PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chukwu Adeoluwa (ranked 147 p4p, 233 weight class) and Marko Kersikov (ranked 10 p4p, 15 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Hi Rez - 3 Ft Tall as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Adeoluwa
vs
Kersikov

170 cm
28
140
17 - 6 - 0

168 cm
29
140
13 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Shadow Realm Apparel
Hoarse Pills

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 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chukwu Adeoluwa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Marko Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Adeoluwa walks into a jab.
Adeoluwa misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Adeoluwa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov tests Adeoluwa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kersikov looks for the body kick but Adeoluwa saw that one coming.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses with a combination
and Adeoluwa counters with a straight right hand.

Adeoluwa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kersikov did well to prevent Adeoluwa getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Adeoluwa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Adeoluwa's back!
Kersikov slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov looking to hold on to the position here but Adeoluwa rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Kersikov is looking to stand up but Adeoluwa won't let him.
Adeoluwa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kersikov is one step ahead there.
Kersikov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kersikov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Adeoluwa is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Adeoluwa wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Adeoluwa keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.
Adeoluwa keeping full guard, as Kersikov tries to pass.
Adeoluwa keeping moving, preventing Kersikov from controlling successfully.

Kersikov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Adeoluwa is looking to score with low kicks.

Adeoluwa gets a takedown into half guard.

Kersikov kicks Adeoluwa off and gets back to his feet.
Marko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Adeoluwa moved out of range nicely.
Marko Kersikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Adeoluwa moves out of range of the body kick.
Kersikov throws a big shot that misses.
Adeoluwa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kersikov.
Adeoluwa lands with an overhand left.
Kersikov throws a leg kick

and Adeoluwa counters with a takedown into side control.
Adeoluwa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kersikov keeps working.
Kersikov trying to control but Adeoluwa flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov trying to control the action but Adeoluwa just sinks the hooks in.
Adeoluwa really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Kersikov.
Adeoluwa throwing sloppy strikes.
Kersikov can't escape the position.
Adeoluwa lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Adeoluwa throwing damaging strikes from the back! Kersikov could be in trouble here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Good control from Adeoluwa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Marko Kersikov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Adeoluwa.
Kersikov misses with a body kick.
Adeoluwa missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kersikov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Adeoluwa. Adeoluwa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Adeoluwa throws a jab but it's blocked by Kersikov.
A little jabbing left from Kersikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kersikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kersikov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Adeoluwa's head.
Kersikov checks a low kick from Adeoluwa.
Kersikov feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov tried to score with a low kick but Adeoluwa checks it.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Adeoluwa moves away.
Adeoluwa throws a looping overhand right but Kersikov ducks down to avoid it.
Adeoluwa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Adeoluwa.
Adeoluwa misses with a hook.
Adeoluwa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Adeoluwa throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kersikov! But no joy.
Adeoluwa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Adeoluwa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kersikov.
Kersikov missing with a left hand there. Adeoluwa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Adeoluwa misses the target.
Adeoluwa ducks under a wild hook from Kersikov.
A shot to the liver by Kersikov. Beautiful body shot.
Kersikov throws a hook but Adeoluwa blocks it.
Kersikov wants to slow Adeoluwa down by chopping away at his legs.
Marko Kersikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kersikov feints a jab promting Adeoluwa to slip. Kersikov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Adeoluwa slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Adeoluwa's shoulder, as Adeoluwa tries to avoid the shot.
Adeoluwa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kersikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Adeoluwa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Adeoluwa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Adeoluwa misses with a hook.
And Kersikov responds with a good body kick, but Adeoluwa manages to step out the way in time.
Kersikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kersikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Adeoluwa.
Kersikov tries a quick counter leg kick but Adeoluwa is wise to it.
Kersikov lands a jab to the nose.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Adeoluwa misses with a hook.
Kersikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kersikov throws the left hand but Adeoluwa avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a push kick but Adeoluwa slaps the foot to one side.
A little feinted left hand from Adeoluwa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
Adeoluwa feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kersikov tries to move into range but Adeoluwa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kersikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Adeoluwa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice defenses there by Adeoluwa.
It looked like Adeoluwa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Adeoluwa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Adeoluwa scores with a jab to the head.
A chopping leg kick lands by Adeoluwa.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Adeoluwa's front leg but catches the back leg as Adeoluwa tries to avoid it.
Kersikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Adeoluwa throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov throws a jab when Adeoluwa was well out of range.
Kersikov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Adeoluwa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Adeoluwa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Adeoluwa.
Adeoluwa backing away here, and Kersikov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Adeoluwa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Adeoluwa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Adeoluwa.
A big right from Adeoluwa misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Adeoluwa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kersikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Kersikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Adeoluwa.
Adeoluwa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kersikov throws out the jab.
Kersikov throws an off balance right hand
enabling Adeoluwa to counter with a crisp jab.
Adeoluwa lands the left hand.
Nice defenses there by Adeoluwa.
Adeoluwa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Adeoluwa throws out the jab.
Adeoluwa 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.
Adeoluwa looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov lands a nice hook to Adeoluwa's body. Adeoluwa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Adeoluwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Adeoluwa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Adeoluwa misses with a left hand
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kersikov misses with a few strikes there.
Kersikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kersikov digs a good hook to Adeoluwa's body.
Adeoluwa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kersikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adeoluwa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov punishes Adeoluwa's body with a nice straight punch.
Adeoluwa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kersikov manages to avoid it.
Adeoluwa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov avoids it really well and circles away.
Adeoluwa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kersikov moves away.
Kersikov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Adeoluwa with a body shot.

