PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Byron Tipton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Ciz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Tipton
vs
Ciz

165 cm
23
140 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
33
145 lbs
11 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Byron Tipton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, George Ciz!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Dean Styles and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciz throws a leg kick which misses Tipton's front leg but catches the back leg as Tipton tries to avoid it.
Tipton throws a predictable looking body shot

and Ciz counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tipton won't be happy with that.
Tipton managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ciz.
Ciz in side control lands a decent elbow.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Ciz wants to control but Tipton is keeping him busy.
Tipton regains half guard.

Tipton is defending against the submission attempts here by Ciz.
Tipton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Tipton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ciz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciz connects with a couple of short punches.
Ciz postures up in Tipton's guard and throws a big left but Tipton blocks it.
Tipton keeping moving, preventing Ciz from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ciz's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ciz stopping the sweep attempt from Tipton.

Tipton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tipton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ciz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciz tries to free his leg and advance position but Tipton is retaining full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ciz working his ground and pound in the gym.
Tipton is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ciz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ciz trying to control the position from guard on top but Tipton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ciz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tipton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tipton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ciz is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Tipton jumps into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tipton is trying to ground and pound but Ciz uses the momentary lack of control by Tipton to regain half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ciz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tipton wants to control from the top but Ciz keeps moving.
Tipton is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ciz is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Tipton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ciz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tipton has managed to get both his arms back between Ciz's legs - danger averted.
Ciz is trying to keep Tipton in close.
Ciz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tipton is one step ahead there.

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.
Tipton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tipton trying to control the position from guard on top but Ciz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tipton is really struggling to control Ciz but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Tipton is fighting to break Ciz's control of his arms but Ciz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ciz is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Ciz dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ciz misses with a low kick as Tipton jumps back.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tipton. Ciz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tipton walks into a stiff left hand from Ciz.
Tipton throws out a loose jab but Ciz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tipton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ciz drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tipton defends it well.
Tipton throws a series of punches but Ciz avoids them all with ease.
Ciz tries to counter with a clinch but Tipton shakes him off and moves away.
Tipton throws a right hand that Ciz ducks under and follows up with a left that Ciz also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tipton misses with a wild body shot.
Ciz looks for the body kick but Tipton saw that one coming.
Byron Tipton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ciz dives in for a single leg takedown but Tipton sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tipton takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ciz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tipton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ciz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tipton throws a body shot but no joy.
Ciz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tipton lands a jab.
Byron Tipton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ciz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Byron Tipton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Ciz.
Tipton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ciz defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tipton shoots for a double leg takedown but Ciz sprawls well. He's pushed Tipton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ciz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ciz fails with a takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Tipton tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tipton lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ciz circles away quickly and effectively.
Ciz unleashes a big counter combination but Tipton bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ciz throws a head kick but Tipton moves out of range.
Tipton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ciz tries for a takedown but Tipton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ciz shoots in looking for a takedown but Tipton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ciz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tipton jabs at Ciz's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tipton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ciz moves away.
Ciz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ciz throws a wild body kick that Tipton sees coming a mile off.
Tipton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ciz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tipton shoots in looking for a takedown but Ciz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tipton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Some wild striking there from Tipton.
Tipton throws a leg kick that misses.
Tipton dives in and grabs Ciz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ciz pushes down on Tipton's head and hops out.
Tipton is looking to wear down Ciz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciz looks to land a body kick but Tipton moved away.
Tipton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ciz avoids it really well and circles away.
Ciz throws a half hearted mid kick.

Tipton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tipton lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tipton looking to sit in guard and control but Ciz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tipton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byron Tipton dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ciz misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tipton. Ciz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ciz is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ciz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ciz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ciz throws a jab when Tipton was well out of range.
Ciz swings widly with a right hand

and Tipton counters with a shoot takedown. Ciz fights it but they end up in guard.
Ciz lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tipton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ciz trying to control but Tipton is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tipton is looking for a triangle but Ciz pushes his legs off easily.
Ciz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ciz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tipton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ciz has managed to get both his arms back between Tipton's legs - danger averted.
Ciz wants to pass the guard but Tipton is keeping the position.
Tipton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ciz manages to get himself to full guard.

Tipton working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ciz's head.
Ciz keeping moving, preventing Tipton from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tipton wants to pass the guard but Ciz is keeping the position.
Tipton trying to control but Ciz is working from the bottom.
Tipton is looking to pass into half guard but Ciz pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ciz is in guard.

Ciz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Tipton working for a triangle but Ciz defends it easily.
Ciz scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tipton keeping moving, preventing Ciz from controlling successfully.

Tipton looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ciz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tipton wants to sweep here but Ciz controlling him for the moment.
Ciz trying to control the position from guard on top but Tipton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ciz working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ciz throws a strike but Tipton rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ciz pulls Tipton in to control the position.
Tipton scoring with some ground and pound.

Tipton postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ciz is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tipton, into his guard.

Tipton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ciz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ciz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ciz content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Tipton has locked up a guillotine! Tipton's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Ciz is holding on here and Tipton must be using up a lot of energy. Ciz has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Tipton gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Byron Tipton!
Byron Tipton spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.