PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Byron Tipton (ranked 2474 p4p, 135 weight class) and Tor Lovig (ranked 2700 p4p, 147 weight class). Lovig has chosen TechnoViking Prophecy as his entrance music. Tor Lovig has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Tipton
vs
Lovig

165 cm
28
140 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

170 cm
25
144 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Urban Fighter
Velocity Fightwear

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 13 - 12 - 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tor Lovig!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lovig tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tipton was well out of range. Poor timing from Lovig.
Tipton is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lovig.
Lovig throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lovig misses with a double jab
and Tipton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good shot there by Lovig.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lovig tests Tipton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice body punch from Lovig.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovig scores with the left hand. Tipton knows he should have avoided that one.
Lovig connects with a jab.
Lovig loads up on a big right hand but Tipton slips the punch.
Lovig thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tipton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Lovig bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tipton is looking for a sweep.
Lovig advances to mount.
Tipton is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tipton is working hard here to advance position.
Lovig controlling from the full mount.
Tipton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lovig sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Tipton is in a horrible position here. Lovig smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Tipton is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Lovig controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tipton is looking to get to half guard.
Lovig lands a couple of good shots and Tipton has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Lovig lands a shot to the head.
Lovig has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
What can Tipton do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Tipton is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Lovig biding his time, controlling Tipton.
Lovig is hanging on to Tipton's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Tipton right now.
Tipton breaks Lovig's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Lovig keeping moving, preventing Tipton from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lovig looking for a guillotine here but Tipton defends easily.

Tipton drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lovig manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tipton has Lovig in his guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lovig postures up and lands a big shot to Tipton's brow.

Lovig got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tipton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lovig has managed to get both his arms back between Tipton's legs - danger averted.
Lovig slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tor Lovig dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jab by Lovig.
A swing and a miss from Lovig.
Tipton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tipton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lovig.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lovig is looking to clinch but Tipton is avoiding it.
Tipton feinted with a counter takedown.
A nice combination there by Lovig.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovig works the jab nicely.
Lovig punishes Tipton's body with a nice straight punch.
Lovig fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tipton on the side of the head.

Lovig closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Tipton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lovig not doing much here.
Tipton is refusing to be controlled, as Lovig sits in half guard.
Lovig has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lovig with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovig is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lovig is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tor Lovig has got the better of the ground game so far.

Tipton looking for submissions off his back.

Tipton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Lovig there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lovig is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Lovig is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lovig takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Lovig's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Lovig trying to mount his opponent but Tipton defends it.
Lovig performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Lovig trying to control the action but Tipton is working from the bottom.
Lovig sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tipton defending well though.
Lovig takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

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.
Lovig wants to take a breather but Tipton is having none of it.
Lovig lands with a punch from half guard.
Lovig perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lovig scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lovig works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tipton really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tipton bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Lovig is pulling down on Tipton's head to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tipton throws a sloppy strike and Lovig has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Tipton is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Lovig!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tor Lovig!
An out of breath Tor Lovig thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Byron Tipton was interviewed post fight and said 'I know I am only 24, but I am retiring. Obviously I dont have what it takes to become a champion, there is no reason to put my body at harm for something that I suck at.'.