PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Amir Halilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Bera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Amir Halilov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Halilov
vs
Bera

191 cm
26
207 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
212 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Amir Halilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matt Bera!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halilov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Bera to counter with a crisp jab.

Bera shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Halilov tries to get to full guard but Bera has control of the leg.
Halilov gets full guard.
Bera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Halilov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bera postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bera advances to half guard.
Bera throwing shots but Halilov is blocking nicely.
Nice strikes from Bera there.
Halilov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bera throws a strike but Halilov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bera pulls Halilov in close to his closed guard and prevents Halilov from doing any damage or advancing position.

Bera throws his legs up looking for a submission but Halilov uses it to pass to side control.

Halilov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bera keeps working.
Bera tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Halilov is trying to get an arm triangle but Bera is defending well.

Halilov tries for a kimura but Bera is defending well.
Bera sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Halilov trying to control from half guard but Bera is working away.
Bera is looking to improve his position.

Halilov is looking for a kimura but Bera is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Halilov to get the leverage.

Bera actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halilov prevents Bera from improving his position.
Halilov wants to control but Bera is keeping him busy.
Halilov tries to pass to full mount but Bera defends it.
Halilov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Halilov trying to control the action but Bera is working from the bottom.
Bera wants to improve his position but Halilov is controlling well.
Halilov is trying to control the action in half guard but Bera is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Halilov wants to pass to mount but Bera is defending the position.

Halilov seems to be looking for submissions.
Bera is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bera is pressing down on Halilov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Bera has his foot on Halilov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Halilov works his way back into a safe position though.

Bera has his foot on Halilov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Halilov works his way back into a safe position though.
Halilov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bera swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Halilov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Halilov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bera tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Halilov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bera is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Halilov stands and throws Bera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Bera will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Bera drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Halilov tries to bench press Bera off him but Bera keeps the position.
Bera landing a few strikes.
Bera working the body and head with strikes.
Bera working the ground and pound.
Halilov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Halilov wants to control but Bera postures up.
Halilov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bera's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Bera prevents Halilov from improving his position.
Bera missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bera landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bera misses with a head shot. Halilov uses the momentum to regain guard.
Bera makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Halilov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Matt Bera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bera tries to free his leg and advance position but Halilov is retaining full guard.

Bera postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Halilov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bera, into his guard.
Bera keeping moving, preventing Halilov from controlling successfully.
Halilov won't allow Bera to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Halilov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bera keeping moving, preventing Halilov from controlling successfully.

Halilov has gone for a leg lock! Bera slips out almost immediately though and dives into Halilov's guard.
Halilov pulls Bera in to control the position.
Bera is looking to work some ground and pound but Halilov has wrist control.
Bera throws and elbow that misses. Halilov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bera's guard. Nice move by Halilov!

Halilov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Halilov has managed to get both his arms back between Bera's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Halilov is aware though and is defending well.
Bera manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Halilov manages to get himself to full guard.
Bera being controlled here momentarily.
Bera postures up.
Bera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Halilov controls Bera momentarily but Bera frees himself.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bera stands up over Halilov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bera lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bera prevents Halilov from getting back to his feet.
Bera postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Halilov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bera with a nice head shot there.
Halilov wants to stand but Bera is controlling the position.
Bera thows a big elbow that misses.
Bera preventing the sweep.
Bera landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Halilov has momentary wrist control but Bera slips an elbow through the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Halilov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bera.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Good work by Halilov as he checks the leg kick.

Bera shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Halilov is trying to defend but Bera finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bera prevents Halilov from improving his position.
Bera throws a strike but Halilov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bera won't allow Halilov to sweep him here.
Halilov controls Bera momentarily but Bera frees himself.
Halilov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bera's guard.
Bera 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.
Halilov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bera manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Halilov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halilov looking to control.
Bera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bera tries to free his leg and advance position but Halilov is retaining full guard.
Halilov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Halilov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bera defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Halilov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bera is one step ahead there.
Bera landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bera chips away with some ground and pound.
Bera passes Halilov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Halilov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bera pulls his head out easily.
Halilov is looking to improve his position.
Bera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Halilov is looking for a sweep. Bera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Halilov is looking to improve his position.
Bera seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bera throwing shots but Halilov is blocking nicely.
Halilov is looking for a sweep. Bera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Halilov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bera is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Halilov tries to roll over but Bera keeps him under control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bera connects with a nice short shot to Halilov's temple.
Halilov taking some punishment here, with Bera in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halilov looks like he's trying to stand up.

Bera wants to work for an arm triangle but Halilov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Halilov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bera takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bera slips a nice elbow through Halilov's hands, connecting with Halilov's forehead.
Bera looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bera looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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!
Halilov trying to control here.
Bera lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bera really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Halilov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bera lands a leg kick that knocks Halilov off balance momentarily.
Halilov blocks a head kick by Bera.
Bera throws a head kick but Halilov moves out of range.
Halilov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bera counters with a nice double leg into side control. Halilov won't be happy with that.
Halilov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Halilov is trying to control Bera's posture but Bera avoids it.
Halilov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bera grinds an elbow into Halilov's temple.
Halilov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Halilov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bera's back!

Halilov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bera tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bera is desperately trying to improve his position but Halilov has a good base and remains in mount.
Bera is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bera regains half guard.

Bera looking for submissions off his back.
Halilov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bera is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Halilov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Halilov's back!

Halilov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Bera.
Halilov wants to escape the position.
Bera lands a shot to the head.
Bera lands a shot to the body.
Bera softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Bera lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Halilov is really stuck here.
Bera is punishing Halilov with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bera has Halilov flattened out and is raining down punches.
Bera scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Bera has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Halilov.
Halilov is in bad spot here.
Bera doesn't have the hooks in and Halilov manages to turn into his guard.
Halilovis looking to pass into half guard but Bera pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Bera is in guard.
Bera landing with the ground and pound.
Bera looking to pass the guard.
Bera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bera working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Halilov's head.

Halilov has his feet on Bera's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bera changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Halilov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bera landing strikes.
Halilov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bera cracks Halilov with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bera in side control lands a decent elbow.
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!
Halilov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Bera working the ground and pound.
Halilov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Halilov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bera off and has taken his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bera defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Halilov's arms.
Halilov doesn't have the hooks in and Bera manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bera dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Halilov tries to sprawl but Bera drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bera wants to control but Halilov is keeping him busy.
Bera thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Halilov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bera scores with a couple of nice shots.
Halilov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bera missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bera is thwarting Halilov's attempts to control the position.
Halilov wants to improve his position but Bera is controlling well.
Halilov is trying to maintain the position but Bera is very close to passing his half guard.
Halilov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bera scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halilov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bera stalling away here and it's allowed Halilov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Halilov wants to sweep but no luck.
Halilov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bera postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bera trying to control the position from guard on top but Halilov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bera is in close to Halilov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Halilov trying to keep a closed guard but Bera is proving a slippery customer.
Bera wants to pass the guard but Halilov is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bera advances position into side control!
Bera in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bera landing a few strikes.
An elbow from Bera crashes against the mat.
Bera in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bera scores with a couple of short elbows.

Halilov is rocked!
Bera cracks Halilov with a big right hand but Halilov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Oh Halilov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bera avoids the strikes from the bottom by Halilov.
Halilov seems to have got his legs back now.
Halilov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
A big shot lands for Bera! That's hurt Halilov! Will he recover? Bera fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matt Bera!