Adeoluwa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kersikov's guard.

Kersikov pushes Adeoluwa off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice defenses there by Adeoluwa.
Adeoluwa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kersikov.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adeoluwa throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Kersikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Adeoluwa in his tracks.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Adeoluwa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Donk. Adeoluwa catches Kersikov right on the button with a cross.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Adeoluwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Adeoluwa appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Adeoluwa throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
Adeoluwa slips a jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with the left hand. Adeoluwa knows he should have avoided that one.
Kersikov misses with a right hand
and Adeoluwa counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Adeoluwa can pounce on him.
Adeoluwa walks into a straight right hand from Kersikov.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Adeoluwa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A telegraphed right hand from Kersikov misses the target.
Adeoluwa moves out of range as Kersikov throws a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut lands for Kersikov. That snapped Adeoluwa's head back.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Adeoluwa.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Adeoluwa saw that one coming.
Kersikov throws a leg kick that is checked

so Adeoluwa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've been hearing that Adeoluwa has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Adeoluwa postures up.
Adeoluwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kersikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kersikov pulls Adeoluwa in to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Kersikov really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kersikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kersikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice straight punches there by Adeoluwa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Adeoluwa.
A nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Adeoluwa fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kersikov checks it well.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Adeoluwa.
Kersikov swings for the body but Adeoluwa moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Kersikov misses its intended target.
Adeoluwa tries to move into range but Kersikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Adeoluwa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov.
A nice side step and Kersikov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adeoluwa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Adeoluwa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Adeoluwa throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kersikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Adeoluwa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Adeoluwa's shoulder, as Adeoluwa tries to avoid the shot.
Adeoluwa slips under a jab.
Adeoluwa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kersikov 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Adeoluwa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Adeoluwa with a nice calf kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adeoluwa lands a really nice looking cross but Kersikov seems unphased.
Adeoluwa takes one to the side of the head.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Adeoluwa.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov misses with a few strikes there.
Kersikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Adeoluwa.
Kersikov lunges at Adeoluwa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Adeoluwa's hand.
Adeoluwa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Adeoluwa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov with a nice calf kick.
Adeoluwa thuds a left hand into Kersikov's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a straight right.
Adeoluwa throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kersikov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Adeoluwa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kersikov won't be happy with that.
Adeoluwa wants to control but Kersikov is keeping him busy.
Adeoluwa grinds an elbow into Kersikov's temple.
Adeoluwa connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kersikov some visible discomfort.
Kersikov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Adeoluwa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kersikov is not content to let Adeoluwa control the position.
Adeoluwa has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adeoluwa scoring with strikes but Kersikov is staying in there.
Kersikov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov is looking to improve his position.
Adeoluwa scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Adeoluwa working over Kersikov with some ground and pound. Kersikov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Marko Kersikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

A swing and a miss from Kersikov.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Adeoluwa with a series of wild strikes but Adeoluwa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Kersikov finds it's way through Adeoluwa's defenses.
Adeoluwa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kersikov throws out a leg kick but Adeoluwa moves out of range and Kersikov only half commits.
Kersikov misses with a looping right.
Adeoluwa loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Adeoluwa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kersikov but Kersikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adeoluwa looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Kersikov throws a hook to the side of Adeoluwa's head but Adeoluwa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kersikov with a hook.
Kersikov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Adeoluwa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Adeoluwa slips a jab from Kersikov.
Adeoluwa misses with a shot to the body
and Kersikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Adeoluwa's knee momentarily.
Kersikov misses with a hook. Adeoluwa ducked under it nicely.
Adeoluwa cracks Kersikov with an open hand slap.
Good work by Kersikov as he checks the leg kick.
Adeoluwa shoots in for a takedown but Kersikov shows good takedown defense.
Kersikov throws a lazy right hand but Adeoluwa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Adeoluwa thows a leg kick but Kersikov checks it
and Kersikov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Adeoluwa throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Kersikov. No joy for Adeoluwa on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chukwu Adeoluwa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov punishes Adeoluwa's body with a nice straight punch.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Adeoluwa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Adeoluwa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kersikov thuds a left hand into Adeoluwa's body.
Kersikov throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Good leg kick by Kersikov.
Adeoluwa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice takedown defense from Kersikov. No joy for Adeoluwa on that attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kersikov.
Adeoluwa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
Adeoluwa throws a hook but Kersikov blocks it.
An inside leg kick from Kersikov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adeoluwa blocks a jab.
Adeoluwa thuds a left hand into Kersikov's body.
Adeoluwa blocks a jab.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick

and Adeoluwa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kersikov's guard.
Kersikov trying to keep a closed guard but Adeoluwa is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Adeoluwa stopping the sweep attempt from Kersikov.
Kersikov wants to control the position but Adeoluwa says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adeoluwa is trying to control the action in half guard but Kersikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Adeoluwa working Kersikov over with strikes.
Adeoluwa looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kersikov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kersikov manages to get to full guard.
Adeoluwa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kersikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kersikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kersikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:50

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