PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Byron Tipton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Edgar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Tipton
vs
Edgar

165 cm
20
140 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
24
145 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Byron Tipton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frankie Edgar!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edgar is looking to slow Tipton down with leg kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Edgar. That's going to slow Tipton down.
Tipton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Edgar.
A nice inside leg kick there by Edgar. That's going to slow Tipton down.
Edgar thumps Tipton with a low kick.
Edgar throws a big shot that misses.
Frankie Edgar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tipton shoots in looking for a takedown. Edgar tries to sprawl out of it but Tipton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Edgar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tipton takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tipton takes the fight into the clinch.
Tipton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Edgar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Tipton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Edgar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Edgar waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tipton.
Tipton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Edgar appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Tipton drops his hands momentarily and Edgar takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Edgar misses the shot to the body.
Edgar keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Edgar let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Edgar scores with a one two! Tipton had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Edgar throws the left hand but Tipton avoids the punch easily.
As Edgar tries to get set, Tipton tries to push him back and clinch up but Edgar manages to avoid the attempt.
Edgar throws a series of punches but Tipton avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Edgar.
Edgar scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tipton missing with a left hand there. Edgar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tipton blocks a jab.
Edgar misses with a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Edgar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tipton moves away.
Good shot there by Edgar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tipton finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Edgar walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tipton checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Edgar misses with a straight right.
Edgar tests Tipton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tipton takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Edgar loads up on a big right hand but Tipton slips the punch.
Tipton tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tipton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Edgar.
Edgar throws a head kick that misses.
Edgar looks to land a combination but Tipton avoids it well.
Tipton drops down looking for a counter takedown but Edgar sprawls and moves away.
Edgar misses with a wild body shot.

Tipton clinches.

Tipton turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Tipton manages to end up in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tipton tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Edgar is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Tipton wants to control but Edgar is keeping him busy.
Tipton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The ground and pound from Tipton seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Tipton is putting a hurting on Edgar here, landing some big shots from side control.
Edgar takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Edgar wants to control but Tipton postures up.
Edgar taking punishment in the form of punches.

Tipton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Edgar has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Edgar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Edgar is trying to work for a sweep but Tipton has mounted him!
Tipton avoids the attempt from Edgar to control.
Edgar in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Edgar tries to hold on but Tipton pushes him away.
Tipton punishing his opponent with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Edgar can do anything to dispel that myth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tipton lands a couple of good shots and Edgar has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Edgar is covering up but some of the strikes from Tipton are getting through and doing damage.

Edgar is rocked!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Edgar tries to escape but Tipton has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Edgar covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Edgar is still in real trouble! Can Tipton finish him?
Tipton throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Edgar seems to have recovered his senses.
Tipton trying to control momentarily.
Tipton gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Edgar is holding onto Tipton's left hand, preventing any choke attempts.
You can see the frustration on Edgar's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Tipton loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Edgar hold on?

That's six minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Edgar right now.
Tipton is not going to allow Edgar to sit and survive in this position.

Tipton looking to break Edgar's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Edgar remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tipton will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Tipton punishes Edgar with strikes from the back mount.

Edgar 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 Tipton gets his way!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tipton is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Edgar. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Tipton is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Edgar. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tipton trying to control momentarily.

Edgar defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Tipton's arms.

Tipton is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Tipton lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Edgar wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Tipton gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

Tipton is looking for the choke from the back position but Edgar is controlling his hands well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Tipton has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Edgar has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Edgar trying to get back to his feet but Tipton is in full control for now.

Edgar preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Tipton.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Tipton is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Edgar knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Edgar for a finish.
Edgar trying to control the hands but Tipton breaks the grip.
Tipton is looking to control Edgar but Edgar is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Tipton has the hooks in. Edgar is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Even with his hooks in, Tipton manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Edgar can't escape the position.
Tipton misses with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byron Tipton dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Edgar drops his hands momentarily and Tipton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Edgar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tipton looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Frankie Edgar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Edgar scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Good shot there by Edgar.
Tipton sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Edgar attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tipton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Edgar swivels and escapes.
Edgar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tipton manages to avoid it.
Edgar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Edgar throws a front kick aimed at Tipton's knee but Tipton avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tipton on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tipton looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tipton is defended easily by Edgar.
Edgar looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice shot by Edgar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Edgar.

It looks like Byron Tipton has been cut.
Tipton 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.
Edgar scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Danga de danga de dang - Edgar scores with a four punch combination!

