PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Boyko Kersikov (ranked 1711 p4p, 80 weight class) and Tim Lincekum (ranked 2360 p4p, 121 weight class). Lincekum has chosen BYOB as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kersikov
vs
Lincekum

167 cm
39
142 lbs
25 - 11 - 1

160 cm
32
136 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyko Kersikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Lincekum!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lincekum manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Kersikov misses.
Lincekum connects with a body shot that sends Kersikov's belly button to the back.
Lincekum gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kersikov.
Kersikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lincekum displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lincekum thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lincekum throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
Lincekum misses with a right hand
and Kersikov counters with an outside leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lincekum enables Kersikov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lincekum manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lincekum is controlling Kersikov's posture.
Lincekum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lincekum is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lincekum wants to sweep here but Kersikov controlling him for the moment.
Lincekum is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov looking to pass the guard.
Lincekum 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 throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kersikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kersikov postures up.
Kersikov trying to control but Lincekum is working from the bottom.
Lincekum pulls Kersikov in close to prevent any damage.
Kersikov throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov wants to control from the top but Lincekum keeps moving.

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 trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kersikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lincekum scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kersikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lincekum.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kersikov.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lincekum misses with a hook.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lincekum checks the leg kick.
Kersikov throws a sloppy head kick and Lincekum moves out of range easily.
Lincekum is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kersikov with a body shot.
Lincekum misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kersikov feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lincekum moves away.

Kersikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kersikov scores with a hook to the body.
Lincekum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kersikov tries to work over Lincekum's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kersikov avoiding damage as Lincekum throws knees to the body.
Lincekum throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lincekum.
Kersikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with a body punch.
Lincekum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kersikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lincekum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lincekum looking to stall.
Kersikov working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lincekum is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov lands an uppercut.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lincekum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kersikov is defending well for now.
Lincekum takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lincekum is trying to maintain a safe position but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns Lincekum into the cage.
Lincekum blocking some punches.
Kersikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kersikov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lincekum just leaning against Kersikov, taking a breather.
Kersikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lincekum jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Lincekum tries to get set, Kersikov tries to push him back and clinch up but Lincekum manages to avoid the attempt.
Lincekum moves out of range of the strikes.
Kersikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kersikov loads up on a big right hand but Lincekum slips the punch.
Lincekum looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kersikov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lincekum's waist but Lincekum gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kersikov off to one side.
Lincekum has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kersikov.
Lincekum misses with an uppercut
and Kersikov counters with a straight right hand.
Lincekum misses with a double jab
and Kersikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Boyko Kersikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kersikov lands a slapping body shot.
Boyko Kersikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Lincekum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lincekum swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Kersikov is predictable there
and Lincekum counters with a straight right hand.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Lincekum throws a counter combo.
Lincekum lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kersikov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov misses with a double jab.
Lincekum throws out a counter right but Kersikov avoids it with no problem.
Kersikov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lincekum's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincekum throws a hook but Kersikov avoids it easily.
Lincekum is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Kersikov looks to land a left hand but Lincekum moved out of range nicely.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lincekum has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lincekum throws a right and a left that Kersikov avoids nicely.
Kersikov misses with a hook.
Kersikov throws a leg kick

and Lincekum counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kersikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Kersikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lincekum can do to turn this around?
Lincekum blocks an uppercut.
Lincekum content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kersikov gets through Lincekum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lincekum misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov gets through Lincekum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Boyko Kersikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lincekum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov misses with a head kick.
Lincekum lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lincekum uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a right hand that Lincekum ducks under and follows up with a left that Lincekum also avoids with ease.
Kersikov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kersikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lincekum circles away quickly and effectively.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lincekum throws a series of punches but Kersikov avoids them all with ease.
Lincekum blocks a head kick by Kersikov.
Lincekum connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kersikov. Kersikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lincekum connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
Kersikov scores with a hook.
Kersikov tried to score with a low kick but Lincekum checks it.
Lincekum looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice uppercut there from Kersikov.
Lincekum has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kersikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lincekum.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lincekum stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kersikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lincekum sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lincekum.
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
Lincekum's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lincekum throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kersikov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lincekum will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lincekum throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Kersikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lincekum in his tracks.
Lincekum feints a jab promting Kersikov to slip. Lincekum then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kersikov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kersikov, right into the meat.
Kersikov tries to bum rush Lincekum with a series of wild strikes but Lincekum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Lincekum moved out of range.
Kersikov jabs Lincekum to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kersikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lincekum misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Boyko Kersikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lincekum slips a jab from Kersikov.
Kersikov walks into a stiff left hand from Lincekum.
Kersikov is looking to chop away at Lincekum's legs.
Kersikov defending well as Lincekum loads up on a big left hand.
Kersikov misses with a body punch
and Lincekum counters with a nice uppercut.
Lincekum connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kersikov. Lincekum does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kersikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lincekum lands a jab to the nose.
Lincekum moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyko Kersikov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Good leg kick by Lincekum there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kersikov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lincekum on the side of the head.
Kersikov connects with a leg kick. Lincekum looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lincekum gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kersikov dodges the punch combination from Lincekum.
Kersikov lands with a cross.
Lincekum takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kersikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lincekum manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but Lincekum checks it.
It seemed like Lincekum was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lincekum avoids the body shot from Kersikov.
Lincekum circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lincekum counters with a stiff right hand.
Kersikov scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincekum tries to move into range but Kersikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kersikov misses with the combination.
It seemed like Lincekum was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Some wild striking there from Kersikov.
Lincekum lands a nice looking body shot.
Kersikov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.
Kersikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lincekum missing with a left hand there. Kersikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lincekum slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lincekum throws a looping overhand right but Kersikov ducks down to avoid it.

Kersikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lincekum, pushing him back against the cage.
Lincekum blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kersikov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kersikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kersikov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kersikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Lincekum controls his hands.
Kersikov leaning against his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lincekum.
Kersikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lincekum doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kersikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kersikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kersikov managing to block the knees to the body from Lincekum.
Lincekum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lincekum is looking to control Kersikov's arms but Kersikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lincekum has his back to the cage.
Lincekum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Lincekum tries to work over Kersikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lincekum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kersikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kersikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lincekum.
A bit of stalling here from Kersikov.
Kersikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lincekum misses with a knee strike.
Lincekum blocking some punches.
Lincekum utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lincekum is trying to stall.
Kersikov letting Lincekum take a breather here.
Kersikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lincekum up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kersikov blocks it with crossed arms.
Kersikov slows down the pace here.
Kersikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tim Lincekum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kersikov has a couple of punches blocked by Lincekum.
Kersikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kersikov wants to stall.
Kersikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.
Lincekum lands a nice knee to the body.
Kersikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Lincekum gets an underhook and turns Kersikov into the cage.
Lincekum tries a knee to the head but Kersikov blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyko Kersikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kersikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyko Kersikov!
A victorious Boyko Kersikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
The defeated Tim Lincekum had this to say: 'Hi guys, sorry I lost, I will make sure to try much better next time,ok?'.