PBP Commentary

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

Cipao
vs
Berzins

183 cm
24
191 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

167 cm
24
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michal Cipao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Berzins!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cipao doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Berzins counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cipao is trying to keep Berzins in close.

Cipao is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Berzins defends well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Berzins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Berzins with a flurry of punches that miss.

Berzins drops back, looking for a kneebar! Cipao looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Cipao looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Cipao!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cipao tries to advance to mount but can't.

Cipao is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berzins is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cipao lands a nice forearm strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cipao tries to advance position but instead Berzins slips a leg back in to half guard.
Berzins should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Berzins is not content to let Cipao control the position.
Cipao is thwarting Berzins's attempts to control the position.
Berzins gets back to full guard.
Cipao throwing strikes from guard but Berzins blocks nicely.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Berzins holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berzins looking for a sweep. Not yet Berzins, not yet.
Cipao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Berzins looking for a guillotine here but Cipao defends easily.
Berzins keeping moving, preventing Cipao from controlling successfully.

Berzins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cipao is aware though and is defending well.
Berzins keeping moving, preventing Cipao from controlling successfully.

Berzins escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cipao gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cipao landing some decent shots from guard.

Berzins has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cipao off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Cipao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Berzins counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Berzins is looking for submissions but instead, Cipao has regained full guard.
Cipao manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Berzins is desperately trying to improve his position but Cipao has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cipao avoids the attempt from Berzins to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berzins sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Berzins tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Cipao has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Cipao will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Berzins blocking the ground and pound.
Berzins is trying to escape the mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cipao landing strikes from the mount.
Berzins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Berzins will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cipao misses with a takedown

and Berzins counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Berzins is looking to work some ground and pound but Cipao has wrist control.
Berzins trying to control the position from guard on top but Cipao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cipao tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cipao creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Berzins sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berzins prevents Cipao from moving into mount.

Cipao is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Berzins is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cipao is looking to take a break and control but Berzins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Berzins is trying to get back to half guard.
Berzins is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cipao has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Berzins is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cipao off and has taken his back!
Berzins controlling the position well here. Cipao rolled but Berzins kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cipao trying to control the hands but Berzins won't let him.

Cipao is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Berzins gets his way!
Berzins has the hooks in. Cipao is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Berzins patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Cipao is keeping busy.
Berzins keeps control of the position as Cipao tries to break free.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Berzins looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cipao rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Berzins is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cipao doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Berzins.

Berzins is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cipao sees it coming and defends easily.

Cipao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Berzins pulls his head out easily.
Cipao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Berzins.

Berzins seems to be working for a kimura but Cipao defends the submission attempt.
Berzins wants to take a breather but Cipao is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berzins not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cipao works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cipao keeping full guard, as Berzins tries to pass.
Berzins is looking to advance position but Cipao has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Cipao swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Berzins is now in Cipao's guard. A big mistake from Cipao there, giving up the dominant position!
Cipao tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cipao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berzins wants to control from the top but Cipao keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Berzins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cipao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cipao with a lazy takedown attempt

so Berzins counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Berzins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cipao is keeping the position for now.

Cipao escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Berzins gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Cipao is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Berzins is aware though and is defending well.
Cipao manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Berzins manages to get himself to full guard.
Cipao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Berzins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Berzins is on top in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Berzins trying to control the position from guard on top but Cipao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berzins not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berzins sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Cipao doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Berzins paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Cipao - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Michal Cipao!
An out of breath Michal Cipao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.