PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Kurmotus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petia Berger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kurmotus
vs
Berger

190 cm
23
181 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

159 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taisto Kurmotus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petia Berger!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kurmotus enables Berger to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kurmotus manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Kurmotus throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kurmotus keeping moving, preventing Berger from controlling successfully.

Kurmotus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kurmotus is pulling down on Berger's head to control his posture.

Kurmotus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berger defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurmotus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Berger sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kurmotus's 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!
Berger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Berger tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kurmotus knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berger prevents Kurmotus from improving his position.

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

Kurmotus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Berger wants to take a breather but Kurmotus is having none of it.

Kurmotus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Berger is looking to advance position but Kurmotus won't allow it.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kurmotus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kurmotus slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Berger wants to control from the top but Kurmotus keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurmotus had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berger defends it easily.
Berger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kurmotus swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kurmotus working a defensive guard here.
Berger trying to move into half guard but instead Kurmotus has managed to sweep!
Kurmotus trying to control the position from guard on top but Berger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurmotus lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Berger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kurmotus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kurmotus is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Berger trying to control the position.
Kurmotus landing some decent shots from guard.
Berger manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kurmotus flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Kurmotus wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Berger is looking for the choke from the back position but Kurmotus is controlling his hands well.

Berger patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Berger working for the choke.
Berger looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berger is hanging on to Kurmotus's back as he tries to escape.
Kurmotus trying to control but not successfully.
Kurmotus turns into Berger and is now in his guard.

Berger has his foot on Kurmotus's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kurmotus works his way back into a safe position though.
Kurmotus slips nicely into half guard.

Kurmotus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Berger is just riding it out for now. Kurmotus eventually gives up the hold.
Kurmotus wants to pass the guard but Berger is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kurmotus seems to be working for a kimura but Berger defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Petia Berger will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kurmotus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kurmotus throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Berger shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kurmotus defends it nicely.
Kurmotus jabs Berger right on the nose. Berger blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Petia Berger has been cut.
A jab from Kurmotus finds it's way through Berger's defenses.
Kurmotus misses with a head kick.
Berger takes one to the side of the head.
Kurmotus is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
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!
Berger avoids a kick to the body.
Nice jab there from Kurmotus.
Kurmotus throws a low kick but Berger moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berger takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
No joy there for Kurmotus, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kurmotus rushes Berger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kurmotus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Berger just stands there and leans against the cage.

Kurmotus jumps guard and drags Berger to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Berger trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurmotus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petia Berger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Berger advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Berger tries for a kimura but Kurmotus is defending well.

Berger is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kurmotus knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Berger is breathing heavily.
Kurmotus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Berger off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurmotus is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kurmotus is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Berger knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Berger for a finish.
Berger trying to control but not successfully.
Kurmotus controlling well, preventing Berger from escaping the position.

Kurmotus is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Berger defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kurmotus is trying to stick to Berger's back but Berger is turning into Kurmotus. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kurmotus's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Berger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berger wants to pass the guard but Kurmotus is keeping the position.
Kurmotus trying to strike off his back.
Berger wants to control from the top but Kurmotus keeps moving.

Kurmotus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Berger drops back looking for a leg! Kurmotus is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kurmotus manages to kick Berger off! Berger jumps back into Kurmotus's guard.
Berger trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurmotus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kurmotus throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kurmotus will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurmotus wants to sweep here but Berger controlling him for the moment.
Kurmotus keeping full guard, as Berger tries to pass.

Kurmotus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berger is aware though and is defending well.
Berger won't allow Kurmotus to sweep him here.

Berger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kurmotus has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Berger has managed to get both his arms back between Kurmotus's legs - danger averted.
Berger pushing down on Kurmotus's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurmotus scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Berger manages to mount him!
Kurmotus has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Berger gets his hands free as Kurmotus looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Kurmotus dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Petia Berger'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. This is the final round!

Kurmotus fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kurmotus misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Kurmotus.
Kurmotus throws a head kick that half lands.
Berger tries to clinch but Kurmotus moves out of range.
Taisto Kurmotus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berger shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kurmotus pinned against the cage. Kurmotus gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Berger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kurmotus lands a glancing blow to the side of Berger's head.
Berger avoids the body shot from Kurmotus.
Kurmotus lands a jab.
Kurmotus is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurmotus throws a head kick but Berger moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurmotus throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Berger's head.
Kurmotus scores with the left hand. Berger knows he should have avoided that one.
Berger blocks a head kick by Kurmotus.
Berger gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Berger feints and as Kurmotus raises his hands in defense, Berger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Berger looking to pass the guard.
Berger trying to control but Kurmotus is working from the bottom.

Kurmotus has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Berger doesn't defend quickly enough and Kurmotus has managed to lock this one up! Can Berger escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Kurmotus on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Taisto Kurmotus!