PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Berto Dimagiba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Kovacs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dimagiba
vs
Kovacs

203 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Berto Dimagiba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jordan Kovacs!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kovacs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Dimagiba counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Dimagiba.
Kovacs is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dimagiba will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kovacs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dimagiba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dimagiba trying to control the position from guard on top but Kovacs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dimagiba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kovacs has momentary wrist control but Dimagiba slips an elbow through the middle.
Dimagiba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dimagiba scoring with some ground and pound.
Dimagiba sitting in guard here, content to control.
Dimagiba trying to control but Kovacs is working from the bottom.
Dimagiba landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dimagiba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kovacs is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Dimagiba throws a strike but Kovacs rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kovacs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kovacs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dimagiba on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dimagiba tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Dimagiba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kovacs is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dimagiba has Kovacs pulled in close to control his posture.

Dimagiba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dimagiba wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Berto Dimagiba wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Dimagiba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kovacs defends it nicely.
Kovacs throws a head kick but Dimagiba moves out of range.
Kovacs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kovacs wants it to stay on the feet.

Dimagiba closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dimagiba lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dimagiba is looking to work some ground and pound but Kovacs has wrist control.
Dimagiba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kovacs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovacs is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Dimagiba knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kovacs on the ground.
Kovacs is trying to control. Dimagiba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dimagiba is trying to get back to full guard.
Kovacs controlling the action here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dimagiba has his hands clasped together around Kovacs's back. He's all about the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dimagiba throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kovacs tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dimagiba is in Kovacs's guard.
Dimagiba has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kovacs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dimagiba wants to control from the top but Kovacs keeps moving.
Dimagiba is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kovacs is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Dimagiba throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kovacs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kovacs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kovacs looking to control.
Dimagiba throwing strikes from guard but Kovacs blocks nicely.

Kovacs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kovacs 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.
Kovacs is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kovacs escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dimagiba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dimagiba lands a couple of elbows.
Dimagiba throws a strike but Kovacs rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Dimagiba has his hands on Kovacs's head, controlling the position.
Dimagiba wants to stand and escape but Kovacs is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dimagiba holds on and takes a little breather.
Kovacs trying to control but Dimagiba is working from the bottom.
Dimagiba pulls Kovacs in close to his closed guard and prevents Kovacs from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Berto Dimagiba wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Dimagiba shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Dimagiba tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kovacs knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Dimagiba sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kovacs defending well though.
Berto Dimagiba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba is pressing down on Kovacs's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kovacs is holding on for now.
Dimagiba lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dimagiba lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dimagiba lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kovacs wants to sweep but Dimagiba has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba is working Kovacs over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kovacs is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Dimagiba lands a nice forearm strike.

Kovacs is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dimagiba looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kovacs is avoiding damage well.
Kovacs regains half guard.

Kovacs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dimagiba is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kovacs is still in real trouble! Can Dimagiba finish him?
Dimagiba landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kovacs has hold of Dimagiba's hands but Dimagiba slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kovacs keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kovacs on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Berto Dimagiba dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! 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.

Dimagiba looking to score a takedown here. Kovacs is defending well but Dimagiba drives through and ends up in Kovacs's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dimagiba throws a big elbow that misses.
Dimagiba throws an elbow that misses. Kovacs uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dimagiba's guard. Nice move by Kovacs!
Kovacs trying to control but Dimagiba is working from the bottom.
Dimagiba keeping full guard, as Kovacs tries to pass.
Dimagiba wants to stand but Kovacs is controlling the position.
Kovacs seems to have recovered his senses.
Kovacs wants to pass the guard but Dimagiba is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dimagiba is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kovacs defends well.
Kovacs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dimagiba has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kovacs has passed into side control.
Dimagiba is holding Kovacs down, trying to stall.
Kovacs working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Dimagiba actively working from the bottom here.
Kovacs seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dimagiba does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dimagiba trying to control but Kovacs postures up.
Kovacs wants to pass the guard but Dimagiba is defending well.
Kovacs trying to control from half guard but Dimagiba is working away.
Dimagiba really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba is trying to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Dimagiba feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Dimagiba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berto Dimagiba is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Dimagiba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kovacs has his foot on Dimagiba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dimagiba works his way back into a safe position though.
Dimagiba controls from within his opponent's guard.
Dimagiba won't allow Kovacs to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dimagiba with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dimagiba trying to control but Kovacs is working from the bottom.
Kovacs controls Dimagiba momentarily but Dimagiba frees himself.
Kovacs looking for a sweep. Not yet Kovacs, not yet.
Dimagiba engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Jordan Kovacs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Dimagiba lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Berto Dimagiba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dimagiba 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Berto Dimagiba!
Berto Dimagiba was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.