PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Renato Bernard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zeca Ralho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeca Ralho has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bernard
vs
Ralho

166 cm
19
177 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Renato Bernard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zeca Ralho!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Winston Howard and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernard misses with a series of wild punches.
Ralho misses with a head kick.

Bernard tries to sprawl but Ralho drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bernard wants to get back to full guard.
Ralho missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ralho moves into full mount! Bernard won't be happy about that!
Ralho thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ralho content just to control the position here.
Ralho has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ralho throws some wild stikes that Bernard manages to avoid easily.
Bernard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ralho has hold of Bernard's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Bernard manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ralho working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Bernard slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Ralho sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bernard defending well though.
Ralho is keen to just control but Bernard is a slippery customer.
Ralho trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ralho wants to stand up but Bernard is controlling the position.
Ralho works his foot free and advances to mount.
Bernard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernard working to try and regain half guard.
Ralho controlling the pace for now.
Bernard can't escape the position.
Ralho punching from mount but Bernard doing a good job of avoiding damage.

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.
Ralho looking to control and managing it successfully.

Bernard defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Ralho.
Ralho content just to control the position here.
Ralho mounts Bernard! Really nice guard pass there!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bernard blocking the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeca Ralho dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ralho lands a high kick!

It looks like Renato Bernard has been cut.

Ralho dives in and scores a takedown into Bernard's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ralho is looking to work some ground and pound but Bernard has wrist control.
Ralho stopping the sweep attempt from Bernard.
Bernard is wriggling around but Ralho manages to pass to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ralho in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ralho is trying to work for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.
Bernard throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ralho seems to be working for a kimura but Bernard defends the submission attempt.

Bernard manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Ralho moves into range and clinches up with Bernard.
Bernard lands a nice elbow.

Ralho drags the fight down to the ground.
Ralho is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bernard is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernard preventing the sweep.

Bernard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bernard works over Ralho with some ground and pound from guard.
Bernard throws a big elbow that misses.

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

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ralho passes Bernard's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralho throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Ralho is trying to work for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.
Ralho has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bernard is looking for a sweep. Ralho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ralho slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bernard misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ralho missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ralho stalling.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Ralho fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bernard, pushing him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ralho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Ralho. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeca Ralho showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Renato Bernard'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!

Bernard gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Bernard working for a triangle but Ralho defends it easily.
Ralho trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ralho slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ralho wants to pass the guard but Bernard is defending well.
Ralho controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Bernard with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bernard blocks a head kick by Ralho.

Ralho rushes Bernard and presses him up against the cage.
Bernard throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ralho drags the fight down to the ground.
Bernard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bernard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ralho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Bernard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bernard content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bernard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ralho is trying to keep Bernard in close.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ralho wants to stand up but Bernard is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bernard throws a series of punches but Ralho avoids them all with ease.
Ralho misses with a head kick.
Bernard tries to clinch there but Ralho circles away.
Bernard throws a right hand that Ralho ducks under and follows up with a left that Ralho also avoids with ease.

Ralho shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bernard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Ralho decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bernard, up you get!
Renato Bernard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zeca Ralho is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ralho throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeca Ralho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ralho 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30

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