PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Slobo Berganovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arvo Penaali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penaali is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Immortal Technique - Obnoxius. 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.

Berganovic
vs
Penaali

186 cm
29
180 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

180 cm
32
178 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Slobo Berganovic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvo Penaali!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Berganovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Berganovic stuffs the takedown.
Berganovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Penaali.
Penaali jabs at Berganovic's body.
Penaali pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Berganovic back to the cage. Penaali follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Berganovic misses with a straight left.
Penaali slips a jab from Berganovic.
Penaali feints the counter takedown.
Penaali stuns Berganovic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Penaali moves away from the strike by Berganovic.
It seemed like Penaali was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Berganovic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Penaali's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Penaali 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.
Berganovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Penaali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Penaali not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Penaali is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berganovic is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Penaali has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berganovic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berganovic is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Vale Tudo Elite Sparring that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Berganovic forces his way into half guard.
Berganovic blocks the strikes from Penaali.
Berganovic wants to get back to his feet.

Berganovic is working for a submission of some sort.

Berganovic wants to work for an arm triangle but Penaali is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two 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 seems to be working for a kimura but Penaali defends the submission attempt.

Penaali looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Berganovic is trying to work for a kimura but Penaali is defending well.
Penaali regains full guard. Nicely done.
Berganovic preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penaali is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Berganovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Penaali is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penaali is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berganovic is aware though and is defending well.
Berganovic throws a big elbow that misses.
Penaali not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Penaali looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Penaali keeping moving, preventing Berganovic from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at Helsinki Public Gym inform us that Penaali has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Penaali trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Penaali wants to stand up but Berganovic is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Berganovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Penaali drives through with a takedown into guard.
Penaali is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Berganovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Berganovic wants to stand and escape but Penaali is having none of it.

Berganovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Penaali gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penaali postures up.
Berganovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Berganovic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Penaali doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Penaali manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Penaali chips away with some ground and pound.
Berganovic working a defensive guard here.
Berganovic has momentary wrist control but Penaali slips an elbow through the middle.
Penaali with a nice head shot there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penaali content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Berganovic keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.
Penaali landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Berganovic misses with a few strikes there.
Penaali misses with the combination.
Penaali checks the leg kick.
Berganovic throws a big shot that misses.
Penaali slips under a jab.
Penaali throws a series of punches but Berganovic moves out of range.
Berganovic throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Penaali fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penaali just misses with a punch to the body.
Penaali stalks Berganovic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Berganovic's face. Berganovic staggers backwards, shaken.
Penaali throws out a loose jab but Berganovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Berganovic swings for the body but Penaali moves out of range.

Penaali drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berganovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berganovic keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.
Penaali slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Berganovic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Penaali defends it easily.
Penaali trying to control but Berganovic is working from the bottom.
Penaali passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Penaali is looking to take a break and control but Berganovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Berganovic kicks off Penaali and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic misses with an uppercut.
Berganovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Slobo Berganovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Berganovic lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Arvo Penaali has been cut.
Berganovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arvo Penaali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berganovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Slobo Berganovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Berganovic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Penaali counters with a left and a right that stings Berganovic.
Penaali cracks Berganovic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Penaali ducks under a wild hook from Berganovic.
Berganovic misses with a looping left.
A swing and a miss from Berganovic.
Berganovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Penaali. Penaali gets slowly back to his feet.
Berganovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Berganovic misses with a takedown attempt - Penaali sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali lands a nice hook to Berganovic's body. Berganovic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Berganovic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Penaali shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Slobo Berganovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arvo Penaali.
Berganovic stuffs the takedown.
Berganovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Penaali jabs at Berganovic's body.
Berganovic looks to land a combination but Penaali avoids it well.
Berganovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Penaali counters with a stiff right hand.
Penaali takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A swing and a miss from Berganovic.
Penaali swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Berganovic throws a poor cross that misses
and Penaali counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Berganovic misses with a double jab
and Penaali counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Penaali is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Berganovic rather than just go for the knockout.
Berganovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Penaali.
Berganovic throws a hook but Penaali blocks it.
Penaali swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Berganovic misses.
Berganovic throws a head kick that misses.
Penaali takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Berganovic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Berganovic on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Penaali is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Berganovic's half guard.
Berganovic is trying to stand up here but Penaali is controlling him well.
Berganovic wants to improve his position but Penaali is controlling well.
Penaali scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Penaali lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arvo Penaali will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Penaali ducks under a wild hook from Berganovic.
Penaali throws out a counter right but Berganovic avoids it with no problem.
Penaali slips a straight right by Berganovic.
Berganovic misses with a double jab
and Penaali counters with a one-two to the body.
Berganovic throws a big shot that misses.
Berganovic throws a jab but it's blocked by Penaali.
Berganovic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Berganovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Berganovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Berganovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Penaali, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Penaali takes a jab right on the kisser.
Penaali avoids a punch combination nicely.

Penaali gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Penaali is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Berganovic will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali cracks Berganovic with a big right hand but Berganovic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Berganovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Penaali is controlling him well.
Berganovic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Penaali off and has taken his back!

Berganovic tightening his grip on Penaali, looking for the choke.
Penaali is in bad spot here.

