PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shigeru Otori (ranked 87 p4p, 104 weight class) and Marko Kersikov (ranked 4 p4p, 7 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Otori
vs
Kersikov

178 cm
28
145
18 - 10 - 1

168 cm
29
140
13 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Shigeru Otori!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Otori throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Kersikov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Otori connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kersikov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Otori looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Otori throws a low kick but Kersikov moves out of range easily.
Shigeru Otori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Otori blocks a low kick nicely.
Otori tries to clinch but Kersikov is having none of it.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Otori misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Otori pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kersikov is out of range and Otori settles back down.
Kersikov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kersikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Otori connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kersikov. Kersikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kersikov replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Otori blocks it well.
Kersikov motions for Otori to come forward. Kersikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kersikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Kersikov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Otori has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Kersikov defending well as Otori loads up on a big left hand.
Otori looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
A low kick from Otori misses
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A low kick from Otori is predictable there
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Otori tries to work over Kersikov's front leg with a kick but Kersikov checks it.
Kersikov counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Otori moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov scores with a jab.
Kersikov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Otori connects with a looping right hand.
Otori throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Otori misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kersikov counter with a right hand.
Otori blocks the body kick.

Otori takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otori working aggressively here.
Kersikov is looking to control Otori's arms but Otori gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kersikov has his back to the cage.
Kersikov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kersikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov tries to throw a body punch but Otori avoids it by throwing Kersikov back against the cage.

Kersikov manages to break the clinch.
Donk. Otori catches Kersikov right on the button with a cross.
Otori lands a slapping body shot.
Otori lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Otori throws the left hand but Kersikov avoids the punch easily.
Otori tries to clinch but Kersikov moves out of range.

Otori takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Otori.
Kersikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Otori wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Otori blocking some punches.
Otori is trying to break the clinch but Kersikov is controlling him.
Otori tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Otori gets an underhook and turns Kersikov into the cage.
Otori missing with knees to the body.
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 managing to block the knees to the body from Otori.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Otori lands with a short shot to the head.
Kersikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kersikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Otori tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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 Shigeru Otori will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Otori throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
Decent striking displayed by Otori there.
Otori fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Otori misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a leg kick.
Kersikov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Otori backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Kersikov staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Otori with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Otori throws out the jab.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otori is looking to clinch but Kersikov is avoiding it.
Otori slips under a jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Otori appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Otori scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Otori stuns Kersikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Otori wants to clinch up but Kersikov keeps it at a distance.
Kersikov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A bone on bone clash there as Kersikov blocks the leg kick.
Kersikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori throws a leg kick
and Otori takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov walks into a jab.
Otori tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kersikov counters with a right hand to the body.
Kersikov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Otori tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kersikov counters with a body kick.
Kersikov throws a body kick that misses
and Otori cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Otori lands a nice shot that snaps Kersikov's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otori throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Otori is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
Nice shot by Otori.
Otori pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Otori is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
Kersikov moves out of range of the leg kick from Otori.
A good leg kick by Otori.
Otori lands with a nice body punch.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otori throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kersikov replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Otori blocks it well.
Kersikov looks to land a body kick but Otori moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Otori does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kersikov cracks Otori with a good jab.
Otori loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Otori swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Otori walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shigeru Otori dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov defending well as Otori loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Otori moves into the clinch.
Kersikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Kersikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Otori swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kersikov.
Otori trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Kersikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Otori up against the cage.
Otori lands with a right to the head.
Otori blocking some punches.
Otori misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Otori.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otori unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kersikov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Otori.
Otori misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kersikov.
A right handed body shot lands from Otori.
Otori struggles to land a body shot inside as Kersikov controls his hands.
Otori throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kersikovs head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Otori.

Kersikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kersikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Otori.
Otori throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Otori missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Otori misses with a hook
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Otori lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Otori misses with a looping left.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Otori attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Otori was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kersikov tries a quick counter leg kick but Otori is wise to it.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Otori.
Kersikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Otori counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marko Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kersikov feints and then cracks Otori's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Otori down.
Otori misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Kersikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kersikov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kersikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Otori is just out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Otori uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Otori with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with the body kick
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Otori misses with a straight right.

Otori has Kersikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kersikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Otori scores with a shot to the side of Kersikov's head.
Otori struggles to land a body shot inside as Kersikov controls his hands.
Kersikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Otori backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Otori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kersikov.
Kersikov gets through Otori's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Otori lands a shoulder strike.
Otori tries to land knees in the clinch but Kersikov avoids the damage to the body.
Kersikov misses with the head strike.
Kersikov blocks a body shot from Otori.
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Otori.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Shigeru Otori did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Otori is looking to counter punch.
Otori connects with a leg kick.
Kersikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Otori manages to avoid it.
Otori's corner calls for a 1-2. Otori obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Otori checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Kersikov misses
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Otori tests Kersikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kersikov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Otori moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov walks into a left hand.
Otori tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Otori misses with a looping left.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kersikov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kersikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kersikov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kersikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Otori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Otori darts in and clinches Kersikov up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Otori.
Kersikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Otori.
Kersikov lands a left hand.
Kersikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Otori or not.
Shigeru Otori has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov working aggressively here.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov pushes Otori back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Otori cracks Kersikov with a nice body shot.
Otori lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kersikov backwards.

Otori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Otori with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otori lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Otori bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Otori darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Otori at a distance.
Otori bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kersikov's head.
Kersikov throws a series of punches but Otori avoids them all with ease.
Otori connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kersikov momentarily.
Nice shot by Otori.
Otori uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kersikov has time to react.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otori looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov is just out of range.
Kersikov looks to land a body kick but Otori moved away.
Otori lands a lovely overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Otori fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kersikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kersikov lands a front kick.
Otori throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Otori darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Otori is looking to clinch.
Kersikov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shigeru Otori had his way with Marko Kersikov in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kersikov scores with a body shot.
Otori fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Otori rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kersikov checks a leg kick.
Kersikov throws out a counter right but Otori avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Otori moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov slips under a jab.
Otori throws a hook to the side of Kersikov's head but Kersikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Otori pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otori keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kersikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Otori tries to clinch but Kersikov moves away
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Otori misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the head.
Otori turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Otori.
Kersikov tries a quick counter leg kick but Otori is wise to it.
Kersikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Otori moves out of range as Kersikov strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori moves to clinch but Kersikov breaks away
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Otori lands a jab.
Otori misses with a looping right.
Kersikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Otori keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick
and Otori counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kersikov thinking.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Otori moves away.
A little feinted left hand from Otori on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov throws a lazy body kick
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Otori gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Otori doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov lands with a left to the head.
Kersikov misses with a hook to the ribs.

Otori pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Otori fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kersikov tries a quick counter leg kick but Otori is wise to it.
Otori lands a jab to the head.
Otori misses with a leg kick.
Kersikov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A telegraphed right hand from Otori misses the target.
Otori with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Otori counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Otori tries a low kick but Kersikov avoids it.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Otori was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Otori throws a chopping leg kick but Kersikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Otori is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kersikov connects with a crisp jab.
Kersikov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Otori misses the jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Otori tries to close the distance and clinch but Kersikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

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 Shigeru Otori.
Well Otori 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shigeru Otori!
Shigeru Otori retains his bantamweight title!
Our winner, Shigeru Otori, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.