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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Berzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Berzins kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Takedown - Blue Stahli. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 167 cm
26
218 lbs
8 - 2 - 0 |
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195 cm
20
205 lbs
5 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong |
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Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michael Berzins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lionel Santos!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Berzins.
Berzins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Santos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Berzins somewhat.
Berzins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Berzins tries to keep at a distance but Santos has taken the fight into the clinch.
Berzins has picked Santos up - he's going for a ride! Berzins dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half 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.
Berzins is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Berzins is trying to work for a kimura but Santos is defending well.
Santos is trying to stand back up but Berzins is controlling him
That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Berzins performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Santos looks like he's trying to stand up.
Santos is defending against the submission attempts here by Berzins.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins is keen to just control but Santos is a slippery customer.
Berzins is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Santos is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Santos told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Berzins is working for a kimura but Santos is defending it quite comfortably.
Berzins is looking for a kimura but Santos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Berzins to get the leverage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berzins seems to be working for a kimura but Santos defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Berzins in particular looking to stall.
Berzins looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Berzins trying to control the action but Santos is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins is pressing down on Santos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Santos is holding on for now.
Berzins passes the guard and advances to mount!
Berzins can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Santos is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Berzins dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Santos stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Berzins scores with a takedown into Santos's guard.
Berzins trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Berzins throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Santos won't allow Berzins to sweep him here.
Berzins is working hard here to advance position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins controlling Santos's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santos stands up from Berzins's guard - Santos perhaps looking for a knockout.
Santos lands with a shot to the body.
Berzins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Berzins walks into a straight right hand from Santos.
Santos connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Berzins shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Santos counters with a straight right hand.
Berzins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Donk. Santos catches Berzins right on the button with a cross.
Santos lands a nice shot to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berzins misses with a takedown attempt - Santos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Berzins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Berzins throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Santos tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Berzins is in Santos's guard.
Berzins trying to control but Santos is working from the bottom.
Berzins might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Berzins sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've been hearing good reports from Berzins'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.
Santos wants to stand up but Berzins is controlling him.
Berzins looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Michael Berzins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Berzins tries to free his leg and advance position but Santos is retaining full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berzins looking to sit in guard and control but Santos gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Santos wants to stand but Berzins has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Santos decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos rushes Berzins and presses him up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Santos - that landed with a thud.
Santos gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Berzins.
Santos is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Berzins drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Berzins jumps guard but Santos stands there with Berzins around his waist. Berzins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Berzins tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Santos smiles and moves away.
Santos takes a swing at Berzins's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Lionel Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Berzins takes one to the chin there.
Santos punishes Berzins's body with a nice straight punch.
Berzins bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Santos is trying to get back to his feet.
Berzins remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Berzins is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Santos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Berzins is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Santos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Berzins throws an elbow but Santos slips to the side and avoids it well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins tries for a kimura but Santos is defending well.
Santos throws Berzins to one side and escapes!
Santos misses with a wild body shot.
Santos misses the shot to the body.
Nice shot by Santos.
Berzins shoots in for a takedown but Santos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos darts in and clinches Berzins up against the cage.
Santos has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Berzins drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Santos lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Berzins.
Santos stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Santos just leaning against Berzins, taking a breather.
Good body shot from Santos.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santos breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Berzins closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Santos to the mat! Santos manages to get full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Santos can do anything to dispel that myth.
Berzins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Berzins drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Santos dives on top into guard.
Berzins is working an open guard so Santos takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Michael Berzins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Berzins or perhaps it was just good defense by Santos which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Berzins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lionel Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Santos instigates a clinch.
Santos tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Berzins's elbow.
Santos lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Berzins.
Santos tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Berzins's elbow.
Berzins tries for a takedown but Santos manages to get underhooks.
Santos tries to work over Berzins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Berzins has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Santos avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Berzins tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Berzins fails to pull guard.
Berzins tries to pull guard but Santos holds him up against the cage and eventually Berzins drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berzins is trying to pull guard but Santos turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Santos fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Berzins fails with the takedown
and Santos counters with a stiff right hand.
Santos lands a nice shot that snaps Berzins's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santos clinches up with Berzins and pushes him back against the cage.
Santos stalls.
Berzins jumps guard but Santos stands there with Berzins around his waist. Berzins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Santos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Santos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body punch from Santos.
Berzins takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that's the end of the fight!
Lionel Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Santos has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lionel Santos!
In defeat, Michael Berzins stepped up to the mic, saying 'I tore my ACL last week I will be back stronger than ever'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
56% |
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