PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Crane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hysse Berg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crane
vs
Berg

175 cm
18
198 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Crane!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hysse Berg!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berg checks the leg kick nicely there.
Crane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berg manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Crane blocks the low kick.
The fighters circling - Berg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Crane drives through with a takedown into guard.
Crane stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berg swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crane trying to control the position from guard on top but Berg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Crane won't allow Berg to sweep him here.
Crane wants to pass the guard but Berg is keeping the position.
Crane preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crane throwing strikes but missing.
Crane stopping the sweep attempt from Berg.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Crane accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Crane has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Crane tries to free his leg and advance position but Berg is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Crane.
Berg tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Crane with a nice head shot there.
Berg lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Berg advances to half guard.

Crane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berg pulls his head out easily.
Crane is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Thibodeauxs, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Berg lands strikes from half guard.
Crane won't allow Berg to pass to mount.

Crane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Berg.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Crane wants to improve his position but Berg is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berg pulls his head out easily.

Crane looking for submissions off his back.
Crane taking some punishment here, with Berg in his half guard.

Crane looking for submissions off his back.
Berg passes the guard and advances to mount!
Crane is trying desperately to improve position.
Berg landing strikes from the mount and Crane is in trouble!
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.
Crane really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Berg tries to control but Crane wriggling away.
Berg connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Crane is bucking up trying to escape but Berg cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The referee warns Crane that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Crane tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Berg cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Crane is working to get back to half guard.
Crane is working hard here to advance position.
Berg looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Crane tries to get back to half guard but can't.
BOOM! Berg connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berg dominating with strikes here.
Berg connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Crane is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berg looking to secure an arm triangle but Crane defends it well.
Oh Crane is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Crane is working to get back to half guard.
Crane seems to have got his legs back now.
Berg with a couple of short strikes.
Crane really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Berg working Crane over with strikes here.
Crane is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hysse Berg dominated that round.
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.

Berg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Crane moves away.
Crane just misses with a punch to the body.
Crane throws a sloppy head kick and Berg moves out of range easily.
Berg swings for the body but Crane moves out of range.

Crane shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Berg is trying to defend but Crane finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Berg won't allow Crane to pass to mount.
Berg tries to get to full guard but Crane has control of the leg.

Crane is working for a kimura but Berg is defending it quite comfortably.
Berg is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Crane trying to control from half guard but Berg is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crane seems to be looking for submissions.
Berg keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Crane is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Berg is controlling Crane's trapped leg to prevent Crane from advancing to side control.
Crane passes to full mount!
Berg prevents Crane from taking his back.
Berg sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Crane tries to pass the half guard into mount. Berg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Crane is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Berg reverses the position - he's now on top in Crane's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg postures up and lands a big shot to Crane's brow.
Berg advances position into side control!
Crane is working to avoid the ground and pound but Berg connects with a decent elbow.
Berg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Crane tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Berg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hysse Berg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Crane sneaks back into half guard.
Crane is looking for a sweep. Berg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Berg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Crane does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Crane is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berg pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Berg takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Berg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Crane works his way to full guard. Good work.
Crane tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Crane escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Crane is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Crane seems to be working for a kimura but Berg defends the submission attempt.
Berg tries to get to full guard but Crane has control of the leg.
Berg regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berg looking for a sweep. Not yet Berg, not yet.
Crane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Crane throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Crane throws an elbow that misses. Berg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Crane's guard. Nice move by Berg!

Crane looking for a guillotine here but Berg defends easily.
Berg slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Berg stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Crane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berg wants to control from the top but Crane keeps moving.
Berg is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
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 Frank Crane will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Berg shoots in but Crane avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Crane scores with a takedown into Berg's guard.
Crane throws a strike but Berg rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Crane is looking for a triangle but Berg pushes his legs off easily.
Berg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Crane is keeping the position for now.

