PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Birmiski might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to I'm Back - T.I. Steiner has chosen Agonoize - Baeng Baeng Goodbye as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Birmiski
vs
Steiner

170 cm
24
140 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

174 cm
23
144 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Dampf-Punk Chemicals

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ari Birmiski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Max Steiner!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Birmiski gets the takedown into side control.
Steiner seems a little lost for a moment, as Birmiski dominates the positioning.
Birmiski wants to control but Steiner is keeping him busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Steiner can do anything to dispel that myth.
Birmiski 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.
Steiner is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Birmiski has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Steiner dodges the ground and pound from Birmiski.
Birmiski controlling the position from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Steiner struggling a bit here.
Steiner wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Birmiski trying to control the position but Steiner is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Steiner is trying to get back to half guard.
Birmiski misses with the ground and pound.

Birmiski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Birmiski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steiner keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Birmiski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Birmiski controlling the position.
Steiner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Birmiski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The strikes coming from Birmiski are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Birmiski trying to control the action but Steiner is working from the bottom.
Steiner is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Birmiski has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Steiner is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Birmiski yanks on the arm and Steiner is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Birmiski.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ari Birmiski!
Ari Birmiski retains his bantamweight title!