PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Berg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and All American (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Berg kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger. All American has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Berg
vs
American

185 cm
24
205 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Berg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, All American!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berg will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

American shoots in and bounces Berg off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Berg keeping moving, preventing American from controlling successfully.
American throwing strikes from guard but Berg blocks nicely.
American trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
American makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Berg pushes American off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
American shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Berg pinned against the cage. Berg gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg throws a combination but it was largely blocked by American.
American closes the distance and clinches up with Berg, looking for a takedown. American pushes Berg against the cage but Berg circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Berg with a lazy takedown attempt

and American counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Berg is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of American's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take American's back!
You can see the frustration on American's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg trying to control momentarily.

Berg is looking for the choke from the back position but American is controlling his hands well.
American tries to roll but Berg sticks to his back.
Berg controlling the position well here. American rolled but Berg kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Berg's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Berg has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
American trying to control the position but Berg manages to sink in the hooks.

Berg is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but American has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
You can see the frustration on American's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
American turns into Berg and is now in his guard.
American trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Berg utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Berg is on top in guard.
Berg won't allow American to sweep him here.

Berg thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Berg is breathing heavily.
American looking for a sweep. Not yet American, not yet.
Berg trying to control but American is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but All American will probably get the nod.
That's time! Berg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

American with a poor takedown
and Berg counters with a series of strikes. American will be more careful next time no doubt.
American with a lazy takedown attempt

and Berg counters with a shoot takedown. American fights it but they end up in guard.
Berg pushing down on American's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Berg is looking for a kimura but American is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Berg to get the leverage.
American throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
American moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
American looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
American looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Berg puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Berg is keen to just control but American is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg not landing any meaningful shots this time.
American throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Berg is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
American tries to get to full guard but Berg has control of the leg.
Berg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but American does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
American shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Berg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Alexander Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of All American.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
American misses with a takedown
and Berg counters with a nice body shot.
Berg lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Berg lands a head shot.
American ducks under a wild hook from Berg.
Berg misses with a double jab

and American counters with a shoot takedown. Berg fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg trying to keep a closed guard but American is proving a slippery customer.
American trying to control the position from guard on top but Berg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Berg is trying to keep American in close.
American trying to control but Berg is working from the bottom.
American missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Berg looking to hit a scissor sweep but American is one step ahead there.
Berg not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as American accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
American shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Berg counters with a nice double leg into side control. American won't be happy with that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Berg decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Berg dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Berg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and American counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Berg!
American working the ground and pound effectively.
American has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Berg's face.
Berg manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Berg is trying to maintain the position but American is very close to passing his half guard.
Berg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg is trying to maintain the position but American is very close to passing his half guard.
Berg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Berg pushes American off looking to stand but American dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
American looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
American with a poor takedown
and Berg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
American lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by American.
Berg lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as American backs up against the cage.
American misses with a takedown

and Berg counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
American really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
American really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Berg. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

American defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Berg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg trying to control but he's not successful this time.
American keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Berg get's back to his feet.
Berg takes a swing at American's ribcage but misses.

American looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
American throws a strike but Berg avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
American landing some decent shots from guard.
American looking to sit in guard and control but Berg gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Berg stopping the sweep attempt from American.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berg throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but All American just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

American gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Berg counters with a straight right hand.
All American seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
American doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Berg counters with a series of strikes. American will be more careful next time no doubt.
Berg misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Berg swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and American counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Berg working a defensive guard here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
American throwing strikes but missing.
American throwing strikes from guard but Berg blocks nicely.
Berg pulls American in close to prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as American accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Berg pushes American off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
American doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Berg counters with a straight right hand.
Alexander Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of All American.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
American shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Berg counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
American with a lazy takedown attempt
and Berg counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Berg doesn't succeed with the takedown
and American counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
American has his takedown stuffed
and Berg makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Berg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Berg misses with a double jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by American.
Berg gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berg is looking to control American's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Berg avoid being mounted?
Berg is looking to escape.
American wants to take a breather but Berg is having none of it.
Berg wants to get back to his feet.
Berg is looking to improve his position.
American not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Well, if American is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alexander Berg will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

American lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
American has his takedown stuffed

and Berg decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in American's guard.
Berg won't allow American to sweep him here.
American is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Berg slips nicely into half guard.
American is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg wants to stand but American has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Berg is working for a submission of some sort.
Berg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but American does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
American wants to get back to full guard but Berg has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Berg prevents American from getting the reversal.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if American can do anything to dispel that myth.
Berg wants to control the pace but American is squirming around nicely.
Alexander Berg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berg prevents American from getting the reversal.
Berg avoids the attempt from American to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
American tries to reverse the position but Berg maintains control.
Berg trying to control but he's not successful this time.
American can't escape the position.
Berg controlling from the full mount.
American is wriggling around trying to escape.

Berg looking for a guillotine from mount but American is having none of it.
Berg trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
American is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berg trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Berg gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Berg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Berg 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexander Berg!
Alexander Berg retains his light heavyweight title!