PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andris Berzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hudson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andris Berzins looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Berzins
vs
Hudson

200 cm
18
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andris Berzins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Hudson!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berzins fails with a takedown attempt.
Berzins shoots in looking for a takedown but Hudson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Berzins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Berzins fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andris Berzins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berzins fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hudson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Berzins's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins is looking to stand up but Hudson isn't so interested in that idea.
Berzins is trying to control the position but Hudson postures up.
Berzins is breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hudson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Berzins controlling the position.
Hudson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hudson postures up in Berzins's guard and throws a big left but Berzins blocks it.
Hudson distracts Berzins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hudson is in close to Berzins's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hudson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hudson cracks Berzins with a solid left hand.
Hudson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hudson landing some decent shots from guard.
Hudson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hudson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hudson throwing strikes but missing.
Hudson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Berzins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hudson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hudson working some strikes from top position.
Berzins trying to control the position.
Hudson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hudson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hudson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Berzins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hudson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hudson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hudson postures up.
Hudson thows a big elbow that misses.
Hudson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hudson works over Berzins with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hudson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berzins trying to keep a closed guard but Hudson is proving a slippery customer.
Hudson throws a big right hand that misses.
Hudson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hudson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Berzins is keeping the position for now.
Hudson throws a big right hand that misses.
Hudson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berzins looking to control.
Hudson stands up over Berzins, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hudson thows a big elbow that misses.
Hudson throws and elbow that misses. Berzins uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hudson's guard. Nice move by Berzins!
Berzins is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins trying to control the position from guard on top but Hudson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hudson wants to stand up but Berzins is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hudson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Berzins has his takedown stuffed

and Hudson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Berzins's guard.
Hudson scoring with some ground and pound.

Berzins has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hudson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Berzins misses with a jab, cross combination.

Hudson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Berzins's half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hudson lands a nice short elbow.
Hudson drops an elbow to the side of Berzins's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hudson lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from Hudson.
Hudson working over Berzins with some ground and pound. Berzins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hudson working the head and body with strikes.
Hudson is nestled in close to Berzins, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hudson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Berzins wants to get back to full guard.
Hudson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hudson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hudson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hudson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hudson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Berzins defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hudson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Berzins's head.
Hudson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Berzins's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berzins manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
James Hudson has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Berzins stands up from mount. Strange move.
Berzins bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berzins looks to clinch

and Hudson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Berzins won't be happy with that.
Hudson scoring with punches and elbows.
Berzins throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Berzins is trying to control Hudson's posture but Hudson avoids it.
Berzins is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hudson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Berzins is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hudson connects with a decent elbow.
Berzins is trying to get back to his feet.
Hudson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Hudson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hudson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Berzins to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Berzins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Berzins is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hudson is controlling him well.
Hudson is putting a hurting on Berzins here, landing some big shots from side control.
Hudson working the ground and pound from side control.
Berzins is looking for a sweep.
Hudson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Berzins to see if he's OK.
Hudson cracks Berzins with an elbow. That is naaassty.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Berzins takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hudson working away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berzins is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hudson off and has taken his back!
Berzins trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hudson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Berzins tries for a takedown but Hudson circles away easily

and Hudson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Berzins won't be happy with that.
Hudson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Berzins some visible discomfort.
You can see the frustration on Berzins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hudson landing a few strikes.
Hudson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Hudson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Hudson working the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hudson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
You can see the frustration on Berzins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hudson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hudson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hudson grinds an elbow into Berzins's temple.
Berzins is trying to get back to half guard.
Berzins wants to control but Hudson postures up.
Hudson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Check out the look on Hudson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Hudson in side control lands a decent elbow.
The strikes coming from Hudson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
You can see the frustration on Berzins's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Berzins throws Hudson to one side and escapes!
Berzins scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins with a poor takedown

and Hudson counters with a shoot takedown. Berzins fights it but they end up in guard.
Hudson lands a couple of digs.
Hudson stands up over Berzins, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Berzins not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hudson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Berzins wants to sweep but no luck.
Hudson won't allow Berzins to get back to his feet.
Hudson throws and elbow that misses. Berzins uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hudson's guard. Nice move by Berzins!
Berzinsis looking to pass into half guard but Hudson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hudson is in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berzins is trying to keep Hudson in close.
Hudson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hudson connects with a couple of short punches.
Hudson postures up.
Hudson works over Berzins with some ground and pound from guard.
Hudson throwing strikes from guard but Berzins blocks nicely.
Berzins is trying to control the position but Hudson postures up.
Berzins wants to stand but Hudson is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Berzins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hudson is one step ahead there.
Berzins is trying to control the position but Hudson postures up.

We're going to have a standup here because Andris Berzins wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Hudson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berzins trying to hold on to Hudson's head to control him but Hudson postures up.
Andris Berzins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Hudson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Berzins is trying to stand up here but Hudson is controlling him well.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Hudson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hudson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Hudson!