PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ara Tiotio (ranked 237 p4p, 687 weight class) and Spinning Fire (ranked 36 p4p, 92 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tiotio
vs
Fire

205 cm
32
274
26 - 9 - 0

209 cm
28
290
16 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Grunge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ara Tiotio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Spinning Fire!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tiotio rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Fire counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tiotio won't be happy with that.
Fire throws an elbow but Tiotio slips to the side and avoids it well.
Fire tries to score with some ground and pound. Tiotio controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Fire has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fire lands a nice forearm strike.
Tiotio is not content to let Fire control the position.
Fire sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Tiotio is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fire is putting a hurting on Tiotio here, landing some big shots from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fire is trying to ground and pound but Tiotio uses the momentary lack of control by Fire to regain half guard.
Fire missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fire with the ground and pound but Tiotio uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiotio has Fire pulled in close to control his posture.
Tiotio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fire throwing strikes from guard but Tiotio blocks nicely.
Fire is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fire is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fire postures up in Tiotio's guard and throws a big left but Tiotio blocks it.
Fire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tiotio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Fire postures up in Tiotio's guard and throws a big left but Tiotio blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tiotio misses with a hook. Fire ducked under it nicely.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tiotio misses with a shot to the body

and Fire counters with a shoot takedown. Tiotio fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fire throws an elbow that misses. Tiotio uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fire's guard. Nice move by Tiotio!

Fire tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tiotio trying to control the position from guard on top but Fire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tiotio 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.
Fire wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tiotio controls the pace.
Tiotio being controlled here momentarily.
Tiotio tries to free his leg and advance position but Fire is retaining full guard.

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.
Fire wants to sweep but no luck.
Fire is pulling down on Tiotio's head to control his posture.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Tiotio is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tiotio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Fire counters with a shoot takedown. Tiotio fights it but they end up in guard.
Fire wants to control from the top but Tiotio keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fire throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tiotio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fire lands a couple of digs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tiotio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tiotio looks to land a right hand but Fire moved out of range.
Fire drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tiotio defends it well.
Tiotio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fire.
Fire drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tiotio defends it well.
Tiotio looks to score with a jab to the body but Fire is just out of range.
Fire ducks under a wild hook from Tiotio.
Fire tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Fire slips a straight right by Tiotio.
Tiotio with a hook.
Tiotio misses with a hook

and Fire counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tiotio won't be happy with that.
Fire throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Tiotio works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Fire trying to control the action but Tiotio is working from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Fire there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiotio is not content to let Fire control the position.
Fire working Tiotio over with strikes.
Fire is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tiotio wants to get back to full guard.
Fire takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Fire missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fire throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tiotio wants to improve his position but Fire is controlling well.
Fire sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tiotio defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fire 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.
Spinning Fire has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tiotio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fire.
Fire is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fire has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fire landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tiotio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fire trying to control the action but Tiotio is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tiotio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tiotio throws a lazy uppercut

and Fire counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fire lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire trying to control the action but Tiotio is working from the bottom.
Tiotio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fire.
Fire throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tiotio to regain full guard.
Fire scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fire throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fire working some strikes from top position.
Fire loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fire wants to control from the top but Tiotio keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fire accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fire missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

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.
Fire throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tiotio scores with a decent looking hook.
Tiotio misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Tiotio misses.
Fire drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tiotio defends it well.
Tiotio falls off balance throwing a combination

and Fire counters with a shoot takedown. Tiotio fights it but they end up in guard.
Fire wants to control from the top but Tiotio keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fire scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fire throws an elbow that misses. Tiotio uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fire's guard. Nice move by Tiotio!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Spinning Fire showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Tiotio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tiotio scores with a decent looking hook.
Tiotio works over Fire's head and body with a nice combination.
Tiotio misses with an uppercut. Fire saw that one coming.
Fire feints the counter takedown.
Tiotio misses with an uppercut. Fire saw that one coming.
Fire is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Fire displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tiotio throws out the jab.
And Fire tries to counter it with a takedown but Tiotio pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tiotio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fire was well out of range. Poor timing from Tiotio.
Tiotio misses with a shot to the body

