PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Ellenberger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bernardo Bernardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ellenberger
vs
Bernardo

173 cm
21
169 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
31
160 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

PayDay Fightwear

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Ellenberger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bernardo Bernardo!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bernardo scores with a takedown into Ellenberger's guard.
Ellenberger controlling the position.

Ellenberger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bernardo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ellenberger wants to sweep but no luck.
Bernardo trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellenberger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bernardo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ellenberger wants to stand and escape but Bernardo is having none of it.
Bernardo looking to pass the guard.

Ellenberger looking for a guillotine here but Bernardo defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ellenberger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bernardo defends it easily.
Ellenberger keeping full guard, as Bernardo tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellenberger wants to sweep here but Bernardo controlling him for the moment.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Ellenberger keeps moving.
Bernardo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ellenberger haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bernardo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ellenberger is trying to get back to full guard.
Bernardo is trying to control. Ellenberger wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Bernardo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ellenberger sees it coming and defends easily.
Bernardo wants to control but Ellenberger is keeping him busy.
Ellenberger regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ellenberger seems keen to control Bernardo's posture.

Ellenberger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bernardo defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ellenberger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bernardo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bernardo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ellenberger is trying to stand up here but Bernardo is controlling him well.
Ellenberger is trying to control but can't.
Bernardo is keen to just control but Ellenberger is a slippery customer.

Bernardo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ellenberger wants to get back to his feet.
Ellenberger is trying to maintain the position but Bernardo is very close to passing his half guard.
Bernardo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ellenberger keeps working.
Ellenberger trying to hold on to Bernardo's head to control him but Bernardo postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bernardo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ellenberger has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ellenberger wants to improve his position but Bernardo is controlling well.
Ellenberger is in trouble now - Bernardo has advanced to mount!
Ellenberger tries to hold on but Bernardo pushes him away.
Ellenberger is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bernardo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Bernardo working for a guillotine from mount but Ellenberger is in no mood to give up.
Bernardo tries to control but Ellenberger wriggling away.

Bernardo with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Bernardo looking for a guillotine from mount but Ellenberger is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellenberger is looking to improve his position but Bernardo isn't that keen on the idea.
Bernardo wants to control the pace but Ellenberger is squirming around nicely.
Ellenberger is trying to escape the mount.
Bernardo pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Bernardo trying to control but Ellenberger is having none of it.
Ellenberger wants to control but Bernardo is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ellenberger is squirming around, avoiding Bernardo's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bernardo fails to land the takedown.
Ellenberger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bernardo as he avoids it easily.
Ellenberger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bernardo.
Bernardo leaves Ellenberger with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Joe Ellenberger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellenberger throws a head kick that misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bernardo.
Joe Ellenberger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bernardo Bernardo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernardo bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ellenberger's head.
No joy there for Ellenberger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Joe Ellenberger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellenberger leaves Bernardo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ellenberger shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bernardo sprawls well. Bernardo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ellenberger gets slowly back to his feet.
Ellenberger shoots in looking for a takedown but Bernardo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ellenberger's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bernardo fails to land the takedown.
Ellenberger has been working on his balance at Super SmashBros., so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Bernardo.
Ellenberger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bernardo shoots in but no luck this time.
Ellenberger stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo's corner calls for a 1-2. Bernardo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Bernardo there.
Ellenberger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bernardo swivels and escapes.
Bernardo let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bernardo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ellenberger tries to avoid it but Bernardo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ellenberger to the ground. Ellenberger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ellenberger throws a body kick that misses
and Bernardo counters with a straight right hand.
Bernardo misses with a wild body shot.
Ellenberger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bernardo Bernardo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ellenberger.
Ellenberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bernardo avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ellenberger throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bernardo was covering up waiting for the punch and Ellenberger finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ellenberger stands up over Bernardo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ellenberger wants to pass the guard but Bernardo is keeping the position.

Bernardo isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ellenberger stacks Bernardo on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ellenberger!
Bernardo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ellenberger wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Ellenberger is trying to get an arm triangle but Bernardo is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bernardo regains full guard. Nicely done.

Bernardo is looking for a triangle but Ellenberger pushes his legs off easily.
Ellenberger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bernardo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ellenberger tries to free his leg and advance position but Bernardo is retaining full guard.

Ellenberger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ellenberger advances to half guard.
Bernardo is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bernardo Bernardo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Ellenberger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ellenberger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bernardo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ellenberger takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Ellenberger gets a double leg takedown into Bernardo's guard.
Ellenberger has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ellenberger sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ellenberger stopping the sweep attempt from Bernardo.

Ellenberger drops back looking for a leg! Bernardo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bernardo manages to kick Ellenberger off! Ellenberger jumps back into Bernardo's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernardo controls Ellenberger momentarily but Ellenberger frees himself.
Bernardo looking for a sweep. Not yet Bernardo, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellenberger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bernardo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ellenberger is one step ahead there.
Ellenberger is looking to work some ground and pound but Bernardo has wrist control.
Bernardo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ellenberger working for a triangle but Bernardo defends it easily.
Bernardo stops Ellenberger from standing up.
Bernardo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ellenberger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ellenberger throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellenberger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Ellenberger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ellenberger keeping full guard, as Bernardo tries to pass.
Bernardo stands and throws Ellenberger's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ellenberger tries to bench press Bernardo off him but Bernardo keeps the position.
Ellenberger wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Bernardo wants to control but Ellenberger is keeping him busy.
Bernardo wants to take a breather but Ellenberger manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Bernardo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernardo postures up.
Bernardo wants to control from the top but Ellenberger keeps moving.

Ellenberger has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bernardo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ellenberger 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ellenberger working for a triangle but Bernardo defends it easily.
Bernardo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Ellenberger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ellenberger keeping full guard, as Bernardo tries to pass.
Bernardo advances position into side control!
Bernardo Bernardo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bernardo is trying to get an arm triangle but Ellenberger is defending well.
Ellenberger gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ellenberger won't allow Bernardo to pass to mount.
Joe Ellenberger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ellenberger tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bernardo Bernardo.
Well Bernardo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernardo Bernardo!
During a confident post fight interview, Bernardo Bernardo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.