PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raimonds Bergmanis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathaniel Swain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bergmanis comes to the cage accompanied by Twiztid - We Don't Die. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Nathaniel Swain enters the cage!

Bergmanis
vs
Swain

192 cm
21
266 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

201 cm
26
250 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Raimonds Bergmanis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathaniel Swain!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bergmanis just misses with a punch to the body.
Bergmanis misses with a straight left.
Bergmanis scores with a body shot.
Swain uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bergmanis.

Swain shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Swain landing strikes from the mount.
Bergmanis is squirming around, avoiding Swain's attempts to control the action.
Swain controlling the pace for now.
Bergmanis is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Swain cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bergmanis tries to hold on but Swain pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Swain sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Bergmanis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bergmanis trying to control the position from guard on top but Swain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Swain wants to stand up but Bergmanis is controlling him.
Bergmanis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Swain works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis throws a big right hand that misses.
Swain wants to stand but Bergmanis is controlling the position.
Bergmanis is in close to Swain's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Swain keeping moving, preventing Bergmanis from controlling successfully.
Bergmanis scoring with some ground and pound.
Bergmanis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Swain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bergmanis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bergmanis wants to control from the top but Swain keeps moving.
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 Raimonds Bergmanis will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Swain just misses with a punch to the body.
Bergmanis connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Nathaniel Swain has been cut.
Bergmanis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Swain clinches up against the cage.

Swain manages to break the clinch.
Swain drops his hands momentarily and Bergmanis takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bergmanis scores with a jab to the head.
Swain misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bergmanis misses with a jab to the body

and Swain counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Swain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Swain is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Swain trying to control the position from guard on top but Bergmanis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis wants to sweep but no luck.
Bergmanis bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Swain's guard.
Bergmanis trying to control the position from guard on top but Swain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bergmanis is really struggling to control Swain but he's trying to hold on to the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bergmanis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Swain wants to stand up but Bergmanis is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bergmanis trying to control but Swain is working from the bottom.
Swain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Swain doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Swain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Swain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Swain swinging wildly here.
Bergmanis cracks Swain with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bergmanis lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Swain fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bergmanis looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Swain lands a slapping body shot.
Bergmanis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nathaniel Swain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Swain tries to clinch up but Bergmanis circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Swain.
Bergmanis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis lands a head shot.
Bergmanis misses with a jab to the body

and Swain counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bergmanis won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Swain stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Swain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bergmanis was well out of range. Poor timing from Swain.
Swain tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bergmanis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bergmanis thows a body shot but no joy.
Swain will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Swain throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Swain gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bergmanis to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Bergmanis drops back looking for a leg! Swain is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Swain manages to kick Bergmanis off! Bergmanis jumps back into Swain's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Swain's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bergmanis defending well as Swain loads up on a big left hand.
Swain is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bergmanis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Swain throws out a powerful jab.
Swain misses with a wild body shot.

Swain gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bergmanis to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bergmanis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Bergmanis has gone for a leg lock! Swain slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bergmanis's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nathaniel Swain has got the better of the ground game so far.
Swain throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Swain thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Swain trying to control but Bergmanis is working from the bottom.
Bergmanis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bergmanis looking for a sweep. Not yet Bergmanis, not yet.
Bergmanis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Swain manages to get himself to full guard.
Swain pulls Bergmanis in close to his closed guard and prevents Bergmanis from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bergmanis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swain preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Swain is looking to stand up but Bergmanis isn't so interested in that idea.

Swain is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
A right hook to the body lands for Swain.
Bergmanis wants to stall.

Bergmanis gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Bergmanis controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swain is trying to keep Bergmanis in close.
Bergmanis trying to control but Swain is working from the bottom.
Bergmanis throws and elbow that misses. Swain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bergmanis's guard. Nice move by Swain!

Bergmanis looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Swain's cut.
That's time! Bergmanis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bergmanis slaps away a takedown attempt from Swain, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bergmanis cracks Swain with a good jab.
Swain throws a series of punches but Bergmanis moves out of range.
Swain shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bergmanis pinned against the cage. Bergmanis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bergmanis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Swain takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Swain shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bergmanis misses with a wild body shot.
Swain closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bergmanis circles away.
Raimonds Bergmanis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathaniel Swain.
Swain misses with an uppercut. Bergmanis saw that one coming.
Swain throws a right hand that Bergmanis ducks under and follows up with a left that Bergmanis also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swain throws a hook but Bergmanis blocks it.
Bergmanis digs a good body shot into Swain's ribs.
Bergmanis shoots for a takedown but Swain saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Bergmanis decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bergmanis content to control rather than advance.
Swain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bergmanis.
Bergmanis controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swain is refusing to be controlled, as Bergmanis sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Raimonds Bergmanis.
Bergmanis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Swain.
Bergmanis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bergmanis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Raimonds Bergmanis is winning the standup battle so far.
Swain lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bergmanis circles away quickly and effectively.
Swain will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Swain misses with a takedown
and Bergmanis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Swain takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Swain misses with a shot to the body
and Bergmanis counters with a left to the body.
Swain is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bergmanis missing with a left hand there. Swain was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bergmanis throws a hook but Swain avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Swain.
Bergmanis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A shot to the liver by Bergmanis. Beautiful body shot.
Bergmanis throws a big shot that misses.
Swain misses with a jab to the body
and Bergmanis counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Swain thinking.
Bergmanis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bergmanis cracks Swain with a right hand to the side of the head.

That has opened up Nathaniel Swain's cut even more.
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!

Bergmanis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bergmanis trying to control but Swain is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bergmanis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimonds Bergmanis had his way with Nathaniel Swain in that round.
The cut man is working on Nathaniel Swain's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bergmanis's corner calls for a 1-2. Bergmanis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bergmanis takes a swing at Swain's ribcage but misses.
Bergmanis scores with a body shot.
Swain displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Swain falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bergmanis counters with a single leg into guard. Swain didn't expect that.
Swain being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergmanis trying to control but Swain is working from the bottom.
Bergmanis is looking to work some ground and pound but Swain has wrist control.
Bergmanis is working Swain over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Swain keeping moving, preventing Bergmanis from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bergmanis looking to sit in guard and control but Swain gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bergmanis pulls Swain in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Raimonds Bergmanis.
Swain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bergmanis.
Bergmanis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Swain moves away.
Swain blocks a jab.
Bergmanis is looking to wear down Swain with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bergmanis throws out a loose jab but Swain uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swain moves out of range of the strikes.
Swain walks into a left hand.
Bergmanis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bergmanis throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Swain throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bergmanis.
Swain stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Swain throws a series of punches but Bergmanis moves out of range.
Swain swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bergmanis counters with a stiff right hand.
Swain throws a hook but Bergmanis avoids it easily.
Swain misses the shot to the body.
Bergmanis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bergmanis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raimonds Bergmanis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Swain closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bergmanis circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergmanis moves out of range as Swain strikes.
Swain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nathaniel Swain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Swain takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bergmanis scores with a sloppy right hand. Swain should have avoided that one.
Swain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bergmanis fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bergmanis thows a body shot but no joy.
Swain shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bergmanis as he jumps to the side.
Bergmanis fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bergmanis digs a good body shot into Swain's ribs.

Bergmanis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raimonds Bergmanis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bergmanis, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Raimonds Bergmanis!

Raimonds Bergmanis wins by unanimous decision!
Raimonds Bergmanis retains his heavyweight title!