PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Edwin Valero (ranked 2244 p4p, 1535 weight class) and Mikheil Berishvili (ranked 156 p4p, 113 weight class). Berishvili is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Acharuli Gandagana. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Valero
vs
Berishvili

168 cm
27
135
7 - 2 - 1

159 cm
20
135
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

UNSTOPPABLE 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 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Edwin Valero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikheil Berishvili!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Franklyn Lucas and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Berishvili tries to counter with a clinch but Valero shakes him off and moves away.

Valero shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Berishvili working for a triangle but Valero defends it easily.
Berishvili is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Berishvili is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valero is aware though and is defending well.

Berishvili looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Berishvili has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at The Italian Job. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valero trying to control the position from guard on top but Berishvili is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berishvili has his hands on Valero's head, controlling the position.

Berishvili looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valero wants to control from the top but Berishvili keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Berishvili holds on and takes a little breather.
Berishvili keeping full guard, as Valero tries to pass.
Valero is looking to pass into half guard but Berishvili pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Berishvili is in guard.

Berishvili trying to control but Valero is working from the bottom.
Valero 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.
Berishvili trying to control the position from guard on top but Valero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Valero is trying to control the position but Berishvili postures up.
Berishvili won't allow Valero to sweep him here.
Berishvili stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Berishvili stopping the sweep attempt from Valero.
Valero trying to control the position.
Valero seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Valero is looking for a triangle here but Berishvili uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Berishvili trying to control the position but Valero is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valero gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Valero slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Valero is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Valero looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Berishvili puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Valero is not content to let Berishvili control the position.
Berishvili works his foot free and advances to mount.
Valero is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berishvili looking to control but Valero is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Valero tries to improve his position but Berishvili has taken his back! Berishvili has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Valero tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Berishvili pushes Valero away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mikheil Berishvili!
After winning the bout, Mikheil Berishvili thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.