PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ezio Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Birmiski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Birmiski comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I'm Back - T.I kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! On his way into the cage it seems that Ezio Castillo has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ezio Castillo seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Castillo
vs
Birmiski

170 cm
29
145 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

170 cm
25
140 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Milwaukee's Best 160 -$150 SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ezio Castillo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ari Birmiski!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillo has his takedown stuffed
and Birmiski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Birmiski rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Castillo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Castillo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Birmiski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Castillo has his takedown stuffed
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezio Castillo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Birmiski.

Castillo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Birmiski's half guard.

Castillo is trying to work for a kimura but Birmiski is defending well.
Birmiski gets full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Birmiski has his foot on Castillo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castillo works his way back into a safe position though.
Castillo wants to control from the top but Birmiski keeps moving.
Castillois looking to pass into half guard but Birmiski pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Birmiski is in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski trying to control but Castillo is working from the bottom.
Birmiski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Birmiski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Birmiski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castillo is keeping the position for now.
Birmiski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castillo keeping moving, preventing Birmiski from controlling successfully.
Birmiski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castillo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Birmiski wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Birmiski works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Castillo some visible discomfort.
Check out the look on Birmiski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Birmiski working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Birmiski working the ground and pound but Castillo is defending the strikes.
Birmiski looks up at the clock and then as Castillo takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Birmiski smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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

Birmiski wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Castillo, who protects the arm well.
Birmiski postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Birmiski lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Castillo parries the strikes from Birmiski easily there. Birmiski is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Castillo to escape.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Birmiski is putting a hurting on Castillo here, landing some big shots from side control.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Birmiski scoring with punches and elbows.
Birmiski wants to control but Castillo is keeping him busy.
Birmiski in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Castillo tries to buck Birmiski off but Birmiski is having none of it.
Birmiski taking a break here but Castillo is having none of it and regains half guard.
Castillo gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski looking to pass the guard.
Birmiski working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Castillo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Birmiski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Castillo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Birmiski works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Castillo wants to get back to full guard but Birmiski has mounted him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castillo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Birmiski unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Castillo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Birmiski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Castillo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Birmiski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ezio Castillo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Birmiski misses with a few strikes there.
Castillo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Birmiski counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezio Castillo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Birmiski shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Birmiski showed some decent athleticism there.
Birmiski wants to control but Castillo is keeping him busy.
Birmiski moves into full mount! Castillo won't be happy about that!
Ari Birmiski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Birmiski working Castillo over with strikes here.
Birmiski is landing with some decent strikes but Castillo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castillo is looking to improve his position but Birmiski isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Birmiski working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Castillo looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Castillo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Birmiski's guard. Nice work there by Castillo.
Birmiski manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
A nice elbow there by Birmiski.
Birmiski working Castillo over with strikes here.
Castillo is trying to reverse the position but instead Birmiski has taken his back - oops!
Birmiski lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Castillo is rocked!
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!
Birmiski is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Castillo. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Oh Castillo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski struggling to keep hold of the position.
Castillo is really stuck here.
Birmiski lands a shot to the body.

Castillo fending off the submission attempt from Birmiski.
Birmiski is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

Birmiski is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Birmiski is looking for the choke from the back position but Castillo is controlling his hands well.

Birmiski working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Castillo seems to have got his legs back now.
Castillo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Birmiski's guard. Nice work there by Castillo.

Birmiski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Castillo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski working a defensive guard here.
Castillo preventing the sweep.
Castillo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Birmiski is keeping the position for now.
Castillo passes into half guard.

Castillo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Birmiski defends it well.
Castillo trying to control from Birmiski's half guard. Birmiski has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Birmiski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Castillo is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo advances to half guard.
Birmiski tries to roll over but Castillo keeps him under control.

Castillo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Castillo is keen to just control but Birmiski is a slippery customer.
Birmiski trying to control but Castillo postures up.
Castillo stalling away here and it's allowed Birmiski to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Castillo preventing the sweep.
Birmiski controls Castillo momentarily but Castillo frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Birmiski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Birmiski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Castillo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Birmiski quickly recovers to half guard.
Birmiski gets back to full guard.
Castillo is looking to advance position but Birmiski has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Birmiski fails to take his opponent's back.

Birmiski goes for an armbar but Castillo turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Castillo.
Birmiski is trying to control the position but Castillo postures up.
Birmiski has Castillo pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski is trying to control the position but Castillo postures up.
Castillo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Castillo trying to control the position from guard on top but Birmiski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt
and Birmiski counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castillo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Birmiski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt
and Birmiski counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezio Castillo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Birmiski lands a body shot.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt
and Birmiski counters with a nice body kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Birmiski.
Birmiski tests Castillo's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birmiski lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Birmiski connects with a body shot that sends Castillo's belly button to the back.
Castillo with a poor takedown
and Birmiski counters with a left to the body.
Birmiski fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castillo on the side of the head.
Castillo misses with a takedown
and Birmiski counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Castillo tries to move into range but Birmiski moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Birmiski's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Birmiski duly obliges.
Castillo tries for a takedown but Birmiski circles away easily
and Birmiski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Birmiski throws a leg kick which misses Castillo's front leg but catches the back leg as Castillo tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Birmiski looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Castillo!
Birmiski pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Birmiski wants to finish this one by submission but Castillo is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Birmiski.