Tipton is rocked!
Edgar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oh Tipton is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Edgar with a jab.
Tipton wants to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Edgar. No joy for Tipton on that attempt.
Tipton seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Byron Tipton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tipton blocks the body kick.
Edgar thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tipton if he has to take too many more of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Edgar lands a nice hook to Tipton's body. Tipton takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edgar fails to land with a series of punches.
Tipton seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tipton gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Edgar.
Edgar just misses with a punch to the body.
Edgar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tipton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Edgar tries to avoid it but Tipton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Edgar to the ground. Edgar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Edgar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Edgar tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Edgar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tipton.
And Edgar responds with a good body kick, but Tipton manages to step out the way in time.
Edgar looks to score with a jab to the body but Tipton is just out of range.
Edgar lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Edgar takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Edgar blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edgar throws a hook but Tipton avoids it easily.
Edgar bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Edgar connects with a body shot.
Edgar has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Edgar throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tipton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tipton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Edgar as he avoids it easily.
Tipton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tipton fails with the takedown.
Edgar slips under a jab.
Tipton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Edgar.
Jab by Edgar.
Edgar lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edgar missing with a left hand there. Tipton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tipton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Edgar circles away.
Tipton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Edgar's corner calls for a 1-2. Edgar obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Edgar throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tipton.
Tipton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tipton ducks right into an uppercut from Edgar.
Edgar connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tipton tries to bum rush Edgar with a series of wild strikes but Edgar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Edgar connects with an inside leg kick.
Tipton avoids the head kick by Edgar.
Tipton tries to counter with a takedown but Edgar is quick to defend against it.
Tipton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tipton drops his hands momentarily and Edgar takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tipton looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Edgar checks the leg kick.
Edgar connects with a right hand. Tipton shakes it off.
A telegraphed right hand from Edgar misses the target.
Tipton tries to clinch up but Edgar circles away and keeps his distance.
Edgar misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Edgar lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tipton backs up against the ropes.
Edgar misses with a two punch combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Tipton. That snapped Edgar's head back.
Edgar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Tipton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tipton catches Edgar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
An inside leg kick from Tipton misses.
Edgar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tipton misses with a takedown
and Edgar counters with a one-two to the body.
Tipton is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tipton lands a leg kick that knocks Edgar off balance momentarily.

Tipton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Edgar to the ground. Tipton is now in Edgar's guard.
Edgar has his hands on Tipton's head, controlling the position.
Edgar is looking to stand up but Tipton isn't so interested in that idea.
Byron Tipton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Edgar wants to sweep but no luck.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tipton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Edgar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Edgar keeping moving, preventing Tipton from controlling successfully.
Tipton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Edgar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Edgar wants to stand but Tipton is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tipton is defended easily by Edgar.

That's eight 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.
Edgar throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Tipton on the side of the head.
Edgar scores with a punch to the head.
Edgar looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tipton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Edgar pinned against the ropes. Edgar gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A countering left hand to the body from Edgar misses.
Edgar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tipton tries to clinch but Edgar moves out of range.
Edgar shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tipton eats them both and turns towards Edgar to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tipton shoots in looking for a takedown. Edgar tries to sprawl out of it but Tipton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Edgar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Edgar throws a counter combo.
Edgar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tipton moves away.

Tipton gets a double leg takedown into Edgar's guard.
Tipton throwing strikes but missing.
Edgar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Edgar is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Tipton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Edgar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tipton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Edgar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Byron Tipton's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tipton misses with a straight left.
Edgar slips under a jab from Tipton.
Edgar swats away the attempt to clinch by Tipton.
Edgar bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tipton's head backwards.
Edgar lands a right hook to the body.
Tipton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Edgar pinned against the ropes. Edgar gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tipton avoids the body shot from Edgar.
Tipton shoots in for a double leg but Edgar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tipton walks forward, straight into a front kick from Edgar.
Edgar lands a nice shot that snaps Tipton's head back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Edgar.
Edgar throws a right and a left that Tipton avoids nicely.
Edgar scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tipton throws out a leg kick but Edgar moves out of range and Tipton only half commits.
Tipton avoids the body shot from Edgar.
Edgar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tipton looks for a takedown but Edgar sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Byron Tipton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edgar blocks a leg kick.
No luck for Tipton with that takedown attempt.
Edgar swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tipton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tipton takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tipton takes one to the side of the head.
Tipton scores with a nice right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Edgar misses with a wild combination.
Edgar connects with an inside leg kick.
Tipton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tipton takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Frankie Edgar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Edgar missing with a left hand there. Tipton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Tipton throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Edgar tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tipton is in Edgar's guard.

Edgar pushes Tipton off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Good leg kick by Edgar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Edgar.
Edgar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Edgar lands a head kick. Tipton smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Edgar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Edgar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tipton misses with a low kick as Edgar jumps back.
Good leg kick by Edgar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tipton dives in for a single leg takedown but Edgar sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Tipton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Edgar gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Edgar is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edgar bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tipton's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tipton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Tipton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Edgar tries to stand but Tipton is controlling from the bottom.
Edgar stopping the sweep attempt from Tipton.
Edgar would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Edgar is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Edgar postures up.
Edgar is looking to stand up but Tipton won't let him.

Tipton looking for a triangle here. Edgar is fighting it but it looks tight! Tipton pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Edgar is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Byron Tipton!
Byron Tipton retains his bantamweight title!
Post fight, Byron Tipton took to the microphone: 'I just beat the former champ...AGAIN! My first title defense has been a success!'.