PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Bernando (ranked 23953 p4p, 3885 weight class) and Chad Lincoln (ranked 130 p4p, 140 weight class). Bernando's entrance music is Frank Kirklin: Stomp. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bernando
vs
Lincoln

193 cm
20
242
0 - 3 - 0

198 cm
26
266
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Bernando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chad Lincoln !
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lincoln closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Bernando bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Lincoln gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bernando lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bernando misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bernando working hard to break the clinch.
Lincoln keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernando's efforts to push away.
Bernando wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bernando doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lincoln is trying to push Bernando away but Bernando has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Lincoln goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lincoln fails to pull guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bernando is trying to break the clinch but Lincoln is controlling him.
Bernando is trying to push Lincoln away but Lincoln has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Bernando's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernando misses with a head kick.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
Lincoln blocks a head kick by Bernando.
Lincoln throws a sloppy head kick and Bernando moves out of range easily.
Bernando misses with a wild combination.
Lincoln is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bernando as he jumps to the side.
Bernando seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Mike Bernando has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Lincoln .
Bernando misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lincoln fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bernando avoids it really well and circles away.
Lincoln moves out of range of the body kick.
Bernando misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernando throws a nice head kick!
A punch combination from Bernando misses.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bernando sprawls well. Bernando wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lincoln gets slowly back to his feet.
Bernando throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bernando tries to bum rush Lincoln with a series of wild strikes but Lincoln uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bernando slaps away a takedown attempt from Lincoln , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bernando throws a series of punches but Lincoln avoids them all with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bernando swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Lincoln counter with a right hand.

It looks like Mike Bernando has been cut.

Lincoln shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Lincoln is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bernando defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernando pushes Lincoln off looking to stand but Lincoln dives back in and keeps control.
Lincoln tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bernando knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lincoln scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lincoln not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lincoln throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bernando pushes Lincoln off looking to stand but Lincoln dives back in and keeps control.
Lincoln wants to pass to mount but Bernando is defending the position.

That's four 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.
Bernando looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lincoln is taking a breather. Bernando says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lincoln stops Bernando from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lincoln fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bernando misses with a head kick.
Lincoln takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lincoln shoots for a takedown but Bernando saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lincoln dodges the punch combination from Bernando.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Bernando dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Bernando's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bernando throws a series of punches but Lincoln moves out of range.
A left and a right from Bernando both land. Nice combination.

Lincoln closes the distance and pushes Bernando back into the cage.
Lincoln can't get the takedown.

Lincoln manages to pull guard.
Lincoln 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.

Lincoln throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bernando trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lincoln 's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lincoln trying to control the position.
Bernando trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lincoln 's guard.
Bernando is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lincoln can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincoln throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Lincoln wants to sweep here but Bernando controlling him for the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Bernando gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown but Bernando shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bernando throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lincoln .
Lincoln dodges the punch combination from Bernando.
Bernando tries a head kick but it misses.
A punch combination from Bernando misses.
Lincoln tries to counter with a clinch but Bernando shakes him off and moves away.
Bernando throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Lincoln to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln doesn't manage to clinch there - Bernando circles away.
Lincoln fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mike Bernando seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lincoln shoots for a double leg takedown but Bernando sprawls well. He's pushed Lincoln 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mike Bernando has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Lincoln .
Bernando misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lincoln avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bernando slaps away a takedown attempt from Lincoln , before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Bernando.
Lincoln is looking for the big counter here.
Bernando falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lincoln cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lincoln fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bernando avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernando swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lincoln makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lincoln shoots in but no luck this time.
As Lincoln looks to move away, Bernando throws a big counter combo but Lincoln just gets out of the way.
Lincoln blocks a leg kick.
Mike Bernando is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lincoln looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lincoln pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bernando is out of range and Lincoln settles back down.
Bernando misses with a wild combination.
Bernando throws a sloppy head kick and Lincoln moves out of range easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bernando enables Lincoln to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bernando manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Bernando has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Lincoln has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Bernando wants to break free but Lincoln has control.

Lincoln breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernando fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bernando throws a head kick that misses.
Lincoln darts in looking for a takedown but Bernando gets double underhooks and turns Lincoln into the cage.
A head kick by Bernando misses

and Lincoln counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lincoln .
Lincoln jumps guard but Bernando stands there with Lincoln around his waist. Lincoln gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bernando misses with a body punch.
Bernando wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bernando tries to break the clinch but Lincoln is controlling the position.
Bernando tries to break the clinch but Lincoln is controlling the position.

Lincoln has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Bernando regains guard immediately.
Lincoln passes into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Bernando dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mike Bernando's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bernando throws a sloppy head kick and Lincoln moves out of range easily.
Bernando checks a leg kick nicely.
Bernando fails to land with a series of punches.
Lincoln tries to clinch but Bernando moves out of range.

Lincoln clinches up with Bernando and pushes him back against the cage.
Lincoln jumps guard but Bernando stands there with Lincoln around his waist. Lincoln gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Bernando's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bernando throws a head kick but Lincoln moves out of range.
Lincoln steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Bernando.
Lincoln throws a head kick but Bernando moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernando looks to land a combination but Lincoln avoids it well.
Bernando throws a series of punches but Lincoln moves out of range.
Bernando tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lincoln rushes Bernando and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Bernando's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mike Bernando is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernando throws a head kick but Lincoln moves out of range.
Bernando tries a head kick but it misses.
Lincoln is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Oooooh!!! Lincoln has knocked Bernando down with a huge combo! Lincoln steps away and waves a wobbly Bernando back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Lincoln darts in looking for a takedown but Bernando gets double underhooks and turns Lincoln into the cage.
Bernando will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Lincoln closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lincoln lands in his opponent's guard.
Bernando is wriggling around but Lincoln manages to pass to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lincoln is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lincoln seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Bernando has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Lincoln is on him like a limpet, forcing Bernando back against the cage.
Lincoln keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bernando's efforts to push away.
Lincoln tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mike Bernando has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Lincoln .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernando has had enough of the clinch but Lincoln keeps him there for the moment.

Bernando manages to break the clinch.

Bernando tries to keep at a distance but Lincoln has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lincoln jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bernando walks away with a smile on his face. Lincoln gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bernando misses with a series of wild punches.
Lincoln is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Bernando swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Lincoln closes the distance and clinches.
Lincoln has Bernando pressed against the cage, preventing Bernando from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lincoln lands with a left to the head.

Lincoln pulls guard.
Lincoln striking off his back but it's not causing Bernando any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernando wants to get up but he can't break Lincoln 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Bernando gets to his feet - Lincoln follows without any prompting.
Lincoln throws a low kick but Bernando avoids it.

Lincoln clinches up with Bernando and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Lincoln .
Bernando misses with a punch to the body.
Lincoln displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bernando up against the cage.
Bernando wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lincoln has him pressed against the cage.
Bernando wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lincoln has him pressed against the cage.
Bernando tries to break the clinch but Lincoln is controlling the position.
Chad Lincoln has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Bernando is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bernando escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chad Lincoln .
I think Bernando has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Bernando!