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WP 87 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 82 wins and 52 losses; Bogdan Kersikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 47 wins and 61 losses; Boris Balkan!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Kersikov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balkan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Balkan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Balkan shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Balkan was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Kersikov (0) vs (4) Balkan
You can see the frustration on Kersikov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Balkan trying to control the action but Kersikov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kersikov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Balkan is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kersikov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Kersikov tries to buck Balkan off but Balkan is having none of it.
A lull in the action here as Balkan stalls from top position.
Kersikov sneaks back into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan uses his free foot to push down on Kersikov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kersikov. Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (0) vs (7) Balkan
Kersikov is controlling an arm, preventing Balkan from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Balkan with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Balkan tries to control but Kersikov wriggling away.
We've been hearing good reports from Kersikov'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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan goes for an armbar but Kersikov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kersikov. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Kersikov (2) vs (7) Balkan
Balkan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balkan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan working a defensive guard here.
Balkan has an active guard here but Kersikov has managed to pass into half guard.
Balkan is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kersikov jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (5) vs (7) Balkan
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is not content to let Kersikov control the position.
Balkan tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
Balkan keeps trying to improve his position.
Kersikov working away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
Balkan is holding Kersikov down, trying to stall.
Balkan tries to buck Kersikov off but Kersikov is having none of it.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov controlling the position from side mount.
Kersikov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Balkan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Balkan tries to roll over but Kersikov keeps him under control.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Kersikov (8) vs (7) Balkan
Kersikov avoids the attempt from Balkan to control.
Balkan is looking to improve his position but Kersikov isn't that keen on the idea.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov trying to control but Balkan is having none of it.
Balkan tries to lock up and control but Kersikov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Balkan tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Balkan tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Kersikov is trying to take his opponent's back.
Balkan is looking to improve his position but Kersikov isn't that keen on the idea.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Balkan is looking to escape.
Balkan gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Balkan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kersikov is working away from the top position though.
Balkan is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kersikov is staying active.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Balkan wants to improve his position but Kersikov is controlling well.
Balkan actively working from the bottom here.
Balkan is trying to maintain the position but Kersikov is very close to passing his half guard.
Balkan manages to get to full guard.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov stopping the sweep attempt from Balkan.
Balkan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balkan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balkan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kersikov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Balkan for as long as he can get away with.
Balkan is looking for a triangle but Kersikov pushes his legs off easily.
Balkan working for a triangle but Kersikov defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kersikov trying to control but Balkan is working from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov takes the fight on points by 8 to 7.
An out of breath Bogdan Kersikov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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