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Stepping Stone 79 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Tokyo, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 9 losses; Silas T Berry! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Los Angeles, with a TWGC record of 13 wins and 9 losses; Damian Drago!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.
The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.
Drago shoots in looking for a takedown. Berry tries to sprawl out of it but Drago keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Berry manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Drago tries to get set, Berry tries to push him back and clinch up but Drago manages to avoid the attempt.
Berry drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Berry (4) vs (0) Drago
Drago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Berry wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A lull in the action here as Berry stalls from top position.
Drago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Berry wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berry wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Drago, who protects the arm well.
Berry is looking to take a break and control but Drago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drago is looking to regain half guard here but Berry keeps moving and retains side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago keeps trying to improve his position.
Berry is looking to take a break and control but Drago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drago is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berry is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Drago felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Drago tries to get to full guard but Berry has control of the leg.
We've been hearing good reports from Berry's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berry passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Drago! Score +3 for passing guard: Berry (7) vs (0) Drago
Drago stops Berry from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done! Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Berry (7) vs (2) Drago
Drago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Berry keeping full guard, as Drago tries to pass.
Drago is still trying to improve position.
Berry looking to control.
Berry lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Berry (9) vs (2) Drago
Berry trying to control the position from guard on top but Drago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Drago is looking for a triangle but Berry pushes his legs off easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago throws his legs up looking for a submission but Berry uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Berry (12) vs (2) Drago
Drago tries to bench press Berry off him but Berry keeps the position.
Berry working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Drago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Berry wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Drago being controlled for a moment.
Berry wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Drago, who protects the arm well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berry wants to control but Drago is keeping him busy.
Drago tries to bench press Berry off him but Berry keeps the position.
Berry wants to control but Drago is keeping him busy.
Drago is looking for a sweep.
Berry working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Drago is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Drago is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Drago is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Berry off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Berry (12) vs (6) Drago
Drago is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Berry knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Berry for a finish.
Berry manages to reverse the position and now he's in Drago's guard. Nice work there by Berry.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Berry (14) vs (6) Drago
Berry 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.
Berry trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.
Drago has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Berry can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Berry has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Drago is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Berry defends well.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Drago working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Berry doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Drago is tightening it up a little... Berry has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Berry reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Berry taps out! Nice BJJ there by Drago!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Damian Drago!
Damian Drago managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Nutritional Shaved Ice, into his post fight interview. |
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