PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Berzins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Honza Kucera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Honza Kucera told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Berzins
vs
Kucera

170 cm
27
145 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

157 cm
20
144 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andrew Berzins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Honza Kucera!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kucera checks a low kick from Berzins.
Kucera fails with the takedown.
Berzins defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kucera.
Kucera shoots in for a double leg but Berzins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Andrew Berzins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Honza Kucera.
Kucera blocks a head kick by Berzins.
Kucera fails with a takedown attempt.
Kucera checks a leg kick nicely.
Berzins tries a head kick but it misses.
Kucera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Berzins manages to avoid it.
Berzins misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kucera shoots in for a takedown but Berzins shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins delivers a nice body kick.
Berzins pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Berzins moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Andrew Berzins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kucera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kucera throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Berzins.
Berzins seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Berzins, right into the meat.
Berzins wants to clinch.
Berzins connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Andrew Berzins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kucera dives in for a single leg takedown but Berzins sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kucera drops down looking for an ankle pick but Berzins pulls his leg out and moves away.
Berzins walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kucera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kucera moves out of range of the body kick.
Berzins throws a leg kick but Kucera sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Berzins tries to score with a low kick but Kucera moves his leg out of the way.
Berzins lands with a nice body kick.
Berzins throws a nice inside leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Kucera blocks the low kick.
Kucera avoids the head kick by Berzins.
Kucera shoots in for a takedown but Berzins shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kucera shoots in for a double leg but Berzins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Berzins throws a low kick, looking for Kucera's leg but Kucera calmly moves out of range.
Berzins is looking to chop away at Kucera's legs.
Good work by Kucera as he checks the leg kick.
That kick from Berzins tenderised Kucera's leg. Kucera is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kucera avoids the head kick by Berzins.
Kucera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Berzins tries to avoid it but Kucera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Berzins to the ground. Berzins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Berzins thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kucera if he has to take too many more of those.
Kucera shoots in for a takedown but Berzins shows good takedown defense.
Kucera looks winded!
Berzins wants to clinch.
Berzins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins tries to work over Kucera's front leg with a kick but Kucera checks it.

Berzins gets caught flat footed, as Kucera shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kucera drops back looking for a leg! Berzins is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Berzins manages to kick Kucera off! Kucera jumps back into Berzins's guard.

Kucera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kucera drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kucera jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Berzins dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Berzins throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Berzins tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Berzins throws a head kick but Kucera moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kucera is defended easily by Berzins.
Kucera takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kucera swings for the body but Berzins moves out of range.
Berzins wants to land a leg kick but Kucera is out of range.
Berzins does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kucera shoots in for a takedown but Berzins shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Kucera as he checks the leg kick.
Berzins throws a front kick aimed at Kucera's knee but Kucera avoids it well.
Berzins throws a low kick, looking for Kucera's leg but Kucera calmly moves out of range.
Berzins lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kucera checks a low kick from Berzins.
Berzins attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kucera takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Berzins pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kucera is out of range and Berzins settles back down.
Kucera misses with a takedown attempt - Berzins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Andrew Berzins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Honza Kucera.
Berzins throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berzins gets a clinch.
Berzins lands an elbow inside that Kucera shrugs off.
Berzins lands a damaging elbow.
Berzins misses with an elbow strike.
Kucera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Berzins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
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!
Kucera jumps guard but Berzins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kucera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Berzins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Berzins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
That kick from Berzins tenderised Kucera's leg. Kucera is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kucera is breathing heavily.
Berzins throws a leg kick that misses.
Berzins tries to score with a low kick but Kucera moves his leg out of the way.
Berzins keeps Kucera at a distance using the push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kucera shoots for a takedown but Berzins saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kucera blocks a low kick nicely.

Kucera scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kucera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Berzins is looking for a sweep.

Kucera is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berzins is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kucera is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Berzins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kucera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Berzins has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kucera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Berzins has escaped the position, nice work there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kucera is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berzins is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kucera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Berzins has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Andrew Berzins will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Berzins misses with a body kick.
An inside leg kick from Berzins misses.
Berzins throws a head kick that misses.
Berzins lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Berzins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Berzins is looking to slow Kucera down with leg kicks.
Kucera takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Berzins throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kucera checks a low kick from Berzins.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kucera.
A clash of legs there as Kucera blocks the low kick.
Kucera moves out of range of the body kick from Berzins.
Kucera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kucera blocks the body kick.
Kucera dives in and grabs Berzins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Berzins pushes down on Kucera's head and hops out.
Berzins throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Berzins throws a leg kick but Kucera checks it.
Berzins pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berzins rushes Kucera and presses him up against the cage.
Kucera is looking for a takedown.
Andrew Berzins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Honza Kucera.
Berzins throws an elbow but it misses.
Berzins misses with an elbow strike.
Berzins gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kucera.
Kucera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kucera has Berzins pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Berzins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Berzins stops a takedown attempt from Kucera.
Berzins lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kucera has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Berzins.
Berzins comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kucera blocks the elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Berzins throws an elbow but misses.
Kucera is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kucera has Berzins pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Berzins manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kucera takes an elbow to the temple.
Berzins lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Honza Kucera has been cut.
Berzins gets underhooks to prevent Kucera's takedown attempt.
Kucera blocks an elbow strike from Berzins.
Berzins lands an elbow that stopped Kucera in his tracks for a moment.

Berzins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berzins swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Berzins. That's going to slow Kucera down.
Berzins delivers a nice body kick.
Berzins moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Berzins misses with a low kick as Kucera jumps back.
Berzins cracks the inside of Kucera's front leg.
Honza Kucera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berzins throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Berzins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Berzins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kucera goes for a double leg but Berzins avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Berzins continues to drive forward.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berzins.
Kucera blocks an elbow strike from Berzins.
Berzins displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kucera up against the cage.
Kucera is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Berzins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kucera avoids the elbow strike from Berzins, against the cage.
Berzins lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Berzins's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kucera can't get the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Berzins clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Honza Kucera's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kucera bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kucera tries for a kimura but Berzins is defending well.
My spies in Island Top Team inform me that Kucera has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Kucera tries for a kimura but Berzins is defending well.

Kucera wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Berzins, who protects the arm well.

Kucera is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Berzins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kucera is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berzins is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kucera controlling the position from side mount.
Berzins knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kucera on the ground.

Kucera has hold of Berzins's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Berzins seems comfortable defending it but Kucera has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Berzins is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Berzins is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Kucera couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Honza Kucera!
Honza Kucera is the new bantamweight champion!