PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mike Norris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ejaz Niazy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mike Norris has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Norris
vs
Niazy

219 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
132 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Norris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ejaz Niazy!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Norris closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Niazy looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Norris working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Norris tries for a kimura but Niazy is defending well.
Niazy is trying to get back to half guard.

Norris tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Norris has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Norris looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niazy sneaks back into half guard.
Niazy throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norris is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Niazy has managed to free his arm - good work.

Norris is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Niazy sees it coming and defends easily.

Norris is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Niazy sees it coming and defends easily.
Norris will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Norris is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Niazy is just riding it out for now. Norris eventually gives up the hold.
Niazy wants to get back to full guard.

Niazy is defending against the submission attempts here by Norris.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Norris prevents Niazy from standing back up.

Niazy makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Niazy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Norris.

Norris has taken the fight to the clinch.

Norris drags the fight down to the ground.
Norris is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Niazy is looking to stand up but Norris won't let him.

Norris scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Niazy has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

Norris gets a double leg takedown into Niazy's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Norris is in close to Niazy's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Norris has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Niazy pushes Norris off and scrambles back to his feet.
Niazy wants to slow Norris down by chopping away at his legs.
Norris tries to counter with a takedown but Niazy is quick to defend against it.
Niazy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Norris sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Niazy somewhat.

Norris moves into range and clinches up with Niazy.

Norris has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Niazy uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niazy stands up from Norris's guard - Niazy perhaps looking for a knockout.

Norris has Niazy up against the cage in a clinch.

Norris jumps into guard, dragging Niazy to the mat.
Norris avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Niazy slips nicely into half guard.
Niazy wants to pass the guard but Norris is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Norris dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Niazy gets tackled into the cage by Norris. Norris maintains the clinch.
Norris crunches a lovely knee into Niazy's ribcage.

Norris has clasped his hands together around Niazy's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Norris thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Norris really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Norris tries for a kimura but Niazy is defending well.

Norris is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Niazy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niazy is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niazy throws Norris to one side and escapes!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Norris has taken the fight to the clinch.

Norris successfully pulls guard.
Norris wants to stand but Niazy is controlling the position.

Norris has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Niazy off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Norris forces Niazy back against the cage and clinches.
Knees to the body from Norris.

Norris ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Norris no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Niazy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Norris checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Niazy dives in and scores a takedown into Norris's guard.
Norris is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Niazy can do to turn this around?

Norris is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Niazy presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Niazy successfully pulls guard.
Norris postures up and lands a big shot to Niazy's brow.

Niazy looking for subs off his back but Norris has passed one foot through into half guard.
Niazy wants to improve his position but Norris is controlling well.
Mike Norris overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Norris is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Niazy doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Norris.
Niazy is trying to stand up here but Norris is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norris seems to be working for a kimura but Niazy defends the submission attempt.

Norris is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Niazy is just riding it out for now. Norris eventually gives up the hold.

Niazy kicks Norris off and gets back to his feet.
Niazy throws a leg kick
and Norris counters with a left and a right that stings Niazy.

Norris has closed the distance and engaged Niazy in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norris is looking to break free of the clinch but Niazy has double underhooks.

Norris manages to break the clinch.
Niazy shoots in but no luck this time.
Niazy swings for the body but Norris moves out of range.
A low kick from Niazy misses
and Norris counters with a two punch combo.

Norris moves into the clinch.

Norris has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Niazy uses from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Niazy gets to his feet - Norris follows without any prompting.
Niazy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Niazy shoots in looking for a takedown. Norris tries to sprawl out of it but Niazy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Norris manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Norris dominated that second round.
That's time! Norris's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Norris closes the distance and pushes Niazy back into the cage.

Norris pulls guard effortlessly.
Norris is looking to stand up but Niazy isn't so interested in that idea.

Norris is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Niazy presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Norris manages to break the clinch.
Niazy shoots and misses
and Norris cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Norris drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Norris tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Norris has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niazy tries to bench press Norris off him but Norris keeps the position.

Norris working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Niazy is looking for a sweep.
Niazy striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

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

Norris is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Niazy is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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.
Niazy tries to escape but Norris is in control.
Niazy tries to bench press Norris off him but Norris keeps the position.
Niazy is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Norris has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Norris wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Niazy, who protects the arm well.
Niazy is looking to regain half guard here but Norris keeps moving and retains side control.

Norris thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Norris tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Norris has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Norris is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Niazy has escaped the position, nice work there.
Norris misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Niazy gets back to half guard.
Niazy is trying to stand up here but Norris is controlling him well.
Norris throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

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.

Norris is looking for a kimura but Niazy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Norris to get the leverage.

Norris is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Niazy has managed to free his arm - good work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice defenses there by Norris.
Niazy throws a half hearted mid kick.
Norris half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Niazy misses with a head kick.

Norris clinches.
Niazy is trying to pull guard but Norris has him pressed against the cage.

Norris breaks the clinch.
Niazy throws a push kick but Norris slaps the foot to one side.

Norris has closed the distance and engaged Niazy in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Norris pulls Niazy into guard.

Norris is working an open guard so Niazy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ejaz Niazy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Norris is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Niazy throws a head kick that misses
and Norris counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Norris showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Norris has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Norris!