PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Don Petersen (ranked 500 p4p, 80 weight class) and Arsteen Berghen (ranked 1687 p4p, 242 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Petersen
vs
Berghen

180 cm
26
175 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

179 cm
26
170 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Don Petersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arsteen Berghen!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petersen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Petersen throws a hook but Berghen avoids it easily.
Berghen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Petersen defends it well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Berghen or perhaps it was just good defense by Petersen, which made it look bad.
Petersen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Berghen sprawls and moves away.
A jab from Petersen misses.

Berghen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Petersen to the ground. Berghen is now in Petersen's guard.
Berghen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berghen throwing strikes from guard but Petersen blocks nicely.
Berghen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Berghen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Petersen trying to keep a closed guard but Berghen is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen pulls Berghen in close to prevent any damage.
Berghen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berghen throws a big right hand that misses.
Berghen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Berghen tries to free his leg and advance position but Petersen is retaining full guard.
Berghen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Berghen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berghen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Berghen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Petersen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berghen is looking to work some ground and pound but Petersen has wrist control.
Berghen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Petersen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Berghen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Berghen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Berghen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Berghen wants to control from the top but Petersen keeps moving.
Berghen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Petersen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Berghen postures up in Petersen's guard and throws a big left but Petersen blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Berghen.
Berghen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Berghen working some strikes from top position.
Berghen trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Berghen is looking to work some ground and pound but Petersen has wrist control.
Berghen throwing strikes but missing.
Berghen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Petersen has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Berghen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Berghen tries to clinch up.
Petersen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Berghen tries to avoid it but Petersen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Berghen to the ground. Berghen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petersen tries to clinch but Berghen moves out of range.
Berghen throws out a leg kick but Petersen moves out of range and Berghen only half commits.
Petersen tries to counter with a takedown but Berghen is quick to defend against it.
Petersen missing with a left hand there. Berghen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Berghen with the counter takedown but Petersen avoids it easily.
Berghen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

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

Petersen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Berghen has control of Petersen's left arm, preventing Petersen from doing any damage.
Berghen wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arsteen Berghen dominated that round.
That's time! Petersen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Petersen slaps away a takedown attempt from Berghen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Berghen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Petersen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Petersen throws the left hand but Berghen avoids the punch easily.
Berghen tries for a takedown but Petersen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Petersen attempts a counter takedown but Berghen avoids it well and moves away.
The fighters circling - Berghen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petersen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Berghen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Petersen throws out the jab.
Berghen shoots in for a takedown but Petersen shows good takedown defense.
Don Petersen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arsteen Berghen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petersen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Berghen.

Berghen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Petersen to the mat! Petersen manages to get full guard.
Petersen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Petersen keeping moving, preventing Berghen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berghen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Berghen throws a big right hand that misses.
Berghen controlling from the top position.
Berghen trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petersen looking for a sweep. Not yet Petersen, not yet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Berghen trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Petersen throws a jab but it's blocked by Berghen.
Berghen with the counter takedown but Petersen avoids it easily.
Petersen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Berghen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The fighters circling - Berghen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petersen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Berghen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Berghen goes for a double leg but Petersen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Petersen continues to drive forward.
A big left from Berghen misses.
Petersen throws a looping overhand right but Berghen ducks down to avoid it.
Berghen blocks a jab.
Berghen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Petersen.
Berghen with the counter takedown but Petersen avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berghen gets the takedown into side control.
Petersen is trying to get back to half guard.
Berghen lands a few punches from side control.
Petersen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Berghen is trying to control but Petersen manages to pass to mount!
Petersen trying to control but Berghen is having none of it.
Berghen reaches up to try and control the position but Petersen seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Berghen rolls and tries to escape and now Petersen has his back!

Petersen is looking for a rear naked choke here but Berghen reverses the position brilliantly into Petersen's guard!
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!
Berghen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Petersen's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berghen trying to control the position from guard on top but Petersen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petersen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berghen's guard.

Berghen 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.
Petersen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Berghen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Berghen wants to stand and escape but Petersen is having none of it.
Berghen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petersen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Berghen keeping moving, preventing Petersen from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arsteen Berghen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Berghen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Berghen looking to sit in guard and control but Petersen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Berghen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Berghen trying to keep a closed guard but Petersen is proving a slippery customer.
Petersen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berghen pulls Petersen in close to prevent any damage.
Berghen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Berghen is trying to keep Petersen in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berghen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Berghen's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Berghen 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.
Petersen passes Berghen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Petersen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Berghen sees it coming and defends easily.
Berghen is trying to get back to full guard.
Petersen working Berghen over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berghen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Petersen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Petersen wants to take a breather but Berghen is having none of it.
Berghen won't allow Petersen to pass to mount.
Berghen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Petersen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Petersen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Berghen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petersen.
Berghen tries to roll over but Petersen keeps him under control.

Petersen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Berghen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petersen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berghen gets full guard.
Berghen pulls Petersen in to control the position.
Berghen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Berghen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Petersen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Petersen wants to control from the top but Berghen keeps moving.
Petersen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berghen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Petersen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Petersen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Petersen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Berghen looking for a sweep. Not yet Berghen, not yet.
Berghen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Petersen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Berghen wants to stand but Petersen is controlling the position.
Berghen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petersen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Berghen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Don Petersen did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Petersen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Berghen ducks under a wild hook from Petersen.
Petersen throws out a loose jab but Berghen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Berghen ducks under a wild hook from Petersen.
Berghen tries to clinch up.
Petersen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Berghen gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Petersen counters with a shoot takedown. Berghen fights it but they end up in guard.
Petersen trying to control the position from guard on top but Berghen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petersen preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berghen working a defensive guard here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Petersen drops back looking for a leg! Berghen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Berghen manages to kick Petersen off! Petersen jumps back into Berghen's guard.
Petersen trying to control the position from guard on top but Berghen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Berghen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Berghen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Berghen.

That's two 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.

Petersen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Berghen to the ground. Petersen is now in Berghen's guard.
Petersen trying to control the position from guard on top but Berghen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Berghen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Berghen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Petersen trying to control but Berghen is working from the bottom.

Berghen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Petersen has picked Berghen up and slammed him! Berghen can't keep hold of the triangle and Petersen manages to pass to side control!
Berghen tries to buck Petersen off but Petersen is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petersen is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Berghen looks calm but he's in trouble here. Petersen gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Berghen is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Petersen lets go of the hold and Berghen can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Don Petersen!
Don Petersen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.