PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jamel Bernard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Jamel Bernard has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bernard
vs
Garcia

207 cm
24
193 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jamel Bernard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Garcia!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bernard.
Bernard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Garcia sprawls well. Garcia wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bernard gets slowly back to his feet.
Bernard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Garcia holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamel Bernard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bernard tries to pull guard but Garcia holds him up against the cage and eventually Bernard drops back down to his feet.

Garcia pulls guard effortlessly.
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.
Bernard is looking to stand up but Garcia won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia pulls Bernard in close to his closed guard and prevents Bernard from doing any damage or advancing position.
Let's hope that Garcia 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.

Garcia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bernard is aware though and is defending well.
Bernard knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Garcia on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Garcia managing to control the position.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Garcia.
Yet more stalling tactics from Garcia.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia looking for a sweep. Not yet Garcia, not yet.
Garcia is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Garcia closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Bernard throws Garcia to one side and escapes!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Garcia.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia lands an elbow.
Bernard wants to control but Garcia postures up.
Bernard is trying to improve his position.
Garcia scores with punches from side control.

Garcia tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Garcia misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Garcia looks winded!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bernard is trying to control Garcia's posture but Garcia avoids it.
Bernard tries to buck Garcia off but Garcia is having none of it.
Garcia is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Garcia dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bernard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Garcia scores with a takedown into Bernard's guard.

Garcia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Garcia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Garcia passes into half guard.
Garcia is pressing down on Bernard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bernard is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bernard!
Garcia dominating with strikes here.
Garcia moves to back control.
Our spies down at at Extreme MMA (7 Elites $250/week) inform us that Garcia has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Bernard covers up after that shot from Garcia.

Bernard is rocked!
Garcia is breathing heavily.

Garcia is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Bernard defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Oh Bernard is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Garcia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bernard fending off the submission attempt from Garcia.
Bernard seems to have got his legs back now.

Bernard showing good submission defense here.
Garcia not allowing Bernard to control his hands.
Bernard is trying to break free.
Bernard is working hard here to advance position.
Bernard tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Garcia seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Bernard is holding on tight.
Garcia is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bernard can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Garcia fails to move to back control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernard is bucking up trying to escape but Garcia cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Garcia looking to isolate an arm here. Bernard doesn't see it coming and as Garcia extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Garcia!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Garcia!