PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Robert The Sponge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Winslow Berhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Winslow Berhardt has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

The Sponge
vs
Berhardt

179 cm
20
160 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Robert The Sponge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Winslow Berhardt!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berhardt cracks The Sponge with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Berhardt closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. The Sponge did well to prevent Berhardt getting side control.
The Sponge has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Berhardt escapes and gets back to his feet.
Berhardt misses with a straight left.
The Sponge changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Berhardt's corner calls for a 1-2. Berhardt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Berhardt throws the kick towards the body but The Sponge avoids it.
The Sponge wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

The Sponge gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Sponge prevents Berhardt from standing back up.

The Sponge is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Berhardt doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time The Sponge.

The Sponge seems to be working for a kimura but Berhardt defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Sponge stops Berhardt from getting back to his feet.
Berhardt avoiding damage under a succession of punches from The Sponge.
Berhardt pushes The Sponge off looking to stand but The Sponge dives back in and keeps control.

The Sponge is looking for a kimura but Berhardt is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for The Sponge to get the leverage.
Berhardt wants to stand back up but The Sponge manages to pass into side control.

The Sponge is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Berhardt knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Berhardt tries to escape but The Sponge is in control.

The Sponge is trying to get an arm triangle but Berhardt is defending well.
The Sponge in side control, throwing shots but Berhardt defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt wants to get back to his feet.

The Sponge thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Berhardt is trying to buck The Sponge off.

The Sponge thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Berhardt is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Berhardt dodges the ground and pound from The Sponge.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but The Sponge has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The Sponge trying to control the action but Berhardt is working from the bottom.
Berhardt is trying to buck The Sponge off.
The Sponge connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Berhardt some visible discomfort.
The Sponge wants to control but Berhardt is keeping him busy.

The Sponge looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

The Sponge is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berhardt is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

The Sponge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Berhardt, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Sponge prevents Berhardt from escaping the position.
Berhardt taking punishment in the form of punches.

The Sponge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Berhardt, who protects the arm well.
Berhardt tries to escape but The Sponge is in control.
The Sponge postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The Sponge has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The strikes coming from The Sponge are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Berhardt is looking to work his way out of this bad position but The Sponge is controlling him well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berhardt prevents The Sponge from improving position.

The Sponge goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Berhardt has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for The Sponge but great work by Berhardt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert The Sponge dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Berhardt.
Berhardt catches The Sponge with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Berhardt throws a looping overhand right but The Sponge ducks down to avoid it.
The Sponge tries to close the distance and clinch but Berhardt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Berhardt throws a right hand that The Sponge ducks under and follows up with a left that The Sponge also avoids with ease.

Berhardt closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. The Sponge did well to prevent Berhardt getting side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Sponge trying to control from the bottom.
The Sponge is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
It looks like Berhardt is going to stand back up.
The Sponge manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berhardt wants to stand but The Sponge is controlling his posture from full guard.
Berhardt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The Sponge is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The Sponge trying to keep a closed guard but Berhardt is proving a slippery customer.
Berhardt wants to stand but The Sponge has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

Berhardt stands and steps away. The Sponge gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The Sponge takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Berhardt scores with a nice right hand.
Berhardt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but The Sponge circles away quickly and effectively.
The Sponge changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Berhardt tries to avoid it but The Sponge manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Berhardt to the ground. Berhardt escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Berhardt lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Berhardt lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Berhardt throws a looping overhand right but The Sponge ducks down to avoid it.
Berhardt misses with a few strikes there.
The Sponge ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The Sponge tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Berhardt manages to circle out of the way.
Berhardt throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck The Sponge on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Sponge misses with a takedown
enabling Berhardt to counter with a crisp jab.
The Sponge shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Berhardt as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert The Sponge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Sponge tries to score a power double leg takedown but Berhardt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten The Sponge somewhat.
Berhardt throws out a counter right but The Sponge avoids it with no problem.
The Sponge tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Berhardt defends well and The Sponge ends up having to push Berhardt into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Berhardt scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The Sponge has his takedown stuffed
and Berhardt counters with a series of strikes. The Sponge will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Sponge shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than The Sponge was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Berhardt is trying to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The Sponge is trying to get an arm triangle but Berhardt is defending well.
Berhardt tries to escape but The Sponge is in control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winslow Berhardt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Berhardt lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Berhardt might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

The Sponge gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Berhardt doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Berhardt breaks the clinch.
Berhardt lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as The Sponge backs up against the cage.
The Sponge shoots in for a takedown but Berhardt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The Sponge dives in and grabs Berhardt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Berhardt pushes down on The Sponge's head and hops out.
Winslow Berhardt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berhardt throws a right hand that The Sponge ducks under and follows up with a left that The Sponge also avoids with ease.

Berhardt shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The Sponge is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berhardt decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Berhardt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts The Sponge as he jumps to the side.
Berhardt 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.
Berhardt shoots in for a takedown but The Sponge shows good takedown defense.
The Sponge darts in looking for a takedown but Berhardt gets double underhooks and turns The Sponge into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert The Sponge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch lands to the side of The Sponge 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Berhardt jabs The Sponge right on the nose. The Sponge blinks but takes it well.
The Sponge closes the distance and clinches up with Berhardt, looking for a takedown. The Sponge pushes Berhardt against the cage but Berhardt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Sponge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Berhardt scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Berhardt has a takedown stuffed.
Berhardt swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by The Sponge.
The Sponge is looking to clinch.
The Sponge keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Berhardt.

Berhardt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches The Sponge napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Berhardt decides to stand up, so the ref orders The Sponge to his feet.
Berhardt smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but The Sponge was well out of range. Poor timing from Berhardt.
The Sponge seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Berhardt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Berhardt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Berhardt has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
The Sponge looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berhardt is fending him off so far but The Sponge persists. Nope, Berhardt circles away and we're back to standing.
Berhardt throws a one two combo.
Berhardt cracks The Sponge with an open hand slap.
The Sponge shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Berhardt but Berhardt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Some bone on bone action there as The Sponge checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Horrible takedown attempt by The Sponge or perhaps it was just good defense by Berhardt, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt scores with a jab.
The Sponge takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Robert The Sponge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from The Sponge is defended easily by Berhardt.
Berhardt throws a counter combo.
Berhardt lands a jab-cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berhardt scores with a crisp jab that stopped The Sponge in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Winslow Berhardt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Berhardt has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Winslow Berhardt!