PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodniel Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Octavio Bernardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Romero kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Kanye West - Amazing. Bernardo has chosen Killing Me Softly ( 1973 ) as his entrance music. Octavio Bernardo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Romero
vs
Bernardo

176 cm
28
180 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
183 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodniel Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Octavio Bernardo!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Felipe Paraventi and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernardo avoids a punch combination nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Romero.

It looks like Octavio Bernardo has been cut.
Romero swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Romero fakes the leg kick and cracks Bernardo in the body.
Romero moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Romero connects with a crisp jab.

Romero drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Romero wants to control from the top but Bernardo keeps moving.

Romero thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Romero trying to control but Bernardo is working from the bottom.
Romero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Romero postures up in Bernardo's guard and throws a big left but Bernardo blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bernardo keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bernardo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Romero prevents Bernardo from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bernardo keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.
Romero working some strikes from top position.
Romero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Romero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Romero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bernardo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Romero working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Romero 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.
Romero throws a big elbow that misses.
Bernardo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Romero is controlling him.
Romero is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Romero drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bernardo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bernardo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bernardo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Romero is looking to reverse the position.
Romero sneaks back into half guard.
Romero controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Romero works his way to full guard. Good work.

Bernardo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bernardo wants to stand but Romero has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Bernardo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bernardo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bernardo is looking to stand up but Romero won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bernardo defends it easily.
Bernardo won't allow Romero to get back to his feet.

Romero is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bernardo defends well.
Bernardo wanted to stand there but Romero had control of the position.
Romero controls Bernardo momentarily but Bernardo frees himself.

Romero throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Romero trying to control the position.
Bernardo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Romero is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Romero has his foot on Bernardo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bernardo works his way back into a safe position though.
Bernardo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Romero. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Romero has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Bernardo doesn't defend quickly enough and Romero has managed to lock this one up! Can Bernardo escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Romero on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rodniel Romero!
In his post fight interview, Rodniel Romero started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.