PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ingemar Bernales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhang Zu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bernales comes to the cage accompanied by Hitomi no Jyuunin by L'arc en Ciel. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bernales
vs
Zu

189 cm
24
195 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

200 cm
23
190 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ingemar Bernales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Zhang Zu!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernales blocks a head kick by Zu.
Zu looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zu misses with a body shot.
Zu wants to slow Bernales down by chopping away at his legs.
Zu lands a nice looking kick to the body. Bernales takes a step back to recover.
Good leg kick by Zu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zu blocks a low kick nicely.
Zu connects with an inside leg kick.
Zu throws the left hand but Bernales avoids the punch easily.
Bernales takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Zu throws a sloppy head kick and Bernales moves out of range easily.
Bernales on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Zu is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zu tries a head kick but it misses.
Zu throws a sloppy head kick and Bernales moves out of range easily.
Bernales throws a jab when Zu was well out of range.
Zu scores with a push kick.
Bernales misses with a looping left.
Zu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bernales circles away quickly and effectively.
A low kick from Bernales is predictable there
and Zu counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zu. That's going to slow Bernales down.
Bernales is breathing heavily.
Zu looks to land a combination but Bernales avoids it well.
Bernales on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Zu feints and then cracks Bernales's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bernales down.
Bernales chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zu can pounce on him.

Zu gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zu stalling the fight.
Zu receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

Zu jumps into guard, dragging Bernales to the mat.
Zu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zu controlling Bernales's posture.
Zu wants to stand but Bernales is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bernales accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bernales pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zu is keeping the position for now.
Zu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bernales in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bernales throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zu wants to stand and escape but Bernales is having none of it.
Bernales throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bernales throwing strikes but missing.

Zu kicks Bernales off and gets to his feet.
Bernales avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bernales, as that shot connected.
Zu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernales misses the body punch
and Zu counters with a nice leg kick.
Zu walks into a jab.
Zhang Zu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bernales moves away.
Bernales takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Ingemar Bernales has been cut.
Bernales moves away from the strike by Zu.
Zu takes one to the chin there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bernales checks a leg kick.
Bernales throws a good cross that connects.
Zu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bernales shoots in and drives through. Zu sprawls well.

Bernales fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zu sprawls well initially but Bernales persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Zu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernales.
Bernales wants to control but Zu is keeping him busy.
Zu is trying to stand back up but Bernales is controlling him
Bernales thows a huge punch but Zu dodges it nicely.
Bernales works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernales in side control, throwing shots but Zu defends.
Bernales lands some shots froms side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The ground and pound from Bernales seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Zu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bernales.
Zu dodges the ground and pound from Bernales.
Zu dodges the ground and pound from Bernales.
Zu takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bernales tries to score with some ground and pound. Zu controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Bernales throws a strike aimed at the side of Zu's head but Zu avoids it well.
Zu is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ingemar Bernales's cut.
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.

Bernales pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zu ducks under a wild hook from Bernales.
Zu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bernales works Zu's body with a nice hook.
Bernales lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bernales lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bernales misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zu tries a head kick but it misses.
Zhang Zu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bernales ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zu moves away.
Zu takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bernales waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zu.
Bernales scores with a punch to the head.
Bernales misses with a body shot.
Zu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bernales moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice straight punches there by Bernales. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bernales.
Zu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zu lands a jab.
Bernales fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bernales punishes Zu's body with a nice straight punch.
Bernales checks the leg kick.
Ingemar Bernales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zu is breathing heavily.
Zu tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bernales jabs Zu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bernales tries a head kick but it misses.
Bernales lands with a cross.
Nice uppercut there from Bernales.
A jab from Bernales misses.
Bernales fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zu has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Danga de danga de dang - Bernales scores with a four punch combination!
Bernales moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zhang Zu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bernales throws a looping overhand right but Zu ducks down to avoid it.
Bernales fails to land with a series of punches.
Zu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bernales.
Zu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A head kick misses from Zu.

Bernales closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bernales lands in his opponent's guard.
Bernales throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernales is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bernales postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bernales wants to pass the guard but Zu is keeping the position.
Bernales throws a big right hand that misses.
Zu keeping moving, preventing Bernales from controlling successfully.
Bernales postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bernales with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernales passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bernales in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bernales landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bernales in side control, throwing shots but Zu defends.
Sloppy strikes there by Bernales.
Bernales wants to control but Zu is keeping him busy.
Bernales misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bernales in side control, throwing shots but Zu defends.
Zu is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernales creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zu sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Bernales throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Zu takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bernales creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zu sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Bernales looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zu is avoiding damage well.
Zu avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bernales.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zu dodges the ground and pound from Bernales.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bernales cracks Zu with a big right hand but Zu just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Zu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bernales.
The strikes coming from Bernales are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ingemar Bernales dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ingemar Bernales's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A thudding body kick lands there by Bernales!
Bernales swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zu counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bernales's knee momentarily.
Zu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bernales clobbers Zu with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zu walks into a left hand.
Zu takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Bernales throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zu walks into a left hand.
Bernales throws out a powerful jab.
Bernales cracks a nice hook into Zu's ribs.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bernales.
Bernales scores with a punch to the head.
Zu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A left lands for Bernales.
Bernales connects with a jab.
Bernales lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd cheers as Bernales lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zu doesn't seem phased though.
Bernales will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bernales lands a head shot.
Zu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Bernales gets the takedown into side control.
The ground and pound from Bernales seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bernales throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bernales misses with the ground and pound.
Bernales working the strikes but Zu uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Zu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernales.
Bernales 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.
Bernales trying to control the action but Zu is working from the bottom.
Zu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernales.
Bernales missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernales throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bernales thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zu's head.
Zu is trying to stand.
Bernales trying to control the action but Zu is working from the bottom.
Bernales throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bernales missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zu wants to get back to his feet.
Bernales not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernales trying to pass the guard but Zu defending well.
Bernales thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bernales not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bernales thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zu's head.
Zu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernales.
Bernales sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zu defending well though.
Bernales missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bernales throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bernales not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zu trying to control from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Bernales not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bernales is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ingemar Bernales overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bernales missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bernales.
Bernales not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zu is trying to stand.
Zu is refusing to be controlled, as Bernales sits in half guard.
Zu is trying to stand up here but Bernales is controlling him well.
Zu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernales.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ingemar Bernales showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bernales has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ingemar Bernales!