PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Arsteen Berghen (ranked 2410 p4p, 349 weight class) and Island Junkie (ranked 2478 p4p, 356 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Island Junkie enters the cage!

Berghen
vs
Junkie

179 cm
26
170 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

185 cm
25
179 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arsteen Berghen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Island Junkie!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Junkie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Berghen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Berghen shoots in but Junkie avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Junkie fails with the takedown
and Berghen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Junkie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Berghen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Junkie.
Junkie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Berghen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Berghen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berghen is controlling Junkie's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Junkie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Berghen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Junkie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Junkie looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Junkie throwing shots but Berghen is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berghen desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Junkie prevents Berghen from improving his position.
Berghen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Junkie is looking to take a break and control but Berghen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berghen is trying to get back to full guard.
Berghen manages to get to full guard.
Berghen keeping moving, preventing Junkie from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Junkie is fighting to break Berghen's control of his arms but Berghen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Berghen 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.
Berghen trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Berghen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Berghen is working for a submission of some sort.
Berghen prevents Junkie from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berghen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Junkie is looking to control Berghen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Junkie avoid being mounted?
Berghen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Junkie taking some punishment here, with Berghen in his half guard.
Berghen winds up and cracks Junkie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Berghen not doing much here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junkie is looking for a sweep. Berghen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Berghen.
Junkie is looking to get back to full guard here but Berghen has managed to pass to side control instead.
Junkie taking a bit of punishment here - Berghen scoring with strikes.
Berghen is staying tight to Junkie's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Berghen is looking to take a break and control but Junkie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Junkie wants to control but Berghen postures up.

Berghen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Junkie, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Junkie dodges the ground and pound from Berghen.
Junkie can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Junkie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Berghen defends it nicely.
Berghen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Junkie sprawls and moves away.
Island Junkie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Berghen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Junkie's guard.
Berghen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Junkie can do to turn this around?
Berghen chips away with some ground and pound.
Berghen stays in close to Junkie's body and controls the position.
Berghen works over Junkie with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Berghen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Berghen landing some decent shots from guard.
Berghen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Junkie looking for a guillotine here but Berghen defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Junkie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berghen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Junkie 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.
Berghen cracks Junkie with a solid left hand.
Junkie has momentary wrist control but Berghen slips an elbow through the middle.
Berghen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Junkie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Junkie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berghen is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Junkie wants to control but Berghen passes easily into half guard.
Berghen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berghen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Berghen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Junkie looking for submissions off his back.
Berghen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Junkie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Berghen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Berghen lands strikes from half guard.
Berghen prevents Junkie from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berghen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Berghen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Junkie tries to roll over but Berghen keeps him under control.
Junkie keeps trying to improve his position.
Berghen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Berghen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Berghen slips a nice elbow through Junkie's hands, connecting with Junkie's forehead.
Arsteen Berghen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berghen working the head and body with strikes.
Berghen is pressing down on Junkie's thigh, looking to free his foot. Junkie is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junkie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Junkie trying to control from the bottom.
Berghen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Junkie is looking for a sweep. Berghen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Junkie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Berghen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Junkie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Berghen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Berghen's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arsteen Berghen dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Junkie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Junkie misses with a hook. Berghen ducked under it nicely.
Berghen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Junkie sprawls and moves away.
Junkie loads up on a big right hand but Berghen slips the punch.

Junkie gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Berghen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Berghen is in close to Junkie's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Berghen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Junkie wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Junkie trying to control the position.
Berghen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berghen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Berghen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Berghen is working Junkie over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Berghen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Berghen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Berghen working some strikes from top position.
Berghen landing with the ground and pound.
Berghen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Berghen lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berghen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Junkie is rocked!
Berghen lands a couple of elbows.
Junkie is still in real trouble! Can Berghen finish him?
Junkie working a defensive guard here.
Berghen stands and throws Junkie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Berghen working away.
Junkie seems to have recovered his senses.
Berghen moves into full mount!
Junkie is looking to improve his position but Berghen isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Berghen.
Berghen lands a heavy shot. That's hurt Junkie! Berghen sees the opportunity and turns up the heat - strike after strike land to the defenseless Junkie and the ref dives in to save him! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Arsteen Berghen!