PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Berdugo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrei Berdugo could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bruce Couture's chin.

Berdugo
vs
Couture

189 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

185 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Andrei Berdugo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bruce Couture!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Couture gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Couture can't keep his opponent in guard - Berdugo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Berdugo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Couture keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Couture tries to roll over but Berdugo keeps him under control.
Berdugo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Berdugo is looking to advance position but Couture won't allow it.
Berdugo prevents Couture from improving his position.

Berdugo seems to be looking for submissions.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Berdugo.

Berdugo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Couture looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berdugo is thwarting Couture's attempts to control the position.
Berdugo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Berdugo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Couture works his way to full guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couture has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Berdugo trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couture keeping full guard, as Berdugo tries to pass.

Berdugo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Couture dives on top into guard.
Couture trying to move into half guard but instead Berdugo has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdugois looking to pass into half guard but Couture pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Couture is in guard.
Couture throwing strikes from guard but Berdugo blocks nicely.
Couture advances position into side control!

Couture decides to stand back up. Couture steps back and let's Berdugo get back to his feet.
Couture throws a sloppy head kick and Berdugo moves out of range easily.

Berdugo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Berdugo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Couture swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Berdugo preventing the sweep.

Berdugo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Couture dives on top into guard.
Couture is pushing down on Berdugo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Berdugo is fighting to maintain full guard but Couture has managed to sneak the leg through.

Berdugo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Couture pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berdugo taking some punishment here, with Couture in his half guard.
Berdugo wants to get back to full guard but Couture has mounted him!
Berdugo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Couture trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Couture prevents Berdugo from getting the reversal.
Berdugo is breathing heavily.
Couture working away from the top, dropping strikes.
BOOM! Couture connects with a massive shot to the dome!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Couture punishing his opponent with strikes.
Berdugo taking shots to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berdugo is in all sorts of trouble here.

Couture looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Couture working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Couture dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Berdugo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Couture at a distance.
Couture doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Berdugo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Couture has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Berdugo is working away from the top position though.
Couture is looking for a sweep. Berdugo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Berdugo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Couture manages to get to full guard.
Couture is pulling down on Berdugo's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Couture working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Berdugo.
Berdugo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berdugo looking to sit in guard and control but Couture gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Couture trying to stand up but can't free himself from Berdugo's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couture accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Berdugo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Berdugo is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.

Berdugo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Couture defends it easily.

Couture gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Couture shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Berdugo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Couture scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Berdugo to see if he's OK.

Couture decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Couture defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Berdugo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Couture shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Couture 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.
Couture has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Couture is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Berdugo is defending against the submission attempts here by Couture.
Berdugo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Couture's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Couture's back!
Berdugo is trying to stick to Couture's back but Couture is turning into Berdugo. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Berdugo's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Couture.

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.
Couture sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Berdugo's guard.

Berdugo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Berdugo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Berdugo.
Berdugo has momentary wrist control but Couture slips an elbow through the middle.
Berdugo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Berdugo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Couture looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berdugo is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Couture showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Couture with a poor takedown

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

Berdugo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Couture has managed to free his arm - good work.

Berdugo seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Couture has recovered full guard.
Berdugo passes Couture's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Berdugo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Couture is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berdugo pulls his head out easily.
Bruce Couture has got the better of the ground game so far.
Berdugo trying to mount his opponent but Couture defends it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Berdugo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Berdugo postures up in Couture's guard and throws a big left but Couture blocks it.
Couture keeping moving, preventing Berdugo from controlling successfully.
Berdugo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Couture trying to keep a closed guard but Berdugo is proving a slippery customer.
Berdugo is pushing down on Couture's leg trying to pass to half guard. Couture is fighting to maintain full guard but Berdugo has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two 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.

Berdugo seems to be working for a kimura but Couture defends the submission attempt.
Couture wants to control but Berdugo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Berdugo trying to advance position but Couture counters by regaining guard.

Couture looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Berdugo pushes down on Couture's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Berdugo tries to pass to full mount but Couture defends it.
Couture wants to control but Berdugo is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdugo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Couture with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Couture is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Berdugo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Berdugo's back!
Berdugo breaks Couture's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Berdugo advances to half guard.
Couture moves into full guard.
Berdugo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berdugo won't allow Couture to get back to his feet.
Berdugo passes Couture's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Berdugo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Couture has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berdugo is controlling the pace.
Couture is trying to maintain the position but Berdugo is very close to passing his half guard.
Andrei Berdugo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Couture is looking for a sweep. Berdugo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Berdugo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Couture trying to hold on to Berdugo's head to control him but Berdugo postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Berdugo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Couture has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Couture!