PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Niklas Konrad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Berto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Konrad comes to the cage accompanied by Keep on Rising. On his way into the cage it seems that Niklas Konrad has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Niklas Konrad seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Konrad
vs
Berto

184 cm
22
155 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Niklas Konrad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Andre Berto!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berto scores with a head kick.
A combination from Konrad does no damage.

Berto gets a clinch.
Berto tries to land knees in the clinch but Konrad avoids the damage to the body.

Konrad has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Berto regains guard immediately.
Berto is looking to stand up but Konrad isn't so interested in that idea.

Berto pushes Konrad off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Konrad takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Berto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Berto lands with a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Konrad takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Konrad is breathing heavily.

Berto lands a big head kick that sends Konrad tumbling to the mat! Berto takes a step backwards and waves Konrad back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Konrad is rocked!
Berto throws a series of punches but Konrad moves out of range.
Oh Konrad is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Konrad avoids a kick to the body.
Konrad seems to have got his legs back now.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Berto, right into the meat.

Berto lands a big head kick that sends Konrad tumbling to the mat! Berto takes a step backwards and waves Konrad back to his feet - he wants the finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konrad misses with a kick to the body.
A combination from Berto does no damage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Berto stuffs the takedown.
Berto fails with a takedown attempt.
Konrad throws a series of punches but Berto moves out of range.
Konrad takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Berto thumps Konrad with a low kick.
Berto throws a hook but Konrad blocks it.
Konrad ducks under a wild hook from Berto.
Konrad throws a right and a left that Berto avoids nicely.
Berto lands a body shot.
Berto misses with a straight right.
Niklas Konrad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Berto closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Berto lands in his opponent's guard.
Konrad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konrad keeping moving, preventing Berto from controlling successfully.
Konrad 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 ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Konrad preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Berto wants to pass the guard but Konrad is keeping the position.
Berto wanted to stand there but Konrad had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konrad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Konrad avoids the head kick by Berto.
Konrad misses with a takedown attempt - Berto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Konrad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berto dodges the punch combination from Konrad.
Konrad takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Konrad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Berto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Konrad misses with a double jab.
Berto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Berto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Konrad, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berto breaks from the clinch.
Konrad throws a leg kick that is checked
and Berto counters with a nice body kick.
Konrad is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Berto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A combination from Konrad does no damage.
Berto avoids a punch combination nicely.
Konrad fails with an attempt to clinch.
Konrad works over Berto's head and body with a nice combination.
Berto throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Konrad.
Berto swats away the attempt to clinch by Konrad.
Konrad has a takedown stuffed.
Berto misses with a takedown attempt

and Konrad counters by moving into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Konrad gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Berto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Konrad.
Berto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Berto dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Berto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Berto feints and then cracks Konrad's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Konrad down.
Konrad stalks Berto and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Berto's face. Berto staggers backwards, shaken.
Berto shoots in for a double leg but Konrad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Konrad has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Berto.
Konrad falls off balance throwing a combination
and Berto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Horrible takedown by Konrad or perhaps it was just good defense by Berto which made him look bad.
A good leg kick by Berto.
Niklas Konrad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berto looks to land a right hand but Konrad moved out of range.

Berto moves into the clinch.
Berto misses with a knee to the head.
Berto landing knees to the head.
Konrad is trying to force a seperation but Berto has the dominant position.
Konrad wants a takedown.

Konrad breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Konrad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Berto's waist but Berto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Konrad off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Konrad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Berto looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Konrad is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Berto is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berto would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Konrad manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Berto manages to get himself to full guard.
Konrad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berto wants to stand up but Konrad is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Berto can do anything to dispel that myth.

Berto is working an open guard so Konrad takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Konrad closes the distance and clinches.
Berto prevents the takedown attempt.
Konrad lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Berto backwards.

Konrad breaks the clinch.
Berto throws a head kick that misses.
Berto throws a sloppy head kick and Konrad moves out of range easily.
Konrad tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Berto swivels and escapes.
Andre Berto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Berto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Berto.
Konrad with a lazy takedown attempt
and Berto counters with a nice leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Konrad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Berto leaves Konrad with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Berto looks for a takedown but Konrad sprawls well.
Berto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Konrad has his takedown stuffed
and Berto finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Konrad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Berto has a takedown stuffed.
Berto scores with a head kick.

Konrad fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Berto, pushing him back against the cage.

Konrad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Berto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Konrad or perhaps it was just good defense by Berto which made him look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berto thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Konrad if he has to take too many more of those.
Konrad lands a jab-cross combination.
Berto lands with a thumping leg kick.

Konrad clinches.

Berto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Berto.
Konrad will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Konrad.
Konrad tries to bum rush Berto with a series of wild strikes but Berto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Berto delivers a nice body kick.

Konrad gets a clinch.
Konrad is trying to force a seperation but Berto has the dominant position.
Konrad wants to break free but Berto has control.

Berto breaks the clinch.
Konrad on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berto. Berto obviously looking to wear him down.
Konrad shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Berto pinned against the cage. Berto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Berto throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andre Berto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Berto misses with a head kick.

Konrad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Konrad won't allow Berto to get back to his feet.
Konrad throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berto keeping moving, preventing Konrad from controlling successfully.
Konrad is in close to Berto's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Berto wants to stand and escape but Konrad is having none of it.
Berto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Berto wants to stand and escape but Konrad is having none of it.
Konrad chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Konrad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Berto defends it nicely.
Berto throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berto misses with a head kick.

Konrad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Konrad wants to break the clinch but can't.
Konrad keeps control of Berto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Konrad can't break the clinch.

Konrad gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Konrad is keen to just control but Berto is a slippery customer.
Berto keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Berto is looking to escape.
Konrad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Konrad passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konrad throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Konrad fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Konrad throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Berto is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Konrad looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Berto is avoiding damage well.
Berto tries to escape but Konrad is in control.
The ground and pound from Konrad seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Konrad.

Berto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Berto is looking to take a break and control but Konrad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Konrad avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Berto.

Berto decides to stand and escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konrad misses with a takedown attempt - Berto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niklas Konrad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Berto throws a chopping leg kick but Konrad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Konrad tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Berto counters with a nice leg kick.
Konrad misses with a wild combination.
Konrad avoids the head kick by Berto.
Berto stuffs the takedown attempt from Konrad. Konrad gets slowly back to his feet.
Berto cracks a nice hook into Konrad's ribs.
Niklas Konrad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Konrad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Berto circles away quickly and effectively.
Berto throws a front kick that sends Konrad stumbling back into the cage.
Konrad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Andre Berto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Berto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Konrad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Berto circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Niklas Konrad.
I think Berto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Berto!