Berganovic is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Penaali knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Penaali for a finish.
Penaali tries to escape but Berganovic has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic doesn't have the hooks in and Penaali manages to turn into his guard.
Penaali with a flurry of punches that miss.
Penaali wants to control from the top but Berganovic keeps moving.
Penaali is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Berganovic wants to stand and escape but Penaali is having none of it.
Penaali with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Penaali accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Berganovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Penaali is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Berganovic is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Penaali dives into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Penaali scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali wants to control but Berganovic is keeping him busy.
Penaali lands a nice forearm strike.
Berganovic is trying to improve his position.
Penaali scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Berganovic to see if he's OK.
Berganovic wants to get back to his feet but Penaali drags him back down.

Penaali looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
A lull in the action here as Penaali stalls from top position.
Penaali trying to control the action but Berganovic is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penaali is putting a hurting on Berganovic here, landing some big shots from side control.
Penaali lands a nice forearm strike.
Berganovic pushes Penaali away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Penaali gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Arvo Penaali has got the better of the ground game so far.
Penaali wants to lay and pray for a moment but Berganovic keeps working.

Penaali tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Penaali has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Berganovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Penaali controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice uppercut lands for Berganovic. That snapped Penaali's head back.
Berganovic misses with a lunging right hand

and Penaali counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Penaali.
Penaali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Penaali is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Berganovic working for a triangle but Penaali defends it easily.

Berganovic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berganovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Penaali is controlling him.
Penaali not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penaali lands a couple of digs.
Penaali cracks Berganovic with a solid left hand.
Penaali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berganovic keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.

Berganovic is looking for a triangle but Penaali pushes his legs off easily.
Berganovic keeping moving, preventing Penaali from controlling successfully.
Penaali lands a couple of digs.

Berganovic throws his legs up looking for a submission but Penaali uses it to pass to side control.
Penaali cracks Berganovic with a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penaali cracks Berganovic with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Penaali scores with punches from side control.
Berganovic is trying to get back to his feet.
Berganovic throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Berganovic is looking to regain half guard here but Penaali keeps moving and retains side control.
Berganovic taking a bit of punishment here - Penaali scoring with strikes.
Berganovic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Penaali working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Penaali wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Berganovic is pushing Penaali's head away, looking to escape. Penaali manages to hold on to the position though.
Penaali in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Penaali is putting a hurting on Berganovic here, landing some big shots from side control.
Berganovic taking a bit of punishment here - Penaali scoring with strikes.
Penaali lands a decent elbow from side control.
Penaali is looking to take a break and control but Berganovic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Penaali lands a decent elbow from side control.
Berganovic is looking for a sweep.
Penaali working the body and head with strikes.
Penaali scores with a couple of short elbows.

Berganovic explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic misses with a straight left.
Berganovic swings widly with a right hand
and Penaali counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Penaali feints and as Berganovic raises his hands in defense, Penaali changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Penaali wants to control from the top but Berganovic keeps moving.

Berganovic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Penaali defends it easily.
Berganovic tries to strike from the bottom.
Penaali with a nice head shot there.
Penaali trying to control but Berganovic is working from the bottom.
Penaali lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvo Penaali dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Arvo Penaali's cut.
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!

Penaali looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berganovic is fending him off so far but Penaali persists. Nope, Berganovic circles away and we're back to standing.
Penaali uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Berganovic.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Berganovic.
Berganovic throws a jab when Penaali was well out of range.
Penaali is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Penaali misses with a few strikes there.
Berganovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Penaali.
Berganovic cracks the inside of Penaali's front leg.
Penaali keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Berganovic.
Berganovic looks to land a right hand but Penaali moved out of range.
Berganovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penaali tries to move into range but Berganovic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Berganovic misses with a hook

and Penaali counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Penaali.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Penaali with a nice head shot there.
Berganovic is looking to stand up but Penaali isn't so interested in that idea.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berganovic throwing strikes from guard but Penaali blocks nicely.

Berganovic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Berganovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Berganovic looking to pass the guard.

Berganovic decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Penaali, up you get!

That's two 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 thows a left - swing and a miss!
Penaali slips a straight right by Berganovic.
Penaali appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Berganovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Penaali's head.
Penaali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Berganovic.
Berganovic throws a nice looking combination but Penaali bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Berganovic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Berganovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
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.
Penaali comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Berganovic enables Penaali to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Berganovic manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Berganovic is looking for a triangle but Penaali pushes his legs off easily.

Penaali got a little sloppy there for a moment and Berganovic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Penaali has managed to get both his arms back between Berganovic's legs - danger averted.
Penaali lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penaali lands a couple of elbows.
Penaali stopping the sweep attempt from Berganovic.
Penaali showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Penaali wants to control from the top but Berganovic keeps moving.
Penaali passes Berganovic's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Berganovic wants to get back to his feet.
Berganovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Penaali content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Penaali wants to pass to mount but Berganovic is defending the position.
Slobo Berganovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Berganovic actively working from the bottom here.
Berganovic has hold of Penaali's hands but Penaali slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Penaali takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Penaali is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Berganovic defends it well.
Berganovic pushes Penaali off looking to stand but Penaali dives back in and keeps control.
Arvo Penaali is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Berganovic missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Slobo Berganovic.
I think Penaali 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:47
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Arvo Penaali! Arvo Penaali retains his welterweight title!
Arvo Penaali took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'i think roy royler is worth a titleshot'.