PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johan Herberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Kowalczyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Viktor Kowalczyk has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Johan Herberg's chin.

Herberg
vs
Kowalczyk

160 cm
34
167 lbs
29 - 9 - 2

170 cm
29
171 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johan Herberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Viktor Kowalczyk!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalczyk lands a glancing blow to the side of Herberg's head.
Kowalczyk thows a leg kick but Herberg checks it

and Herberg counters with a single leg into guard. Kowalczyk didn't expect that.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kowalczyk is on top in guard.
Kowalczyk trying to control but Herberg is working from the bottom.
Herberg not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Herberg keeping moving, preventing Kowalczyk from controlling successfully.
Herberg pulls Kowalczyk in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kowalczyk controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Herberg is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
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!

Viktor Kowalczyk has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kowalczyk lands a nice leg kick that just misses Herberg's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herberg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Viktor Kowalczyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Herberg bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kowalczyk wants to control but Herberg postures up.
Herberg lands a few punches from side control.
Kowalczyk is looking to regain half guard here but Herberg keeps moving and retains side control.
Herberg throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Herberg in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kowalczyk is trying to get back to half guard.
Herberg throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Herberg has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kowalczyk tries to buck Herberg off but Herberg is having none of it.
Kowalczyk is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kowalczyk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kowalczyk tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Herberg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
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!
Herberg lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kowalczyk down.
Kowalczyk is working to avoid the ground and pound but Herberg connects with a decent elbow.
Kowalczyk manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Herberg.
Herberg is in close to Kowalczyk's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Herberg trying to control but Kowalczyk is working from the bottom.
Herberg postures up.
Kowalczyk wants to sweep but no luck.
Herberg throwing strikes from guard but Kowalczyk blocks nicely.
Kowalczyk is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Herberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Herberg stopping the sweep attempt from Kowalczyk.
Herberg is looking to work some ground and pound but Kowalczyk has wrist control.
Kowalczyk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Herberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Kowalczyk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kowalczyk manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kowalczyk connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalczyk tries to control but Herberg wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Johan Herberg will probably get the nod.
That's time! Herberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Herberg closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kowalczyk's guard.
Kowalczyk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kowalczyk pulls Herberg in close to prevent any damage.
Herberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kowalczyk keeping moving, preventing Herberg from controlling successfully.
Johan Herberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Herberg throwing strikes but missing.
Herberg stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kowalczyk swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk looking for a sweep. Not yet Kowalczyk, not yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Herberg shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kowalczyk as he avoids it easily.
Herberg uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick which misses Herberg's front leg but catches the back leg as Herberg tries to avoid it.
Herberg shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kowalczyk sprawls well. Kowalczyk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Herberg gets slowly back to his feet.
Kowalczyk misses the shot to the body.

Kowalczyk gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kowalczyk misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herberg blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Herberg scores with a hook to the body.
Herberg prevents a body shot from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk can't find room to land a body shot as Herberg controls the action.
Kowalczyk blocking some punches.
Herberg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kowalczyk struggles to land a body shot inside as Herberg controls his hands.
Herberg tries to work over Kowalczyk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Herberg.
Kowalczyk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Herberg pressing his opponent against the cage.
Herberg is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kowalczyk is keeping busy.
Kowalczyk lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herberg taking a breather.
A shot in the inside from Kowalczyk.
Herberg content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Herberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Herberg has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kowalczyk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Herberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kowalczyk lands with a short shot to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Herberg has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kowalczyk is trying to keep an underhook but Herberg manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Herberg thows a huge punch but Kowalczyk dodges it nicely.
Kowalczyk keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Herberg is pressing down on Kowalczyk's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kowalczyk is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalczyk tries to roll over but Herberg keeps him under control.
Herberg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kowalczyk is looking for a sweep. Herberg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Herberg looks to land a strike but Kowalczyk avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Herberg tries to free his leg and advance position but Kowalczyk is retaining full guard.
Herberg stopping the sweep attempt from Kowalczyk.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalczyk wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
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 Johan Herberg 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!

Herberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kowalczyk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kowalczyk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johan Herberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herberg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Herberg tries to clinch but Kowalczyk moves away
and Kowalczyk counters with an outside leg kick.
Herberg defending well as Kowalczyk loads up on a big left hand.
Herberg shoots in for a double leg but Kowalczyk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kowalczyk misses with a low kick.
Herberg throws a low kick but Kowalczyk moves out of range easily.
Herberg closes the distance and clinches up with Kowalczyk, looking for a takedown. Herberg pushes Kowalczyk against the cage but Kowalczyk circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kowalczyk getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A low kick from Kowalczyk is predictable there
and Herberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herberg shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kowalczyk defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Herberg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Herberg takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kowalczyk getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kowalczyk listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kowalczyk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Herberg on the side of the head.
Herberg has a takedown stuffed.

Kowalczyk drops Herberg with a big left hand and mounts him. Herberg is in big trouble!

Herberg is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Herberg is desperately trying to improve his position but Kowalczyk has a good base and remains in mount.
Viktor Kowalczyk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oh Herberg is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Herberg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Herberg seems to have got his legs back now.
Kowalczyk landing shots from mount.
Kowalczyk punishing his opponent with strikes.
The referee warns Herberg that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Herberg keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Herberg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kowalczyk wants to control the pace but Herberg is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk lands a big elbow.
Herberg is in all sorts of trouble here.

Herberg defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Kowalczyk.
Herberg working to try and regain half guard.
Kowalczyk sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Herberg is squirming around, avoiding Kowalczyk's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herberg really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kowalczyk avoids the attempt from Herberg to control.
Kowalczyk in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Johan Herberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Herberg tries to lock up and control but Kowalczyk gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kowalczyk is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Herberg can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
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!
Kowalczyk unloading with bombs!
Herberg manages to regain half guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Kowalczyk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Herberg 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johan Herberg!
Johan Herberg gave a mention to Hell's Balls Recovery (160) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).