PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rob Bernard (ranked 417 p4p, 1004 weight class) and Ralph Hall (ranked 64 p4p, 152 weight class). Hall comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pinball Wizard kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rob Bernard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bernard
vs
Hall

180 cm
23
170
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
180
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Conquer

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rob Bernard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ralph Hall!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bernard leaves Hall with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bernard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bernard works the jab nicely.

Bernard has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hall pulls Bernard into guard.
Bernard is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Gotham City Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Hall escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bernard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bernard is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hall has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bernard has passed into side control.
Hall is looking to regain half guard here but Bernard keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall looks to move to half guard but instead Bernard has passed into mount! Damn!
Hall is trying desperately to improve position.
Bernard controlling the pace for now.
Hall is looking to get to half guard.
Hall regains half guard.
Hall tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Bernard has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Hall tries to reverse the position but Bernard maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall tries to lock up and control but Bernard gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hall gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hall wants to improve his position but Bernard is controlling well.
Hall is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hall wants to get back to full guard but Bernard has mounted him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall is trying to escape the mount.
Hall is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bernard controlling the pace for now.
Hall is working to get back to half guard.
Hall slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernard stalling.
Hall is trying to get back to full guard.

Hall looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hall trying to control from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Bernard dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bernard throws a hook but Hall avoids it easily.
Hall closes the distance and clinches up with Bernard, looking for a takedown. Hall pushes Bernard against the cage but Bernard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Ralph Hall has been cut.
Bernard lands a right hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Bernard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bernard connects with a jab.
Bernard misses with an uppercut. Hall saw that one coming.
Ralph Hall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hall takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hall has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Hall shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hall was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hall is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bernard has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hall looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall has knee on belly momentarily but Bernard bucks him off and regains half guard.

Hall is looking for a kimura here.

Hall seems to be working for a kimura but Bernard defends the submission attempt.

Hall wants to work for an arm triangle but Bernard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two 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.
Hall content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Hall is looking for a kimura but Bernard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hall to get the leverage.
Hall wants to control but Bernard is keeping him busy.

Hall is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hall wants to pass the guard but Bernard is defending well.
Hall wants to control but Bernard is keeping him busy.

Hall wants to work for an arm triangle but Bernard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bernard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hall can do to turn this around?
Bernard is in trouble now - Hall has advanced to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hall goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bernard is on top in guard.

Hall is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hall wants to sweep here but Bernard controlling him for the moment.

Hall is looking for a triangle here but Bernard uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
You can see the frustration on Hall's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking to reverse the position.
Bernard moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Hall is trying to control Bernard's posture but Bernard avoids it.
The referee asks Bernard politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Bernard prefers to stall for the moment though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hall wants to control but Bernard postures up.
Hall is looking to regain half guard here but Bernard keeps moving and retains side control.
Bernard working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Bernard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ralph Hall's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bernard lands a nice shot to the body.
Hall changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bernard tries to avoid it but Hall manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bernard to the ground. Bernard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hall shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bernard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hall shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bernard but Bernard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bernard throwing a counter right hand but Hall manages to avoid it.
Rob Bernard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralph Hall.

Hall shoots in and gets a takedown into Bernard's guard.
Bernard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Hall is looking for a triangle but Bernard pushes his legs off easily.
Hall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall wants to sweep but no luck.
Bernard stays in close to Hall's body and controls the position.
Hall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Hall has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Bernard is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hall.
Hall is looking for a sweep.
Hall is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bernard's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Hall is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bernard pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hall is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bernard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bernard's back!
Bernard tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Hall jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Bernard is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Bernard and Hall has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Hall is trying to get an arm triangle but Bernard is defending well.

Hall tries for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall has knee on belly momentarily but Bernard bucks him off and regains half guard.

Hall is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bernard sees it coming and defends easily.
Bernard is looking for a sweep. Hall is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hall trying to control the action but Bernard is working from the bottom.

Hall is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bernard wants to get back to full guard.

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

Hall is looking for a kimura here.

Hall is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bernard is refusing to be controlled, as Hall sits in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bernard is concentrating on defense, preventing Hall from advancing position.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rob Bernard did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Ralph Hall's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bernard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hall.

Hall scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hall wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bernard keeps working.

Hall is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bernard sees it coming and defends easily.
Hall is trying to control the action in half guard but Bernard is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bernard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hall sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall is pressing down on Bernard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bernard is holding on for now.
Bernard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Hall is trying to work for a kimura but Bernard is defending well.
Bernard tries to get to full guard but Hall has control of the leg.

Hall is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bernard doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hall.

That's two 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.
Hall is stalling here. Bernard is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hall seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Bernard has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Hall is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Bernard is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Bernard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hall is desperately trying to improve his position but Bernard has a good base and remains in mount.
Hall tries to lock up and control but Bernard gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bernard controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hall is desperately trying to improve his position but Bernard has a good base and remains in mount.
Hall is still trying to improve position.
Hall wants to hold on but Bernard pushes him away.
Hall really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hall manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Bernard slows the pace down in half guard.
Hall trying to control but Bernard postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Bernard had his way with Ralph Hall in that round.
The cut man is working on Ralph Hall's cut.
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!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hall is defended easily by Bernard.
An attempted straight right counter from Bernard misses the target.
Hall with a poor takedown
and Bernard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bernard is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hall darts in looking for a takedown but Bernard gets double underhooks and turns Hall into the cage.
Rob Bernard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralph Hall.
Bernard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hall. Hall circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big left from Bernard misses.
Bernard moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nice takedown defense from Bernard. No joy for Hall on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hall on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bernard misses with a body shot.
Hall with a poor takedown
and Bernard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hall is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bernard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rob Bernard is winning the standup battle so far.
Hall on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hall has a takedown stuffed.
Bernard tests Hall's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bernard looks to score with a jab to the body but Hall is just out of range.
A jab lands there for Bernard.

Hall is rocked!
Bernard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hall is still on wobbly legs! Can Bernard finish him?
Hall walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hall is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hall with a poor takedown
and Bernard counters with a crisp right that sends Hall to the canvas! Bernard follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:06 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rob Bernard!
Rob Bernard retains his welterweight title!
A less than humble Rob Bernard misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.