PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darwin France (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thor Berserk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). France comes to the cage accompanied by bring me to life. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

France
vs
Berserk

185 cm
29
158 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

170 cm
29
152 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darwin France!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thor Berserk!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
France takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
France lands a head shot.
Berserk tests France's chin there with a solid looking shot.
France has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Mello MMA in the buildup to the fight.
Berserk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Berserk lands a jab to the head.
A leg kick checked by Berserk.
Berserk throws a low kick but France avoids it.
Jab, jab by Berserk - just one landing.

Berserk clinches up against the cage.
We've been informed that Berserk has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
France really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Berserk is working France over against the cage.
Berserk softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Berserk struggles to land a body shot inside as France controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Berserk.
France throws a head punch that misses.
Berserk tries to throw a body punch but France avoids it by throwing Berserk back against the cage.
Berserk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
France is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Berserk is defending well.
Berserk scores with a hook to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for France.
Berserk lands a nice shot to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Berserk.
The referee calls for Berserk to work.
Berserk blocks a body shot from France.
Berserk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Berserk slowing the pace effectively.
Berserk presses France against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk'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.
France blocks a body shot from Berserk.
France swings wildly with an uppercut but Berserk uses good head movement to avoid it.
France misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Thor Berserk.
Berserk scores with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berserk lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Berserk scoring well with a low kick there.
France ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Berserk with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A telegraphed right hand from France misses the target.
France lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
France takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
France misses with a low kick.
Thor Berserk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Berserk lands a nice leg kick that just misses France's sensitive parts.
Berserk avoids the head kick by France.
France slips a straight right by Berserk.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Berserk.
A looping hook to the body misses from France. Berserk does a little dance to reset his feet.
France misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Berserk fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with France, pushing him back against the cage.
Berserk lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

France escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Berserk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
France throws a front kick aimed at Berserk's knee but Berserk avoids it well.
France throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Berserk looks for the body kick but France saw that one coming.
France throws a body punch but Berserk moves out of range.
Berserk attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Berserk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Berserk clinches.
Berserk stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Berserk can't find room to land a body shot as France controls the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Berserk lands a body shot in the clinch.
France fails to pull guard.
Berserk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

France checks a leg kick nicely.
Berserk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
France lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Berserk throws a nice inside leg kick.
A lazy left from Berserk finds it's target.
France lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
France keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
France punishes Berserk's body with a nice straight punch.
France fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berserk manages to avoid it.
Berserk throws a front kick that sends France stumbling back into the cage.
France throws a jab but it's blocked by Berserk.
France is looking to land body kicks.
Berserk fails with an attempt to clinch.
France fails to land the takedown.
Thor Berserk seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Berserk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Berserk staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berserk lands a nice leg kick that just misses France's sensitive parts.
Berserk turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
France is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Berserk throws a leg kick which misses France's front leg but catches the back leg as France tries to avoid it.
Berserk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Berserk on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
France throws a head kick that misses
and Berserk counters with a solid body kick.
France avoids a kick to the body.
France misses with a body kick.
France misses with a straight left.
Berserk throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by France.
France checks the leg kick nicely there.
Berserk tries to clinch there but France circles away.
Berserk throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck France on the side of the head.
No luck for France with that takedown attempt.

Berserk forces France back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk misses with a punch to the body.
The referee calls for Berserk to work.
Thor Berserk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Berserk misses with a body punch.
Berserk cracks France with a nice body shot.
Berserk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down France.
Berserk misses with a hook to the ribs.
France is looking to break free of the clinch but Berserk has double underhooks.
Berserk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from France fails to land.
Berserk tries to work over France's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Berserk struggles to land a body shot inside as France controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berserk blocks an uppercut.
Berserk gets underhooks to prevent France's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin France. That's going to take a lot out of him.
France misses with some punches.
France prevents a body shot from Berserk.
France blocks an uppercut.
Berserk stalling against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Berserk.
Berserk works on France's body with a couple of short punches.
Berserk misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Berserk.
Berserk is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Berserk gets through France's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Berserk lands with a light punch inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Berserk.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right from Berserk.
A short body shot lands from Berserk as the two fighters clinch.
Berserk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down France.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
France is looking for a takedown.
Berserk lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Berserk lands a left hand.
Berserk just leaning against France, taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Berserk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Berserk throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
France keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Berserk.
A solid leg kick lands there for Berserk.
France takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Berserk wants to slow France down by chopping away at his legs.
Berserk drops his hands momentarily and France takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
France blocks a head kick by Berserk.
Berserk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from France.
Thor Berserk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Berserk scores with a push kick.
France stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Berserk.

