PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zapi Zap (ranked 9050 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brett Bersten (ranked 23364 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Zap
vs
Bersten

172 cm
21
170 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

169 cm
28
175 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

IniTech Nutrition

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zapi Zap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brett Bersten!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zap looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bersten is fending him off so far but Zap persists. Nope, Bersten circles away and we're back to standing.
Zap looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bersten is fending him off so far but Zap persists. Nope, Bersten circles away and we're back to standing.
Zap throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bersten counters with a series of strikes. Zap will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bersten throws a one two combo.
Bersten misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zap goes for a double leg but Bersten avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bersten continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zapi Zap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A lazy body kick from Zap
and Bersten counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice cross by Bersten.

Zap rushes Bersten and presses him up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zap keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bersten's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Bersten's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Zap has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Bersten is trying to keep an underhook but Zap manages to get the 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.
Zap tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bersten knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Bersten makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bersten lands a head kick. Zap smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Bersten pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zap lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Bersten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice shot lands for Bersten.
Zap definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Bersten tries to keep at a distance but Zap has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bersten is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Zap breaks from the clinch.
Zap takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bersten displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bersten lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zap avoids the head kick by Bersten.

Zap shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bersten napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bersten is looking to get back to his feet here but Zap is keeping cool and he's managed to take Bersten's back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bersten trying to get back to his feet but Zap is in full control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bersten grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Zap lands a shot to the head.
Bersten trying to get back to his feet but Zap is in full control for now.
Bersten should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bersten is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Bersten defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bersten trying to get back to his feet but Zap is in full control for now.
Zap slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Bersten is trying to stand back up.

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.

Zap is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Zap has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Bersten's body.

Bersten showing good submission defense here.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brett Bersten 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.

Zap throws a head kick that misses.
Brett Bersten seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bersten lands a head kick!
Zap misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bersten pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zapi Zap is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bersten slaps away a takedown attempt from Zap, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zap with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bersten counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zapi Zap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bersten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zap drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bersten sprawls and moves away.
Bersten scores with a head kick. Zap tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zap drives through with a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Bersten manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zap tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bersten smiles and moves away.
Zap throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bersten has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bersten lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bersten throws a head kick but Zap moves out of range.

Bersten gets tackled into the cage by Zap. Zap maintains the clinch.

Zap manages to break the clinch.
Bersten tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zap swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bersten throws a head kick that Zap semi-blocks.
Bersten bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bersten throws a combination. Zap tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Zap avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bersten throws a head kick that half lands.

Bersten moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bersten tries to circle away but Zap has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zap tries for a takedown but Bersten manages to get underhooks.
Zap is struggling to control the position.
Zap wants to take the fight to the mat but Bersten manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bersten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zap has him pressed against the cage.
Zap lands a shot to the body.
Bersten can't break the clinch.
Bersten wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zap has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bersten after a bit of a struggle.
Bersten wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee calls for Zap to work.

Bersten breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Brett Bersten is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zap looks to clinch
and Bersten counters with a series of strikes. Zap will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bersten swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Bersten!

Zap decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Bersten kicks Zap off and gets back to his feet.
Zap attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zap is defended easily by Bersten.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zap looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zap fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bersten avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bersten.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bersten lands a head kick!

Zap has managed to clinch.
Bersten wants to get back to striking at distance but Zap won't allow it.
A left hand lands to the body for Zap.
Zap jumps guard but Bersten stands there with Zap around his waist. Zap gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bersten has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bersten tries to break the clinch but Zap is controlling the position.
Bersten blocks the elbow strike.
Bersten wants to get back to striking at distance but Zap won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brett Bersten showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bersten thows a body kick. Zap tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Bersten gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bersten wants to get back to his feet but Zap is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zap is looking to work some ground and pound but Bersten has wrist control.
Zap sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bersten scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Bersten lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zap doesn't seem phased though.
Bersten scores with a head kick. Zap tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Zap closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bersten pushes Zap away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Zap gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bersten is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Zap has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bersten is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Zap content just to control the position here.
Zap working the ground and pound effectively.
Zap working the ground and pound effectively.
Zap looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zap lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Bersten is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Zap lands a big shot there that rocks Bersten but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zap controlling the pace for now.
Zap dominating with strikes here.
Zap controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bersten tries to buck Zap off but he can't manage it.
Zap controlling the pace for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zap lands a couple of good shots and Bersten has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Zapi Zap showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bersten has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brett Bersten!