PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Bonnano (ranked 3086 p4p, 113 weight class) and Dan Sergeant (ranked 2687 p4p, 94 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Bonnano
vs
Sergeant

170 cm
27
144 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

175 cm
33
139 lbs
19 - 16 - 1

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ralph Bonnano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Sergeant!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bonnano shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bonnano was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sergeant is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bonnano off and has taken his back!
Bonnano is trying to break free.
Bonnano grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Bonnano grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Sergeant is looking for the choke from the back position but Bonnano is controlling his hands well.
Sergeant struggling to keep hold of the position.
Bonnano covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sergeant scores with punches to the body.

Sergeant is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Bonnano defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Bonnano is keeping busy.
Sergeant controls the action.
Sergeant gets his hands free as Bonnano looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
What can Bonnano do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Let's hope that Sergeant has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Sergeant working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Sergeant is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sergeant throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

Sergeant is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Bonnano trying to control but not successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Sergeant. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Sergeant is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Bonnano wants to escape the position.
Bonnano is working hard here to advance position.

Sergeant patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Sergeant tightening his grip on Bonnano, looking for the choke.
Bonnano just trying to survive but Sergeant is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Sergeant cracks Bonnano with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Bonnano from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnano is trying to break free.
Bonnano turns into Sergeant and is now in his guard.
Sergeant tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sergeant has Bonnano pulled in close to control his posture.

Bonnano drops back looking for a leg! Sergeant is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sergeant manages to kick Bonnano off! Bonnano jumps back into Sergeant's guard.
Sergeant is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bonnano slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Sergeant's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sergeant holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonnano is trying to move to mount but Sergeant reverses beautifully and ends up in Bonnano's guard.
Bonnano working a defensive guard here.
Sergeant is looking to work some ground and pound but Bonnano has wrist control.
Sergeant advances position into side control!

Sergeant thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sergeant scoring with punches from side control.

Sergeant wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bonnano, who protects the arm well.
Bonnano gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Sergeant dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sergeant throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bonnano's waist but Bonnano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sergeant off to one side.
A lazy left from Sergeant finds it's target.
Bonnano has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bonnano leaves Sergeant with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sergeant with a hook.
Sergeant shoots in but Bonnano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ralph Bonnano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Sergeant.
Bonnano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sergeant.

Sergeant shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bonnano is trying to control but can't.
Bonnano tries to get to full guard but Sergeant has control of the leg.
Sergeant is thwarting Bonnano's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sergeant prevents Bonnano from improving his position.
Sergeant trying to pass the guard but Bonnano defending well.
Bonnano is trying to maintain the position but Sergeant is very close to passing his half guard.
Still in half guard, Sergeant seems content to control.
Bonnano manages to get to full guard.
Sergeant engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sergeant trying to control but Bonnano is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sergeant drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bonnano manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sergeant has Bonnano in his guard.

Bonnano trying to control but Sergeant is working from the bottom.
Bonnano looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sergeant can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sergeant tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sergeant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bonnano trying to control the position from guard on top but Sergeant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sergeant is looking to stand up but Bonnano isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonnano trying to control but Sergeant is working from the bottom.

Sergeant looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sergeant wants to stand but Bonnano is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sergeant drives through with a takedown into guard.

Bonnano has his foot on Sergeant's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sergeant works his way back into a safe position though.

Bonnano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sergeant doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sergeant manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bonnano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sergeant trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sergeant cracks Bonnano with a solid left hand.
Sergeant is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bonnano looking to control.
Bonnano wants to control the position but Sergeant says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Sergeant is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bonnano is just riding it out for now. Sergeant eventually gives up the hold.
Bonnano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bonnano.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sergeant postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Sergeant showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sergeant shoots in and bounces Bonnano off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sergeant slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Dan Sergeant has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bonnano wants to get back to his feet but Sergeant is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sergeant trying to control the position from guard on top but Bonnano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sergeant throwing strikes from guard but Bonnano blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sergeant trying to control but Bonnano is working from the bottom.

Bonnano looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sergeant missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sergeant is pushing down on Bonnano's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bonnano is fighting to maintain full guard but Sergeant has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sergeant is trying to control. Bonnano wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sergeant missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sergeant trying to control the action but Bonnano is working from the bottom.
Sergeant lands strikes from half guard.

Sergeant seems to be working for a kimura but Bonnano defends the submission attempt.
Bonnano on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bonnano wants to control but Sergeant is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sergeant looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bonnano is refusing to be controlled, as Sergeant sits in half guard.
Sergeant scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bonnano is looking for a sweep. Sergeant is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sergeant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sergeant thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bonnano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sergeant engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bonnano keeping moving, preventing Sergeant from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sergeant landing with the ground and pound.
Bonnano keeping full guard, as Sergeant tries to pass.
Sergeant postures up in Bonnano's guard and throws a big left but Bonnano blocks it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Sergeant scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bonnano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bonnano.
Sergeant trying to control the position from guard on top but Bonnano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sergeant wants to pass the guard but Bonnano is keeping the position.
Sergeant wants to control from the top but Bonnano keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sergeant is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sergeant must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sergeant pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bonnano is keeping the position for now.
Sergeant wants to control from the top but Bonnano keeps moving.
Bonnano wants to sweep here but Sergeant controlling him for the moment.

Sergeant is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bonnano is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bonnano has escaped and now he's on top!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bonnano wants to control from the top but Sergeant keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Sergeant comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sergeant has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Sergeant!