PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jakub Berdowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Ginger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ginger comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Danjo kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Liam Ginger has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Berdowski
vs
Ginger

184 cm
18
203 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ye Olde Clothe Shoppe

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jakub Berdowski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Liam Ginger!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Berdowski as Ginger shoots in.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ginger.
Liam Ginger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Berdowski has his takedown stuffed

and Ginger counters with a shoot takedown. Berdowski fights it but they end up in guard.

Berdowski is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ginger defends well.

Berdowski working for a triangle but Ginger defends it easily.
Ginger with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ginger scoring with some ground and pound.
Ginger with a flurry of punches that miss.

Berdowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berdowski is looking for a triangle but Ginger pushes his legs off easily.

Ginger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Berdowski working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ginger doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ginger manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ginger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Berdowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Berdowski has his foot on Ginger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ginger works his way back into a safe position though.
Berdowski is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ginger works over Berdowski with some ground and pound from guard.
Ginger trying to control but Berdowski is working from the bottom.

Berdowski has his foot on Ginger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ginger works his way back into a safe position though.

Berdowski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ginger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berdowski keeping moving, preventing Ginger from controlling successfully.
Ginger lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Berdowski is looking for a triangle here but Ginger uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Berdowski is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ginger landing strikes.
Berdowski manages to get back to half guard.

Berdowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.
Ginger working over Berdowski with some ground and pound. Berdowski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ginger slips a nice elbow through Berdowski's hands, connecting with Berdowski's forehead.
Ginger seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Berdowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berdowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.
Ginger lands with a punch from half guard.
Ginger working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ginger takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Berdowski looking for submissions off his back.
Ginger scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Liam Ginger will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ginger misses with a takedown attempt

and Berdowski counters with a single leg into guard. Ginger didn't expect that.

Berdowski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berdowski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ginger wants to sweep here but Berdowski controlling him for the moment.
Berdowski pushing down on Ginger's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Berdowski seems to be working for a kimura but Ginger defends the submission attempt.

Berdowski is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Berdowski looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Berdowski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ginger doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Berdowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger wants to control but Berdowski is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ginger defends it well.
Ginger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Berdowski is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura but Ginger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Berdowski to get the leverage.
Ginger is doing well to control the position and prevent Berdowski from advancing to side control.
Ginger trying to hold on to Berdowski's head to control him but Berdowski postures up.

Berdowski is working for a submission of some sort.
Ginger is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ginger trying to hold on to Berdowski's head to control him but Berdowski postures up.

Berdowski wants to work for an arm triangle but Ginger is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ginger wants to control but Berdowski is keeping busy.

That's four 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.

Ginger kicks Berdowski off and gets back to his feet.

Berdowski drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Berdowski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ginger is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ginger has escaped the position, nice work there.

Berdowski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Berdowski is trying to get an arm triangle but Ginger is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jakub Berdowski dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ginger misses with a takedown attempt

and Berdowski decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ginger's guard.
Ginger looking to control.

Berdowski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berdowski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Berdowski drops back looking for a leg! Ginger is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ginger manages to kick Berdowski off! Berdowski jumps back into Ginger's guard.
Ginger working a defensive guard here.

Berdowski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berdowski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ginger wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Berdowski is now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berdowski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ginger is just riding it out for now. Berdowski eventually gives up the hold.

Berdowski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Berdowski is trying to work for a kimura but Ginger is defending well.

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.

Ginger is defending against the submission attempts here by Berdowski.

Berdowski is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ginger is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berdowski wants to work for an arm triangle but Ginger is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Berdowski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ginger is just riding it out for now. Berdowski eventually gives up the hold.

Berdowski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Berdowski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ginger has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Berdowski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ginger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ginger works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Berdowski drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ginger looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ginger looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ginger!
Berdowski is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jakub Berdowski clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ginger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Berdowski's guard.

Berdowski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Berdowski has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ginger is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Berdowski.
Berdowski manages to get back to half guard.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Berdowski actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berdowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Berdowski looking for subs from the bottom but Ginger mounts him!
Berdowski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jakub Berdowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ginger landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ginger lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Ginger is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Berdowski can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Berdowski is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ginger controlling the pace for now.
Ginger with the ground and pound from mount.
Berdowski gets back to half guard.

Berdowski actively working from the bottom here.

Berdowski actively working from the bottom here.
Berdowski is trying to get back to full guard.

Berdowski looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdowski is not content to let Ginger control the position.
Ginger is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Berdowski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Berdowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Berdowski has his foot on Ginger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ginger works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ginger trying to control the position from guard on top but Berdowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Berdowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ginger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ginger connects with a couple of short punches.

Berdowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ginger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ginger forces his way into half guard.
Ginger trying to control the action but Berdowski is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Jakub Berdowski will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Berdowski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ginger counters with a shoot takedown. Berdowski fights it but they end up in guard.

Ginger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Berdowski working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ginger has passed into half guard!

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.
Ginger looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger wants to lay and pray for a moment but Berdowski keeps working.

Berdowski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ginger is looking to take a break and control but Berdowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Berdowski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Berdowski can't keep his opponent in guard - Ginger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ginger winds up and cracks Berdowski with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Berdowski gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ginger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ginger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Berdowski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ginger has managed to get both his arms back between Berdowski's legs - danger averted.

Berdowski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ginger is aware though and is defending well.

Berdowski looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ginger passes into half guard.

Berdowski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ginger thows a huge punch but Berdowski dodges it nicely.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.

Berdowski looking for submissions off his back.

Ginger moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Berdowski.
Berdowski is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ginger controls the position.
Berdowski sneaks back into half guard.

Berdowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Ginger.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.

Berdowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ginger pulls his head out easily.
Liam Ginger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jakub Berdowski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Berdowski looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ginger passes into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Ginger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Berdowski has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 48:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!