and Fire counters with a takedown into side control.
Fire looks up at the clock and then as Tiotio takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Fire smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Tiotio is not content to let Fire control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fire working the strikes but Tiotio uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fire lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fire throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tiotio to regain full guard.
Fire 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.
Fire throws a big elbow that misses.
Fire trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fire in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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.
Tiotio controlling Fire's posture.
Fire looking to sit in guard and control but Tiotio gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tiotio controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiotio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fire holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tiotio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fire.
Fire with the counter takedown but Tiotio avoids it easily.
A big left from Tiotio misses.
Fire drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tiotio defends it well.
Tiotio lands with a shot to the body.
Tiotio throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tiotio.
Fire tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ara Tiotio is winning the standup battle so far.
Tiotio jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tiotio moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tiotio throws a right hand that misses

and Fire counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tiotio won't be happy with that.
Tiotio takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Tiotio takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fire works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fire throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Fire cracks Tiotio with a big right hand but Tiotio just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Tiotio is rocked!
Fire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tiotio keeps working.
Oh Tiotio is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Tiotio clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tiotio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fire moves away.
Tiotio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fire.
Tiotio seems to have got his legs back now.
Tiotio fails to land with a series of punches.
Tiotio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tiotio looks to land a combination but Fire avoids it well.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Fire displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tiotio throws out the jab.
Fire tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tiotio just misses with a punch to the body.
Fire with the counter takedown but Tiotio avoids it easily.
Tiotio lands with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fire staying out of range there.
Fire with the counter takedown but Tiotio avoids it easily.
Fire takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tiotio tests Fire's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tiotio throws a hook but Fire blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiotio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fire sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tiotio missing with a left hand there. Fire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fire slips under a jab.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tiotio looks to land a right hand but Fire moved out of range.
Tiotio throws a lazy uppercut

and Fire counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tiotio!
Fire throwing strikes but Tiotio manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
You can see the frustration on Fire's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Who's going to make the next move?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiotio taking a break here but Fire is having none of it and regains half guard.
Fire is looking for a sweep. Tiotio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tiotio trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiotio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fire keeps working.
Fire is doing well to control the position and prevent Tiotio from advancing to side control.
Fire is looking to improve his position.

That's four 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.
Tiotio sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Fire is staying active underneath Tiotio, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fire is looking for a sweep. Tiotio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Tiotio had his way with Spinning Fire in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tiotio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fire with the counter takedown but Tiotio avoids it easily.
Tiotio misses with a two punch combination.
Fire is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tiotio misses with a straight right.
Fire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tiotio.
Fire moves away from the strike by Tiotio.
Tiotio swings widly with a right hand

and Fire counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fire is fighting to break Tiotio's control of his arms but Tiotio is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Fire in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fire distracts Tiotio with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fire is fighting to break Tiotio's control of his arms but Tiotio is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Fire is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiotio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fire.
Fire keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tiotio's head.
Fire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tiotio is trying to control the position but Fire postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tiotio throws a sloppy body shot

and Fire counters with a takedown into side control.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Fire tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Fire trying to control the position but Tiotio is working away.
Fire laying and praying for a moment but Tiotio takes advantage and regains half guard.
Tiotio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiotio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fire perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fire wants to control but Tiotio is keeping him busy.
Tiotio regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Fire.
Fire throwing strikes from guard but Tiotio blocks nicely.
Fire with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fire is working Tiotio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fire postures up in Tiotio's guard and throws a big left but Tiotio blocks it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fire ducks under a wild hook from Tiotio.
Tiotio lands with a right hand.
Fire slips a jab from Tiotio.
Fire steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tiotio.
Fire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tiotio lands a jab to the nose.
Tiotio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tiotio misses with an uppercut

and Fire counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fire.
Tiotio trying to control the position.
Fire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fire lands a couple of elbows.
Fire with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fire with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fire scoring with some ground and pound.
Fire wants to control from the top but Tiotio keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fire slips under a jab.
Fire feints the counter takedown.
Fire moves out of range of the strikes.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tiotio misses with a left hand

and Fire counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Tiotio uses the cage to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ara Tiotio showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 48:47
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ara Tiotio!
Ara Tiotio retains his heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Ara Tiotio made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Spinning Fire was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll back stronger'.