PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Alvarez (ranked 1278 p4p, 2090 weight class) and Dick Niaz (ranked 158 p4p, 258 weight class). Tyler Alvarez has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Alvarez
vs
Niaz

183 cm
20
157
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
165
3 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tyler Alvarez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dick Niaz!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Niaz gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Alvarez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Niaz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alvarez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Niaz controls Alvarez momentarily but Alvarez frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niaz seems keen to control Alvarez's posture.
Niaz can't keep his opponent in guard - Alvarez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Niaz wants to improve his position but Alvarez is controlling well.
Niaz is not content to let Alvarez control the position.
Alvarez stalling.
Niaz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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.
Niaz looking to control.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.

Niaz is looking for a triangle but Alvarez pushes his legs off easily.
Alvarez controlling from the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Niaz tries for a takedown but Alvarez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Alvarez instigates a clinch.
Alvarez tries a body shot but Niaz blocks it.
Alvarez leaning against his opponent.
Alvarez has Niaz pressed against the cage.

Niaz manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Alvarez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niaz wants to control the position but Alvarez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Alvarez is working for a submission of some sort.
Alvarez is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Alvarez wants to take a breather but Niaz is having none of it.
Niaz felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Niaz wants to improve his position but Alvarez is controlling well.

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.
Niaz is not content to let Alvarez control the position.
Niaz wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy.
Alvarez sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Niaz wants to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Alvarez is trying to work for a kimura but Niaz is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Alvarez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alvarez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Niaz. Niaz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Niaz has his takedown stuffed

and Alvarez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alvarez.
Alvarez controls from within his opponent's guard.
Alvarez passes Niaz's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alvarez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Niaz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Niaz is pressing down on Alvarez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niaz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alvarez controls the pace.

Niaz has an active guard here but Alvarez has managed to pass into half guard.

Alvarez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Niaz is trying to get back to full guard.
Alvarez stalling.

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.

Alvarez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Niaz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alvarez pulls his head out easily.
Niaz is refusing to be controlled, as Alvarez sits in half guard.

Alvarez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tyler Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez controlling the pace.
Alvarez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Alvarez passes into side control, despite Niaz's attempt to control the position.
Alvarez trying to control the position but Niaz is working away.

Alvarez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Niaz is not content to let Alvarez control the position.

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.
Niaz stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Alvarez wants to control but Niaz is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Alvarez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alvarez lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Alvarez dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alvarez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Niaz, pushing him back against the cage.
Alvarez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Niaz can do to turn this around?
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Alvarez controlling the action here for a moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Alvarez.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Niaz fails to pull guard.
Niaz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alvarez pushes Niaz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez misses with a short punch on the inside.

Niaz manages to pull guard.
Alvarez stays in close to Niaz's body and controls the position.
Niaz trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niaz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alvarez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alvarez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Alvarez stopping the sweep attempt from Niaz.

Niaz has an active guard here but Alvarez has managed to pass into half guard.
Niaz tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Niaz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Alvarez is thwarting Niaz's attempts to control the position.
Niaz is in trouble now - Alvarez has advanced to mount!
Niaz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niaz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alvarez wants to take Niaz's back but he can't do it this time.
Niaz is squirming around, avoiding Alvarez's attempts to control the action.
Niaz regains half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Alvarez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Alvarez trying to mount his opponent but Niaz defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is trying to control the action in half guard but Niaz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Alvarez trying to mount his opponent but Niaz defends it.
Niaz wants to improve his position but Alvarez is controlling well.
Niaz is controlling Alvarez's trapped leg to prevent Alvarez from advancing to side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Niaz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Alvarez clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Alvarez stuffs the takedown.
Alvarez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Alvarez scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Alvarez clinches up against the cage.
Alvarez holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Alvarez has clasped his hands together around Niaz's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Alvarez trying to control the action but Niaz is working from the bottom.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niaz is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niaz seems a little lost for a moment, as Alvarez dominates the positioning.
Alvarez tries to move to mount but Niaz blocks the move with his legs.
Niaz gets back to half guard.
Niaz is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Niaz avoid being mounted?
Alvarez controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alvarez'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 referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Niaz tries to clinch there but Alvarez circles away.
Alvarez connects with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Niaz tries to pull guard but Alvarez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Alvarez misses with a punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Alvarez.

Alvarez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alvarez looks to land a combination but Niaz avoids it well.
Niaz darts in looking for a takedown but Alvarez gets double underhooks and turns Niaz into the cage.
Tyler Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick Niaz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez cracks Niaz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Alvarez stuffs the takedown attempt from Niaz. Niaz gets slowly back to his feet.
Niaz shoots and misses

and Alvarez counters by clinching up.
Alvarez leaning against his opponent.

Alvarez tightens his grip and picks Niaz up, before dumping him to the ground. Niaz manages to land in guard.
Alvarez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Alvarez trying to control but Niaz is working from the bottom.
Niaz looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niaz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Alvarez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Niaz is keeping the position for now.

Niaz working for a triangle but Alvarez defends it easily.
Alvarez forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Alvarez had his way with Dick Niaz in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Niaz gets caught flat footed, as Alvarez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Alvarez is fighting to break Niaz's control of his arms but Niaz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Niaz keeps moving.
Niaz looking to control.

Niaz looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Alvarez has picked Niaz up and slammed him! Niaz can't keep hold of the triangle and Alvarez manages to pass to side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alvarez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Niaz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Niaz tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Alvarez presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niaz working to try and regain half guard.
Alvarez content just to control the position here.
Niaz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alvarez mounts Niaz! Really nice guard pass there!

Alvarez working for a guillotine from mount but Niaz is in no mood to give up.
Dick Niaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tyler Alvarez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two 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.
Niaz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alvarez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Niaz keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Alvarez controlling his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Alvarez is working for a guillotine from mount but Niaz frees his head quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niaz is looking to get to half guard.
Alvarez tries to control but Niaz wriggling away.
Niaz srikes from the bottom but he's lost position and has given up his back.
Alvarez is hanging on to Niaz's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alvarez really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Niaz.
Niaz is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Alvarez off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Niaz is really stuck here.

Alvarez working for a choke but Niaz reverses nicely into Alvarez 's guard.

Niaz throws a sloppy strike and Alvarez has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Niaz is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Alvarez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tyler Alvarez!
Tyler Alvarez retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Tyler Alvarez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.