PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brannigan Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Winslow Berhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Steele
vs
Berhardt

178 cm
24
180 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

175 cm
24
167 lbs
8 - 5 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

Aspire Nutrition

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 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brannigan Steele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Winslow Berhardt!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steele scores with a jab to the head.
Berhardt scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Berhardt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Berhardt has managed to clinch.
Berhardt lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steele.
Steele has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Steele gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
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!
Steele slips a nice elbow through Berhardt's hands, connecting with Berhardt's forehead.
Berhardt wants to improve his position but Steele is controlling well.
Steele winds up and cracks Berhardt with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Steele lands strikes from half guard.
Steele sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Berhardt defending well though.
Steele is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Steele thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Berhardt's head.
Steele scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berhardt wants to improve his position but Steele is controlling well.
Steele throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Steele 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.
Berhardt keeping hold of Steele's head, controlling as best he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Steele is thwarting Berhardt's attempts to control the position.
Berhardt is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Steele's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Steele's back!
I really don't envy Steele right now.
Berhardt lands with a hammerfist to the side of Steele's head.
Berhardt lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Berhardt keeps control of the position as Steele tries to break free.
Berhardt is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Berhardt misses with an elbow to the head.
You can see the frustration on Steele's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Berhardt struggling to land strikes to the head as Steele covers up.
Steele turns into Berhardt and is now in his guard.
Steele won't allow Berhardt to sweep him here.
Steele with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Steele accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele is looking to pass into half guard but Berhardt pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Berhardt is in guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berhardt wants to stand but Steele has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Steele keeping moving, preventing Berhardt from controlling successfully.

Berhardt stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Berhardt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Berhardt tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steele paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Berhardt swings for the body but Steele moves out of range.
Steele slips under a jab from Berhardt.
Berhardt changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Berhardt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Steele sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Berhardt buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele misses with a hook to the body
and Berhardt counters with a nice body shot.
Steele throws the left hand but Berhardt avoids the punch easily.
Berhardt misses with a low kick as Steele jumps back.
Winslow Berhardt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Berhardt throws a shot to the body.
A left and a right from Berhardt both land. Nice combination.
Steele ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Berhardt moves away.
Berhardt dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Berhardt rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steele moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Berhardt jabs at Steele's body.
Berhardt takes a swing at Steele's ribcage but misses.
Berhardt cracks Steele with an open hand slap.
Winslow Berhardt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Berhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berhardt wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Berhardt.
Berhardt ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
Steele takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A slow jab from Steele misses its intended target.
Berhardt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Steele rather than just go for the knockout.
Berhardt misses with a low kick.
Berhardt stuns Steele with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Berhardt loads up on a big right hand but Steele slips the punch.

Steele fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Berhardt to the ground. Steele is now in Berhardt's guard.
Steele postures up.
Steele throwing strikes from guard but Berhardt blocks nicely.
Berhardt trying to control the position.
Steele trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winslow Berhardt dominated that round.
That's time! Steele's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Steele uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Berhardt.
Berhardt ducks under a wild hook from Steele.
Berhardt lands with a nice body punch.
Berhardt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steele.
Berhardt bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Steele's head.
Berhardt tries to clinch there but Steele circles away.
Steele changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Berhardt. Steele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steele looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Steele throws a shot from downtown. Berhardt moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berhardt throws a body shot but no joy.
Berhardt looks to score with a jab to the body but Steele is just out of range.
It looked like Steele wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Steele works the jab nicely.

