PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Pain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slobo Berganovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pain
vs
Berganovic

176 cm
29
170 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Pain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Slobo Berganovic!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berganovic scores with a nice right hand.

Berganovic feints and as Pain raises his hands in defense, Berganovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Berganovic decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pain, up you get!
The fighters circle momentarily. Berganovic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Berganovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pain tries to clinch up but Berganovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Pain dives in and grabs Berganovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Berganovic pushes down on Pain's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Pain as Berganovic shoots in.
Pain tries to move into range but Berganovic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Berganovic scores with a jab. Pain acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Slobo Berganovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A punch combination from Berganovic misses.
Pain shoots in but Berganovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Berganovic lands with a right hand.
Berganovic throws a nice looking combination but Pain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pain gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Berganovic.
Berganovic scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pain fails with the takedown
and Berganovic counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Pain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berganovic connects with a single shot there.

Berganovic closes the distance and clinches.

Berganovic breaks the clinch.
Good leg kick by Berganovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Berganovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Pain.
Pain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pain will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Berganovic moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Berganovic scores with a takedown into Pain's guard.
Berganovic wanted to stand there but Pain had control of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berganovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Berganovic is looking to stand up but Pain won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berganovic stands and steps away. Pain gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Berganovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pain takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Berganovic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Pain gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berganovic wants to stand but Pain is controlling his posture from full guard.
Berganovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Pain has wrist control.
Pain has a closed guard, preventing Berganovic from standing up.
Berganovic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berganovic won't allow Pain to sweep him here.
Pain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic wants to control from the top but Pain keeps moving.
Berganovic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Pain wants to sweep here but Berganovic controlling him for the moment.
Pain is working hard here to advance position.
Berganovic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Pain is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Berganovic wants to stand but Pain has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pain is trying to control the position but Berganovic postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Berganovic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Berganovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Pain tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pain is trying hard to land a takedown here. Berganovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Berganovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Berganovic clinches with his opponent.

Berganovic manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berganovic fakes the leg kick and cracks Pain in the body.
Pain shoots in but Berganovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Berganovic shoots in looking for a takedown but Pain manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Berganovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Berganovic is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Pain had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Berganovic misses with a takedown attempt - Pain sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A left and a right from Berganovic both land. Nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slobo Berganovic dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Berganovic closes the distance and clinches.

Berganovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Berganovic lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Berganovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pain changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Berganovic tries to avoid it but Pain manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Berganovic to the ground. Berganovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Berganovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Pain.

Berganovic moves into range and clinches up with Pain.

Berganovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Berganovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Pain enables Berganovic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Pain manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Pain is pulling down on Berganovic's head to control his posture.
Berganovic wants to stand but Pain has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Berganovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Pain has wrist control.

Berganovic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pain is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Berganovic, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pain looking to pass the guard.
Pain trying to control but Berganovic is working from the bottom.

Berganovic throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Pain escapes and throws Berganovic's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Berganovic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pain's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berganovic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Berganovic defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic tries to kick Pain off but Pain keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pain lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Berganovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pain prevents Berganovic from standing back up.
Berganovic won't allow Pain to pass to mount.
Berganovic wants to improve his position but Pain is controlling well.
Berganovic is staying active underneath Pain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pain working the head and body with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berganovic is trying to stand up here but Pain is controlling him well.
Berganovic is staying active underneath Pain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Berganovic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pain scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Berganovic defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pain tries to pass to full mount but Berganovic defends it.
Berganovic is trying to stand back up but Pain is controlling him
Berganovic tries to get to full guard but Pain has control of the leg.
Pain moves into full mount! Berganovic won't be happy about that!
Pain scoring with strikes but Berganovic is staying in there.
Berganovic wants to control but Pain is having none of it.
BOOM! Pain connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Pain working Berganovic over with strikes here.
Pain lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Berganovic is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pain cracks Berganovic with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Berganovic is working to get back to half guard.
Berganovic is bucking up trying to escape but Pain cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Berganovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Pain with shots to the head and body - Berganovic looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pain scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Berganovic?
Berganovic bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Pain has a closed guard, preventing Berganovic from standing up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pain bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berganovic's guard.
Pain trying to control but Berganovic is working from the bottom.

Berganovic uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Pain dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Berganovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Berganovic takes the fight into the clinch.

Berganovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Pain is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Berganovic's half guard.
Berganovic is looking to escape.
Berganovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pain.
Pain stops Berganovic from getting back to his feet.
Berganovic pushes Pain off but Pain dives into side control.
Pain scores with punches from side control.
Berganovic gets back to half guard.
Berganovic is staying active underneath Pain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pain stops Berganovic from getting back to his feet.
Pain works his way into side control.
Berganovic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Berganovic pushes Pain away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Pain gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Pain looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Berganovic is avoiding damage well.
Berganovic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pain lands a few punches from side control.
Berganovic is looking for a sweep.
The ground and pound from Pain seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Berganovic is not content to let Pain control the position.
Pain landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic tries to buck Pain off but Pain is having none of it.
James Pain overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berganovic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Pain is controlling him well.
Berganovic wants to control but Pain postures up.
Berganovic gets back to half guard.
Pain thows a huge punch but Berganovic dodges it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pain stops Berganovic from getting back to his feet.
Berganovic is trying to control but can't.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pain is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pain passes to full mount!
Pain lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pain prevents Berganovic from getting the reversal.
Berganovic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pain with good strikes from the mount here!
Pain lands a big shot there that rocks Berganovic but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Pain with shots to the head and body - Berganovic looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pain with the ground and pound from mount.
Berganovic wants to control but Pain is having none of it.
Pain scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Pain lands with some strikes.
Pain scoring with strikes but Berganovic is staying in there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pain is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Berganovic can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Berganovic is trying desperately to improve position.
Pain takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berganovic tries to lock up and control but Pain gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Pain tries to control but Berganovic wriggling away.
Pain has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Berganovic's face.
Berganovic manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Pain tries to pass to full mount but Berganovic defends it.
Berganovic wants to control but Pain is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pain controlling the action here.
Berganovic is trying to stand up here but Pain is controlling him well.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Pain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pain 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Pain!
James Pain very nearly forgot to thank KAISER amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.