PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Tango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Bernardes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bernardes has chosen Rocky Theme as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tango
vs
Bernardes

190 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

203 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Tango!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roger Bernardes!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernardes scores with a hook.
Tango tries to close the distance and clinch but Bernardes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bernardes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bernardes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tango ducks right into an uppercut from Bernardes.
Tango swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tango throws a lazy right hand but Bernardes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Bernardes has closed the distance and engaged Tango in a clinch.

Bernardes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bernardes cracks Tango with an open hand slap.

Bernardes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Tango.
Bernardes is trying to break the clinch but Tango is controlling him.
Bernardes misses with a knee strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bernardes lands a with a good body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Tango 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bernardes punishes Tango's body with a nice straight punch.
Tango looks to land a left hand but Bernardes moved out of range nicely.
Bernardes scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bernardes gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tango gets control of Bernardes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tango will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bernardes content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernardes preventing the sweep.
Bernardes looking to sit in guard and control but Tango gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bernardes is trying to keep Tango in close.
Bernardes looking for a sweep. Not yet Bernardes, not yet.
Bernardes throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Tango's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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.
Tango'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.
Bernardes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bernardes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tango content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tango won't allow Bernardes to sweep him here.
Tango 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tango stops Bernardes from standing up.
Tango 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tango prevents Bernardes from getting back to his feet.
Tango's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Thomas Tango just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Tango showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bernardes.
Tango tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bernardes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bernardes punishes Tango's body with a nice straight punch.
Tango takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bernardes's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bernardes duly obliges.
Tango clobbers Bernardes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tango is breathing heavily.
Tango throws a hook but Bernardes blocks it.
Tango swats away the attempt to clinch by Bernardes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tango walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bernardes fails to land with a series of punches.

Bernardes has closed the distance and engaged Tango in a clinch.
Good body shot from Bernardes.
Bernardes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tango's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Bernardes dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A left lands for Bernardes.
Tango just misses with a punch to the body.
Bernardes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bernardes misses with a series of wild punches.
Tango fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bernardes manages to avoid it.
Bernardes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bernardes sizes up Tango with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tango on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bernardes darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bernardes lands with a shot to the body.
Roger Bernardes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Bernardes. That snapped Tango's head back.
Danga de danga de dang - Bernardes scores with a four punch combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bernardes moves into the clinch.
Bernardes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bernardes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bernardes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tango backwards.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bernardes tries to stall but Tango uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tango tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A right hook to the body lands for Bernardes.
Come on Bernardes - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roger Bernardes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernardes doesn't manage to clinch there - Tango circles away.
Bernardes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Bernardes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bernardes landing knees to the head.
Tango fails to pull guard.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bernardes lands a body shot.
Bernardes connects with a body shot.
Bernardes wants to clinch up but Tango keeps it at a distance.
Bernardes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bernardes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bernardes is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bernardes lands with a nice combination. Tango backs away looking to recover.
Bernardes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tango. Tango circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tango with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bernardes to score with a decent uppercut.
Bernardes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bernardes lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tango takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bernardes cracks Tango with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bernardes lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernardes scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Roger Bernardes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left and a right from Bernardes both land. Nice combination.

Bernardes moves into the clinch successfully.
Bernardes is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tango gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bernardes tries to land knees in the clinch but Tango avoids the damage to the body.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bernardes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tango swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Bernardes rushes Tango and presses him up against the cage.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bernardes with a hook.
Bernardes lands a nice hook to Tango's body. Tango takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tango shoots in but Bernardes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Tango. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from Bernardes both land. Nice combination.
Bernardes throws a good cross that connects.
Bernardes throws a one two combo.
Tango is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bernardes.
Bernardes lands a jab to the head.
Bernardes closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Bernardes.
Bernardes is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bernardes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bernardes moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tango is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Bernardes closes the distance and pushes Tango back into the cage.

