PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Berdnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ed Skank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Berdnikov
vs
Skank

168 cm
24
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

168 cm
28
138 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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Spartan Nutrition

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Berdnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ed Skank!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berdnikov looks to land a left hand but Skank moved out of range nicely.
Skank throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Berdnikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice body punch from Skank.
Berdnikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skank.
Skank connects with a body shot that sends Berdnikov's belly button to the back.
Skank connects with a body shot.
A lazy left from Skank finds it's target.
Skank lands with a shot to the body.
Berdnikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Berdnikov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Berdnikov clinches up with Skank and pushes him back against the cage.
Skank misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berdnikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Skank lands a left hand that snaps the head of Berdnikov backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berdnikov stalling the fight.
Skank throws a punch but it's blocked by Berdnikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skank.
Berdnikov is trying to stall.
Skank tries to pull guard but Berdnikov won't allow it.
The referee calls for Berdnikov to work.
Skank misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skank lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Skank tries to pull guard but Berdnikov won't allow it.
Berdnikov lands a shot to the body.
Berdnikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Skank is defending well for now.

Skank escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Skank throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Skank misses with a wild body shot.
Skank dodges the punch combination from Berdnikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skank misses with a hook. Berdnikov ducked under it nicely.
Skank misses with a two punch combination.

Berdnikov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Skank's guard.
Skank looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berdnikov is one step ahead there.
Berdnikov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Skank has his hands on Berdnikov's head, controlling the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Berdnikov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Berdnikov pushes down on Skank's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Skank is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skank trying to control here.
Berdnikov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Skank wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Skank trying to control but Berdnikov postures up.
Skank tries to get to full guard but Berdnikov has control of the leg.
Berdnikov trying to control from half guard but Skank is working away.
Berdnikov wants to pass the guard but Skank is defending well.
Berdnikov prevents Skank from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Skank trying to control but Berdnikov postures up.
Skank moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Berdnikov preventing the sweep.
Berdnikov looking to pass the guard.
Skank really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Berdnikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Berdnikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Skank keeping moving, preventing Berdnikov from controlling successfully.
Skank preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Skank is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berdnikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Skank dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Skank misses with an uppercut. Berdnikov saw that one coming.
Berdnikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Skank misses with a body shot.
Ed Skank seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Skank misses with a few strikes there.
Skank wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Berdnikov misses with a left hand
letting Skank counter with a right hand.
Skank fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berdnikov manages to avoid it.
Berdnikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Skank moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Despite the aggression on Skank's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Skank misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skank tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Berdnikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Skank.
A little feinted left hand from Berdnikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Skank looks to score with a jab to the body but Berdnikov is just out of range.
Skank thows a left - swing and a miss!
Skank throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berdnikov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Skank ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Skank misses with a wild body shot.
Skank misses with an uppercut.
Skank rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Berdnikov counters with a nice body shot.
Berdnikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Skank throws a body punch but Berdnikov moves out of range.
Berdnikov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Skank cracks Berdnikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Berdnikov takes one to the side of the head.
Skank throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Berdnikov's waist but Berdnikov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Skank off to one side.
Berdnikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Skank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skank takes a swing at Berdnikov's ribcage but misses.
Skank looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Berdnikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Skank.
Berdnikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Skank stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Berdnikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Skank is just out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Berdnikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Berdnikov checks the leg kick nicely there.

Berdnikov has closed the distance and engaged Skank in a clinch.
Skank jumps guard but Berdnikov stands there with Skank around his waist. Skank gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alexei Berdnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ed Skank.

Berdnikov pulls guard successfully.
Skank scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov pulls Skank in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skank throwing strikes from guard but Berdnikov blocks nicely.
Skank makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Skank throws an elbow that misses. Berdnikov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Skank's guard. Nice move by Berdnikov!

Berdnikov stopping the sweep attempt from Skank.

Berdnikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berdnikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Skank looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berdnikov is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skank keeps trying to improve his position.
Skank has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Berdnikov has passed into side control.

Berdnikov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Berdnikov wants to control but Skank is keeping him busy.

Berdnikov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Skank is trying to strike from the bottom but Berdnikov has passed into full mount.
Skank is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Skank felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Berdnikov trying to control but Skank is having none of it.

Berdnikov working for a submission but Skank is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ed Skank will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Skank bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Berdnikov blocks a leg kick.
Skank misses with a looping right.
Skank cracks Berdnikov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Skank lands a jab.
Berdnikov ducks under a wild hook from Skank.
Skank stalks Berdnikov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Berdnikov's face. Berdnikov staggers backwards, shaken.
Berdnikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Skank circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skank. Berdnikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Berdnikov throws a big counter combination but Skank scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Skank missing with a left hand there. Berdnikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Skank avoids the body shot from Berdnikov.
Skank let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skank fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Berdnikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Skank lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Skank misses.
Skank misses with an uppercut. Berdnikov saw that one coming.
Skank throws a body shot but no joy.
Skank changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Skank lands with a hook. Berdnikov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Skank with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Skank throws a body punch but Berdnikov moves out of range.
Skank has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Skank throws a jab but it's blocked by Berdnikov.
Berdnikov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Skank shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Skank scores with the left hand. Berdnikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Ed Skank is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skank throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fighters circling - Skank throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Berdnikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Skank moves away.
Berdnikov is looking to wear down Skank with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Skank lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
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!
A swing and a miss from Skank.
Skank shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A counter left hand to the body from Berdnikov misses its target.
Skank looks to score with a jab to the body but Berdnikov is just out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Skank as he connects with a hook.
Skank scores with a body shot.
Skank connects with a looping right hand.
Skank misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Berdnikov.
Skank lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Skank stuns Berdnikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Skank lands with a straight right. Berdnikov didn't see that one coming.
Skank scores with a jab to the body.
Skank tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Berdnikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Skank.
Berdnikov slips under a jab.
Skank swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Skank scores with a body shot.
An inside leg kick from Skank misses.
Berdnikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Skank.
Skank with a nice cross.
Berdnikov misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skank ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Berdnikov moves away.
Skank swings for the body but Berdnikov moves out of range.
As Skank tries to get set, Berdnikov tries to push him back and clinch up but Skank manages to avoid the attempt.
Berdnikov avoids the body shot from Skank.
Berdnikov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Alexei Berdnikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Berdnikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skank.
Skank swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Berdnikov ducks right into an uppercut from Skank.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Left hook, right uppercut from Skank.

Skank gets the takedown into side control.
Berdnikov is looking for a sweep.
Berdnikov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Skank's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Skank trying to control from Berdnikov's half guard. Berdnikov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ed Skank comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Skank winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ed Skank!
During a confident post fight interview, Ed Skank thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.