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WP 64 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 40 wins and 53 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 74 wins and 41 losses; Bogdan Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Balkan drives through with a takedown into Kersikov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (0) Kersikov
Kersikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kersikov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Balkan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kersikov is keeping the position for now.
Balkan trying to control but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kersikov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan forces his way into half guard.
Kersikov wants to control but Balkan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kersikov gets back to full guard.
Balkan content to stall in guard here.
Balkan trying to control the position from guard on top but Kersikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan tries to free his leg and advance position but Kersikov is retaining full guard.
Balkan wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Kersikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Balkan manages to get himself to full guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (2) Kersikov
Balkan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Balkan is trying to keep Kersikov in close.
Balkan has Kersikov pulled in close to control his posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is looking for a triangle here but Kersikov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (2) vs (5) Kersikov
Kersikov controls the position.
Balkan tries to bench press Kersikov off him but Kersikov keeps the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balkan keeps working.
Balkan is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kersikov is one step ahead and moves to full mount! Score +2 for reaching mount: Balkan (2) vs (7) Kersikov
Balkan tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Kersikov seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Balkan is holding on tight.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan gets back to half guard.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Balkan is defending well.
Balkan is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Kersikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Balkan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kersikov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Balkan gets full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan looking for a guillotine here but Kersikov defends easily.
Kersikov passes Balkan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kersikov trying to control the pace.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Balkan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kersikov is working away from the top position though.
Balkan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kersikov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kersikov's back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Balkan (6) vs (7) Kersikov
Balkan has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Kersikov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Balkan looking for the choke from the back.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Balkan trying to control.
Balkan looking for the RNC.
We've been hearing good reports from Balkan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kersikov is trying to break free.
Balkan trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Balkan has got one arm under Kersikov's chin. This could be trouble... Kersikov trying to control the other hand but Balkan gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Kersikov has tapped out! The fight is over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Boris Balkan!
After winning the bout, Boris Balkan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility. |
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