PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jerome Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Powers's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, We Run This - Missy Elliot. Birmiski is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by I'm Back - T.I. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Powers
vs
Birmiski

184 cm
26
147 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
140 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jerome Powers!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ari Birmiski!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Birmiski throws a nice outside leg kick.
Powers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Birmiski takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Birmiski falls off balance throwing a combination
and Birmiski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Birmiski is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Powers's half guard.
Powers slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Powers is looking to sweep but instead, Birmiski has passed into half guard.
Birmiski prevents Powers from improving his position.
Birmiski trying to mount his opponent but Powers defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Powers looking for submissions off his back.
Powers is looking to control Birmiski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Powers avoid being mounted?
Birmiski works his way into side control.
Powers can't do much from the bottom 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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Birmiski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Birmiski tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Birmiski has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Powers tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Birmiski wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Birmiski working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Powers is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Powers tries to get to full guard but Birmiski has control of the leg.
Powers wants to control but Birmiski is keeping busy.
Powers wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Birmiski is controlling the pace.
Powers wants to get back to full guard.
Birmiski is trying to control the action in half guard but Powers is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Birmiski takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Powers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Powers.

Birmiski drops back, looking for a kneebar! Powers looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Powers looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Powers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Birmiski misses with a body shot.
Powers doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Powers takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Powers lands with a good body shot.
Powers misses the body punch
and Birmiski counters with a nice leg kick.
Birmiski misses with a body punch
and Powers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Powers moves out of range of the strikes.
Powers misses with a hook.
Powers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski throws a combination that misses

and Powers counters with a nice double leg into side control. Birmiski won't be happy with that.
Powers will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Birmiski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Powers wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Birmiski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Powers wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Birmiski, who protects the arm well.
Birmiski tries to improve position but can't.
Birmiski manages to work his way to half guard, despite Powers's best efforts.
Birmiski is looking for a sweep. Powers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Powers throwing shots but Birmiski is blocking nicely.
Birmiski is looking for a sweep. Powers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Birmiski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Powers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powers trying to advance position but Birmiski counters by regaining guard.
Powers stopping the sweep attempt from Birmiski.
Powers trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Powers is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Birmiski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Birmiski has escaped and now he's on top!
Birmiski tries to free his leg and advance position but Powers is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powers wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Birmiski is now in half guard.
Powers is trying to maintain the position but Birmiski is very close to passing his half guard.
Powers is trying to stand up here but Birmiski is controlling him well.
Birmiski takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Birmiski wants to work for an arm triangle but Powers is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Powers manages to get to full guard.
Powers wants to improve his position but instead Birmiski has moved into half guard.
Powers tries to roll over but Birmiski keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jerome Powers will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Powers throws a right hand that misses
and Birmiski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Powers misses with an uppercut. Birmiski saw that one coming.
Powers really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice body punch from Powers.
Birmiski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Birmiski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Birmiski manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Powers on his heels. He'll look to pass Powers's guard now, I'm sure.
Birmiski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Birmiski throwing strikes from guard but Powers blocks nicely.
Birmiski slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powers trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Powers keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Birmiski sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ari Birmiski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Powers is looking to improve his position but Birmiski isn't that keen on the idea.

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.
Birmiski looking to control but Powers is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Birmiski thowing shots but they're missing.
Birmiski content just to control the position here.
Birmiski with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Powers looks a forlorn figure.
Powers working to try and regain half guard.
Powers throws a strike but has given up his back in the process.
Powers is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Powers 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 Birmiski gets his way!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski gets his hands free as Powers looks to control.

Powers preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Birmiski.
Birmiski scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Powers tries to break free.

Birmiski working for a choke but Powers is defending well.
Powers manages to reverse the position and now he's in Birmiski's guard. Nice work there by Powers.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Birmiski misses with a body shot

and Powers counters with a nice double leg into side control. Birmiski won't be happy with that.
Powers taking a break here but Birmiski is having none of it and regains half guard.
Powers is stalling here. Birmiski is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Powers seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Birmiski has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Birmiski wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Powers, who protects the arm well.
Birmiski working away.
Powers manages to work his way to half guard, despite Birmiski's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski controlling the action here.
Powers moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Powers works his way to full guard. Good work.
Birmiski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Birmiski throwing strikes from guard but Powers blocks nicely.

Powers throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Birmiski escapes and throws Powers's legs to the side, diving into side control!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Birmiski working the ground and pound but Powers is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powers struggling a bit here.
Powers is not content to let Birmiski control the position.
Powers is working to avoid the ground and pound but Birmiski connects with a decent elbow.
Powers is trying to improve his position.
Birmiski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Powers keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Birmiski working the ground and pound but Powers is defending the strikes.

Birmiski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Powers is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Powers takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Birmiski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Powers wants to control but Birmiski postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Jerome Powers will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Good leg kick by Birmiski there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Birmiski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Powers moves away.
Powers has his takedown stuffed
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Birmiski fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Powers on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Birmiski. Birmiski obviously looking to wear him down.
Powers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Birmiski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Powers's guard now.
Birmiski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
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.
Powers keeping moving, preventing Birmiski from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Birmiski slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Powers.
Birmiski wants to take a breather but Powers is having none of it.
Powers regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Birmiski.
Birmiski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Birmiski advances position into side control!
Powers manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Powers trying to control but Birmiski postures up.
Birmiski tries to pass to full mount but Powers defends it.
Birmiski passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Powers can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Birmiski trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Birmiski lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Birmiski avoids the attempt from Powers to control.
Birmiski can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Powers is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Powers can't escape the position.
Birmiski is trying to control here but Powers has managed to regain half guard.
Birmiski looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Birmiski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Powers wants to get back to full guard but Birmiski has passed into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ari Birmiski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Birmiski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Birmiski!
Ari Birmiski is the new bantamweight champion!