Birmiski is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Castillo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
BOOM! Birmiski connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Birmiski moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Castillo has worked his arm free - good work by Castillo!
Birmiski sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Castillo is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castillo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Birmiski tries to pass to full mount but Castillo defends it.
Castillo is looking for a sweep. Birmiski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Castillo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Castillo.
Castillo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Castillo looking for a guillotine here but Birmiski defends easily.
Birmiski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Castillo shoots and misses
and Birmiski counters with an outside leg kick.
Birmiski looks to score with a jab to the body but Castillo is just out of range.
Castillo shoots and misses
and Castillo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Birmiski moves into range and connects with a jab.
Castillo misses with a takedown
and Birmiski counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Castillo thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezio Castillo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Birmiski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Birmiski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Castillo has his takedown stuffed
and Birmiski counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Birmiski fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Castillo to the ground. Birmiski is now in Castillo's guard.
Birmiski is pushing down on Castillo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Castillo is fighting to maintain full guard but Birmiski has managed to sneak the leg through.
Birmiski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Birmiski looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski is trying to control. Castillo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Birmiski is looking for a kimura but Castillo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Birmiski to get the leverage.
Castillo tries to roll over but Birmiski keeps him under control.
Birmiski is trying to control the action in half guard but Castillo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Castillo is trying to get back to full guard.
Birmiski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Castillo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Castillo tries to roll over but Birmiski keeps him under control.
Birmiski slows the pace down in half guard.
Birmiski is looking to take a break and control but Castillo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castillo gets back to full guard.
Birmiski trying to control the position from guard on top but Castillo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Birmiski looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ari Birmiski.
Birmiski punishes Castillo's body with a nice straight punch.
Birmiski lands with a hook. Castillo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Birmiski bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Birmiski cracks Castillo with a big elbow.
Castillo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Birmiski's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo wants to improve his position but Birmiski is controlling well.

Birmiski is trying to work for a kimura but Castillo is defending well.
Birmiski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Castillo defending well though.
Castillo regains full guard. Nicely done.

Castillo 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 pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castillo is keeping the position for now.
Birmiski slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo keeping moving, preventing Birmiski from controlling successfully.
Castillo looking for a sweep. Not yet Castillo, not yet.
Castillo is working hard here to advance position.
Castillo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Birmiski passes Castillo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Birmiski is keen to just control but Castillo is a slippery customer.
Castillo wants to get back to full guard but Birmiski has passed into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castillo being controlled for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castillo regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ari Birmiski dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Castillo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Castillo tries for a takedown but Birmiski circles away easily

and Birmiski counters with a nice double leg into side control. Castillo won't be happy with that.
Castillo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Birmiski missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Castillo is looking for a sweep. Birmiski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Birmiski is looking for a kimura but Castillo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Birmiski to get the leverage.
Birmiski works his foot free and advances to mount.
Birmiski with shots to the head and body - Castillo looks very uncomfortable down there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Birmiski pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Castillo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Birmiski working for a submission but Castillo is keeping him at bay.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Birmiski fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Birmiski lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Castillo is squirming around, avoiding Birmiski's attempts to control the action.
Birmiski working Castillo over with strikes here.
Birmiski tries to control but Castillo wriggling away.
Birmiski takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Castillo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Birmiski's guard. Nice work there by Castillo.
Castillo stopping the sweep attempt from Birmiski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Birmiski is looking for a triangle but Castillo pushes his legs off easily.
Birmiski trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Birmiski keeping moving, preventing Castillo from controlling successfully.

Birmiski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Castillo pushing down on Birmiski's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Castillo is working for a submission of some sort.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo tries to pass to full mount but Birmiski defends it.
Birmiski wants to control but Castillo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Castillo is trying to control the action in half guard but Birmiski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Castillo is working for a submission of some sort.
Birmiski is pressing down on Castillo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ari Birmiski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Castillo stopping the sweep attempt from Birmiski.
Birmiski manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Birmiski putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Ezio Castillo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Castillo is working to get back to half guard.
Birmiski controlling his opponent.
Let's hope that Birmiski has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Birmiski lands a big elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ari Birmiski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Birmiski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 45:50
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 45:50
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ari Birmiski!
Ari Birmiski is the new bantamweight champion!
Ari Birmiski really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Milwaukee's Best 160 -$150 SALE!!!!!!!!!!!! logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.