PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Agustin Castillas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Birmiski's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, I'm Back - T.I. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Birmiski
vs
Castillas

170 cm
20
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

166 cm
23
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Sweet-Tooth Supplements

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ari Birmiski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Agustin Castillas!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillas throws a lazy right hand but Birmiski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Birmiski scores with a four punch combination!
Castillas loads up on a big right hand but Birmiski slips the punch.

Birmiski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Birmiski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Castillas is trying to control the position but Birmiski postures up.
Birmiski looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Birmiski drops back looking for a leg! Castillas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Castillas manages to kick Birmiski off! Birmiski jumps back into Castillas's guard.
Castillas is trying to keep Birmiski in close.
Castillas wants to sweep but no luck.

Castillas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Birmiski is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Castillas is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Castillas has escaped and now he's on top!
Birmiski is looking to stand up but Castillas isn't so interested in that idea.
Castillas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Castillas trying to control the position from guard on top but Birmiski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Birmiski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Birmiski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Castillas is one step ahead there.

Castillas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Birmiski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Castillas has Birmiski in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Birmiski drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Castillas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Birmiski has Castillas in his guard.

Birmiski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Castillas is aware though and is defending well.

Birmiski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Castillas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Birmiski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Castillas defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Birmiski is keeping the position for now.
Castillas tries to stand but Birmiski is controlling from the bottom.
Birmiski throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Birmiski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Castillas passes Birmiski's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Birmiski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Birmiski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Birmiski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Birmiski has his foot on Castillas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castillas works his way back into a safe position though.
Birmiski keeping moving, preventing Castillas from controlling successfully.
Birmiski wants to sweep but no luck.

Birmiski working for submissions but it's allowed Castillas to get to half guard.
Birmiski is breathing heavily.

Castillas is looking for a kimura but Birmiski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Castillas to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Birmiski closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Castillas did well to prevent Birmiski getting side control.

Birmiski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Birmiski seems to be looking for submissions.
Castillas trying to control here.
Castillas is pressing down on Birmiski's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Castillas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Birmiski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Birmiski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Birmiski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castillas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Birmiski has managed to get both his arms back between Castillas's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Birmiski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Birmiski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Castillas is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Birmiski, into his guard.
Castillas is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillas wants to stand but Birmiski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Castillas postures up.

Birmiski has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Castillas is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Birmiski.
Birmiski is looking to reverse the position.

Castillas goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Birmiski rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Castillas's guard! Nice work there by Birmiski!

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

Birmiski drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Castillas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Birmiski has Castillas in his guard.

Birmiski looking for a guillotine here but Castillas defends easily.

Birmiski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Castillas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Castillas wants to control from the top but Birmiski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Birmiski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Birmiski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Birmiski looking for a guillotine here but Castillas defends easily.
Castillas trying to control the position from guard on top but Birmiski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Birmiski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Castillas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Birmiski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Birmiski has escaped and now he's on top!

Birmiski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Birmiski passes Castillas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Birmiski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Castillas throws a hook but Birmiski avoids it easily.
Castillas lands a jab to Birmiski's midsection.
Castillas misses with a hook.
Castillas loads up on a big right hand but Birmiski slips the punch.
Castillas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castillas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Castillas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Birmiski counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Castillas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Birmiski shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Castillas trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Birmiski seems to be looking for submissions.
Castillas is trying to control but can't.

Birmiski seems to be looking for submissions.

Birmiski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Castillas sees it coming and defends easily.
Birmiski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Castillas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Castillas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Birmiski pulls his head out easily.

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

Birmiski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Birmiski in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Castillas tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Birmiski!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ari Birmiski!