PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raimonds Bergmanis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Baskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bergmanis's entrance music is Twiztid - We Don't Die. A fine choice. Baskov has chosen Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bergmanis
vs
Baskov

192 cm
24
266 lbs
22 - 3 - 0

189 cm
23
249 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Raimonds Bergmanis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baskov misses with a takedown

so Bergmanis counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Baskov is looking for a triangle here but Bergmanis uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Baskov wants to get back to his feet but Bergmanis drags him back down.
Baskov is trying to control Bergmanis's posture but Bergmanis avoids it.
Bergmanis lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bergmanis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baskov keeps working.
Baskov is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Baskov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Bergmanis is chipping away with strikes.
Baskov is trying to get back to half guard.
Baskov tries to escape but Bergmanis is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baskov keeps working.

Baskov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Baskov misses with a takedown

and Bergmanis counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bergmanis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Baskov tries to get to full guard but Bergmanis has control of the leg.
Baskov wants to get back to his feet.
Bergmanis tries to pass to full mount but Baskov defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis trying to control the pace.
Baskov tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Bergmanis manages to move to mount!
Baskov wants to control but Bergmanis is having none of it.
Baskov is looking to get to half guard.
Baskov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Baskov tries to buck Bergmanis off but he can't manage it.
Bergmanis raining down hammerfists from mount.
Baskov tries to lock up and control but Bergmanis gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Baskov is trying to escape the mount.
Bergmanis content just to control the position here.
Baskov wants to control but Bergmanis is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baskov tries to land a leg kick but Bergmanis saw it coming and moves away.
Baskov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bergmanis counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Baskov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bergmanis doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bergmanis manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bergmanis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bergmanis stands and throws Baskov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis is looking to take a break and control but Baskov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Baskov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Raimonds Bergmanis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baskov pushes Bergmanis off but Bergmanis dives into side control.
Baskov can't do much from the bottom here.
You can see the frustration on Baskov's face as Bergmanis controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Baskov is looking for a sweep.
Baskov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Bergmanis controlling the position.
Baskov prevents Bergmanis from improving position.
Bergmanis working away.
A lull in the action here.
Baskov is trying to buck Bergmanis off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Baskov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bergmanis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nikolay Baskov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baskov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baskov throws a right hand that misses
and Bergmanis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baskov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bergmanis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Raimonds Bergmanis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Baskov.

That's four 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.
A head kick misses from Baskov.
Baskov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bergmanis counters with a straight right hand.

Bergmanis shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bergmanis was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bergmanis prevents Baskov from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis dominated that second round.
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.

Baskov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bergmanis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Bergmanis shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bergmanis was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baskov wants to hold on but Bergmanis pushes him away.
Baskov is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Baskov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Bergmanis trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bergmanis lands a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baskov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Baskov tries to lock up and control but Bergmanis gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Baskov bucks Bergmanis off and manages to get back to his feet!
Bergmanis slips under a jab.
Bergmanis lands with a thumping leg kick.
Baskov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bergmanis counters with a shoot takedown. Baskov fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Baskov manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Baskov misses with a hook. Bergmanis ducked under it nicely.
Baskov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Baskov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baskov drives through with a takedown into Bergmanis's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bergmanis keeping full guard, as Baskov tries to pass.
Baskov tries to stand but Bergmanis is controlling from the bottom.
Baskov passes Bergmanis's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bergmanis regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Baskov's guard.
Bergmanis trying to control but Baskov is working from the bottom.
Baskov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bergmanis is controlling him.
Bergmanis slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Baskov 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.

Raimonds Bergmanis clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baskov just misses with a punch to the body.
Bergmanis throws a solid leg kick but Baskov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bergmanis.
Baskov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bergmanis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bergmanis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baskov misses with a lunging right hand

and Bergmanis counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Baskov is looking to stand back up but Bergmanis counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Baskov.
Baskov wants to improve his position but Bergmanis is controlling well.
Baskov tries to kick Bergmanis off but Bergmanis keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskov wants to get back to full guard but Bergmanis has passed into side control.
Baskov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Baskov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bergmanis staying calm.
You can see the frustration on Baskov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov tries to escape but Bergmanis is in control.

Baskov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Baskov fails with the takedown
and Bergmanis counters with a stiff right hand.
Baskov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bergmanis counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov taking some punishment here, with Bergmanis in his half guard.

Baskov looking for a kimura from the bottom but Bergmanis passes into side control!
Baskov is trying to buck Bergmanis off.
Baskov trying to remain calm as Bergmanis controls from the top position.
Baskov wants to control but Bergmanis postures up.
Baskov is looking for a sweep.
Bergmanis scoring with punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis had his way with Nikolay Baskov in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Baskov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice defenses there by Baskov.
Some wild striking there from Bergmanis.
Bergmanis is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baskov can do to turn this around?
Jab from Bergmanis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bergmanis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bergmanis connects with a solid leg kick.
Baskov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bergmanis.
Bergmanis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baskov.
Bergmanis throws a leg kick but Baskov checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Baskov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bergmanis defends it nicely.
Baskov connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov throws a right hand that misses
and Bergmanis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bergmanis checks a leg kick.
Baskov lands a jab to the nose.

Baskov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bergmanis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bergmanis is trying to keep Baskov in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov wants to stand but Bergmanis is controlling his posture from full guard.

Baskov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bergmanis manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Baskov has Bergmanis in his guard.
Nikolay Baskov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bergmanis wants to control from the top but Baskov keeps moving.

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 Raimonds Bergmanis.
Well Bergmanis 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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!

Raimonds Bergmanis wins by unanimous decision!
Raimonds Bergmanis retains his heavyweight title!