PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoly Bazanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Selfrid Bergman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anatoly Bazanov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bazanov
vs
Bergman

170 cm
24
205 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

191 cm
22
218 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Valhalla Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anatoly Bazanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Selfrid Bergman!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bergman shoots in but no luck this time.
Bergman lands a head shot.

Bazanov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bergman!
The ground and pound from Bazanov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bazanov with the ground and pound but Bergman regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bergman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bazanov.
Bazanov working the head and body with strikes.
Bazanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bergman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bazanov.
Bazanov thows a huge punch but Bergman dodges it nicely.
Bazanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bergman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bazanov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bazanov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bazanov misses with a head shot. Bergman uses the momentum to regain guard.
Bazanov postures up in Bergman's guard and throws a big left but Bergman blocks it.

Bergman is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Bazanov is pressed up against the cage. Bergman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bazanov down to the mat. Bazanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bazanov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Bazanov dives in and scores a takedown into Bergman's guard.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bergman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bazanov throws a strike but Bergman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've been hearing good reports from Bazanov'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.
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!
Bazanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bazanov is trying to keep Bergman in close.
Bazanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bergman is in close to Bazanov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bazanov keeping moving, preventing Bergman from controlling successfully.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Bergman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bergman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bergman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bergman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bazanov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bazanov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bergman manages to get himself to full guard.

Bazanov throws a strike but Bergman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bazanov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bazanov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bergman throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Bergman is now in half guard.
Bergman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bergman is controlling the pace.
Bazanov is looking to improve his position.

Bergman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bazanov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bergman is working away from the top position though.
Bazanov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Bazanov wants to improve his position but Bergman is controlling 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 Anatoly Bazanov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bergman shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bazanov looking to control.
Bazanov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bazanov landing some decent shots from guard.
Bergman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bergman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bergman is looking to stand up but Bazanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Bazanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bazanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov lands a couple of elbows.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bazanov is fighting to break Bergman's control of his arms but Bergman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Anatoly Bazanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bergman working a defensive guard here.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bazanov postures up in Bergman's guard and throws a big left but Bergman blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bergman is trying to control the position but Bazanov postures up.
Bergman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bazanov misses with a takedown

so Bergman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bergman wants to control from the top but Bazanov keeps moving.
Bergman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bazanov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bergman connects with a couple of short punches.
Bergman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bazanov wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bazanov is working hard here to advance position.
Bazanov pulls Bergman in close to prevent any damage.
Bazanov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've been informed that Bergman has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Bergman wants to get back to his feet but Bazanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bergman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bazanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bazanov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bergman's head.
Bazanov throwing strikes but missing.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov throws a strike but Bergman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bergman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bazanov dives on top into guard.

Bazanov throws a strike but Bergman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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 Anatoly Bazanov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bazanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bergman's waist but Bergman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bazanov off to one side.
Bazanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Anatoly Bazanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bazanov blocks a jab.
Bazanov dives in for a single leg takedown but Bergman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bergman has clasped his hands together around Bazanov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bergman trying to control the position but Bazanov is working away.
Bazanov tries to improve position but can't.
Bergman working away.
Bergman throwing shots but missing, from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazanov wants to control but Bergman postures up.
Bergman landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
You can see the frustration on Bazanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bazanov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bergman in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
A lull in the action here.
Bazanov can't do much from the bottom here.
Bazanov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bergman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bergman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bazanov keeps working.
Bazanov trying to control but Bergman flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Bergman gets his hands free as Bazanov looks to control.
Bazanov breaks Bergman's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Bazanov is working Bergman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Anatoly Bazanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bergman looking to control.
Bazanov wants to control from the top but Bergman keeps moving.
Bergman is trying to keep Bazanov in close.
Bazanov looking to sit in guard and control but Bergman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bazanov controls Bergman momentarily but Bergman frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bergman throws a big elbow that misses.
Bergman chips away with some ground and pound.
Bergman tries to free his leg and advance position but Bazanov is retaining full guard.
Bergman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bazanov controls Bergman momentarily but Bergman frees himself.
Bergman looking to pass the guard.
Bazanov pulls Bergman in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bazanov goes for a double leg but Bergman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bergman continues to drive forward.
Bergman misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bergman goes for a takedown attempt but Bazanov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bergman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bergman as he avoids it easily.
Bazanov shoots in but Bergman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bergman tries to sprawl but Bazanov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bazanov trying to control from half guard but Bergman is working away.
Selfrid Bergman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bazanov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Selfrid Bergman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bazanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoly Bazanov!