PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michelangelo Di Lodovico (ranked 1340 p4p, 180 weight class) and Michael Tyler (ranked 1728 p4p, 227 weight class). Michelangelo Di Lodovico could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Michael Tyler's chin.

Di Lodovico
vs
Tyler

185 cm
20
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
27
200 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michelangelo Di Lodovico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Tyler!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Tyler.

Di Lodovico shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tyler manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Di Lodovico looking to pass the guard.
Tyler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Di Lodovico is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tyler seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Di Lodovico stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tyler swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tyler is controlling Di Lodovico's posture.
Di Lodovico not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Di Lodovico has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter in the buildup to the fight.
A head kick from Tyler lands but Di Lodovico takes it in his stride.
Tyler throws a body kick that misses

and Di Lodovico counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Di Lodovico is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Tyler!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico avoids the attempt from Tyler to control.
Di Lodovico trying to control but Tyler is having none of it.
Tyler tries to hold on but Di Lodovico pushes him away.
Di Lodovico content just to control the position here.
Tyler is desperately trying to improve his position but Di Lodovico has a good base and remains in mount.

Tyler defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Di Lodovico.
Di Lodovico controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tyler really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Di Lodovico looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tyler can't escape the position.

Di Lodovico goes for an armbar but Tyler turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tyler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Di Lodovico is trying to control the position from the bottom.
My spies in Kaptajnernes Træningscenter inform me that Tyler has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Di Lodovico utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tyler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Di Lodovico working for a triangle but Tyler defends it easily.
Tyler preventing the sweep.
Di Lodovico is trying to control the position but Tyler postures up.
Tyler throws a big elbow that misses.
Di Lodovico trying to keep a closed guard but Tyler is proving a slippery customer.
Di Lodovico looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Di Lodovico not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Tyler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tyler throws a big right hand that misses.

Tyler drops back, looking for a kneebar! Di Lodovico looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Di Lodovico looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Di Lodovico!

Di Lodovico is looking to take a break and control but Tyler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee asks Di Lodovico politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Di Lodovico prefers to stall for the moment though.

Di Lodovico tries for a kimura but Tyler is defending well.
Tyler wants to control but Di Lodovico postures up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico wants to control but Tyler is keeping him busy.

Di Lodovico is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tyler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Di Lodovico is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tyler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Di Lodovico controlling the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Di Lodovico works to advance to full mount. Tyler defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Di Lodovico looking to control but Tyler is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Di Lodovico takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Di Lodovico wants to take Tyler's back but he can't do it this time.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Di Lodovico trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Di Lodovico has control of Tyler's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Tyler regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Tyler keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Di Lodovico goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Tyler is on top in guard.

Di Lodovico looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Di Lodovico is looking for a triangle but Tyler pushes his legs off easily.

Di Lodovico is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Tyler frees his head nicely. Oh but Di Lodovico has switched to an armbar! Tyler is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Michelangelo Di Lodovico!
After winning the bout, Michelangelo Di Lodovico thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.