 211 weight class). Kersikov I I's entrance music is Sefa & Mr. Ivex - LSD Problem. A fine choice. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kersikov I I
vs
Sobieskiego

188 cm
24
209
5 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
206
9 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 5 - 2 - 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 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Jana Iii Sobieskiego!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Sobieskiego, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kersikov I I scores with a punch to the head.
Sobieskiego tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kersikov I I paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sobieskiego throws a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov I I connects with an inside leg kick.
A jab from Kersikov I I finds it's way through Sobieskiego's defenses.
Kersikov I I 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.

Sobieskiego gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sobieskiego tries to work over Kersikov I I's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Kersikov I I has a couple of punches blocked by Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I lands a left hand.
Sobieskiego blocking some punches.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with an uppercut but Sobieskiego uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sobieskiego misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sobieskiego swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov I I uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov I I fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieskiego's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sobieskiego throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov I I misses with a body punch.
Sobieskiego misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sobieskiego misses with a body punch.
Kersikov I I throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov I I misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kersikov I I working aggressively here.
Kersikov I I misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sobieskiego blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sobieskiego misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sobieskiego lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kersikov I I or not.
Kersikov I I taking a breather.
Sobieskiego lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kersikov I I backwards.
Kersikov I I blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobieskiego swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov I I swings away with an uppercut that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov I I has a couple of punches blocked by Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I working aggressively here.
Sobieskiego has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kersikov I I seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Sobieskiego can turn it around.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego has a couple of punches blocked by Kersikov I I.
A short right from Sobieskiego on the inside.
Sobieskiego working aggressively here.
Sobieskiego blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego lands with a light punch inside.
Sobieskiego lands a left hand.
Kersikov I I lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov I I fails to land.
Sobieskiego blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov I I fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sobieskiego or not.
Sobieskiego works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov I I's head.
Sobieskiego fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I stalling in the clinch but Sobieskiego improves position.
Sobieskiego misses with some punches.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego misses with a punch to the body.
Sobieskiego lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with an uppercut but Sobieskiego uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov I I blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sobieskiego pushes Kersikov I I back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I blocking some punches.
Sobieskiego tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kersikov I I misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I digs a right hand underneath Sobieskiego's ribcage. Sobieskiego let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobieskiego tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov I I working some nice short punches in the clinch.
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!
Sobieskiego misses with a punch on the inside.
Sobieskiego swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov I I uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov I I lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sobieskiego blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kersikov I I.
Sobieskiego scores with a hook to the body.
Kersikov I I lands with a short shot to the head.
Sobieskiego lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kersikov I I backwards.
Sobieskiego blocking some punches.
Kersikov I I fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov I I.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vitali Kersikov I I will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kersikov I I lands a really nice looking cross but Sobieskiego seems unphased.
Kersikov I I throws a series of punches but Sobieskiego moves out of range.
Sobieskiego now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sobieskiego connects with an inside leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Sobieskiego there.

It looks like Vitali Kersikov I I has been cut.
Kersikov I I works Sobieskiego's body with a nice hook.
Sobieskiego is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sobieskiego has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kersikov I I.
Good work by Kersikov I I as he checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov I I keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sobieskiego.
A slow jab from Sobieskiego misses its intended target.
Sobieskiego is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sobieskiego throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov I I swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Sobieskiego misses.
Sobieskiego misses with a body kick.
Kersikov I I misses with a low kick.
Kersikov I I swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sobieskiego moves in looking to clinch but Kersikov I I pushes him off.
Kersikov I I misses with a leg kick
and Sobieskiego counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov I I stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kersikov I I throws a lazy right hand but Sobieskiego sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sobieskiego misses with a low kick.
Sobieskiego misses with a straight right.
Vitali Kersikov I I seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sobieskiego ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov I I moves away.
Kersikov I I avoids the body shot from Sobieskiego.
As Sobieskiego backs away, Kersikov I I returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Sobieskiego throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov I I was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sobieskiego at a distance.
Kersikov I I attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sobieskiego takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sobieskiego drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sobieskiego slips a straight right by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I tests Sobieskiego's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kersikov I I throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sobieskiego throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sobieskiego throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Kersikov I I sends Sobieskiego crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Kersikov I I is motioning to the referee to let Sobieskiego up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Sobieskiego is rocked!
Kersikov I I throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sobieskiego is still on wobbly legs! Can Kersikov I I finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I throws a low kick but Sobieskiego moves out of range easily.
Sobieskiego seems to have recovered his senses.
Vitali Kersikov I I is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov I I looks to land a left hand but Sobieskiego moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov I I slips under a jab from Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sobieskiego has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov I I.

