PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bernardo Bernardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akihiro Tatsui (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akihiro Tatsui acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Bernardo
vs
Tatsui

180 cm
29
160 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

173 cm
26
167 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bernardo Bernardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akihiro Tatsui!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bernardo shoots in and gets a takedown into Tatsui's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tatsui keeping full guard, as Bernardo tries to pass.
Bernardo is working hard here to advance position.
Tatsui wants to sweep but no luck.
Bernardo looking to pass the guard.
Bernardo trying to control the position from guard on top but Tatsui is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tatsui working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bernardo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bernardo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bernardo tries to free his leg and advance position but Tatsui is retaining full guard.
Bernardo trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
Tatsui seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsui trying to control the position.
Bernardo trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
Bernardo looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tatsui bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bernardo is not content to let Tatsui control the position.
Bernardo is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tatsui wants to control but Bernardo is keeping him busy.
Bernardo manages to get back to half guard.
Tatsui is pressing down on Bernardo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bernardo is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatsui is still trying to improve position.
Bernardo trying to hold on to Tatsui's head to control him but Tatsui postures up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tatsui is trying to work for a kimura but Bernardo is defending well.

Tatsui is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bernardo moves his hips nicely and gets into full 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!
Bernardo is trying to keep Tatsui in close.
Tatsui trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bernardo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bernardo wants to sweep but no luck.
Tatsui stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bernardo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bernardo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tatsui bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tatsui wants to control from the top but Bernardo keeps moving.
Bernardo wants to sweep here but Tatsui controlling him for the moment.
Tatsui seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bernardo seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tatsui drops back looking for a leg! Bernardo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bernardo manages to kick Tatsui off! Tatsui jumps back into Bernardo's guard.
Tatsui controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bernardo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tatsui is one step ahead there.
Tatsui works a leg free and moves into half guard.
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.

Tatsui is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bernardo is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Akihiro Tatsui will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bernardo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Bernardo gets a double leg takedown into Tatsui's guard.
Bernardo won't allow Tatsui to sweep him here.
Tatsui not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tatsui keeping moving, preventing Bernardo from controlling successfully.
Bernardo passes into half guard.

Bernardo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tatsui is looking for a sweep. Bernardo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tatsui gets full guard.
Tatsui keeping full guard, as Bernardo tries to pass.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatsui bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bernardo's guard.

Tatsui thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tatsui controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tatsui tries to free his leg and advance position but Bernardo is retaining full guard.
Bernardo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tatsui tries to free his leg and advance position but Bernardo is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tatsui got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bernardo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tatsui has managed to get both his arms back between Bernardo's legs - danger averted.
Tatsui must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bernardo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tatsui is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo controlling the pace for now.
Tatsui tries to lock up and control but Bernardo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bernardo Bernardo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bernardo gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tatsui enables Bernardo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tatsui manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Bernardo trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
Tatsui will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.

Tatsui working for a triangle but Bernardo defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tatsui is trying to keep Bernardo in close.
Bernardo won't allow Tatsui to sweep him here.

We're going to have a standup here because Bernardo Bernardo wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Tatsui takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bernardo misses with a body shot.

Tatsui shoots in and gets a takedown into Bernardo's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo trying to keep a closed guard but Tatsui is proving a slippery customer.
Bernardo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tatsui is staying active underneath Bernardo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bernardo wants to free his trapped foot but Tatsui is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tatsui is trying to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bernardo passes to side control.
Tatsui stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bernardo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bernardo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tatsui keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernardo Bernardo dominated that second round.
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!

Bernardo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Tatsui wants to control but Bernardo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bernardo content to control rather than advance.
Bernardo is looking to take a break and control but Tatsui is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tatsui wants to control but Bernardo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bernardo tries to pass to full mount but Tatsui defends it.
Tatsui has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bernardo is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bernardo scores with a takedown into Tatsui's guard.
Tatsui is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Our spies down at at St Petersburg MMA Gym inform us that Tatsui has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Bernardo trying to control but Tatsui is working from the bottom.
Tatsui working a defensive guard here.

Akihiro Tatsui has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Bernardo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tatsui can't do much from the bottom here.
Tatsui tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bernardo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bernardo is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Tatsui's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bernardo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Tatsui has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Bernardo but great work by Tatsui.
Tatsui working the head with strikes.
Tatsui is looking to take a break and control but Bernardo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tatsui working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tatsui tries for a kimura but Bernardo is defending well.
Bernardo can't do much from the bottom here.

Tatsui looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo tries to bench press Tatsui off him but Tatsui keeps the position.
Bernardo is not content to let Tatsui control the position.
Bernardo is trying to improve his position.

Tatsui working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tatsui trying to control the action but Bernardo is working from the bottom.
Tatsui might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bernardo haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo regains half guard.
Bernardo tries to roll over but Tatsui keeps him under control.
Tatsui wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bernardo keeps working.
Bernardo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bernardo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tatsui is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Tatsui keeps moving.
Bernardo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bernardo Bernardo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bernardo 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernardo Bernardo!
A relieved looking Bernardo Bernardo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.