PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kristian Berg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhea Garcia Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Berg
vs
Garcia Jr

170 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kristian Berg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rhea Garcia Jr!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Garcia Jr misses.

Garcia Jr fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Berg, pushing him back against the cage.

Garcia Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berg looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Berg shoots and misses
and Garcia Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Garcia Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Berg fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Garcia Jr to the ground. Berg is now in Garcia Jr's guard.
Berg postures up and lands a big shot to Garcia Jr's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Garcia Jr wants to stand up but Berg is controlling him.
Berg throws a big right hand that misses.
Berg with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Berg is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Berg postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Berg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berg trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Berg looking to pass the guard.
Garcia Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Garcia Jr can do anything to dispel that myth.
Garcia Jr working a defensive guard here.
Berg controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Berg's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Berg lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Garcia Jr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Berg cracks Garcia Jr with a solid left hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Garcia Jr holds on and takes a little breather.
Berg lands a couple of digs.
Berg wants to control from the top but Garcia Jr keeps moving.
Berg postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Berg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Berg postures up in Garcia Jr's guard and throws a big left but Garcia Jr blocks it.
Berg chips away with some ground and pound.
Berg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Berg connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Berg's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Berg trying to control but Garcia Jr is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg won't allow Garcia Jr to sweep him here.
Garcia Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Berg. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Garcia Jr keeps trying to improve his position.
Berg is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berg scoring with some ground and pound.
Berg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berg throws a big right hand that misses.
Berg makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Berg connects with a couple of short punches.
Garcia Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Berg distracts Garcia Jr with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Berg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Berg is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Berg is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia Jr has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berg prevents Garcia Jr from getting back to his feet.
We've been informed that Garcia Jr has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Berg trying to control but Garcia Jr is working from the bottom.
Berg landing with the ground and pound.
Garcia Jr keeping moving, preventing Berg from controlling successfully.
Garcia Jr has momentary wrist control but Berg slips an elbow through the middle.
Berg throws a strike but Garcia Jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Berg pulls Garcia Jr in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristian Berg dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Garcia Jr tries to clinch but Berg is having none of it.
Berg shoots and misses
and Garcia Jr counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Kristian Berg has been cut.

Garcia Jr moves into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Garcia Jr has Berg pressed against the cage, preventing Berg from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Berg wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Garcia Jr has him pressed against the cage.
Berg tries to break the clinch but Garcia Jr is controlling the position.

Garcia Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Garcia Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Berg circles away.
Berg dives in and grabs Garcia Jr's left leg, looking for a takedown. Garcia Jr pushes down on Berg's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berg takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Garcia Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Berg's shoulder, as Berg tries to avoid the shot.
Berg changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Garcia Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Berg is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kristian Berg. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garcia Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Berg will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Despite the aggression on Garcia Jr's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Berg misses with a takedown
and Garcia Jr counters with a two punch combo.

Garcia Jr instigates a clinch.
Berg tries to stall but Garcia Jr uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Garcia Jr breaks from the clinch.
Berg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Garcia Jr swivels and escapes.
Berg shoots in for a takedown but Garcia Jr shows good takedown defense.
Berg sets himself, and Garcia Jr steps forward looking for the clinch! Berg avoids it this time.

Garcia Jr closes the distance and pushes Berg back into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Berg can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Garcia Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horrible takedown attempt by Berg or perhaps it was just good defense by Garcia Jr, which made it look bad.

Garcia Jr rushes Berg and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Garcia Jr jumps guard and drags Berg to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Berg postures up in Garcia Jr's guard and throws a big left but Garcia Jr blocks it.
Berg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Garcia Jr is keeping the position for now.
Garcia Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Garcia Jr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Berg is controlling him.
Berg stands up over Garcia Jr, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia Jr controls Berg momentarily but Berg frees himself.
Berg lands a couple of digs.
Garcia Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Garcia Jr is trying to control the position but Berg postures up.
Berg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berg throws a big elbow that misses.
Berg won't allow Garcia Jr to sweep him here.
Berg wants to control from the top but Garcia Jr keeps moving.
Berg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Berg distracts Garcia Jr with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Berg throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Garcia Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia Jr wants to stand but Berg is controlling the position.
Berg lands a couple of digs.
Berg trying to control but Garcia Jr is working from the bottom.
Garcia Jr is looking to stand up but Berg isn't so interested in that idea.
Berg throws a strike but Garcia Jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Berg looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Garcia Jr puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Garcia Jr frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Berg is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhea Garcia Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kristian Berg's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Berg fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Garcia Jr has taken the fight to the clinch.

Garcia Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Garcia Jr tries to sprawl but Berg drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Garcia Jr is trying to stand up here but Berg is controlling him well.
Kristian Berg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Berg working over Garcia Jr with some ground and pound. Garcia Jr looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Berg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Berg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Berg is thwarting Garcia Jr's attempts to control the position.
Garcia Jr has hold of Berg's hands but Berg slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Garcia Jr's head.
Berg seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Berg looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Berg working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Berg not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Berg could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Berg connects with a nice short shot to Garcia Jr's temple.
Berg thows a huge punch but Garcia Jr dodges it nicely.
Berg scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Berg drops an elbow to the side of Garcia Jr's head.
Berg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Garcia Jr is trying to stand up here but Berg is controlling him well.
Berg slips a nice elbow through Garcia Jr's hands, connecting with Garcia Jr's forehead.
Berg scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Berg lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Berg throwing shots but Garcia Jr is blocking nicely.
Berg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Garcia Jr pushes Berg off looking to stand but Berg dives back in and keeps control.
Berg working Garcia Jr over with strikes.
Garcia Jr taking some punishment here, with Berg in his half guard.
Berg tries to pass to full mount but Garcia Jr defends it.
Berg looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Berg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Berg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Berg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Garcia Jr is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Berg scores with a couple of nice shots.
Garcia Jr on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Berg working Garcia Jr over with strikes.
Garcia Jr blocking the ground and pound attempt from Berg.
Berg wants to pass to mount but Garcia Jr is defending the position.
Ground and pound from Berg.
Berg thows a huge punch but Garcia Jr dodges it nicely.
Garcia Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Berg looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Garcia Jr with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Berg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Garcia Jr keeps working.
Berg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Garcia Jr's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berg stops Garcia Jr from getting back to his feet.
Garcia Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Berg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Berg working over Garcia Jr with some ground and pound. Garcia Jr looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Garcia Jr regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Berg.
Berg won't allow Garcia Jr to get back to his feet.
Garcia Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garcia Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berg's guard.

Garcia Jr preventing the sweep.
Berg is adopting a defensive guard.
Garcia Jr won't allow Berg to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kristian Berg showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Berg 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kristian Berg!