PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Stifler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slobo Berganovic (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.

Stifler
vs
Berganovic

185 cm
36
187 lbs
24 - 22 - 0

186 cm
29
180 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 24 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Stifler !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Slobo Berganovic!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berganovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Berganovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stifler .
Berganovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stifler sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stifler ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Berganovic gets a double leg takedown into Stifler 's guard.

Berganovic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stifler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Berganovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stifler keeping moving, preventing Berganovic from controlling successfully.
Berganovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stifler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berganovic wants to stand but Stifler has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Berganovic drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stifler manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Berganovic has Stifler in his guard.

Stifler engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berganovic is looking to stand up but Stifler isn't so interested in that idea.
Stifler wants to pass the guard but Berganovic is keeping the position.
Stifler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stifler scoring with some ground and pound.
Berganovic working a defensive guard here.
Stifler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Stifler is in close to Berganovic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've been hearing good reports from Stifler 's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Berganovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stifler is controlling him.
Stifler working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Berganovic keeping moving, preventing Stifler from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stifler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Berganovic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Berganovic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stifler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stifler scoring with punches to the head and body.
Berganovic 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.
Stifler wants to control from the top but Berganovic keeps moving.
Stifler throwing strikes but missing.
Stifler won't allow Berganovic to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stifler trying to control the position from guard on top but Berganovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Berganovic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Stifler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berganovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stifler stands up over Berganovic, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Berganovic wants to get back to his feet but Stifler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Berganovic pushes Stifler off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Stifler checks a leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Berganovic.
Slobo Berganovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stifler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Berganovic throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stifler clinches with his opponent.
Berganovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A shot in the inside from Stifler .
Stifler lands a hook that snaps the head of Berganovic backwards.
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!

Berganovic successfully pulls guard.
Stifler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stifler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Berganovic looking for a guillotine here but Stifler defends easily.
Stifler passes Berganovic's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Berganovic kicks Stifler off and gets back to his feet.
Berganovic misses the shot to the body.
Stifler connects with the punch.
Berganovic walks into a jab.
Stifler staying out of range there.
Berganovic lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Slobo Berganovic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stifler darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stifler lands a nice short elbow.

Berganovic has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Stifler is on him like a limpet, forcing Berganovic back against the cage.
Stifler throws a punch but it's blocked by Berganovic.
Stifler keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Berganovic's efforts to push away.
Berganovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Berganovic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Berganovic is trying to force a seperation but Stifler has the dominant position.

Stifler gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Berganovic regains guard.
Stifler lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Stifler stopping the sweep attempt from Berganovic.
Stifler lands a couple of digs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stifler is standing up over Berganovic. Berganovic looks to escape but Stifler dives into side control.
Stifler grinds an elbow into Berganovic's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stifler grinds an elbow into Berganovic's temple.

Stifler looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Berganovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stifler is controlling him well.

Stifler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berganovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Berganovic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Stifler has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Berganovic is working away from the top position though.
Stifler is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Berganovic is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Stifler is defending against the submission attempts here by Berganovic.
Stifler trying to control but Berganovic postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berganovic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stifler wants to improve his position but Berganovic is controlling well.
Berganovic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stifler with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Steve Stifler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Berganovic is trying to work for a kimura but Stifler is defending well.
Berganovic prevents Stifler from improving his position.

Berganovic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Stifler trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stifler is looking to improve his position.
Berganovic wants to take a breather but Stifler is having none of it.
Stifler wants to get back to full guard.
Berganovic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stifler is looking to control Berganovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stifler avoid being mounted?
Stifler is trying to get back to full guard.
Stifler is controlling Berganovic's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Stifler won't allow Berganovic to pass to mount.

Berganovic is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stifler defends it well.

Berganovic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Berganovic trying to control the action but Stifler is working from the bottom.
Berganovic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Berganovic is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stifler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Berganovic trying to control but Stifler is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stifler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berganovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stifler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Berganovic.
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 Steve Stifler will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Berganovic looks to land a left hand but Stifler moved out of range nicely.
Stifler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stifler scores with a jab.
Stifler checks a low kick from Berganovic.
Berganovic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stifler 's head backwards.
Stifler thuds a left hand into Berganovic's body.
Stifler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Stifler drives through and clinches with Berganovic against the cage.
Berganovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Berganovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Berganovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steve Stifler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Berganovic misses.
Berganovic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Slobo Berganovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Berganovic slips under a jab from Stifler .
Berganovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Berganovic throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stifler 's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Stifler duly obliges.
Stifler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stifler walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Good exchange - Berganovic coming out on top.

Stifler is rocked!
Berganovic misses with an uppercut
and Berganovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Berganovic gets caught napping as Stifler dives in and scores a takedown. Berganovic manages to retain guard.
Stifler stands up over Berganovic, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stifler preventing the sweep.
Stifler scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berganovic trying to strike off his back.
Berganovic can't keep his opponent in guard - Stifler advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stifler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Berganovic wants to get back to his feet.
Stifler drops an elbow to the side of Berganovic's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berganovic actively working from the bottom here.
Berganovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Berganovic tries to kick Stifler off but Stifler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Berganovic is trying to get back to full guard.
Berganovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stifler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Berganovic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Stifler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Berganovic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Berganovic trying to control from the bottom.
Stifler stops Berganovic from getting back to his feet.
Berganovic trying to hold on to Stifler 's head to control him but Stifler postures up.
Berganovic is looking for a sweep. Stifler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stifler winds up and cracks Berganovic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stifler works his foot free and advances to mount.
Stifler working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Berganovic wants to control but Stifler is having none of it.
Stifler with good strikes from the mount here!
Stifler is landing with some decent strikes but Berganovic is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Stifler working Berganovic over with strikes here.

Berganovic is rocked!
Berganovic is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Berganovic is still in real trouble! Can Stifler finish him?
Stifler lands a big elbow.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Stifler ! Berganovic is hurt baaadly! Stifler is firing away with more strikes - Berganovic is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Steve Stifler !