PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Berkovitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maurice McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Berkovitz
vs
McDonald

174 cm
26
167 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
184 lbs
16 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 Helsinki, Abraham Berkovitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Maurice McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Berkovitz.
A leg kick checked by Berkovitz.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Berkovitz is just out of range.
Berkovitz tries to clinch up
and McDonald counters with a leg kick.
Abraham Berkovitz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDonald throws a body kick that misses.
Berkovitz moves in looking to clinch but McDonald pushes him off.
Berkovitz fails with a takedown attempt.
Berkovitz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Good leg kick by McDonald there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McDonald misses with a low kick.
Berkovitz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McDonald connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Berkovitz moves into range and clinches up with McDonald.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Berkovitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McDonald blocks a body shot from Berkovitz.
McDonald scores with a shoulder strike.
Berkovitz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Berkovitz breaks from the clinch.
Berkovitz is looking to clinch but McDonald is avoiding it.
Berkovitz misses with a head kick.
McDonald lands a head kick. Berkovitz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Abraham Berkovitz has been cut.
McDonald lands a nice hook to Berkovitz's body. Berkovitz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Berkovitz pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Berkovitz moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A thudding body kick lands there by McDonald!
McDonald misses with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Berkovitz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws the left hand but Berkovitz avoids the punch easily.
McDonald misses with a head kick.
Berkovitz cracks McDonald with a right hand to the side of the head.

Berkovitz moves into the clinch successfully.
Berkovitz works on McDonald's body with a couple of short punches.
McDonald lands a body shot.
Berkovitz is working McDonald over against the cage.
McDonald lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Berkovitz works on McDonald's body with a couple of short punches.
McDonald lands with a short shot to the head.
Berkovitz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Berkovitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berkovitz lands a body shot in the clinch.
Berkovitz tries to work over McDonald's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonald lands a hook that snaps the head of Berkovitz backwards.
Berkovitz can't find room to land a body shot as McDonald controls the action.
McDonald tries a body shot but Berkovitz blocks it.
Berkovitz is working McDonald over against the cage.
McDonald misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from McDonald as the two fighters clinch.
McDonald misses with a body punch.
McDonald lands a hook that snaps the head of Berkovitz backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Berkovitz.
Berkovitz swings wildly with an uppercut but McDonald uses good head movement to avoid it.
McDonald blocks an uppercut.
McDonald misses with a hook from the clinch.
McDonald's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McDonald lands an uppercut.
Berkovitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McDonald.
McDonald lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from McDonald.
Berkovitz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McDonald's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McDonald lands a left hand.

Berkovitz is rocked!
Berkovitz swings wildly with an uppercut but McDonald uses good head movement to avoid it.
Oh Berkovitz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Berkovitz drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald trying to stall but Berkovitz improves his position.
Berkovitz seems to have got his legs back now.
Berkovitz tries a body shot but McDonald blocks it.
A short right from Berkovitz on the inside.
Berkovitz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Berkovitz tries a body shot but McDonald blocks it.
Berkovitz misses with a punch to the body.

Berkovitz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDonald takes a swing at Berkovitz's ribcage but misses.
Berkovitz lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McDonald punishes Berkovitz's body with a nice straight punch.
Berkovitz takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Berkovitz avoids the head kick by McDonald.

McDonald instigates a clinch.
Berkovitz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maurice McDonald will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abraham Berkovitz'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.

McDonald gets tackled into the cage by Berkovitz. Berkovitz maintains the clinch.
McDonald tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

McDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berkovitz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Berkovitz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDonald tries to avoid it but Berkovitz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDonald to the ground. McDonald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Berkovitz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDonald is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Berkovitz's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Berkovitz's back!
I really don't envy Berkovitz right now.
McDonald is looking to control Berkovitz but Berkovitz is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Berkovitz trying to control the action but McDonald just sinks the hooks in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald trying to control momentarily.
McDonald is not going to allow Berkovitz to sit and survive in this position.
Berkovitz tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Berkovitz slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Berkovitz is trying to control but can't.
Berkovitz tries to roll over but McDonald keeps him under control.