Sobieskiego clinches up against the cage.
Sobieskiego scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sobieskiego misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov I I content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kersikov I I throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sobieskiegos head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I scores with a shoulder strike.
Kersikov I I tries to work over Sobieskiego's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Kersikov I I on the inside.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with an uppercut but Sobieskiego uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov I I lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sobieskiego backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov I I lands a left hand.
A short right from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I lands an uppercut.
Kersikov I I misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov I I misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sobieskiego misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I misses with a body punch.
Kersikov I I is leaning against Sobieskiego and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vitali Kersikov I I has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sobieskiego blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sobieskiego misses with a body punch.
Sobieskiego misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kersikov I I blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego digs a right hand underneath Kersikov I I's ribcage. Kersikov I I let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short right from Kersikov I I on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov I I tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sobieskiego blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sobieskiego swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov I I uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitali Kersikov I I dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vitali Kersikov I I's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sobieskiego's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kersikov I I connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sobieskiego scrambles back to his feet.
Kersikov I I with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sobieskiego moves out of range of the body kick.
Kersikov I I swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sobieskiego shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sobieskiego throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov I I throws a quick counter kick to the body but Sobieskiego avoids it.
Kersikov I I chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sobieskiego can pounce on him.
Sobieskiego tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov I I throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Sobieskiego counters with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov I I connects with a leg kick.
Sobieskiego closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kersikov I I throws a shot from downtown. Sobieskiego moves away and avoids it.
Sobieskiego looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Sobieskiego looks to land a right hand but Kersikov I I moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobieskiego misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov I I lands with a shot to the body.
Kersikov I I ducks under a wild hook from Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego is looking to chop away at Kersikov I I's legs.
Sobieskiego checks the leg kick.
Sobieskiego is looking to score with low kicks.
Sobieskiego tried to score with a low kick but Kersikov I I checks it.
Sobieskiego throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sobieskiego checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kersikov I I tries to land a leg kick but Sobieskiego saw it coming and moves away.
Sobieskiego chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kersikov I I can pounce on him.

Sobieskiego moves into range and clinches up with Kersikov I I.
Sobieskiego blocks a body shot from Kersikov I I.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I pushes Sobieskiego back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sobieskiego throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kersikov I Is head.
Kersikov I I tries to stall but Sobieskiego uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sobieskiego working aggressively here.
Sobieskiego misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sobieskiego tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sobieskiego lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sobieskiego can't find room to land a body shot as Kersikov I I controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Sobieskiego fails to land.
Sobieskiego lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sobieskiego tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.
Sobieskiego lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sobieskiego misses with some punches.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Sobieskiego.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with an uppercut but Sobieskiego uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jana Iii Sobieskiego has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with an uppercut but Sobieskiego uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov I I misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sobieskiego lands a left hand.
A short left from Kersikov I I.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego misses with a body punch.
Sobieskiego has a couple of punches blocked by Kersikov I I.
Sobieskiego misses with some punches.
Sobieskiego misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobieskiego.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kersikov I I makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sobieskiego throws a punch but it's blocked by Kersikov I I.
Sobieskiego misses with the head strike.
Kersikov I I makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Kersikov I I fails to land.
Sobieskiego misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov I I misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I lands a shoulder strike.
Sobieskiego throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Sobieskiego.
Sobieskiego lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kersikov I I misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sobieskiego.
Kersikov I I lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sobieskiego backwards.
Kersikov I I lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov I I fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov I I working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kersikov I I blocks an uppercut.
Sobieskiego misses with a body punch.
Sobieskiego misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sobieskiego blocking some punches.

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.
Well Kersikov I I 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitali Kersikov I I!
An out of breath Vitali Kersikov I I thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.