Crane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berg can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berg forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berg scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Crane on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crane looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Berg pushes past his half guard into mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berg content just to control the position here.
Berg working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Crane is looking to improve his position but Berg isn't that keen on the idea.
Berg landing strikes from the mount.
Crane is in all sorts of trouble here.
Berg scoring with strikes but Crane is staying in there.
Berg lands a big shot there that rocks Crane but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Berg prevents Crane from getting the reversal.
Crane sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Berg content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Berg is pressing down on Crane's thigh, looking to free his foot. Crane is holding on for now.
Ground and pound from Berg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Crane keeps working.
Crane is looking to improve his position.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berg winds up and cracks Crane with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Berg passes to full mount!
Berg landing punches.
Crane takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Crane regains half guard.
Crane is looking for a sweep. Berg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Berg scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crane looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Berg pushes past his half guard into mount!
Berg connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Crane manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Crane is pressing down on Berg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Berg scoring with some ground and pound.

Crane looking for subs off his back but Berg has passed one foot through into half guard.
Berg seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Berg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Crane keeps working.
Crane regains full guard. Nicely done.

Crane is looking for a triangle here but Berg uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crane is looking to regain half guard here but Berg keeps moving and retains side control.
Crane gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Crane regains half guard.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Crane trying to get back to full guard but Berg takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berg scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Crane is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hysse Berg really dominated that round.
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.

Crane misses the body punch

and Berg counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Berg prevents Crane from improving his position.
Berg working Crane over with strikes.
Berg looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Berg slips a nice elbow through Crane's hands, connecting with Crane's forehead.
Berg trying to mount his opponent but Crane defends it.
Berg scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Berg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Crane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crane is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Berg scores with a couple of nice shots.
Berg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Berg is keen to just control but Crane is a slippery customer.
Berg works his way into full mount!
Berg looking to control but Crane is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Crane regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crane wants to get back to full guard.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crane wants to improve his position but Berg is controlling well.
Crane is staying active underneath Berg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Still in half guard, Berg seems content to control.
Crane is pressing down on Berg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Berg with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Berg is working Crane over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Berg works over Crane with some ground and pound from guard.

Crane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Berg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Berg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crane is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berg is aware though and is defending well.
Berg stays in close to Crane's body and controls the position.
Berg forces his way into half guard.

Crane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Crane tries to roll over but Berg keeps him under control.
Berg works his way into side control.
Crane manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crane throwing shots but Berg is blocking nicely.
Crane tries to pass to full mount but Berg defends it.
Berg is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Crane is working for a submission of some sort.
Crane passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berg can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hysse Berg dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Berg throws a hook but Crane blocks it.

Berg shoots in and bounces Crane off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Crane is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Crane is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Crane lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Crane moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Berg has worked his arm free - good work by Berg!
Crane sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Berg is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Berg manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Crane seems to be working for a kimura but Berg defends the submission attempt.
Berg lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Berg is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Crane has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Berg holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Crane tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Crane throwing strikes but Berg recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Berg avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Crane.
Crane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Berg gets back to full guard.
Crane works over Berg with some ground and pound from guard.
Frank Crane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hysse Berg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crane wants to pass the guard but Berg is keeping the position.
Berg is trying to keep Crane in close.
Crane trying to control the position from guard on top but Berg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Crane scoring with punches to the head and body.
Crane loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Crane distracts Berg with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Berg looking for a sweep. Not yet Berg, not yet.
Crane throwing strikes but missing.
Crane throws a big elbow that misses.
Berg is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crane forces his way into half guard.

Crane is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Berg won't allow Crane to pass to mount.
Crane throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Berg wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Crane there.
Berg is in trouble now - Crane has advanced to mount!
Crane lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Crane fails to move to back control.

Crane jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Berg is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Berg and Crane has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berg tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Crane wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Crane has hold of Berg's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Berg tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Crane cranks the arm and Berg screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Berg, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Frank Crane!
Frank Crane is the new middleweight champion!
Frank Crane seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.