PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between William Strandberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Florencio Bernardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Bernardo's choice of entrance music: Why can't we be friends. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Strandberg
vs
Bernardo

175 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, William Strandberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Florencio Bernardo!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Strandberg shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bernardo's guard.

Bernardo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bernardo has his foot on Strandberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Strandberg works his way back into a safe position though.
Bernardo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bernardo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Strandberg defends well.
Strandberg is looking to work some ground and pound but Bernardo has wrist control.

Bernardo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strandberg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strandberg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strandberg wanted to stand there but Bernardo had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strandberg wants to control from the top but Bernardo keeps moving.
Strandberg has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bernardo is on top in guard.
Bernardo passes into half guard.
Bernardo uses his free foot to push down on Strandberg's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Strandberg.

Bernardo working for a submission but Strandberg is keeping him at bay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bernardo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Strandberg has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Strandberg!
Strandberg looking to pass the guard.
Strandberg trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bernardo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Bernardo passes Strandberg's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bernardo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Strandberg has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bernardo passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bernardo postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Strandberg looks a forlorn figure.
Bernardo tries to control but Strandberg wriggling away.

Bernardo looking for a guillotine from mount but Strandberg is having none of it.

Bernardo is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Strandberg is surviving well by controlling Bernardo's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Bernardo connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bernardo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bernardo working for a submission but Strandberg is keeping him at bay.

Bernardo is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Strandberg is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Florencio Bernardo!
A very excited looking Florencio Bernardo rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.