PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Berdnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Weber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Weber's choice of entrance music: Hamburg Anthem. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Berdnikov
vs
Weber

168 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
18
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Irish Collar & Elbow Nutrition and Laundry
Lion Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Berdnikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Leon Weber!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Weber. No joy for Berdnikov on that attempt.
As Berdnikov backs off Weber throws a huge counter combo but Berdnikov manages to avoid it all.
Berdnikov misses the shot to the body.
Despite the aggression on Weber's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Weber takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A jab from Berdnikov misses.
Weber is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Berdnikov throws a series of punches but Weber avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Berdnikov or perhaps it was just good defense by Weber, which made it look bad.
Berdnikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Weber appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berdnikov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Weber manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Weber throws a counter combo.
Berdnikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Berdnikov throws a leg kick but Weber sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Weber. Those never looked like landing.
Berdnikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Berdnikov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Weber avoids it really well and circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Weber misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Berdnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weber keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Berdnikov.
Weber lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Weber throws a right and a left that Berdnikov avoids nicely.
Berdnikov fails with the takedown
and Weber counters with a series of strikes. Berdnikov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Weber avoids the body shot from Berdnikov.
Weber is looking for the big counter here.
Berdnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Weber swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Weber is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Weber checks a leg kick.
Berdnikov shoots for a takedown but Weber saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Weber wants to counter with a clinch but Berdnikov pushes him away.
Berdnikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Berdnikov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Berdnikov throws a combination that misses
and Weber counters with a three punch combo that has Berdnikov backing up. Berdnikov nods at Weber to acknowledge the strikes.
Berdnikov has his takedown stuffed
and Weber counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Leon Weber is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov throws a looping overhand right but Weber ducks down to avoid it.
A nice side step and Weber releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Berdnikov throws a right and a left that Weber avoids nicely.
Weber is looking for the big counter here.
Weber throws a right and a left that both miss.
Berdnikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Weber throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Berdnikov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Berdnikov throws an overhand right that lands on Weber's shoulder, as Weber tries to avoid the shot.
Weber was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Weber looks to land a combination. Berdnikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Berdnikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Weber is just out of range.
Weber unleashes a big counter combination but Berdnikov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Weber dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Berdnikov throws a body shot but no joy.
As Berdnikov backs off Weber throws a huge counter combo but Berdnikov manages to avoid it all.
Berdnikov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Weber avoids it really well and circles away.
Berdnikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berdnikov throws an overhand right that lands on Weber's shoulder, as Weber tries to avoid the shot.
Despite the aggression on Weber's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Weber has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berdnikov throws a push kick but Weber slaps the foot to one side.
Weber is looking for the big counter here.
Berdnikov misses the shot to the body.
Weber lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Weber.
Berdnikov fails to land the takedown.
We've been informed that Weber has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Berdnikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Weber is just out of range.
Berdnikov darts in looking for a takedown but Weber gets double underhooks and turns Berdnikov into the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Berdnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Berdnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Weber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Weber uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Berdnikov.
Despite the aggression on Weber's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Weber displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Berdnikov.
Berdnikov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
As Berdnikov backs off Weber throws a huge counter combo but Berdnikov manages to avoid it all.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Weber enables Berdnikov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Weber manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Berdnikov wants to pass the guard but Weber is keeping the position.

Weber is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Berdnikov defends well.

Weber had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Berdnikov defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Weber throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Weber looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Berdnikov passes into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
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 Alexei Berdnikov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Berdnikov shoots in for a takedown but Weber shows good takedown defense.
Berdnikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Weber sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alexei Berdnikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Berdnikov cracks Weber with a right hand to the side of the head.
Berdnikov tries to score with a low kick but Weber moves his leg out of the way.
Weber is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Berdnikov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Weber counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Berdnikov is looking to wear down Weber with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Berdnikov.
Berdnikov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Weber avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Weber. No joy for Berdnikov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Berdnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Weber moves out of range of the leg kick from Berdnikov.
Despite the aggression on Weber's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Some wild striking there from Weber.
Berdnikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Weber uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Berdnikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Berdnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Weber swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Weber drives through and clinches with Berdnikov against the ropes.
Berdnikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Berdnikov wants a takedown but no success here.
A short right from Weber on the inside.
Berdnikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Weber lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Berdnikov is trying to break the clinch but Weber is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weber misses with a knee strike.
Berdnikov avoids a wild elbow strike from Weber.
Berdnikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Berdnikov working hard to break the clinch.
Weber working aggressively here.
Berdnikov blocking some punches.
Weber will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Berdnikov up against the ropes.
Berdnikov blocks an elbow strike from Weber.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Weber looking to throw knees to the head but Berdnikov is blocking nicely.
Berdnikov stalling in the clinch but Weber improves position.
Berdnikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Weber won't allow it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A head punch on the inside from Berdnikov fails to land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berdnikov wants a takedown.

Weber pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Weber wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Weber really dominated that round.
That's time! Berdnikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Berdnikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Weber throws a right and a left that both miss.
Weber throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Berdnikov misses with a body shot.
Berdnikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Weber but Weber pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Weber lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weber swats away the attempt to clinch by Berdnikov.
Despite the aggression on Weber's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berdnikov throws a leg kick but Weber checks it.
Weber appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Berdnikov has a takedown stuffed.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Weber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Weber keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Berdnikov moves in looking to clinch but Weber pushes him off.
As Berdnikov backs off Weber throws a huge counter combo but Berdnikov manages to avoid it all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Berdnikov darts in trying to clinch
and Weber counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Weber lands with a nice combination. Berdnikov backs away looking to recover.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Berdnikov.
Weber throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Berdnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berdnikov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Weber as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berdnikov shoots in but no luck this time.
Weber displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Berdnikov.
Weber fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Berdnikov shoots in for a takedown but Weber shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Weber steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Berdnikov.
Leon Weber is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Weber throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Berdnikov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Weber's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Weber has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berdnikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berdnikov postures up in Weber's guard and throws a big left but Weber blocks it.
Berdnikov looking to pass the guard.

Berdnikov throws a sloppy strike and Weber has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Berdnikov is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Weber!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Leon Weber!
Leon Weber is the new bantamweight champion!
Post fight, an emotional Leon Weber said 'They call me the Submission Machine.. you know why!'.