PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tucker Berry (ranked 5117 p4p, 0 weight class) and Walter Cleaver (ranked 5274 p4p, 0 weight class). Tucker Berry has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Berry
vs
Cleaver

172 cm
24
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

199 cm
24
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tucker Berry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Walter Cleaver!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berry is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cleaver sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Cleaver rushes Berry and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Cleaver has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Berry regains guard immediately.

Cleaver got a little sloppy there for a moment and Berry has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cleaver has managed to get both his arms back between Berry's legs - danger averted.
Cleaver makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleaver scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Berry trying to keep a closed guard but Cleaver is proving a slippery customer.
Berry is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cleaver is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleaver scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cleaver wants to control from the top but Berry keeps moving.
Berry might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cleaver is in close to Berry's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cleaver stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berry swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cleaver with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cleaver postures up.
Berry bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cleaver's guard.

Berry wants to control from the top but Cleaver keeps moving.
Cleaver looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berry is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berry wants to control from the top but Cleaver keeps moving.
Cleaver looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Berry drops back looking for a leg! Cleaver is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cleaver manages to kick Berry off! Berry jumps back into Cleaver's guard.
Cleaver looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver trying to keep a closed guard but Berry is proving a slippery customer.
Berry looking to pass the guard.
Cleaver wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Berry with that takedown attempt.

Berry decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Berry is working for a submission of some sort.
Cleaver is looking to control Berry's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cleaver avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berry seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Cleaver gets back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berry wants to pass the guard but Cleaver is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Cleaver dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Berry tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cleaver defends well and Berry ends up having to push Cleaver into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Cleaver throws a hook to the side of Berry's head but Berry sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Berry closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cleaver to the mat! Cleaver manages to get full guard.
Cleaver bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Berry's guard.

Cleaver passes Berry's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cleaver trying to control the action but Berry is working from the bottom.
Cleaver working over Berry with some ground and pound. Berry looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berry tries to roll over but Cleaver keeps him under control.
Berry is looking to control Cleaver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Berry avoid being mounted?
Berry is controlling Cleaver's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cleaver seems to be looking for submissions.
Berry regains full guard. Nicely done.
Berry keeping moving, preventing Cleaver from controlling successfully.

Berry working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cleaver doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cleaver manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Berry is pulling down on Cleaver's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Berry can't keep his opponent in guard - Cleaver advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cleaver has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cleaver working the head and body with strikes.
Cleaver slips a nice elbow through Berry's hands, connecting with Berry's forehead.
Berry is not content to let Cleaver control the position.
Cleaver is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Berry blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cleaver.
Berry wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Cleaver is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Berry is staying active underneath Cleaver, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cleaver tries to pass the half guard into mount. Berry knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cleaver seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cleaver 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.
Berry wants to get back to full guard.
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. Cleaver connects with a nice short shot to Berry's temple.

Berry looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver tries to pass to full mount but Berry defends it.
Cleaver scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Berry is rocked!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cleaver lands a nice short elbow.
Oh Berry is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cleaver is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Cleaver.
Cleaver has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cleaver works his way into side control.
Cleaver taking a break here but Berry is having none of it and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Cleaver showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Berry ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Berry changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Berry seems to have got his legs back now.
Tucker Berry is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cleaver misses with a hook.
Berry ducks under a wild hook from Cleaver.
Berry tries for a takedown but Cleaver sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cleaver feints the counter takedown.
Cleaver stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cleaver wants it to stay on the feet.
Cleaver stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cleaver wants it to stay on the feet.
And Cleaver tries to counter it with a takedown but Berry pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tucker Berry. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cleaver pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cleaver. Berry does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleaver swings for the body but Berry moves out of range.
Berry shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cleaver but Cleaver pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Berry dives in and grabs Cleaver's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cleaver pushes down on Berry's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cleaver scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cleaver tries to pass to full mount but Berry defends it.
Berry is holding on to half guard well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cleaver lands with a punch from half guard.
Berry wants to improve his position but Cleaver is controlling well.
Cleaver is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cleaver is keen to just control but Berry is a slippery customer.
Cleaver winds up and cracks Berry with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Walter Cleaver is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver working over Berry with some ground and pound. Berry looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cleaver takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Berry trying to control but Cleaver postures up.
Cleaver keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cleaver wants to take a breather but Berry is having none of it.
Cleaver looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Berry with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Cleaver stalling.
Ground and pound from Cleaver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleaver is taking a breather. Berry says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Berry looking for submissions off his back.
Berry has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cleaver is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berry is trying to get back to full guard.
Cleaver controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Berry fails with a takedown attempt.
Berry keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cleaver leaves Berry with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cleaver throws out a counter right but Berry avoids it with no problem.
Tucker Berry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cleaver swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berry shoots for a double leg takedown but Cleaver sprawls well. He's pushed Berry's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cleaver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tucker Berry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Berry dodges the punch combination from Cleaver.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walter Cleaver comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cleaver has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Walter Cleaver!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Walter Cleaver!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Walter Cleaver!

Walter Cleaver wins by unanimous decision!