It looks like Winslow Berhardt has been cut.
A big right from Steele misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Berhardt finds it's way round the side to connect with Steele's head.
Berhardt throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Steele was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Berhardt.
Steele misses with a wild combination.
Berhardt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd cheers as Steele lands an impressive looking overhand right. Berhardt doesn't seem phased though.
Berhardt thuds a left hand into Steele's body.
Steele avoids the body shot from Berhardt.
Steele walks into a stiff left hand from Berhardt.
Steele has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Steele there as he acknowledges the shot.
A head kick misses from Berhardt.
Steele swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Berhardt lands a lovely overhand right.
Berhardt tries to clinch but Steele moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele takes a swing at Berhardt's ribcage but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berhardt moves out of range of the strikes.
Berhardt connects with a body shot that sends Steele's belly button to the back.
An inside leg kick from Berhardt misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Steele misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Berhardt. Steele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Berhardt connects with a body shot that sends Steele's belly button to the back.
Steele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berhardt manages to avoid it.
Winslow Berhardt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Berhardt tries a head kick but it misses.
Steele throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Berhardt appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Berhardt attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Steele tries to counter with a takedown but Berhardt is quick to defend against it.
Berhardt throws a series of strikes that have Steele backpedaling.
Berhardt fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Steele.
Steele doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Steele waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Berhardt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Steele getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Steele misses the jab.
Steele connects with a right hand. Berhardt shakes it off.
Berhardt has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Berhardt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Steele throws the left hand but Berhardt avoids the punch easily.
Berhardt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Steele.
It seemed like Berhardt was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Berhardt misses with a head kick.
Berhardt ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Berhardt fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Steele looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Berhardt throws a front kick aimed at Steele's knee but Steele avoids it well.
The fighters circle momentarily. Berhardt darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from Berhardt.
Berhardt tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steele paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steele tries to clinch up.
Berhardt misses with a wild body shot.
Steele avoids the body shot from Berhardt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Berhardt fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Berhardt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Steele has picked Berhardt up - he's going for a ride! Steele dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Steele is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Berhardt is trying to stand up here but Steele is controlling him well.
Steele takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Steele prevents Berhardt from standing back up.
Berhardt gets full guard.
Berhardt is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winslow Berhardt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Winslow Berhardt's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Steele. Berhardt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Berhardt avoids the body shot from Steele.
Berhardt is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Steele with a body shot.
Steele pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Steele takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Steele avoids the body shot from Berhardt.
Steele takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Steele pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Berhardt misses with a jab, cross combination.
A little feinted left hand from Steele on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Berhardt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Steele.
Steele changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Steele misses.
A slow jab from Steele misses its intended target.
Steele connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Berhardt momentarily.
A punch combination from Berhardt misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Steele lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Berhardt scores with a nice strike.
Steele connects with a body shot.
Berhardt throws a looping overhand right but Steele ducks down to avoid it.
Berhardt lands a leg kick that knocks Steele off balance momentarily.
Berhardt misses with a body shot.
Steele tries to counter with a takedown but Berhardt is quick to defend against it.
Berhardt tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Berhardt throws out a counter right but Steele avoids it with no problem.
Steele thuds a left hand into Berhardt's body.
Berhardt just misses with a punch to the body.
Steele throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Berhardt sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Steele takes a swing at Berhardt's ribcage but misses.
Brannigan Steele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Berhardt, as that shot connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berhardt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Berhardt throws a front kick aimed at Steele's knee but Steele avoids it well.
Berhardt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Berhardt scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Steele swings for the body but Berhardt moves out of range.
Berhardt has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Steele chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Berhardt can pounce on him.
Berhardt looks to score with a jab to the body but Steele is just out of range.
The fighters circling - Berhardt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Berhardt jabs at Steele's body.
Steele bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Winslow Berhardt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Berhardt missing with a left hand there. Steele was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Steele looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Berhardt misses the shot to the body.
Steele connects with a crisp jab.
Berhardt bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Berhardt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.
Berhardt throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Berhardt dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Berhardt misses the shot to the body.
Berhardt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A slow jab from Berhardt misses its intended target.
Berhardt lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steele's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berhardt with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Berhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Berhardt takes a swing at Steele's ribcage but misses.
Steele changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A clash of legs there as Steele blocks the low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Berhardt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Berhardt is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Berhardt lands a jab to Steele's midsection.
Berhardt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Steele wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Steele loads up on a big right hand but Berhardt slips the punch.

Berhardt rushes Steele and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Steele.
Steele is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Berhardt is keeping busy.
Steele lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Winslow Berhardt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Berhardt winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Winslow Berhardt!
Winslow Berhardt gave a mention to Aspire Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).