PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Liangyi Tao (ranked 2800 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jehova Bermudez (ranked 2465 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Jehova Bermudez has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Tao
vs
Bermudez

180 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liangyi Tao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jehova Bermudez!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bermudez gets caught napping as Tao dives in and scores a takedown. Bermudez manages to retain guard.
Bermudez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Tao landing with the ground and pound.
Tao is working Bermudez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tao is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tao with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bermudez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bermudez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tao scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bermudez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Bermudez wants to sweep but no luck.
Tao landing with the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bermudez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tao content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tao with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Tao stopping the sweep attempt from Bermudez.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Tao working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bermudez's head.
Bermudez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bermudez will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bermudez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.
Tao working some strikes from top position.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bermudez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bermudez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Tao cracks Bermudez with a solid left hand.
Bermudez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bermudez has momentary wrist control but Tao slips an elbow through the middle.
Bermudez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tao.
Tao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bermudez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bermudez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bermudez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Tao preventing the sweep.
Tao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tao is looking to work some ground and pound but Bermudez has wrist control.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Tao makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bermudez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Tao is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tao throws a big right hand that misses.
Tao postures up in Bermudez's guard and throws a big left but Bermudez blocks it.
Bermudez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Tao trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tao distracts Bermudez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tao preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tao accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bermudez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Tao landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tao accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tao postures up in Bermudez's guard and throws a big left but Bermudez blocks it.
Bermudez striking from his own guard.
Bermudez throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Tao throwing strikes from guard but Bermudez blocks nicely.
Bermudez will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tao makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tao cracks Bermudez with a solid left hand.
Bermudez throws a couple of heel strikes.
Bermudez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Bermudez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Tao working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bermudez lands a decent shot there.
Tao keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bermudez's head.
Bermudez throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Tao throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tao trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Bermudez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tao's guard.

Bermudez drops back looking for a leg! Tao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tao manages to kick Bermudez off! Bermudez jumps back into Tao's guard.
Tao 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bermudez passes into half guard.

Bermudez wants to work for an arm triangle but Tao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bermudez seems to be working for a kimura but Tao defends the submission attempt.
Tao flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Bermudez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tao defends it well.
Tao works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tao striking off his back but it's not causing Bermudez any problems.
Tao throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tao is on top in guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Bermudez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tao manages to get himself to full guard.

Bermudez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liangyi Tao dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tao decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Liangyi Tao overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bermudez wants to get back to full guard.
Tao not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bermudez taking some punishment here, with Tao in his half guard.
Tao lands strikes from half guard.
Bermudez manages to get to full guard.
Tao scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tao postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tao lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tao postures up and lands a big shot to Bermudez's brow.
Bermudez scores with a nice shot.
Tao postures up in Bermudez's guard and throws a big left but Bermudez blocks it.
Tao throwing strikes from guard but Bermudez blocks nicely.
Bermudez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bermudez lands some strikes from the bottom.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bermudez looking for a sweep. Not yet Bermudez, not yet.
Bermudez lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Bermudez trying to strike off his back.
Tao content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tao connects with a couple of short punches.
Tao works over Bermudez with some ground and pound from guard.
Bermudez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Tao throws a big elbow that misses.
Tao distracts Bermudez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tao throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bermudez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bermudez looking for a sweep. Not yet Bermudez, not yet.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tao landing with the ground and pound.
Tao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bermudez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tao lands a couple of digs.
Tao throwing strikes from guard but Bermudez blocks nicely.
Tao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bermudez can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tao throws a big right hand that misses.
Bermudez lands an upkick as Tao stands over him.
Bermudez throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Bermudez lands an upkick as Tao stands over him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bermudez is on top in guard.

Bermudez drops back looking for a leg! Tao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tao manages to kick Bermudez off! Bermudez jumps back into Tao's guard.

Bermudez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bermudez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bermudez takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Tao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tao is working hard here to advance position.

Bermudez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Bermudez drops back looking for a leg! Tao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tao manages to kick Bermudez off! Bermudez jumps back into Tao's guard.

Bermudez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bermudez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Bermudez drops back looking for a leg! Tao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tao manages to kick Bermudez off! Bermudez jumps back into Tao's guard.

Bermudez drops back looking for a leg! Tao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tao manages to kick Bermudez off! Bermudez jumps back into Tao's guard.
Tao scores with a nice shot.
Bermudez pushes down on Tao's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bermudez blocks the strikes from Tao.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tao punching from the bottom.

Bermudez is trying to work for a kimura but Tao is defending well.
Tao throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Bermudez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tao sees it coming and defends easily.

Bermudez is working for a submission of some sort.
Tao throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tao tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Tao flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bermudez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tao makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tao.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liangyi Tao dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Tao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tao shoots in looking for a takedown but Bermudez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bermudez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tao defends well and Bermudez ends up having to push Tao into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bermudez misses with a takedown attempt - Tao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Tao closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bermudez quickly recovers to half guard.
Tao thows a huge punch but Bermudez dodges it nicely.
Tao blocks the strikes from Bermudez.
Bermudez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tao winds up and cracks Bermudez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bermudez lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Bermudez taking some punishment here, with Tao in his half guard.
Bermudez 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bermudez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bermudez punching from the bottom.
Tao working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bermudez flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bermudez is looking for a sweep. Tao is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tao lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bermudez flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bermudez has hold of Tao's hands but Tao slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tao working over Bermudez with some ground and pound. Bermudez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bermudez flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Tao there.
Tao drops an elbow to the side of Bermudez's head.
Bermudez is looking to improve his position.
Tao drops an elbow to the side of Bermudez's head.
Bermudez manages to get to full guard.
Bermudez will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bermudez has momentary wrist control but Tao slips an elbow through the middle.
Tao lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bermudez throwing short punches from the bottom.
Tao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao lands a couple of digs.
Bermudez scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tao accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bermudez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bermudez throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bermudez scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.
Bermudez scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Tao postures up and lands a big shot to Bermudez's brow.
Bermudez tries to strike from the bottom.
Tao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tao scoring with some ground and pound.
Tao postures up and lands a big shot to Bermudez's brow.
Tao loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bermudez 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.
Tao in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bermudez striking from the bottom.
Bermudez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bermudez trying to strike off his back.
Tao distracts Bermudez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tao working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bermudez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tao lands a couple of elbows.
Bermudez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Bermudez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bermudez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Tao preventing the sweep.
Bermudez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bermudez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Liangyi Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jehova Bermudez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tao shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bermudez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Tao working some strikes from top position.
Tao landing with the ground and pound.
Tao postures up and lands a big shot to Bermudez's brow.
Tao with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bermudez striking off his back but it's not causing Tao any problems.
Tao stands up over Bermudez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tao postures up in Bermudez's guard and throws a big left but Bermudez blocks it.
Bermudez punching from the bottom.
Bermudez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Tao postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tao is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bermudez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jehova Bermudez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liangyi Tao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bermudez seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liangyi Tao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tao has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liangyi Tao!