Berserk closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Berserk.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berserk stalling.
Berserk scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berserk is pushing France up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A nice left hand lands by Berserk.
Berserk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berserk is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
France is trying to force a seperation but Berserk has the dominant position.
A body shot lands from Berserk.
Berserk stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Thor Berserk.
France shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Berserk sprawls well. Berserk wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. France gets slowly back to his feet.
France blocks a leg kick.
Berserk tries to work over France's front leg with a kick but France checks it.
France throws a nice head kick!
Berserk lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Berserk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt France.
Berserk tries to land a body kick
and France counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Berserk throws a nice outside leg kick.
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!
Berserk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Berserk misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berserk tries to land a leg kick but France saw it coming and moves away.
Berserk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A big right from France misses.
Berserk throws a leg kick that misses.
Berserk throws an uppercut from half a mile away. France sees it coming and avoids it easily.
France throws a nice head kick!
France misses the shot to the body.
France looks to throw the jab but Berserk is out of range.
A cross from Berserk lands.
Berserk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

France drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
France taking a breather here.
France working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berserk takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Berserk is trying to control France's posture but France avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

France wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Berserk, who protects the arm well.
France working away.
Berserk gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Berserk is defending against the submission attempts here by France.
Berserk is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Berserk really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

France tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Berserk is able to avoid easily.
Berserk ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Berserk scores with the left hand. France knows he should have avoided that one.
Berserk connects with a solid leg kick.
Berserk misses with a low kick as France jumps back.
Berserk slaps away a takedown attempt from France, before circling back to the center of the mat.
France moves out of range as Berserk strikes.
France checks a low kick from Berserk.
Berserk throws a solid leg kick but France takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Berserk.
France checks the leg kick.

Berserk gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A body shot lands from Berserk.
Berserk tries to throw a body punch but France avoids it by throwing Berserk back against the cage.
Berserk scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
France lands on the inside with an uppercut.
France wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Berserk can't find room to land a body shot as France controls the action.
Berserk scores with a hook to the body.
Berserk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berserk displaying some good clinch control by pressing France up against the cage.
Berserk lands a shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Berserk.
Berserk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Berserk stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk prevents a takedown attempt there.
Berserk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
France has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Berserk after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin France. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berserk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down France.
Berserk lands a left hand.
Berserk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Berserk cracks France with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berserk slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berserk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Berserk lands a body punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Berserk lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of France backwards.
Berserk controlling the action here for a moment.
Berserk tries a body shot but France blocks it.
France is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Berserk to keep the fight standing.
Berserk lands a hook that snaps the head of France backwards.
Berserk has France pressed against the cage.
Berserk keeps control of France as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France prevents a body shot from Berserk.
Berserk tried to land a shot to the body but connects with France's elbow.
Berserk prevents France from breaking the clinch.
France is looking to break free of the clinch but Berserk has double underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Berserk.
A right hand to the body from Berserk.
Berserk can't find room to land a body shot as France controls the action.
France tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berserk taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A right handed body shot lands from Berserk.
Berserk lands with a short shot to the head.
Berserk misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Berserk dominated that fourth round.
That's time! France's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Berserk.
Berserk connects with a solid leg kick.
France walks into a straight right hand from Berserk.

Berserk has France up against the cage in a clinch.
Berserk is pushing France up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Berserk tries to throw a body punch but France avoids it by throwing Berserk back against the cage.
France wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Berserk has him pressed against the cage.
Berserk lands a body punch.
France wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Berserk has him pressed against the cage.
Berserk dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berserk misses with a body punch.
Berserk has France pushed against the cage.
Berserk tries to work over France's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Berserk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berserk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
France misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berserk displaying some good clinch control by pressing France up against the cage.
France has Berserk pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Berserk manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berserk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Berserk scores with a shoulder strike.
Berserk controlling the action here for a moment.
France prevents a body shot from Berserk.
Berserk stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Thor Berserk.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Berserk.
Horrible takedown attempt by France or perhaps it was just good defense by Berserk, which made it look bad.
Berserk is looking to slow France down with leg kicks.
Darwin France has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
France scores with a hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as France checks a leg kick.
Berserk pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
France misses with a takedown
and Berserk counters with an outside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darwin France. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berserk fails in his attempt to clinch.
France shoots in looking for a takedown. Berserk tries to sprawl out of it but France keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Berserk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Berserk scores with a head kick. France tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Berserk.
A head kick misses from France.
Berserk plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
France wants to land a leg kick but Berserk is out of range.
Berserk swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by France.
Thor Berserk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

France is rocked!
France will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
France throws a sloppy head kick and Berserk moves out of range easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berserk scores with a kick to the midsection.
A nice inside leg kick there by France. That's going to slow Berserk down.
France shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Berserk as he jumps to the side.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
France stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Berserk.

Berserk moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thor Berserk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Berserk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thor Berserk!
Thor Berserk is the new featherweight champion!
Thor Berserk seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.