PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bernardo Antonio Costa (ranked 7440 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eruera Wharerau (ranked 3345 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Antonio Costa
vs
Wharerau

180 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bernardo Antonio Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eruera Wharerau!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Bart Greer and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa shoots in looking for a takedown but Wharerau manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Costa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice takedown defense from Wharerau. No joy for Costa on that attempt.
Wharerau swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Costa counters by moving into the clinch.
Wharerau wants to take the fight to the mat but Costa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Costa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wharerau throws a series of punches but Costa moves out of range.
Wharerau throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Costa counters with a series of strikes. Wharerau will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wharerau throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Costa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wharerau sprawls and moves away.
Costa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wharerau swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernardo Antonio Costa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wharerau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Costa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Costa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Costa stalling in the clinch.

Costa pulls guard successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wharerau is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Wharerau stops Costa from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wharerau sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Costa's guard.

Wharerau is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Costa is controlling Wharerau's trapped leg to prevent Wharerau from advancing to side control.
Wharerau performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Costa trying to control from the bottom.
Wharerau thows a huge punch but Costa dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Wharerau thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Costa wants to control but Wharerau is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Costa is defending against the submission attempts here by Wharerau.
Costa keeping hold of Wharerau's head, controlling as best he can.
Wharerau not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Wharerau is working for a submission of some sort.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wharerau looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Wharerau has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Costa is defending against the submission attempts here by Wharerau.
Wharerau is looking to take a break and control but Costa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Costa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four 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.

Wharerau in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Costa tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Wharerau!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Eruera Wharerau!
Eruera Wharerau got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'