PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Phil Arcuri (ranked 2688 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hatfield McCoy (ranked 4438 p4p, 0 weight class). Hatfield McCoy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Arcuri
vs
McCoy

176 cm
39
168 lbs
25 - 17 - 0

175 cm
35
161 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Phil Arcuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hatfield McCoy!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCoy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Arcuri scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McCoy doesn't seem bothered though.
Arcuri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Arcuri misses with a kick to the body.
A jab from Arcuri misses.
Arcuri takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCoy defending well as Arcuri loads up on a big left hand.
McCoy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Arcuri swivels and escapes.
Arcuri is looking to land body kicks.
McCoy cracks Arcuri with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arcuri feints and then cracks McCoy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCoy down.
Arcuri throws a good cross that connects.
Arcuri keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Arcuri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcuri chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McCoy can pounce on him.
McCoy misses with a looping left.
McCoy misses with a looping left.
Arcuri fires out a quick counter leg kick but McCoy just manages to avoid it.
McCoy sizes up Arcuri with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
McCoy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McCoy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCoy raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Arcuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A good leg kick by Arcuri.
Arcuri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Arcuri connects with a jab.
Arcuri looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Arcuri moves forwards but McCoy connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jab from Arcuri.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Arcuri tries to keep at a distance but McCoy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Arcuri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McCoy.
A short right from Arcuri.
Arcuri throws a punch but it's blocked by McCoy.
McCoy tries to break free but Arcuri pushes him back against the cage.
Arcuri lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCoy backwards.
Arcuri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Arcuri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McCoy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Arcuri wants to take the fight to the mat but McCoy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Arcuri pulls McCoy into guard.

Arcuri has his foot on McCoy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McCoy works his way back into a safe position though.
McCoy postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri controlling McCoy's posture.

Arcuri throws his legs up looking for a submission but McCoy uses it to pass to side control.
Arcuri struggling a bit here.
Arcuri is looking to regain half guard here but McCoy keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCoy throws an elbow but Arcuri slips to the side and avoids it well.
Arcuri gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arcuri tries to hold on but McCoy pushes him away.
McCoy with the ground and pound from mount.
McCoy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Arcuri hang on?
Arcuri gets back to half guard.
Arcuri is trying to maintain the position but McCoy is very close to passing his half guard.

Arcuri actively working from the bottom here.
McCoy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
McCoy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Arcuri keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Phil Arcuri will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McCoy throws a jab but it's blocked by Arcuri.
Arcuri scores with a push kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Arcuri.
Arcuri listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McCoy tries to clinch up.
McCoy moves away from the strike by Arcuri.
Phil Arcuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arcuri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McCoy stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
McCoy finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hatfield McCoy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCoy looks to throw the jab but Arcuri is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arcuri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCoy avoids the body shot from Arcuri.
McCoy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McCoy takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Arcuri is looking to land body kicks.
McCoy follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Arcuri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McCoy can do to turn this around?
McCoy connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcuri will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arcuri looks to throw the jab but McCoy is out of range.
McCoy avoids the body shot from Arcuri.
McCoy takes one on the button.
A jab from McCoy does it's job there.
Arcuri connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big right from Arcuri misses.
McCoy moves out of range of the body kick.
Arcuri misses with an uppercut.
McCoy defending well as Arcuri loads up on a big left hand.
McCoy counters with a body kick.
Arcuri swings for the body but McCoy moves out of range.
McCoy unleashes a big counter combination but Arcuri bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Arcuri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Arcuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCoy manages to avoid it.
McCoy tries to counter with a clinch but Arcuri shakes him off and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCoy ducks under a wild hook from Arcuri.
Arcuri thuds his shin into the meat of McCoy's side.
Arcuri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McCoy.
McCoy scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arcuri throws the kick towards the body but McCoy avoids it.
Arcuri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McCoy misses with a few strikes there.
Arcuri shoots in for a takedown but McCoy shows good takedown defense.
McCoy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Arcuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCoy moves away.
McCoy is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Arcuri has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Arcuri lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCoy scores with a shot to the body.
Arcuri misses with a low kick.
Arcuri throws a good cross that connects.
McCoy shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A jab from Arcuri misses.
McCoy scores with a one two! Arcuri had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
McCoy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Arcuri moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Arcuri moves out of range of the body kick from McCoy.
McCoy moves forwards but Arcuri connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Arcuri misses with an uppercut. McCoy saw that one coming.
Arcuri throws a head kick but McCoy moves out of range.
Arcuri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCoy misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Arcuri jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McCoy throws a nice outside leg kick.

McCoy closes the distance and pushes Arcuri back into the cage.
McCoy stalling in the clinch.
Arcuri drops down looking for an ankle pick but McCoy pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phil Arcuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arcuri throws out a loose jab but McCoy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arcuri blocks a leg kick.
McCoy works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Arcuri scores with a spinning back kick!
McCoy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McCoy throws out a counter right but Arcuri avoids it with no problem.
McCoy scores with a one two! Arcuri had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A combination from McCoy does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Phil Arcuri will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McCoy throws a right hand that Arcuri ducks under and follows up with a left that Arcuri also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from McCoy.
McCoy takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Arcuri throws a wild body kick that McCoy sees coming a mile off.
Arcuri feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McCoys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Arcuri just misses with a punch to the body.
Arcuri misses with a body kick.
Arcuri throws a big shot that misses.
Despite the aggression on McCoy's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
McCoy 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.
Arcuri throws a hook to the side of McCoy's head but McCoy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McCoy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Arcuri has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McCoy misses the shot to the body.
Arcuri misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcuri lands a nice shot that snaps McCoy's head back.
Arcuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Arcuri throws a hook but McCoy blocks it.
Arcuri lands with a good body shot.
Arcuri connects with a good right hand that stumbles McCoy. McCoy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McCoy moves out of range of the strikes.
McCoy is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Arcuri darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Phil Arcuri is winning the standup battle so far.
McCoy moves out of range of the body kick from Arcuri.
McCoy steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Arcuri.
Sloppy strikes from Arcuri. Those never looked like landing.
Arcuri fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McCoy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Arcuri misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCoy throws a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Arcuri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McCoy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A jab from McCoy misses.
Hatfield McCoy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCoy misses with a double jab.
Arcuri takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Arcuri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCoy connects with a solid leg kick.
McCoy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arcuri manages to avoid it.
McCoy throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Arcuri is looking to counter punch.
McCoy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McCoy lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCoy walks into a stiff left hand from Arcuri.
Arcuri throws a hook to the side of McCoy's head but McCoy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A countering left hand to the body from McCoy misses.
Arcuri checks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Arcuri misses the target.

McCoy has closed the distance and engaged Arcuri in a clinch.
McCoy blocks an uppercut.
Arcuri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McCoy smiles and moves away.
Arcuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCoy moves away.
McCoy is looking to slow Arcuri down with leg kicks.
McCoy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arcuri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Arcuri cracks McCoy with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Arcuri misses with a hook to the body
and McCoy counters with a nice uppercut.
McCoy misses with a double jab.
Arcuri feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Phil Arcuri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCoy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Arcuri throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arcuri tries to land a front kick but McCoy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McCoy throws a hook but Arcuri avoids it easily.
McCoy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McCoy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Left hook, right uppercut from Arcuri.
McCoy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Arcuri scores with a jab to the head.
Arcuri throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McCoy throws a right hand that Arcuri ducks under and follows up with a left that Arcuri also avoids with ease.
Arcuri lands with a kick to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Arcuri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Arcuri, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Arcuri!
Phil Arcuri decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.