PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Good Day (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Cicero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Day comes into the arena with Hifana - Wamono blaring out of the sound system. Cicero is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Woke Up This Morning . 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.

Day
vs
Cicero

171 cm
25
160 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

162 cm
24
158 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Great elbows
Powerful

FULL METAL GEAR
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Good Day!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paul Cicero!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Day misses with a low kick.
Cicero connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Day throws a quick inside leg kick.
Day throws a sloppy body shot
and Cicero counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Day misses with an uppercut. Cicero saw that one coming.
Cicero misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Day counters with a stiff right hand.
Paul Cicero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cicero swats away the attempt to clinch by Day.
Day drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Day steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cicero. That one must have hurt.
Cicero throws a leg kick
and Day counters with a good low kick that Cicero was not able to check.
Day thuds a left hand into Cicero's body.

Cicero closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cicero avoids the elbow strike from Day, against the cage.
Cicero stalling in the clinch but Day improves position.
Cicero lands a shot to the body.
Cicero blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cicero wants to get back to striking at distance but Day won't allow it.
Cicero tries to stall but Day uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cicero stalling the fight.
A hook to the body from Day.
Day gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Day trying to land knees to the body.
Day lands a damaging elbow.
Day using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cicero has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Day scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Day misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cicero.
Cicero misses with a hook to the ribs.

Cicero works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Cicero controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cicero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Day swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Day bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cicero's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Day trying to control the position from guard on top but Cicero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Day is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Cicero is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Cicero has escaped and now he's on top!
Cicero postures up in Day's guard and throws a big left but Day blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cicero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cicero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Day swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cicero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cicero looking to pass the guard.
Cicero controlling from the top position.
Cicero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Day swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Day seems keen to control Cicero's posture.
Cicero trying to control the position from guard on top but Day is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cicero keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Day digs a good hook to Cicero's body.
Day takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Day on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cicero throws a right hand that Day ducks under and follows up with a left that Day also avoids with ease.
That kick from Cicero tenderised Day's leg. Day is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cicero dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Day. That did some damage!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cicero misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Day.
Cicero fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cicero throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cicero misses with a double jab
and Cicero takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Day throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cicero lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Cicero scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Day works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cicero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Day swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Day utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Day is looking for a triangle but Cicero pushes his legs off easily.
Cicero has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Day controls Cicero momentarily but Cicero frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cicero with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cicero wants to pass the guard but Day is keeping the position.
Day controls Cicero momentarily but Cicero frees himself.
Cicero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cicero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Day working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cicero.
Day is looking to sweep but instead, Cicero has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cicero trying to control from half guard but Day is working away.
Day works his way to full guard. Good work.
Day looking to control.
Cicero wants to control from the top but Day keeps moving.
Day manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cicero manages to get himself to full guard.

Cicero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Day lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Day pushing down on Cicero's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cicero wants to get back to full guard.
Day is keen to just control but Cicero is a slippery customer.
Day working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Day misses with a head shot. Cicero uses the momentum to regain guard.
Cicero is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cicero keeping full guard, as Day tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Day wants to control from the top but Cicero keeps moving.

Day got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cicero has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Day has managed to get both his arms back between Cicero's legs - danger averted.
Cicero not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Day seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cicero keeping moving, preventing Day from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paul Cicero will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cicero avoids the body shot from Day.
Day moves forwards but Cicero connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cicero misses with a leg kick
and Day counters with an outside leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Day blocks the low kick.
Day doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Day closes the distance looking to clinch

and Cicero counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Day!

Cicero moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Day has worked his arm free - good work by Day!
Day takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day tries to buck Cicero off but Cicero is having none of it.
Cicero looking to control but instead Day has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Day has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cicero is working away from the top position though.
Day is staying active underneath Cicero, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Day gets full guard.

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.
Cicero wants to pass the guard but Day is keeping the position.
Day looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cicero slips nicely into half guard.
Cicero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Cicero is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cicero working Day over with strikes.
Cicero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Day is looking to get back to full guard here but Cicero has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cicero wants to control but Day is keeping him busy.
Cicero creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Day sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Day can't do much from the bottom here.
Day manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cicero's best efforts.
Cicero sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Day won't allow Cicero to pass to mount.

That's four 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.
Day taking some punishment here, with Cicero in his half guard.
Cicero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cicero moves nicely into side control.
Day wants to control but Cicero postures up.
Cicero in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cicero advances to full mount.

Cicero goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Day is on top in guard.
Day wanted to stand there but Cicero had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Cicero really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Day throws a sloppy body shot

and Cicero counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cicero connects with a couple of short punches.
Cicero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Cicero drops back, looking for a kneebar! Day looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Day looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Day!
Day wants to control but Cicero is keeping him busy.
Cicero parries the strikes from Day easily there. Day is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cicero to escape.
Day in side control lands a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Cicero's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Day swings around for an armbar but Cicero sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Day's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day has control of Cicero's left arm, preventing Cicero from doing any damage.
Cicero working some strikes from top position.
Day controls Cicero momentarily but Cicero frees himself.
Day has control of Cicero's left arm, preventing Cicero from doing any damage.
Cicero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Day works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cicero tries to free his leg and advance position but Day is retaining full guard.
Cicero throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two 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.
Day working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cicero.
Cicero passes Day's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Day is trying to maintain the position but Cicero is very close to passing his half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Cicero is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Day defends it well.
Cicero thows a huge punch but Day dodges it nicely.

Cicero seems to be looking for submissions.
Day wants to improve his position but Cicero is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Day trying to control here.

Cicero is trying to work for a kimura but Day is defending well.
Day is looking to improve his position.
Cicero tries to pass to full mount but Day defends it.
Cicero thows a huge punch but Day dodges it nicely.

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.
Day trying to control from the bottom.
Day is trying to get back to full guard.
Cicero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Day wants to control but Cicero passes into side.

Cicero tries for a kimura but Day is defending well.
Day is not content to let Cicero control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Cicero dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cicero scores with a punch to the head.
Day misses with a looping left.
Cicero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Day.
Day throws a looping overhand right but Cicero ducks down to avoid it.

Cicero shoots in and bounces Day off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Day is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Day lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cicero!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Day can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cicero is looking to escape.
Cicero regains half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Day missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Cicero is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Day pulls his head out easily.
Good Day has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Day is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Day winds up and cracks Cicero with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Day trying to control the action but Cicero is working from the bottom.
Day working over Cicero with some ground and pound. Cicero looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cicero is looking to improve his position.
Cicero gets back to full guard.
Day loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Day avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cicero is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Cicero working for a triangle but Day defends it easily.
Day trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul Cicero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cicero pulls Day in to control the position.

Cicero working for a triangle but Day defends it easily.
Cicero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.

Cicero is looking for a triangle but Day pushes his legs off easily.
Day wants to control from the top but Cicero keeps moving.
Day works over Cicero with some ground and pound from guard.
Day connects with a couple of short punches.
Cicero trying to control the position.
Day scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Good Day showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cicero has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 47:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Cicero!
Paul Cicero is the new lightweight champion!