Berkovitz looking for submissions off his back.
Berkovitz is refusing to be controlled, as McDonald sits in half guard.
Berkovitz tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
McDonald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Berkovitz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berkovitz looking for submissions off his back.
Berkovitz wants to get back to full guard.
Berkovitz is working hard here to advance position.
McDonald not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Berkovitz wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if McDonald is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Berkovitz wants to control but McDonald is keeping busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Berkovitz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berkovitz wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.
McDonald working over Berkovitz with some ground and pound. Berkovitz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McDonald stalling.
McDonald is keen to just control but Berkovitz is a slippery customer.
Berkovitz won't allow McDonald to pass to mount.
Nice strikes from McDonald there.
McDonald is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McDonald working Berkovitz over with strikes.
Berkovitz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throwing shots but Berkovitz is blocking nicely.
Berkovitz wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.
McDonald sitting and controlling from the half guard.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Berkovitz is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Berkovitz makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Berkovitz.
McDonald is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Berkovitz looking for a guillotine here but McDonald defends easily.

Berkovitz looking for subs off his back but McDonald has passed one foot through into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Abraham Berkovitz will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abraham Berkovitz's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McDonald scores with a hook.
Berkovitz throws a head kick that half lands.
Berkovitz fails to land with a series of punches.
McDonald throws a low kick but Berkovitz moves out of range easily.
Berkovitz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Berkovitz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDonald tries to avoid it but Berkovitz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDonald to the ground. McDonald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maurice McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McDonald misses with a body shot.
McDonald is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Berkovitz rather than just go for the knockout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McDonald, as that shot connected.
Berkovitz is looking to clinch but McDonald is avoiding it.
McDonald throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McDonald blocks a head kick by Berkovitz.

Berkovitz clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Berkovitz.
McDonald tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Berkovitz's elbow.
Abraham Berkovitz has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Berkovitz can't find room to land a body shot as McDonald controls the action.
Berkovitz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McDonald's elbow.
McDonald lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Berkovitz backwards.
A short body shot lands from McDonald as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berkovitz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berkovitz struggles to land a body shot inside as McDonald controls his hands.
Nice body punch from McDonald - that landed with a thud.
A short right from McDonald.
Berkovitz tries to work over McDonald's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonald misses with a punch to the body.
Berkovitz throws a punch but it's blocked by McDonald.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McDonald prevents a body shot from Berkovitz.
Berkovitz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McDonald's elbow.
Berkovitz wants a takedown.
Berkovitz digs a right hand underneath McDonald's ribcage. McDonald let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Berkovitz working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald can't find room to land a body shot as Berkovitz controls the action.
Berkovitz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Berkovitz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Berkovitz lands with a short shot to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Berkovitz as McDonald tries to tie him up.
McDonald lands a body punch in the clinch.
Berkovitz looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abraham Berkovitz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Still in the clinch, McDonald scores with a nice short uppercut.

McDonald breaks the clinch.
McDonald looks to land a body kick but Berkovitz moved away.
Berkovitz checks the leg kick.
Berkovitz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McDonald wants to land a leg kick but Berkovitz is out of range.
McDonald pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses.
McDonald moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Berkovitz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Berkovitz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses.
McDonald blocks a head kick by Berkovitz.
McDonald throws a wild body kick that Berkovitz sees coming a mile off.
Berkovitz lunges at McDonald with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McDonald's hand.
McDonald tries to land a front kick but Berkovitz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Berkovitz 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.
Berkovitz avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Berkovitz was well out of range. Poor timing from McDonald.
McDonald thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Berkovitz if he has to take too many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a hook but Berkovitz avoids it easily.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Berkovitz moves out of range easily.
Berkovitz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonald tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Berkovitz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McDonald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McDonald fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Berkovitz.
Berkovitz takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A thudding body kick lands there by McDonald!
McDonald is looking to chop away at Berkovitz's legs.
McDonald keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McDonald blocks a jab.
Berkovitz wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maurice McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonald has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurice McDonald!