PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zlatan Cizmic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theodore Loyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Loyd comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Throwdown - Burn kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Cizmic
vs
Loyd

180 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
170 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zlatan Cizmic!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Theodore Loyd!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cizmic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Loyd fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cizmic avoids it really well and circles away.

Loyd gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cizmic being controlled against the cage.
Loyd digs a right hand into Cizmic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cizmic's gas tank.
Loyd keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cizmic's efforts to push away.

Loyd drags the fight down to the ground.
Cizmic is fighting to break Loyd's control of his arms but Loyd is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cizmic wants to stand but Loyd is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cizmic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Loyd has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cizmic has managed to get both his arms back between Loyd's legs - danger averted.
Cizmic is looking to stand up but Loyd won't let him.
Loyd 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.
Cizmic wants to get up but he can't break Loyd's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Loyd moves out of range as Cizmic strikes.
Cizmic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Loyd.
Cizmic misses with a series of wild punches.
Loyd takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Loyd dives in and grabs Cizmic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cizmic pushes down on Loyd's head and hops out.
Zlatan Cizmic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Loyd gets the takedown into side control.
Loyd controls the position.
Let's hope that Loyd has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Cizmic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Loyd asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Cizmic is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loyd is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cizmic has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cizmic prevents Loyd from improving position.
Cizmic wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Loyd stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Some wild striking there from Cizmic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cizmic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cizmic tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Loyd decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cizmic's guard.
Cizmic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Loyd is controlling him.
Loyd looking to pass the guard.
Loyd throwing strikes from guard but Cizmic blocks nicely.
Loyd forces his way into half guard.
Cizmic scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Loyd manages to mount him!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Loyd has Cizmic up against the cage in a clinch.
Cizmic wants to break free but Loyd has control.
Cizmic gets underhooks to prevent Loyd's takedown attempt.
Loyd tries to pull guard but Cizmic won't allow it.

Loyd pulls guard effortlessly.
Loyd wants to sweep but no luck.
Cizmic wants to get up but he can't break Loyd's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loyd lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cizmic!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cizmic squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cizmic trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Loyd content just to control the position here.
Loyd breaks from Cizmic's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Loyd content just to control the position here.
BOOM! Loyd connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loyd unloads with some shots from mount but Cizmic bucks and avoids them well.
Loyd working Cizmic over with strikes here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Loyd controlling from mount.
Cizmic is trying to stand up.
Loyd controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cizmic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Loyd content just to control the position here.
Loyd's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Cizmic is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

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.

Loyd get's back to his feet.
Loyd shoots for a double leg takedown but Cizmic sprawls well. He's pushed Loyd's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zlatan Cizmic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodore Loyd.
Loyd shoots in but Cizmic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Loyd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cizmic darts in trying to clinch

and Loyd holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Loyd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cizmic misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Loyd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cizmic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Loyd instigates a clinch.
Cizmic gets underhooks to prevent Loyd's takedown attempt.

Loyd has picked Cizmic up - he's going for a ride! Loyd dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Loyd wants to take a breather but Cizmic is having none of it.

Loyd stands up and beckons Cizmic to join him on the feet.
Cizmic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cizmic tries to clinch but Loyd moves away

and Loyd counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cizmic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Theodore Loyd has got the better of the ground game so far.

Loyd decides to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cizmic lunges at Loyd with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Loyd's hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Loyd changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cizmic tries to avoid it but Loyd manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cizmic to the ground. Cizmic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cizmic misses with a wild combination.
A leg kick checked by Loyd.
Cizmic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Loyd momentarily.
Loyd fails with a takedown attempt.
Zlatan Cizmic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodore Loyd.
Cizmic throws a lazy head kick
and Loyd counters with a series of strikes. Cizmic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Loyd lands a jab-cross combination.
Cizmic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Loyd circles away quickly and effectively.
Loyd shoots in and drives through. Cizmic sprawls well.
Loyd takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Cizmic takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two 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.
Cizmic swinging wilding here.
Loyd connects with a high kick.
Loyd blocks a jab.
Cizmic throws a right hand that Loyd ducks under and follows up with a left that Loyd also avoids with ease.

Loyd scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Loyd slows the pace down.

Loyd decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Loyd tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cizmic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Loyd somewhat.
Cizmic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Loyd counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cizmic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loyd clinches up against the cage.
Cizmic working hard to break the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Loyd.
Loyd fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cizmic is looking to break free of the clinch but Loyd has double underhooks.

Loyd lands a takedown into guard.
Loyd wants to pass the guard but Cizmic is keeping the position.
Loyd prevents Cizmic from getting back to his feet.

Loyd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Loyd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Cizmic keeping moving, preventing Loyd from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cizmic uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Loyd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cizmic.

Loyd gets a takedown into half guard.
Loyd controlling the action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Loyd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Loyd really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cizmic misses with a low kick.

Loyd closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cizmic wants to break the clinch but can't.

Loyd successfully pulls guard.
Loyd looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cizmic wants to stand but Loyd has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loyd tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cizmic tries to stand but Loyd is controlling from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loyd pulls Cizmic in to control the position.
Cizmic wants to get up but he can't break Loyd's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Loyd lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cizmic!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Loyd controlling from mount.
Loyd won't let Cizmic get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Loyd controlling the pace for now.
Cizmic is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loyd sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Loyd lands a nice shot to the head.
Loyd landing shots from mount.
Cizmic wants to try and get back to his feet.

Loyd looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Cizmic is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loyd controlling from mount.
Cizmic is trying to stand but he's just given Loyd his back.

Loyd patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Loyd struggling to keep hold of the position.

Cizmic showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theodore Loyd dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Cizmic throws a head kick that misses

and Loyd counters by moving into the clinch.

Loyd jumps guard.
Cizmic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Loyd's guard.
Loyd working a defensive guard here.
Cizmic wants to stand and escape but instead Loyd has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Loyd pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cizmic is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loyd is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Loyd won't allow Cizmic to get back to his feet.
Loyd looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cizmic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cizmic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Loyd shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Loyd showed some decent athleticism there.
Loyd controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loyd trying to control from Cizmic's half guard. Cizmic has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Loyd gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Cizmic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cizmic misses with a few strikes there.

Loyd closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cizmic to the mat! Cizmic manages to get full guard.
Cizmic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Loyd is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loyd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cizmic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zlatan Cizmic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Cizmic has his foot on Loyd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Loyd works his way back into a safe position though.
Cizmic keeping full guard, as Loyd tries to pass.
Loyd connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Loyd content to stall in guard here.
Loyd prevents Cizmic from getting back to his feet.
Loyd sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Loyd decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theodore Loyd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Loyd winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Theodore Loyd!
Theodore Loyd is the new welterweight champion!