PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jahangir Zulfiqar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Bera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bera has chosen Parasite :D as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Matt Bera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zulfiqar
vs
Bera

200 cm
25
275 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

180 cm
29
212 lbs
19 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BeastMode
Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jahangir Zulfiqar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Matt Bera!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Donatello Bradman and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bera scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Bera darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Zulfiqar trying to control from the bottom.

Zulfiqar with the active half guard here but Bera passes nicely into side control.
Bera wants to control but Zulfiqar is keeping him busy.
Zulfiqar is looking for a sweep.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bera is staying tight to Zulfiqar's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulfiqar is looking to regain half guard here but Bera keeps moving and retains side control.
Zulfiqar on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bera controlling the position.
Zulfiqar is trying to control Bera's posture but Bera avoids it.
Zulfiqar is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar is trying to control Bera's posture but Bera avoids it.
Bera trying to control the action but Zulfiqar is working from the bottom.
Zulfiqar is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bera staying calm.
Zulfiqar tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fighters circling - Zulfiqar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Zulfiqar closes the distance and clinches.
Bera can't find room to land a body shot as Zulfiqar controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar lands a body punch.
Zulfiqar presses Bera against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Zulfiqar tries to work over Bera's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zulfiqar scores with a shot to the side of Bera's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bera misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bera.
Bera tries a body shot but Zulfiqar blocks it.
Bera blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Bera.
Bera tries to throw a body punch but Zulfiqar avoids it by throwing Bera back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bera misses with a punch to the body.
Zulfiqar prevents a body shot from Bera.
Bera tries to throw a body punch but Zulfiqar avoids it by throwing Bera back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bera.
Bera misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar prevents a body shot from Bera.
Zulfiqar goes for a takedown attempt but Bera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zulfiqar throws a big shot that misses.
Zulfiqar paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Zulfiqar drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zulfiqar working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bera is looking for a sweep.
Zulfiqar looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Bera is avoiding damage well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jahangir Zulfiqar will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zulfiqar connects with a single shot there.
Zulfiqar throws a shot from downtown. Bera moves away and avoids it.
Zulfiqar wants to clinch up but Bera keeps it at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Bera.
Bera lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bera listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bera connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zulfiqar. Zulfiqar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Bera closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zulfiqar misses with a punch to the body.
Bera has a couple of punches blocked by Zulfiqar.
Bera lands with a light punch inside.
Zulfiqar misses with some punches.
Bera lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bera looking to stall.
Bera blocks a body shot from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar lands an uppercut.
Bera tries to throw a body punch but Zulfiqar avoids it by throwing Bera back against the cage.
Zulfiqar struggles to land a body shot inside as Bera controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bera scores with a hook to the body.
Bera misses with a punch on the inside.
Bera pushes Zulfiqar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bera blocks a body shot from Zulfiqar.
A short left from Bera.
Bera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zulfiqar blocking some punches.
Zulfiqar throws a head punch that misses.
Bera is working for takedown but Zulfiqar is calmly controlling the position for now.
Matt Bera seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zulfiqar.
Still in the clinch, Zulfiqar scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bera. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Zulfiqar is looking to take this one to the mat.
A hook to the body from Bera.
Bera misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar tries to work over Bera's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zulfiqar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Zulfiqar.
Bera changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zulfiqar fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bera as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zulfiqar looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Zulfiqar has Bera up against the cage in a clinch.
Bera scores with a shoulder strike.
Zulfiqar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bera.
Zulfiqar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zulfiqar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zulfiqar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zulfiqar stalling against the cage.
Zulfiqar lands a right hand.

Zulfiqar gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bera has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zulfiqar is working away from the top position though.
Zulfiqar thows a huge punch but Bera dodges it nicely.

