PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kersikov (ranked 1830 p4p, 2664 weight class) and Satoshi Ekaku (ranked 192 p4p, 275 weight class). Kersikov comes to the cage accompanied by Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall. 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?

Kersikov
vs
Ekaku

168 cm
24
150
4 - 2 - 0

173 cm
25
147
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
Conviction

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 4 - 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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Satoshi Ekaku!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekaku displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ekaku! But no joy.
Ekaku scores with a jab to the head.
Kersikov throws a wild body kick that Ekaku sees coming a mile off.
Ekaku lands a head shot.
Ekaku dips to his left and cracks Kersikov with an uppercut!
Kersikov connects with a single shot there.
Ekaku throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov drops his hands momentarily and Ekaku takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ekaku misses with a kick to the body.
Kersikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ekaku manages to avoid it.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ekaku only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kersikov is looking to slow Ekaku down with leg kicks.
Ekaku has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ekaku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ekaku misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kersikov lands a leg kick that knocks Ekaku off balance momentarily.
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.
Ekaku chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kersikov can pounce on him.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.
Ekaku scores with a leg kick.
Ekaku chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Ekaku as he connects with a hook.
Satoshi Ekaku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kersikov thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Ekaku throws a body shot but no joy.
Ekaku throws a push kick but Kersikov slaps the foot to one side.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ekaku, as that shot connected.
Ekaku swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Nice body kick there by Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick from Ekaku lands but Kersikov takes it in his stride.
Kersikov lands a jab.
Kersikov throws a low kick but Ekaku moves out of range easily.
It seemed like Ekaku was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ekaku checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kersikov clobbers Ekaku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ekaku misses the shot to the body.
Kersikov throws a shot from downtown. Ekaku moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov feints and then cracks Ekaku's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ekaku down.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut. Kersikov saw that one coming.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Ekaku's front leg but catches the back leg as Ekaku tries to avoid it.
A low kick from Ekaku is predictable there
and Kersikov counters with a body kick.
Ekaku gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kersikov.
Kersikov clobbers Ekaku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ekaku blocks a leg kick.
Ekaku drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ekaku slips under a jab from Kersikov.
A low kick from Ekaku is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ekaku ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov tried to counter with a leg kick but Ekaku avoided it.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
Kersikov throws a shot to the body.
Ekaku misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekaku misses the target.
Ekaku with a nice calf kick.
Kersikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Ekaku throws out a counter right but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov tries to clinch up.
Kersikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku is looking to chop away at Kersikov's legs.
Kersikov connects with the punch.
Ekaku throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Ekaku checks a leg kick.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekaku, pushing him back against the cage.
Ekaku dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ekaku just leaning against Kersikov, taking a breather.
Ekaku receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Ekaku is looking to control Kersikov's arms but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ekaku has his back to the cage.
Ekaku tries to throw a body punch but Kersikov avoids it by throwing Ekaku back against the cage.
Ekaku manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ekaku controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Ekaku's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Satoshi Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Kersikov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Ekaku thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kersikov if he has to take too many more of those.
Ekaku's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kersikov.
Kersikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Ekaku swings widly with a right hand
and Ekaku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov checks a low kick from Ekaku.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Ekaku's leg. Ekaku is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kersikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ekaku.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Ekaku.
Kersikov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ekaku just manages to avoid it.
Kersikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ekaku has time to react.
Ekaku throws a leg kick but Kersikov moved away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kersikov.
Ekaku looks for the body kick but Kersikov saw that one coming.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Ekaku just misses with a punch to the body.
Ekaku explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ekaku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ekaku. Kersikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ekaku avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ekaku.
Kersikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Ekaku.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ekaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Ekaku swings widly with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kersikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a jab to the head.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Ekaku.
Kersikov scores with a jab.
Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Ekaku throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Ekaku.
Ekaku looks for the body kick but Kersikov saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekaku.
Ekaku throws a lazy uppercut
and Ekaku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A bone on bone clash there as Ekaku blocks the leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Ekaku.
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 avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
Ekaku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Ekaku.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Ekaku throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ekaku checks a leg kick.
Ekaku misses with an uppercut.
Ekaku thumps Kersikov with a low kick.
Ekaku cracks Kersikov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ekaku.
Ekaku takes a swing at Kersikov's ribcage but misses.
Ekaku slips a straight right by Kersikov.
Marko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov motions for Ekaku to come forward. Kersikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kersikov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Ekaku's leg. Ekaku is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Ekaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
Ekaku appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ekaku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Ekaku moved out of range.
Ekaku on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to clinch up but Ekaku circles away and keeps his distance.
Kersikov connects with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 misses with a hook.
Ekaku with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kersikov takes a swing at Ekaku's ribcage but misses.
Kersikov throws a front kick aimed at Ekaku's knee but Ekaku avoids it well.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
Ekaku staying out of range there.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
Kersikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ekaku in his tracks.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Ekaku ducked under it nicely.
Ekaku throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ekaku moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
Ekaku misses with a kick to the body.
Kersikov tries a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Ekaku.
It looked like Kersikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ekaku feints and then cracks Kersikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kersikov down.
Ekaku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Ekaku.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Ekaku down.
Ekaku throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A big left from Kersikov misses.
Ekaku walks into a jab.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Ekaku is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kersikov feints and then cracks Ekaku's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ekaku down.
The fighters circling - Ekaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big left from Ekaku misses.
A swing and a miss from Kersikov.
Kersikov blocks a low kick nicely.

