PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tod Bernard (ranked 5213 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Rogers (ranked 5955 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bernard
vs
Rogers

204 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tod Bernard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Peter Rogers!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rogers closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rogers lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rogers postures up.
Rogers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bernard is keeping the position for now.
Bernard controlling Rogers's posture.
Bernard is trying to keep Rogers in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rogers stays in close to Bernard's body and controls the position.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rogers looking to pass the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bernard tries to clinch up but Rogers circles away and keeps his distance.
Bernard moves out of range of the body kick from Rogers.

Rogers closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Bernard looking for submissions off his back.
Rogers 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.
Bernard wants to control but Rogers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bernard is controlling Rogers's trapped leg to prevent Rogers from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers trying to control the action but Bernard is working from the bottom.

Rogers is looking for a kimura but Bernard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rogers to get the leverage.
Bernard trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Bernard tries to buck Rogers off but Rogers takes his back!

Rogers is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Rogers looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers not allowing Bernard to control his hands.
Bernard is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Rogers's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Bernard tries to roll but Rogers sticks to his back.

That's four 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.
Bernard tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Bernard tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rogers working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bernard is squirming around, avoiding Rogers's attempts to control the action.
Rogers forces the positional change into back control.
Bernard trying to control the hands but Rogers won't let him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rogers patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Rogers dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rogers throws a solid leg kick but Bernard takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rogers.
Rogers digs a good hook to Bernard's body.
Rogers has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Rogers tries to land a front kick but Bernard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bernard tries to clinch there but Rogers circles away.

Bernard is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rogers's half guard.

Rogers is defending against the submission attempts here by Bernard.
Bernard not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rogers regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bernard.
Bernard wants to control from the top but Rogers keeps moving.
Bernard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bernard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rogers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bernard.
Bernard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bernard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rogers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bernard staying out of range there.

Rogers looking to score a takedown here. Bernard is defending well but Rogers drives through and ends up in Bernard's guard.
Rogers is standing up over Bernard. Bernard looks to escape but Rogers dives into side control.
Rogers is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bernard wants to control but Rogers postures up.

Rogers looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bernard is trying to get back to half guard.
Bernard is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rogers is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bernard is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bernard regains half guard.

Rogers wants to work for an arm triangle but Bernard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bernard controlling the position for now.
Bernard trying to control here.
Bernard is looking to get back to full guard here but Rogers has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernard struggling a bit here.
Bernard is trying to get back to half guard.
Bernard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rogers on the ground.
Bernard is trying to control Rogers's posture but Rogers avoids it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Rogers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bernard gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rogers wants to pass the guard but Bernard is keeping the position.
Rogers advances to half guard.
Rogers looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernard has his hands clasped together around Rogers's back. He's all about the action.
Bernard trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernard is in trouble now - Rogers has advanced to mount!
Rogers seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Bernard is holding on tight.
Bernard is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Rogers goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bernard is on top in guard.
Rogers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rogers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bernard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernard throwing strikes from guard but Rogers blocks nicely.
Bernard throws an elbow that misses. Rogers uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bernard's guard. Nice move by Rogers!

Bernard managing to control the position.
Rogers trying to control but Bernard is working from the bottom.
Bernard seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers passes into half guard.
Bernard wants to get back to his feet.
Rogers trying to pass the guard but Bernard defending well.
Bernard trying to hold on to Rogers's head to control him but Rogers postures up.
Rogers uses his free foot to push down on Bernard's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bernard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bernard has given up his back here.

Rogers looking for the RNC.

Rogers is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Bernard is defending well though. Rogers let's go of the attempt for now.
Bernard trying to control but not successfully.
Tod Bernard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Peter Rogers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Peter Rogers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rogers 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Rogers!