PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jun Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Berzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lee
vs
Berzins

183 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
24
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jun Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Berzins!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Berzins.
Lee with a poor takedown

and Berzins counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Lee's guard now.

Lee looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Berzins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berzins trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berzins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Berzins stops Lee from standing up.
Berzins postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lee looking to control.
Berzins looking to pass the guard.
Berzins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lee works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Berzins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Lee has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berzins can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berzins controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lee prevents Berzins from improving position.

Berzins is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lee knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lee manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Lee is looking to advance position but Berzins won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lee is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Berzins as he works his way to full guard.

Lee drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Berzins dives on top into guard.

Lee looking for a guillotine here but Berzins defends easily.
Lee not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lee looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Berzins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berzins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Berzins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lee is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berzins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berzins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Berzins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Berzins not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lee working a defensive guard here.
Lee trying to control the position here.

Berzins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lee has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Berzins has managed to get both his arms back between Lee's legs - danger averted.
Berzins tries to free his leg and advance position but Lee is retaining full guard.
Lee being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lee has his foot on Berzins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Berzins works his way back into a safe position though.
Lee throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Lee controls Berzins momentarily but Berzins frees himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lee is on top in guard.
Lee is breathing heavily.
Lee advances position into 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!
Berzins is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lee off and has taken his back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Berzins is persistently looking for the submission but Lee is defending it well.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Berzins has eaten all the pies!
Lee looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Berzins dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lee with a poor takedown

and Berzins counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Berzins.
Berzins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Lee had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berzins defends it easily.
Lee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lee wants to sweep but no luck.
Berzins looking to pass the guard.
Berzins controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Berzins is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lee trying to strike off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Berzins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lee can't keep his opponent in guard - Berzins advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee tries to roll over but Berzins keeps him under control.
Michael Berzins has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lee is trying to control but can't.

Lee is defending against the submission attempts here by Berzins.

Berzins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Berzins sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lee defending well though.

Berzins is looking for a kimura here.
Lee is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Berzins is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Lee looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lee is trying to control but can't.
Berzins trying to control from half guard but Lee is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jun Lee.

Berzins closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lee to the mat! Lee manages to get full guard.
Berzins wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Lee will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Lee is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Berzins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lee is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berzins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Berzins slips nicely into half guard.

Berzins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lee defends it well.
Lee is looking to get back to full guard here but Berzins has managed to pass to side control instead.
Berzins throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Berzins wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lee, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Lee's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lee being controlled for a moment.

Berzins is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lee is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lee sneaks back into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lee gets full guard.
Lee not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Berzins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Berzins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Berzins showed some decent athleticism there.
Lee controlling the position for now.
Berzins trying to mount his opponent but Lee defends it.
Lee trying to hold on to Berzins's head to control him but Berzins postures up.
Berzins is pressing down on Lee's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lee is holding on for now.

Berzins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lee is refusing to be controlled, as Berzins sits in half guard.
Berzins with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee trying to control but Berzins postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lee doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Berzins counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lee throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Lee has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Berzins is working away from the top position though.

Berzins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lee is just riding it out for now. Berzins eventually gives up the hold.
Berzins missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Berzins is trying to work for a kimura but Lee is defending well.
Lee works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Berzins from controlling successfully.
Berzins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lee can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Berzins controls the pace.
Berzins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Berzins trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Lee wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lee keeping full guard, as Berzins tries to pass.
Lee trying to keep a closed guard but Berzins is proving a slippery customer.
Berzins trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Berzins is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Michael Berzins.
Berzins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lee moves away.

Berzins shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lee napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berzins goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Lee rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Berzins's guard! Nice work there by Lee!
Lee works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lee passes the guard and advances to mount!
Berzins blocking the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Berzins can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lee sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Berzins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Berzins gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Berzins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Berzins has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Berzins!
A victorious Michael Berzins thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.