Zulfiqar is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bera is just riding it out for now. Zulfiqar eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bera regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar postures up in Bera's guard and throws a big left but Bera blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar tries to free his leg and advance position but Bera is retaining full guard.
Bera controlling Zulfiqar's posture.
Zulfiqar with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zulfiqar throws an elbow that misses. Bera uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zulfiqar's guard. Nice move by Bera!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zulfiqar wants to sweep here but Bera controlling him for the moment.
Zulfiqar is trying to control the position but Bera postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Bera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zulfiqar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bera paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zulfiqar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bera sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Zulfiqar has closed the distance and engaged Bera in a clinch.
Bera misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar looking to stall.
Zulfiqar throws a punch but it's blocked by Bera.
Zulfiqar misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bera.
Bera tries to throw a body punch but Zulfiqar avoids it by throwing Bera back against the cage.
Bera struggles to land a body shot inside as Zulfiqar controls his hands.
Bera working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zulfiqar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bera struggles to land a body shot inside as Zulfiqar controls his hands.
Zulfiqar tries to work over Bera's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bera misses with the head strike.
Bera misses with the head strike.
Bera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bera tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bera misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar has a couple of punches blocked by Bera.
Zulfiqar trying to control the position but instead, Bera has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zulfiqar into the cage.
Zulfiqar struggles to land a body shot inside as Bera controls his hands.
Bera misses with a punch on the inside.
Bera tries for a takedown but Zulfiqar manages to get underhooks.
Bera blocks a body shot from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zulfiqar scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bera is trying to drag Zulfiqar to the mat but Zulfiqar just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bera misses with the head strike.
Bera working aggressively here.
Zulfiqar lands a nice shot to the body.
Zulfiqar blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bera pushes Zulfiqar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bera tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zulfiqar digs a right hand underneath Bera's ribcage. Bera let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Zulfiqar lands a hook that snaps the head of Bera backwards.
Bera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zulfiqar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bera swings wildly with an uppercut but Zulfiqar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zulfiqar is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bera blocking some punches.
Bera scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bera tries a body shot but Zulfiqar blocks it.
Bera can't find room to land a body shot as Zulfiqar controls the action.
Bera is leaning against Zulfiqar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bera tries a body shot but Zulfiqar blocks it.
Bera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Bera.
Bera lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zulfiqar is trying to maintain a safe position but Bera gets an underhook and turns Zulfiqar into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar is trying to maintain a safe position but Bera gets an underhook and turns Zulfiqar into the cage.
Bera lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Bera.
Zulfiqar blocks an uppercut.
Zulfiqar lands a shoulder strike.
Bera lands with a left to the head.
Bera tries to work over Zulfiqar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zulfiqar blocks a body shot from Bera.
Zulfiqar lands with a short shot to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bera lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zulfiqar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zulfiqar.
Bera lands a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bera's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bera creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Zulfiqar fails to land.
Zulfiqar blocks an uppercut.
Zulfiqar misses with some punches.
Zulfiqar effectively controlling the action here.
Bera lands a hook that snaps the head of Zulfiqar backwards.
Bera lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zulfiqar blocks an uppercut.
Bera lands with a left to the head.
Zulfiqar lands with a light punch inside.
Zulfiqar throws a punch but it's blocked by Bera.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zulfiqar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bera.
Zulfiqar swings wildly with an uppercut but Bera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bera really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bera clinches.
Bera lands with a right to the head.
Bera lands a right hand.
Zulfiqar is trying to stall.
Bera has a couple of punches blocked by Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar scores with a hook to the body.
Bera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zulfiqar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zulfiqar has a couple of punches blocked by Bera.
Bera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Bera - that landed with a thud.
Bera goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zulfiqar throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bera working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zulfiqar is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bera is keeping busy.
Zulfiqar misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulfiqar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zulfiqar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bera.
Bera taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Bera working aggressively here.
Zulfiqar lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bera backwards.
Bera has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zulfiqar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Zulfiqar.
Bera is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Zulfiqar misses with a body punch.
Bera misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bera misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Zulfiqar.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zulfiqar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zulfiqar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Zulfiqar scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zulfiqar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bera.

Zulfiqar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Zulfiqar darts in and clinches Bera up against the cage.
Zulfiqar lands a hook that snaps the head of Bera backwards.
Zulfiqar tries to throw a body punch but Bera avoids it by throwing Zulfiqar back against the cage.
Zulfiqar has Bera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bera throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zulfiqars head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zulfiqar creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bera misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zulfiqar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zulfiqar tries a body shot but Bera blocks it.
Bera misses with a punch to the body.
Zulfiqar misses with the head strike.
Zulfiqar prevents a body shot from Bera.
Bera tries to work over Zulfiqar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bera lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zulfiqar backwards.
Bera misses with a punch to the body.
Bera throws a punch but it's blocked by Zulfiqar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Bera.
Bera throws a head punch that misses.
Zulfiqar stalling in the clinch but Bera improves position.

Bera gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Zulfiqar wants to get back to full guard.
Zulfiqar is working hard here to advance position.
Zulfiqar works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bera prevents Zulfiqar from getting back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bera trying to control but Zulfiqar is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar wants to sweep here but Bera controlling him for the moment.
Bera works over Zulfiqar with some ground and pound from guard.
Bera postures up.
Bera sitting in guard here, content to control.
Bera postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zulfiqar keeping moving, preventing Bera from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bera shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zulfiqar sprawls well. Zulfiqar wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bera gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jahangir Zulfiqar had his way with Matt Bera in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bera moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zulfiqar misses the jab.
Zulfiqar lands a slapping body shot.
Zulfiqar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zulfiqar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bera.

Bera 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.
Zulfiqar is looking to stand up but Bera isn't so interested in that idea.
Zulfiqar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zulfiqar has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bera has passed into side control.
Bera lands a few punches from side control.
Zulfiqar sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulfiqar is looking to control Bera's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zulfiqar avoid being mounted?
Bera content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Zulfiqar makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zulfiqar.
Zulfiqar looking to control.
Bera sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bera wants to control from the top but Zulfiqar keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jahangir Zulfiqar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Matt Bera wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bera slips a straight right by Zulfiqar.
Matt Bera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Zulfiqar with that takedown attempt.

Bera closes the distance and clinches.
Bera tries to throw a body punch but Zulfiqar avoids it by throwing Bera back against the cage.
Bera fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Zulfiqar fails to land.
Zulfiqar misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulfiqar blocking some punches.
Bera misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bera lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bera digs a right hand underneath Zulfiqar's ribcage. Zulfiqar let out a lung full of air as it connected.
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.

Bera has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zulfiqar regains guard immediately.
Bera trying to control but Zulfiqar is working from the bottom.
Bera preventing the sweep.

Zulfiqar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zulfiqar is controlling Bera's posture.
Bera wants to control from the top but Zulfiqar keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulfiqar looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Bera puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Bera keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zulfiqar manages to get to full guard.
Bera trying to control the position from guard on top but Zulfiqar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zulfiqar working for a triangle but Bera defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bera wants to control from the top but Zulfiqar keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Bera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bera 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 47:48
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 47:48
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Bera!
Matt Bera is the new heavyweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Matt Bera thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.