PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Koreshkov (ranked 871 p4p, 120 weight class) and Winslow Berhardt (ranked 1310 p4p, 180 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Koreshkov
vs
Berhardt

176 cm
33
179 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

175 cm
27
167 lbs
12 - 8 - 3

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

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 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Koreshkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Winslow Berhardt!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koreshkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Berhardt wants to slow Koreshkov down by chopping away at his legs.
Berhardt shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koreshkov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Berhardt sprawls and moves away.
Berhardt has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Koreshkov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Berhardt misses with a body punch

and Koreshkov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Berhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koreshkov won't allow Berhardt to sweep him here.

Koreshkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Koreshkov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berhardt seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Berhardt looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berhardt is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov is in close to Berhardt's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Koreshkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Berhardt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koreshkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Berhardt is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Berhardt looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Koreshkov is working Berhardt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Koreshkov distracts Berhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Berhardt is rocked!
Berhardt manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koreshkov manages to get himself to full guard.

Koreshkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berhardt is one step ahead there.
Berhardt trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt stands up over Koreshkov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Koreshkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berhardt's guard.

Berhardt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koreshkov is aware though and is defending well.

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

Berhardt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koreshkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koreshkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Berhardt is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koreshkov defends well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Berhardt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koreshkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Koreshkov throwing strikes from guard but Berhardt blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berhardt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Koreshkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Koreshkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Berhardt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koreshkov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Berhardt isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Koreshkov stacks Berhardt on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Koreshkov!
Koreshkov is working Berhardt over with some ground and pound from side control.
Koreshkov is chipping away with strikes.
Berhardt sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Berhardt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Berhardt looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Koreshkov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Berhardt knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Berhardt looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Berhardt looking for submissions off his back.

Koreshkov is looking for a kimura but Berhardt is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koreshkov to get the leverage.
Berhardt keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Berhardt moves into full guard.
Koreshkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Berhardt's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koreshkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Berhardt looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Koreshkov passes into half guard.

Koreshkov is looking for a kimura here.

Koreshkov seems to be working for a kimura but Berhardt defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Berhardt lands a body shot.
Berhardt connects with a body shot.
Berhardt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koreshkov manages to avoid it.
Koreshkov feinted with a counter takedown.
Berhardt lands a two punch combo.

Berhardt shoots in and gets a takedown into Koreshkov's guard.
Berhardt cracks Koreshkov with a solid left hand.
Berhardt wants to control from the top but Koreshkov keeps moving.
Berhardt throws a big right hand that misses.

Koreshkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Berhardt defends well.
Berhardt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koreshkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Berhardt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koreshkov's head.

Koreshkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berhardt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berhardt trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.
Berhardt looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Berhardt tries to free his leg and advance position but Koreshkov is retaining full guard.
Berhardt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Berhardt working some strikes from top position.

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

Koreshkov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berhardt defends it easily.
Berhardt postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Berhardt throwing strikes but missing.
Berhardt is working Koreshkov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt is working Koreshkov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Berhardt trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.
Alexander Koreshkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berhardt wants to pass the guard but Koreshkov is keeping the position.
Koreshkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berhardt is one step ahead there.

Koreshkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Koreshkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berhardt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koreshkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Berhardt passes Koreshkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Berhardt looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Berhardt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Koreshkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Berhardt trying to control from half guard but Koreshkov is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Koreshkov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Berhardt works his way into side control.
Koreshkov is trying to get back to half guard.
Berhardt works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Koreshkov takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Berhardt scores with punches from side control.
Check out the look on Berhardt's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Berhardt is looking to take a break and control but Koreshkov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Berhardt works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Berhardt landing strikes.
Koreshkov tries to bench press Berhardt off him but Berhardt keeps the position.
Koreshkov is working hard here to advance position.
Koreshkov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Koreshkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Koreshkov is not content to let Berhardt control the position.
Berhardt scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Koreshkov moves into full guard.
Koreshkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Berhardt trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.

Koreshkov looking for a guillotine here but Berhardt defends easily.
Berhardt distracts Koreshkov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

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

Koreshkov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berhardt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berhardt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berhardt passes Koreshkov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Koreshkov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Berhardt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Koreshkov rather than just go for the knockout.
Koreshkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berhardt is fending him off so far but Koreshkov persists. Nope, Berhardt circles away and we're back to standing.
Berhardt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Koreshkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Berhardt.
Koreshkov tries to counter with a takedown but Berhardt is quick to defend against it.
Berhardt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Koreshkov attempts a counter takedown but Berhardt avoids it well and moves away.
Berhardt cracks a nice hook into Koreshkov's ribs.
Berhardt shoots in for a takedown but Koreshkov shows good takedown defense.
Berhardt looks to throw the jab but Koreshkov is out of range.

Berhardt fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Koreshkov sprawls well initially but Berhardt persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Koreshkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berhardt lands strikes from half guard.
Koreshkov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Berhardt preventing the sweep.
Berhardt lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berhardt trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.
Berhardt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Berhardt lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Berhardt scoring with some ground and pound.
Berhardt wants to control from the top but Koreshkov keeps moving.
Koreshkov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Berhardt wants to sweep but no luck.
Koreshkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Koreshkov looking to sit in guard and control but Berhardt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Koreshkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Berhardt works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Berhardt in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Koreshkov tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Berhardt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Winslow Berhardt!
Winslow Berhardt managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Aspire Nutrition, into his post fight interview.