PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vasili Gregorovitsj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Berger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gregorovitsj's entrance music is Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gregorovitsj
vs
Berger

187 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
187 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasili Gregorovitsj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Berger!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gregorovitsj throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gregorovitsj slips a jab from Berger.
Gregorovitsj misses the shot to the body.
Berger moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Berger tries to close the distance and clinch but Gregorovitsj swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Berger fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gregorovitsj sprawls well initially but Berger persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Berger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gregorovitsj is just riding it out for now. Berger eventually gives up the hold.
Berger wants to stand up but Gregorovitsj has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Berger is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gregorovitsj defends it well.
Berger is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregorovitsj wants to get back to full guard.
Gregorovitsj on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gregorovitsj tries to get out of the position.
Berger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gregorovitsj knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Berger 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gregorovitsj, right into the meat.
Gregorovitsj is looking to clinch.
Berger swats away the attempt to clinch by Gregorovitsj.
Gregorovitsj scores with a kick to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Berger looks gassed!
Berger misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gregorovitsj buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Berger avoids a punch combination nicely.
Berger connects with a single shot there.
Berger tries to clinch there but Gregorovitsj circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gregorovitsj connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Good leg kick by Gregorovitsj there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Vasili Gregorovitsj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A bone on bone clash there as Berger blocks the leg kick.
Gregorovitsj throws a leg kick which misses Berger's front leg but catches the back leg as Berger tries to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Berger gets a takedown into half guard.

Berger is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gregorovitsj doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Berger.

Berger is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Berger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gregorovitsj is in trouble now - Berger has advanced to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregorovitsj is squirming around, avoiding Berger's attempts to control the action.

Berger get's back to his feet.

Berger gets the takedown into side control.
Gregorovitsj is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Berger tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Berger has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Berger swings around for an armbar but Gregorovitsj sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Berger's guard.
Gregorovitsj looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gregorovitsj gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Berger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gregorovitsj has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

Berger working for a triangle but Gregorovitsj defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Berger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Berger dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gregorovitsj chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gregorovitsj throws a low kick but it's checked well by Berger.
Berger takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gregorovitsj keeps the fight on the outside.
Berger looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Gregorovitsj. No joy for Berger on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gregorovitsj looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gregorovitsj scores with a leg kick.
Gregorovitsj connects with a solid leg kick.
Gregorovitsj fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gregorovitsj is looking to slow Berger down with leg kicks.
Gregorovitsj takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Berger.
Vasili Gregorovitsj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Berger.

Berger feints and as Gregorovitsj raises his hands in defense, Berger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Berger stands up and waves to Gregorovitsj to follow him.
Berger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gregorovitsj but Gregorovitsj pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Berger shoots for a takedown but Gregorovitsj saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
An inside leg kick from Gregorovitsj misses.
Berger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gregorovitsj but Gregorovitsj pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gregorovitsj lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregorovitsj throws a series of punches but Berger avoids them all with ease.
Gregorovitsj tries to close the distance and clinch up but Berger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gregorovitsj misses with a low kick.
Berger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gregorovitsj swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vasili Gregorovitsj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gregorovitsj connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Vasili Gregorovitsj is winning the standup battle so far.
Gregorovitsj moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gregorovitsj blocks a jab.

Berger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Berger fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Berger's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gregorovitsj lands a knee to the head.
Berger tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Gregorovitsj manages to break the clinch.
Gregorovitsj feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Berger's calf.
Berger stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gregorovitsj.
Gregorovitsj jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Berger shoots for a double leg takedown but Gregorovitsj sprawls well. He's pushed Berger's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gregorovitsj is looking to slow Berger down with leg kicks.
Berger keeps the fight on the outside.
Berger jabs Gregorovitsj right on the nose. Gregorovitsj blinks but takes it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berger thuds his right hand into Gregorovitsj's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Berger closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Berger is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Gregorovitsj reverses the position - he's now on top in Berger's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Berger working for a triangle but Gregorovitsj defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berger looking for a guillotine here but Gregorovitsj defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Berger working for a triangle but Gregorovitsj defends it easily.

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

Berger throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gregorovitsj escapes and throws Berger's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gregorovitsj knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Berger on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berger is pushing Gregorovitsj's head away, looking to escape. Gregorovitsj manages to hold on to the position though.
Berger tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Gregorovitsj presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Berger is trying to escape the mount.
Berger regains half guard.

Berger actively working from the bottom here.

Berger is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Gregorovitsj pulls his head out easily.

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.

Berger looking for submissions off his back.
Berger has a hand on Gregorovitsj's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gregorovitsj takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Berger is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Berger tries to lock up and control but Gregorovitsj gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
You get the feeling that Berger really doesn't like being in this position too much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gregorovitsj prevents Berger from getting the reversal.
Steve Berger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Berger regains half guard.
Berger gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vasili Gregorovitsj will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Berger changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gregorovitsj tries to avoid it but Berger manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gregorovitsj to the ground. Gregorovitsj escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Berger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gregorovitsj is fending him off so far but Berger persists. Nope, Gregorovitsj circles away and we're back to standing.
Gregorovitsj scoring well with a low kick there.
Berger chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gregorovitsj can pounce on him.
Gregorovitsj feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Berger's calf.

Berger instigates a clinch.
Berger tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vasili Gregorovitsj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Berger.
Berger throws a head punch that misses.
Gregorovitsj lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Gregorovitsj breaks from the clinch.
Gregorovitsj fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berger fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berger tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gregorovitsj moves into the clinch.

Gregorovitsj breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Berger closes the distance and clinches.

Gregorovitsj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Berger doesn't manage to clinch there - Gregorovitsj circles away.
Berger uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Berger has his takedown stuffed
and Gregorovitsj counters with an outside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gregorovitsj moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gregorovitsj connects with a solid leg kick.
Gregorovitsj chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Berger closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Berger lands in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gregorovitsj pulls Berger in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berger pushing down on Gregorovitsj's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Berger is looking to advance position but Gregorovitsj won't allow it.
Berger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Berger tries to pass to full mount but Gregorovitsj defends it.
Berger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Berger uses his free foot to push down on Gregorovitsj's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gregorovitsj.

Berger gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Berger avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Berger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gregorovitsj lands a nice leg kick that just misses Berger's sensitive parts.
An inside leg kick lands from Gregorovitsj.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berger shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gregorovitsj pinned against the cage. Gregorovitsj gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gregorovitsj buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gregorovitsj swats away the attempt to clinch by Berger.
Berger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gregorovitsj will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gregorovitsj tries to land a leg kick but Berger saw it coming and moves away.
Berger swats away the attempt to clinch by Gregorovitsj.
Berger chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gregorovitsj can pounce on him.
Gregorovitsj tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gregorovitsj scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gregorovitsj connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Berger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gregorovitsj but Gregorovitsj pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gregorovitsj wants to clinch but Berger slips to the side

and Berger counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Berger.
Berger wants to pass the guard but Gregorovitsj is keeping the position.

Gregorovitsj is working an open guard so Berger takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Berger rushes Gregorovitsj and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Berger is trying to break free.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Gregorovitsj creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Berger shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Berger was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berger goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Gregorovitsj turns into him and now he's in Berger's guard.

Berger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Berger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gregorovitsj gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Berger has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gregorovitsj has passed into side control.
Berger is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berger bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Berger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Berger lands a nice forearm strike.

Berger thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Berger tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Berger has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Berger tries to get to his feet but Gregorovitsj is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Berger in his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gregorovitsj tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vasili Gregorovitsj.
I think Gregorovitsj has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasili Gregorovitsj!