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754 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the welterweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Las Vegas, with a TWGC record of 57 wins and 92 losses; Vartan Esteves! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 122 wins and 78 losses; Bogdan Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and William Peck.
Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?
Esteves shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kersikov but Kersikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Esteves shoots in looking for a takedown. Kersikov tries to sprawl out of it but Esteves keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kersikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Esteves shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Esteves (2) vs (0) Kersikov
Kersikov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esteves controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kersikov is pulling down on Esteves's head. It's preventing any offense from Esteves, at least for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov keeping moving, preventing Esteves from controlling successfully.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Esteves wants to control from the top but Kersikov keeps moving.
Esteves looking to sit in guard and control but Kersikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Esteves (2) vs (2) Kersikov
Esteves is controlling Kersikov's posture.
Esteves 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.
My spies in KFA inform me that Kersikov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov advances position into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Esteves (2) vs (5) Kersikov
Esteves is looking to regain half guard here but Kersikov keeps moving and retains side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Esteves is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kersikov tries to move to mount but Esteves blocks the move with his legs.
Kersikov working away.
Kersikov wants to control but Esteves is keeping him busy.
Esteves struggling a bit here.
Esteves is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kersikov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esteves tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kersikov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kersikov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esteves tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A control attempt from Esteves but he's now mounted! Score +2 for reaching mount: Esteves (2) vs (7) Kersikov
Kersikov avoids the attempt from Esteves to control.
Esteves is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is working hard here to advance position.
Esteves wants to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Esteves stops Kersikov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Esteves is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Esteves wants to control but Kersikov is having none of it.
Kersikov with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Kersikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Esteves is looking to escape.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Esteves tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Esteves is looking to improve his position but Kersikov isn't that keen on the idea.
Kersikov avoids the attempt from Esteves to control.
Esteves working to try and regain half guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Esteves tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Kersikov controlling the pace for now.
Esteves wants to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
Esteves tries to reverse the position but Kersikov maintains control.
Esteves tries to hold on but Kersikov pushes him away.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kersikov controlling from the full mount.
Kersikov fails to take his opponent's back.
Kersikov controlling his opponent.
Esteves is working to get back to half guard.
Kersikov controlling the pace for now.
Esteves is trying to escape the mount.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kersikov avoids the attempt from Esteves to control.
Esteves keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Esteves tries to control the position but Kersikov now has his back.
Score +3 for taking back: Esteves (2) vs (10) Kersikov
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is in bad spot here.
Kersikov controlling from the back.
Esteves trying to control but not successfully.
I really don't envy Esteves right now.
Esteves trying to control the position but Kersikov manages to sink in the hooks.
Kersikov just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Esteves trying to control the hands but Kersikov won't let him.
Esteves holding on to Kersikov's left wrist, preventing the choke.
Esteves tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kersikov tries to take Esteves's back but instead Esteves uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Esteves wants to sweep but Kersikov has passed to side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Esteves (2) vs (13) Kersikov
Esteves trying to remain calm as Kersikov controls from the top position.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Esteves can't do much from the bottom here.
Esteves tries to improve position but can't.
Esteves wants to control but Kersikov postures up.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Esteves is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Esteves is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Esteves is looking to improve his position.
Esteves is trying to maintain the position but Kersikov is very close to passing his half guard.
Esteves wants to improve his position but Kersikov is controlling well.
Esteves trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kersikov wins on points by 13 to 2.
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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