PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rami Aziz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and XANDER GIVENS (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aziz comes to the cage accompanied by Roy Jones Jr. - Can´t be Touched. Rami Aziz is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Aziz
vs
GIVENS

180 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rami Aziz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, XANDER GIVENS!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

GIVENS fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aziz, pushing him back against the cage.
GIVENS stalls.
GIVENS wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
GIVENS is trying to break free.
A right hook to the body lands for GIVENS.
Aziz misses with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on GIVENS - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

GIVENS breaks the clinch.
GIVENS fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

GIVENS shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
GIVENS wants to pass to mount but Aziz is defending the position.
GIVENS seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aziz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
GIVENS trying to control the pace.
GIVENS is keen to just control but Aziz is a slippery customer.

Aziz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Aziz pushes GIVENS off looking to stand but GIVENS dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aziz is breathing heavily.
GIVENS lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Aziz trying to control but GIVENS postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Aziz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aziz seems keen to control GIVENS's posture.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aziz tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
GIVENS throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aziz.
Nice takedown defense from Aziz. No joy for GIVENS on that attempt.
GIVENS has a takedown stuffed.
Rami Aziz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of XANDER GIVENS.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A knee to the head by GIVENS.
GIVENS slows down the pace here.
GIVENS fails to pull guard.
GIVENS stalling in the clinch.
GIVENS drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aziz pulls his leg out and moves away.
GIVENS fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by GIVENS.

GIVENS has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Aziz lands a head shot.
GIVENS is looking to land body kicks.
GIVENS throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
GIVENS shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aziz tries to clinch up

and GIVENS counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Aziz keeping moving, preventing GIVENS from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aziz wants to sweep here but GIVENS controlling him for the moment.
Aziz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
GIVENS being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
GIVENS sitting in guard here, content to control.
Aziz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in GIVENS's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Aziz scoring with some ground and pound.
Aziz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Aziz tries to free his leg and advance position but GIVENS is retaining full guard.
Aziz throws and elbow that misses. GIVENS uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aziz's guard. Nice move by GIVENS!
Aziz looking to hit a scissor sweep but GIVENS is one step ahead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aziz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aziz trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Aziz throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

XANDER GIVENS dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aziz closes the distance but GIVENS moves to the side
and GIVENS counters with a body kick that stops Aziz in his tracks momentarily.
Aziz closes this distance looking for a takedown but GIVENS circles away.

GIVENS fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Aziz sprawls well initially but GIVENS persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
GIVENS seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aziz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
GIVENS stalling.
Aziz is looking to control GIVENS's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Aziz avoid being mounted?
Aziz is trying to get back to full guard.

GIVENS stands up out of the half guard.

Aziz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
GIVENS regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
GIVENS seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aziz wants to stand but GIVENS is controlling his posture from full guard.
Aziz won't allow GIVENS to sweep him here.

GIVENS looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
GIVENS manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Aziz flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
GIVENS controlling the position easily from mount.
GIVENS avoids the attempt from Aziz to control.
Aziz is squirming around, avoiding GIVENS's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
GIVENS controlling from the full mount.
Aziz is trying to escape the mount.
A nice elbow there by GIVENS.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, GIVENS cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
GIVENS dominating with strikes here.
GIVENS avoids the attempt from Aziz to control.
XANDER GIVENS has got the better of the ground game so far.
A nice elbow there by GIVENS.
Aziz is trying desperately to improve position.
Aziz is working hard here to advance position.
Aziz wants to control but GIVENS is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aziz is wriggling around trying to escape.
BOOM! GIVENS connects with a massive shot to the dome!
GIVENS is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Aziz can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
GIVENS trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aziz is looking to improve his position but GIVENS isn't that keen on the idea.

GIVENS looking to secure an arm triangle but Aziz defends it well.
Aziz really wants to buck GIVENS off and get back to his feet.

That's four 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.
GIVENS looking to control and managing it successfully.

Aziz defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from GIVENS.
GIVENS looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
GIVENS looking to control but Aziz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
GIVENS working away from the top, dropping strikes.
GIVENS controlling his opponent.
GIVENS in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

XANDER GIVENS showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Aziz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
GIVENS looks to land a body kick but Aziz moved away.
Aziz fails in his attempt to clinch.

GIVENS fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Aziz, pushing him back against the cage.
GIVENS wants to get back to striking at distance but Aziz won't allow it.
Good body shot from GIVENS.
GIVENS tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aziz smiles and moves away.
Aziz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but GIVENS moves away.

GIVENS changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Aziz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

GIVENS stands up and beckons Aziz to his feet.
Aziz fails in his attempt to clinch.

GIVENS fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Aziz sprawls well initially but GIVENS persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aziz is trying to maintain the position but GIVENS is very close to passing his half guard.
Aziz is staying active underneath GIVENS, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
GIVENS is controlling the pace.
GIVENS wants to take a breather but Aziz is having none of it.
GIVENS wants to free his trapped foot but Aziz is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Aziz wants to improve his position but GIVENS is controlling well.
Aziz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Aziz tries to clinch but GIVENS moves away
and GIVENS makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Aziz really felt that one!

GIVENS shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. GIVENS showed some decent athleticism there.
GIVENS working the head and body with strikes.
GIVENS is keen to just control but Aziz is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if GIVENS is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
GIVENS working the head and body with strikes.
GIVENS works his way into full mount!

GIVENS working for a guillotine from mount but Aziz is in no mood to give up.
GIVENS trying to control but Aziz is having none of it.
GIVENS has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Aziz is looking to get to half guard.
GIVENS can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aziz is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aziz tries to hold on but GIVENS postures up.
GIVENS trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aziz is trying to escape the mount.
Aziz is trying to reverse the position but instead GIVENS has taken his back - oops!
Will GIVENS go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
GIVENS doesn't have the hooks in and Aziz manages to turn into his guard.
Aziz advances to half guard.
GIVENS trying to control but Aziz postures up.
GIVENS regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aziz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. GIVENS swivels though and keeps the full guard.
GIVENS looking for a sweep. Not yet GIVENS, not yet.
Aziz postures up.
Aziz slips nicely into half guard.
GIVENS is looking to control Aziz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can GIVENS avoid being mounted?
Aziz throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
GIVENS wants to improve his position but Aziz is controlling well.
Aziz throwing shots but GIVENS is blocking nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Aziz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and GIVENS counters with a one-two to the body.
Rami Aziz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aziz stuffs the takedown.
Rami Aziz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of XANDER GIVENS.
Aziz darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
XANDER GIVENS comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got GIVENS 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... XANDER GIVENS!