PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antony Bernard (ranked 7087 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Zirkovic (ranked 6401 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bernard
vs
Zirkovic

222 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antony Bernard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andre Zirkovic!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zirkovic drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Zirkovic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bernard rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zirkovic's guard! Nice work there by Bernard!
Bernard being controlled here momentarily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zirkovic can do anything to dispel that myth.

Bernard postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zirkovic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bernard, into his guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zirkovic trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bernard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bernard is controlling him.
Zirkovic seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zirkovic wants to stand up but Bernard is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zirkovic looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zirkovic's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bernard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zirkovic is looking to stand up but Bernard isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zirkovic pulls Bernard in to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bernard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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.
Zirkovic misses with a low kick.

Bernard gets caught napping as Zirkovic dives in and scores a takedown. Bernard manages to retain guard.
Zirkovic sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Zirkovic has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bernard is proving hard to escape from.
Zirkovic wants to control from the top but Bernard keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zirkovic 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.
Zirkovic works over Bernard with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Zirkovic 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.

Zirkovic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bernard pushes Zirkovic off but Zirkovic dives into side control.
Andre Zirkovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zirkovic advances to mount.
Bernard working to try and regain half guard.
Zirkovic forces the positional change into back control.

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

Zirkovic tightening his grip on Bernard, looking for the choke.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
I would not like to be Bernard right now.
Zirkovic landing with strikes.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Bernard preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Zirkovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zirkovic looking to break Bernard's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Bernard remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zirkovic will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Zirkovic has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Zirkovic has got one arm under Bernard's chin. This could be trouble... Bernard trying to control the other hand but Zirkovic gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Bernard has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Andre Zirkovic!