PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitali Kersikov I I (ranked 164 p4p, 742 weight class) and Karl Karjalainen (ranked 30 p4p, 111 weight class). Kersikov I I comes to the cage accompanied by Sefa & Mr. Ivex - LSD Problem. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kersikov I I
vs
Karjalainen

188 cm
30
209
16 - 7 - 0

187 cm
32
211
13 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
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Nevermore Clothing Co

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov I I!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karl Karjalainen!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy body kick from Karjalainen
and Kersikov I I counters with a nice body shot.
Kersikov I I slips under a jab from Karjalainen.
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.
Karjalainen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Karjalainen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kersikov I I misses with a body shot.
Karjalainen misses with a left hand

and Kersikov I I counters with a crisp one two that drops Karjalainen! Kersikov I I thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Karjalainen to his feet! Karjalainen is in big trouble!
Karjalainen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Karjalainen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kersikov I I throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karjalainen.
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!
Karjalainen connects with a body shot that sends Kersikov I I's belly button to the back.
Kersikov I I blocks the body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Karjalainen misses the target.
Karjalainen has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Karjalainen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov I I sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kersikov I I avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjalainen is looking to chop away at Kersikov I I's legs.
Karjalainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kersikov I I checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A counter left hand to the body from Kersikov I I misses its target.
Karjalainen looks to throw the jab but Kersikov I I is out of range.
Kersikov I I was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kersikov I I has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen thuds a left hand into Kersikov I I's body.
Karjalainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kersikov I I cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Karl Karjalainen has been cut.
Karjalainen lands a glancing blow to the side of Kersikov I I's head.

It looks like Vitali Kersikov I I has been cut.

Kersikov I I drops Karjalainen with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Karjalainen looks back up at him and smiles so Kersikov I I waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
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 blocks a jab.
Kersikov I I looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Karjalainen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Karjalainen looks winded!
Karjalainen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kersikov I I throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Karjalainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Karjalainen misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov I I counters with a slapping leg kick.
Karjalainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kersikov I I.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen misses with a right hand

and Kersikov I I counters with a crisp right hand that drops Karjalainen! Kersikov I I lets Karjalainen back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Kersikov I I swings for the body but Karjalainen moves out of range.
Karjalainen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Karjalainen throws a leg kick

and Kersikov I I counters by clinching up.
Kersikov I I struggles to land a body shot inside as Karjalainen controls his hands.
Kersikov I I lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karjalainen backwards.
Kersikov I I gets through Karjalainen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That has opened up Karl Karjalainen's cut even more.
Kersikov I I tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Karjalainen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karjalainen prevents a body shot from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karjalainen prevents a body shot from Kersikov I I.
Karjalainen is trying to break the clinch but Kersikov I I is controlling him.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.
Kersikov I I lands a hook that snaps the head of Karjalainen backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karjalainen breaks from the clinch.
Karjalainen scores with a spinning back kick!
Kersikov I I uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen misses with a low kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Kersikov I I misses its target.
Karjalainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kersikov I I is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I is looking to wear down Karjalainen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A big right from Karjalainen misses.
Karjalainen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A jab from Karjalainen misses.
Kersikov I I takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Karjalainen thows a leg kick but Kersikov I I checks it
and Kersikov I I counters with a nice low kick that buckles Karjalainen's knee momentarily.
A leg kick checked by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Karjalainen manages to circle out of the way.
Kersikov I I closes the distance looking to clinch
and Karjalainen counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I tries to counter by clinching up but Karjalainen breaks away and moves out of range.
Karjalainen misses with a low kick as Kersikov I I jumps back.
Karjalainen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Karjalainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Karjalainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov I I is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kersikov I I keeps Karjalainen at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karjalainen throws a combination that misses
and Kersikov I I counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Karjalainen thinking.

Kersikov I I rushes Karjalainen and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short right from Kersikov I I on the inside.
Karjalainen leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kersikov I I gets through Karjalainen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitali Kersikov I I dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Karjalainen throws a series of punches but Kersikov I I avoids them all with ease.
Kersikov I I is looking to counter with a body kick.
Karjalainen misses the jab.
Karjalainen cracks Kersikov I I with a right hand to the side of the head.
Karjalainen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kersikov I I counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kersikov I I.
Karjalainen wants to get back to striking at distance but Kersikov I I won't allow it.
Kersikov I I doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov I I struggles to land a body shot inside as Karjalainen controls his hands.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kersikov I I connects with a nasty looking knee right to Karjalainen's face.
Karjalainen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karjalainen takes a shot to the head.
Kersikov I I lands a shoulder strike.
Kersikov I I misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kersikov I I can't find room to land a body shot as Karjalainen controls the action.
Kersikov I I is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karjalainen can do to turn this around?

Karjalainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjalainen pushes Kersikov I I away with a front kick.
Karjalainen throws a lazy body kick
and Kersikov I I counters with a body kick that stops Karjalainen in his tracks momentarily.
Karjalainen is breathing heavily.
Kersikov I I avoids a kick to the body.
Karl Karjalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karjalainen throws a lazy body kick
and Kersikov I I counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karjalainen misses with a left hand
and Kersikov I I counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Karjalainen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Kersikov I I instigates a clinch.
Kersikov I I has Karjalainen pushed against the cage.
Kersikov I I displaying some good clinch control by pressing Karjalainen up against the cage.
Kersikov I I pushes Karjalainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Karjalainen is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I trying to land knees to the body.
Kersikov I I lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov I I keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karjalainen's efforts to push away.
Knees to the body from Kersikov I I.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov I I stalling against the cage.
Karjalainen tries to break the clinch but Kersikov I I is controlling the position.
Karjalainen blocking some punches.
Kersikov I I is stalling here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kersikov I I - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Karjalainen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kersikov I I is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I lands a nice knee to the body.
Kersikov I I lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Karjalainen is trying to push Kersikov I I away but Kersikov I I has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Karjalainen just leaning against Kersikov I I, taking a breather.
Kersikov I I will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kersikov I I pushes Karjalainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kersikov I I - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kersikov I I doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov I I lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karjalainen backwards.
Kersikov I I working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kersikov I I trying to land knees to the body.
Karjalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Kersikov I I uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov I I lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karjalainen backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I lands with a light punch inside.

The cut above Karl Karjalainen's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Karjalainen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kersikov I I up against the cage.
Karjalainen letting Kersikov I I take a breather here.
Kersikov I I will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Karjalainen up against the cage.
Kersikov I I holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kersikov I I gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Karjalainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kersikov I I's elbow.
Kersikov I I controlling the action here for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitali Kersikov I I dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A punch combination from Karjalainen misses.
Karjalainen misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov I I counters with a one-two to the body.
Karjalainen throws a body kick that misses.
Karjalainen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Karjalainen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Karjalainen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kersikov I I finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Karjalainen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I is looking to counter the offense by Karjalainen and move into the clinch.
Karjalainen throws a poor cross that misses

and Kersikov I I moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karjalainen takes a shot to the head.
Karjalainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kersikov I I lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Karjalainen or not.
Kersikov I I tries a body shot but Karjalainen blocks it.
Kersikov I I lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kersikov I I lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjalainen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kersikov I I lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov I I works on Karjalainen's body with a couple of short punches.
Kersikov I I struggles to land a body shot inside as Karjalainen controls his hands.
Kersikov I I is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Karjalainen is defending well for now.
A body shot lands from Kersikov I I.
A right hand to the body from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I stalling in the clinch.
Kersikov I I is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Karjalainen is defending well for now.
Kersikov I I taking a breather.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kersikov I I creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kersikov I I unloads a knee to the mid-section. Karjalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kersikov I I lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I leaning against his opponent.
Kersikov I I lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kersikov I I throws a head punch that misses.
Kersikov I I lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kersikov I I obliges.
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 throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kersikov I I misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I leaning against his opponent.
Karjalainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Karjalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Kersikov I I.
Karjalainen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kersikov I I tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Karjalainen's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kersikov I I throws a punch but it's blocked by Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I has a couple of punches blocked by Karjalainen.
Stalling in the clinch from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen blocks a body shot from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I has a couple of punches blocked by Karjalainen.
Kersikov I I lands a left hand that snaps the head of Karjalainen backwards.
Kersikov I I keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karjalainen's efforts to push away.
A hook to the body from Kersikov I I.
Karjalainen wants to stall.
Kersikov I I trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karjalainen is trying to force a seperation but Kersikov I I has the dominant position.
Kersikov I I misses with a body punch.
Karjalainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Karjalainen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kersikov I I working aggressively here.
Kersikov I I scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kersikov I I misses with the head strike.
Karjalainen leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitali Kersikov I I clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Karjalainen misses with the body kick
and Kersikov I I counters with a body kick.

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

Karjalainen is rocked!
Karjalainen misses with a low kick.
Karjalainen is still on wobbly legs! Can Kersikov I I finish him?
Karjalainen misses with a wild combination.
Kersikov I I seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Karjalainen seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice defenses there by Kersikov I I.
Karjalainen misses with an uppercut.
Kersikov I I wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kersikov I I throws a hook but Karjalainen avoids it easily.
Karjalainen 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.
Kersikov I I tries to counter by clinching up but Karjalainen breaks away and moves out of range.
Karjalainen throws a push kick but Kersikov I I slaps the foot to one side.
An attempted straight right counter from Kersikov I I misses the target.
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 I I lands a nice leg kick that just misses Karjalainen's sensitive parts.
Karjalainen throws a lazy right hand but Kersikov I I sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Karjalainen pushes Kersikov I I away with a front kick.
Vitali Kersikov I I is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I looks to land a body kick but Karjalainen moved away.
Kersikov I I swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Karjalainen.
Karjalainen catches Kersikov I I with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kersikov I I throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kersikov I I bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kersikov I I walks into a straight right hand from Karjalainen.
Karjalainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Kersikov I I on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Karjalainen throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov I I counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov I I connects with a jab.

Karl Karjalainen's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Karjalainen misses with a kick to the body
and Kersikov I I counters with a huge left! Karjalainen is in big trouble! He's backing up but Kersikov I I isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Karjalainen from any more damage. A dominating finish by Kersikov I I!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vitali Kersikov I I!
Vitali Kersikov I I is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Vitali Kersikov I I made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.