Kersikov gets a clinch.
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ekaku breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ekaku uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ekaku throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ekaku blocks a jab.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ekaku uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ekaku is looking to score with low kicks.
Ekaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ekaku misses with a looping left.
Ekaku punishes Kersikov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov thumps Ekaku with a low kick.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Kersikov misses with a kick to the body.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Kersikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kersikov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kersikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ekaku steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Ekaku throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Ekaku throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kersikov counters with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ekaku chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
Ekaku throws a lazy uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ekaku cracks Kersikov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kersikov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ekaku.
Ekaku tries to score with a low kick but Kersikov moves his leg out of the way.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Ekaku avoids the punch easily.
Kersikov throws a hook but Ekaku avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kersikov. That's going to slow Ekaku down.
Kersikov tries to clinch but Ekaku moves out of range.
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Ekaku.
Ekaku looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Ekaku connects with a single shot there.
Ekaku has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ekaku.
Ekaku let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Ekaku moved away.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kersikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ekaku keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ekaku manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kersikov, as that shot connected.
Kersikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov is looking to counter punch.
Kersikov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A leg kick checked by Ekaku.
Kersikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ekaku misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov dips to his left and cracks Ekaku with an uppercut!
Kersikov tries a low kick but Ekaku avoids it.
Kersikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kersikov throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ekaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ekaku looks to land a right hand but Kersikov moved out of range.
Kersikov throws a hook but Ekaku avoids it easily.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Ekaku sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ekaku throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kersikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A low kick from Ekaku misses
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Ekaku slips the punch.
Ekaku darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ekaku comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a hook but Ekaku blocks it.
Ekaku steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Ekaku moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A good leg kick by Ekaku.
Ekaku scoring well with a low kick there.
Ekaku scores with a body shot.
Kersikov cracks Ekaku with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ekaku slips under a jab.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ekaku can do to turn this around?
Ekaku looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ekaku smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ekaku swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kersikov.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ekaku.
Ekaku checks a leg kick nicely.
Kersikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ekaku on the side of the head.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Ekaku saw that one coming.
Ekaku throws a jab when Kersikov was well out of range.
Good work by Ekaku as he checks the leg kick.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ekaku scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ekaku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice uppercut there from Ekaku.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ekaku slips a jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ekaku throws a solid leg kick but Kersikov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ekaku.
Kersikov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Ekaku was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ekaku.
Kersikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov clobbers Ekaku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Ekaku fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekaku rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kersikov misses with a looping left.
A leg kick checked by Ekaku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kersikov tries to clinch up but Ekaku circles away and keeps his distance.
Kersikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov motions for Ekaku to come forward. Kersikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kersikov connects with a single shot there.
Ekaku misses with a straight left.
Ekaku throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekaku misses with a left hand
and Kersikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ekaku's knee momentarily.
Kersikov lands a leg kick that knocks Ekaku off balance momentarily.
Ekaku dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kersikov. That did some damage!
Ekaku throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Ekaku dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kersikov. That did some damage!
Kersikov wants to slow Ekaku down by chopping away at his legs.
Kersikov moves out of range as Ekaku throws a body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kersikov clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ekaku.
Ekaku is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Satoshi Ekaku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ekaku just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kersikov's brow.

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 Marko Kersikov.
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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Kersikov!
After winning the bout, Marko Kersikov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.