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 comes into the arena with Twiztid - We Don't Die blaring out of the sound system. Baskov has chosen Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bergmanis
vs
Baskov

192 cm
27
266 lbs
29 - 5 - 0

189 cm
26
249 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

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 29 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Raimonds Bergmanis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Phil Schofield and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bergmanis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baskov moves away.
Bergmanis lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bergmanis misses with a straight left.
Baskov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Baskov misses with a straight right.
Bergmanis tests Baskov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Baskov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bergmanis.
Baskov shoots in for a takedown but Bergmanis shows good takedown defense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bergmanis connects with a solid leg kick.
Bergmanis jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Baskov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bergmanis.
Baskov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Baskov.
A telegraphed right hand from Bergmanis misses the target.
Bergmanis lands a slapping body shot.
Raimonds Bergmanis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Bergmanis misses.
Bergmanis throws a leg kick but Baskov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Baskov slips a straight right by Bergmanis.
A jab from Bergmanis misses.
Bergmanis throws a body punch but Baskov moves out of range.
Baskov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bergmanis.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bergmanis will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis misses with a hook. Baskov ducked under it nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Bergmanis there.
Baskov lands with a cross.
Bergmanis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Baskov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Bergmanis misses

and Baskov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bergmanis!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bergmanis tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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

Bergmanis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Baskov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bergmanis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Baskov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bergmanis passes into half guard.
Baskov is trying to stand back up but Bergmanis is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov is pressing down on Bergmanis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Baskov is looking for a triangle here but Bergmanis uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Baskov tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Baskov is looking to reverse the position.
Baskov is not content to let Bergmanis control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baskov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Baskov can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bergmanis misses with a leg kick.
Nikolay Baskov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Baskov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Baskov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bergmanis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baskov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bergmanis is proving hard to escape from.
Baskov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baskov advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bergmanis is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Baskov off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis wants to control but Baskov is keeping busy.
Bergmanis controlling the position well here. Baskov rolled but Bergmanis kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Bergmanis wants to control but Baskov is keeping busy.
Baskov tries to break free.
Baskov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bergmanis punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bergmanis tries to control but Baskov wriggling away.
Baskov can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis controlling the pace for now.
Baskov tries to hold on but Bergmanis pushes him away.
Baskov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bergmanis postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Baskov looks a forlorn figure.
Bergmanis looking to control but Baskov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bergmanis controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis looking to control but Baskov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Baskov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bergmanis wants to control the pace but Baskov is squirming around nicely.
Bergmanis avoids the attempt from Baskov to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Baskov is looking to improve his position but Bergmanis isn't that keen on the idea.
Bergmanis content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Bergmanis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baskov keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Raimonds Bergmanis wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bergmanis thows a leg kick but Baskov checks it
letting Baskov counter with a right hand.
Bergmanis throws a looping overhand right but Baskov ducks down to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Bergmanis.
Bergmanis throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baskov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bergmanis makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bergmanis misses with a wild body shot.
Bergmanis thows a body shot but no joy.
Baskov checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Bergmanis misses the target.
Bergmanis misses with a body shot.
Bergmanis swats away the attempt to clinch by Baskov.
Bergmanis walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baskov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bergmanis misses with a combination
and Baskov counters with a three punch combo that has Bergmanis backing up. Bergmanis nods at Baskov to acknowledge the strikes.
Bergmanis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baskov connects with a crisp jab.
Baskov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bergmanis as he avoids it easily.
Baskov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bergmanis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Raimonds Bergmanis is winning the standup battle so far.
Bergmanis misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A big left from Baskov misses.
Bergmanis swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bergmanis throws the left hand but Baskov avoids the punch easily.
Bergmanis throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Raimonds Bergmanis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bergmanis scores with a jab to the body.
Bergmanis lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Bergmanis misses with a wild body shot.
Bergmanis fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Baskov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Baskov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baskov avoids the body shot from Bergmanis.
Baskov misses the shot to the body.
Baskov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Baskov is rocked!
Bergmanis lands a nice shot to the body.
Baskov is still on wobbly legs! Can Bergmanis finish him?
A shot to the liver by Bergmanis. Beautiful body shot.
Bergmanis connects with a body shot.
Baskov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bergmanis fakes the body blow, causing Baskov to drop his hands! Left hook to the temple! Baskov goes stiff, and falls face first into the mat. Goodnight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Raimonds Bergmanis!