PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hakeem Berzevaco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Persson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Berzevaco
vs
Persson

178 cm
18
182 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
183 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hakeem Berzevaco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Max Persson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Berzevaco shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Persson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Berzevaco is working away from the top position though.

Persson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berzevaco pulls his head out easily.

Berzevaco is working for a kimura but Persson is defending it quite comfortably.
Berzevaco with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Berzevaco prevents Persson from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzevaco throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Persson is doing well to control the position and prevent Berzevaco from advancing to side control.

Berzevaco seems to be looking for submissions.
Berzevaco takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Berzevaco wants to pass the guard but Persson is defending well.
Persson is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Persson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Persson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Berzevaco struggling a bit here.
Persson is looking to take a break and control but Berzevaco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Persson taking a breather here.
You can see the frustration on Berzevaco's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Persson working the ground and pound from side control.
Persson wants to control but Berzevaco is keeping him busy.
Persson taking a breather here.
Let's hope that Persson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ground and pound from Persson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Berzevaco is not content to let Persson control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Persson working away.
Persson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Berzevaco tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Persson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Berzevaco can't do much from the bottom here.
Berzevaco is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Persson off and has taken his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Persson is keeping busy.

Berzevaco looking to break Persson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Persson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Berzevaco will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Max Persson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Berzevaco tries to close the distance and clinch up but Persson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Berzevaco moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Persson misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Berzevaco throws a series of punches but Persson moves out of range.
Persson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Persson misses with a takedown

and Berzevaco counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Berzevaco.
Berzevaco with a flurry of punches that miss.
Persson looking for a sweep. Not yet Persson, not yet.
Berzevaco won't allow Persson to get back to his feet.
Berzevaco showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Persson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Persson is looking to sweep but instead, Berzevaco has passed into half guard.
Berzevaco wants to lay and pray for a moment but Persson keeps working.
Persson moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Berzevaco distracts Persson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Persson is looking for a triangle but Berzevaco pushes his legs off easily.
Persson is pulling down on Berzevaco's head. It's preventing any offense from Berzevaco, at least for the moment.

Berzevaco got a little sloppy there for a moment and Persson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Berzevaco has managed to get both his arms back between Persson's legs - danger averted.
Berzevaco postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berzevaco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Berzevaco drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Berzevaco jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Persson trying to keep a closed guard but Berzevaco is proving a slippery customer.
Persson looking to control but Berzevaco passes into half guard.
Persson is not content to let Berzevaco control the position.

That's four 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Persson doesn't manage to clinch there - Berzevaco circles away.
Berzevaco gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Persson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Persson.

Berzevaco gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Persson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Persson keeping moving, preventing Berzevaco from controlling successfully.
Berzevaco postures up.

Persson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakeem Berzevaco dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Berzevaco misses with a double jab.
Hakeem Berzevaco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berzevaco throws a combination that misses

and Persson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Persson trying to control but Berzevaco is working from the bottom.
Berzevaco is trying to control the position but Persson postures up.
Persson passes into half guard.
Persson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Berzevaco controls his leg.
Persson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzevaco wants to control but Persson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Berzevaco is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Berzevaco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Persson moves nicely into side control.

Persson stands up and beckons Berzevaco to his feet.
Persson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Persson tries to clinch up.
Persson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Berzevaco counters with a right hand to the body.
Berzevaco throws a leg kick which misses Persson's front leg but catches the back leg as Persson tries to avoid it.
Berzevaco throws a series of punches but Persson avoids them all with ease.
Persson tries to clinch up.
Persson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Berzevaco counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Berzevaco stands and throws Persson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Persson is not content to let Berzevaco control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Persson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Berzevaco's leg. Oh but that's left an opportunity for Berzevaco! He's got an arm triangle... it looks tight! He's rotating and Persson has tapped! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:12 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Hakeem Berzevaco!