PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitali Kersikov I I (ranked 510 p4p, 868 weight class) and Vlad Tepes Iii (ranked 78 p4p, 129 weight class). Kersikov I I's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sefa & Mr. Ivex - LSD Problem. Vlad Tepes Iii told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kersikov I I
vs
Tepes Iii

188 cm
32
209
19 - 11 - 1

180 cm
39
180
34 - 22 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Vitali Kersikov I I!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vlad Tepes Iii!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters are only really looking to counter, so after a good 30 seconds of circling each other endlessly, the referee has stepped in and told them both to be more aggressive.
Kersikov I I slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

It looks like Vlad Tepes Iii has been cut.

Tepes Iii shoots in and bounces Kersikov I I off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov I I pulls Tepes Iii in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tepes Iii puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kersikov I I controlling the position well.
Kersikov I I is trying to stand up here but Tepes Iii is controlling him well.
Tepes Iii wants to stand up but Kersikov I I manages to regain full guard.
Kersikov I I looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tepes Iii is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kersikov I I controlling Tepes Iii's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tepes Iii.
It looked like Kersikov I I wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tepes Iii defending well as Kersikov I I loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov I I swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kersikov I I defends it well.
Kersikov I I throws a jab but it's blocked by Tepes Iii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kersikov I I thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kersikov I I tries to avoid it but Tepes Iii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kersikov I I to the ground. Kersikov I I escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kersikov I I quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Kersikov I I throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Tepes Iii counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kersikov I I is wriggling around but Tepes Iii manages to pass to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tepes Iii seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vitali Kersikov I I will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kersikov I I throws a big shot that misses.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tepes Iii dives in for a single leg takedown but Kersikov I I sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It looked like Kersikov I I wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A jab from Kersikov I I misses.
Tepes Iii with the counter takedown but Kersikov I I avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov I I connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov I I throws a leg kick

and Tepes Iii counters with a shoot takedown. Kersikov I I fights it but they end up in guard.
Kersikov I I is wriggling around but Tepes Iii manages to pass to half guard.

Kersikov I I wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov I I keeping control of the position.
Kersikov I I wants to improve his position but Tepes Iii is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov I I is working hard here to advance position.
Tepes Iii has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Kersikov I I works to full guard.
Kersikov I I is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kersikov I I is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kersikov I I has a closed guard, preventing Tepes Iii from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tepes Iii shoots for a takedown but Kersikov I I saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tepes Iii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vitali Kersikov I I has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Tepes Iii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kersikov I I misses with a body shot.
Kersikov I I lunges at Tepes Iii with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tepes Iii's hand.
Kersikov I I throws an overhand right that lands on Tepes Iii's shoulder, as Tepes Iii tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov I I is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tepes Iii can do to turn this around?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tepes Iii tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kersikov I I defends well and Tepes Iii ends up having to push Kersikov I I into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitali Kersikov I I dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tepes Iii avoids the body shot from Kersikov I I.
Kersikov I I pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kersikov I I throws a leg kick that is checked

and Tepes Iii counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Kersikov I I manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tepes Iii or perhaps it was just good defense by Kersikov I I, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kersikov I I throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tepes Iii fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A slow jab from Kersikov I I misses its intended target.
Tepes Iii changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kersikov I I slaps away a takedown attempt from Tepes Iii, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Kersikov I I was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Tepes Iii.
Vitali Kersikov I I has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kersikov I I swivels and escapes.
Kersikov I I is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Kersikov I I as Tepes Iii shoots in.
Tepes Iii misses with a takedown
and Kersikov I I counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kersikov I I throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tepes Iii misses with a takedown

and Kersikov I I counters with a head kick that drops Tepes Iii to the mat! Tepes Iii scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Tepes Iii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kersikov I I thinks about countering with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitali Kersikov I I showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kersikov I I, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitali Kersikov I I!
A relieved looking Vitali Kersikov I I thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.