PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bija Firserfest (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bittor Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xavier is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jane's Addiction- Mountain Song. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Firserfest
vs
Xavier

179 cm
28
180 lbs
17 - 6 - 1

180 cm
35
186 lbs
20 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bija Firserfest!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bittor Xavier!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xavier is looking to clinch but Firserfest is avoiding it.
Nice straight punches there by Xavier. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Xavier.

It looks like Bija Firserfest has been cut.
Firserfest avoids the body shot from Xavier.
Xavier misses with a hook. Firserfest ducked under it nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Firserfest.
Firserfest throws an overhand right that lands on Xavier's shoulder, as Xavier tries to avoid the shot.

Xavier shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Firserfest napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Firserfest is looking to regain half guard here but Xavier keeps moving and retains side control.
Firserfest taking punishment in the form of punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Xavier is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Firserfest has escaped the position, nice work there.
Firserfest is trying to improve his position.
Firserfest avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Xavier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firserfest can't do much from the bottom here.
Xavier has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Xavier tries to control but Firserfest wriggling away.
Firserfest manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Firserfest is staying active underneath Xavier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Xavier is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Firserfest sees it coming and defends easily.
Xavier misses with a head shot. Firserfest uses the momentum to regain guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Firserfest is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firserfest is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Xavier looking to control.
Firserfest trying to control but Xavier is working from the bottom.
Xavier trying to keep a closed guard but Firserfest is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Xavier is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Xavier wants to sweep but no luck.

Xavier isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Firserfest stacks Xavier on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Firserfest!
Firserfest just content to control the position.

Firserfest is trying to get an arm triangle but Xavier is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firserfest is looking to take a break and control but Xavier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xavier tries to buck Firserfest off but Firserfest is having none of it.
Firserfest is looking to take a break and control but Xavier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Firserfest wants to stand but Xavier is controlling his arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bittor Xavier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bija Firserfest's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Xavier swings for the body but Firserfest moves out of range.
Firserfest slips a jab from Xavier.
Firserfest missing with a left hand there. Xavier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Xavier ducks under a wild hook from Firserfest.
Firserfest misses with a double jab.
Firserfest throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xavier throws a looping overhand right but Firserfest ducks down to avoid it.
Xavier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Firserfest manages to avoid it.
Xavier is looking to slow Firserfest down with leg kicks.
Firserfest throws a big shot that misses.
Firserfest keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Firserfest throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xavier ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Firserfest moves away.
Xavier misses with an uppercut.
Xavier missing with a left hand there. Firserfest was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Firserfest fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xavier manages to avoid it.
Xavier takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firserfest ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Firserfest lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Firserfest there.
Firserfest stuffs the takedown attempt from Xavier. Xavier gets slowly back to his feet.
Xavier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Firserfest.
Xavier misses with a low kick.
Firserfest showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xavier.

Xavier closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bittor Xavier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Firserfest is trying to maintain the position but Xavier is very close to passing his half guard.
Xavier trying to control the action but Firserfest is working from the bottom.
Firserfest tries to roll over but Xavier keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier trying to control the action but Firserfest is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Xavier is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Xavier lands with a punch from half guard.
Xavier seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Firserfest does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Xavier looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Firserfest is controlling Xavier's trapped leg to prevent Xavier from advancing to side control.
Firserfest trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier prevents Firserfest from improving his position.

Xavier is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Firserfest sees it coming and defends easily.
Xavier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Firserfest keeps working.
Xavier trying to control from Firserfest's half guard. Firserfest has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Firserfest utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Firserfest keeping moving, preventing Xavier from controlling successfully.
Xavier postures up.
Xavier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firserfest controls Xavier momentarily but Xavier frees himself.
Xavier 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.

Firserfest gets caught napping as Xavier dives in and scores a takedown. Firserfest manages to retain guard.
Xavier wants to pass the guard but Firserfest is keeping the position.
Xavier trying to control the position from guard on top but Firserfest is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Firserfest manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Xavier manages to get himself to full guard.
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!
Firserfest pushing down on Xavier's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Firserfest is trying to control. Xavier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Xavier slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bittor Xavier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bija Firserfest's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Firserfest lands a nice shot to the body.
Xavier thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good standup being displayed there by Xavier as he connects with a hook.
Firserfest paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Xavier throws a body punch but Firserfest moves out of range.
Xavier takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bittor Xavier seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Firserfest throws a combination. Xavier tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Xavier just misses with a punch to the body.
Firserfest connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xavier looks to land a combination but Firserfest avoids it well.
Xavier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xavier changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Xavier gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Firserfest.
Firserfest slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Xavier takes a swing at Firserfest's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firserfest lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bija Firserfest is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Firserfest paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Xavier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xavier misses with a two punch combination.
Firserfest swings for the body but Xavier moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Firserfest.
Xavier misses with a shot to the body
and Firserfest counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Xavier dodges the punch combination from Firserfest.
Xavier connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Xavier checks a low kick from Firserfest.
The fight stays on the outside here - Xavier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Xavier uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Firserfest.
Bija Firserfest has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavier misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Firserfest.
Firserfest swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Firserfest misses with a jab, cross combination.

Xavier gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Firserfest tries a body shot but Xavier blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Firserfest.
Xavier lands a right hand.
Xavier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xavier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xavier scores with a nice hook to the head.
Xavier blocks a body shot from Firserfest.
Xavier scores with a hook to the body.
A hook to the body from Xavier.
Firserfest lands a nice shot to the body.
Firserfest doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Firserfest blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firserfest works on Xavier's body with a couple of short punches.
Xavier wants to break the clinch but can't.
Xavier has had enough of the clinch but Firserfest keeps him there for the moment.

Xavier jumps guard and drags Firserfest to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Firserfest trying to control the position from guard on top but Xavier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Xavier has his foot on Firserfest's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Firserfest works his way back into a safe position though.
Xavier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Firserfest is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Firserfest throwing strikes but missing.
Firserfest trying to stand up but can't free himself from Xavier's guard.
Bittor Xavier is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier controlling the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Xavier working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Firserfest.
Xavier trying to control the position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Firserfest misses with a body kick.
Xavier is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Firserfest rather than just go for the knockout.
Firserfest displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xavier.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xavier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Firserfest misses with a right hand

and Xavier counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Firserfest wants to get back to his feet but Xavier passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bija Firserfest.
I think Xavier has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bittor Xavier!
A very excited looking Bittor Xavier 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.