Bernardes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bernardes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tango has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bernardes finds it's way round the side to connect with Tango's head.
Thomas Tango is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bernardes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bernardes lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A left and a right from Bernardes both land. Nice combination.
Nice body punch from Bernardes.
Bernardes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tango.
Bernardes lands a nice looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bernardes instigates a clinch.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bernardes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernardes connects with a body shot.
Bernardes scores with a jab. Tango acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Tango is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bernardes.
Tango looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Danga de danga de dang - Bernardes scores with a four punch combination!
Bernardes scores with the left hand. Tango knows he should have avoided that one.
A left and a right from Bernardes both land. Nice combination.
Tango has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tango throws a right hand that Bernardes ducks under and follows up with a left that Bernardes also avoids with ease.
Bernardes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bernardes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tango, pushing him back against the cage.

Bernardes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bernardes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A nice combination there by Bernardes.
Tango has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bernardes lands with a slapping head kick.
Bernardes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tango takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bernardes stalks Tango and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tango's face. Tango staggers backwards, shaken.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bernardes.
Bernardes scores with a nice right hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Bernardes scores with a four punch combination!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Bernardes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Bernardes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tango. Tango circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Bernardes moves into the clinch.
Bernardes digs a right hand underneath Tango's ribcage. Tango let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Bernardes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bernardes tries to land a front kick but Tango steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bernardes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tango tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bernardes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tango on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Bernardes darts in and clinches Tango up against the cage.
Tango stalling in the clinch but Bernardes improves position.
Tango can't find room to land a body shot as Bernardes controls the action.
Bernardes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tango tries to throw a body punch but Bernardes avoids it by throwing Tango back against the cage.

Bernardes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bernardes scores with a jab. Tango acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bernardes with a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bernardes.
Bernardes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bernardes lands with a right hand.
Bernardes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bernardes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tango has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tango takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bernardes has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tango takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bernardes throws a head kick that misses.
Bernardes stalks Tango and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tango's face. Tango staggers backwards, shaken.
Bernardes lands a jab-cross combination.
Bernardes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tango doesn't seem bothered though.

Bernardes forces Tango back against the cage and clinches.

Bernardes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tango takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bernardes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tango momentarily.
Bernardes lands a nice shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bernardes clinches with his opponent.
Bernardes lands a body punch.
Bernardes missing with knees to the body.
Bernardes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tango smiles and moves away.
Bernardes is looking to clinch.
Bernardes closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernardes lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Bernardes lands a lovely overhand right.

Bernardes clinches.

Bernardes breaks from the clinch.
Bernardes lands with an uppercut that bounces Tango off the cage and back into rage.
Bernardes lands a jab to the nose.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bernardes.
Tango takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bernardes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bernardes fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tango on the side of the head.
Bernardes stalks Tango and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tango's face. Tango staggers backwards, shaken.

Bernardes moves into the clinch.
Bernardes works on Tango's body with a couple of short punches.

Bernardes breaks the clinch.
Tango throws a looping overhand right but Bernardes ducks down to avoid it.

Bernardes pushes Tango up against the cage in a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bernardes.
Bernardes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Bernardes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernardes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bernardes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nice body punch from Bernardes.
A left and a right from Bernardes both land. Nice combination.
Nice uppercut there from Bernardes.
Bernardes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tango in his tracks.

Bernardes clinches.

Bernardes has hold of one of Tango's legs. Tango is fighting the takedown attempt but Bernardes gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Bernardes trying to control but Tango is working from the bottom.
Bernardes prevents Tango from getting back to his feet.
Bernardes trying to control but Tango is working from the bottom.

Tango is looking for a triangle but Bernardes pushes his legs off easily.
Bernardes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tango keeping full guard, as Bernardes tries to pass.
Tango will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Thomas Tango has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tango trying to strike off his back.
Tango wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bernardes clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Roger Bernardes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bernardes breaks the clinch.
Bernardes moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tango takes one to the chin there.
Bernardes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roger Bernardes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bernardes 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 25:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 25:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roger Bernardes!