PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Largius Fistius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arlovski comes to the cage accompanied by Andrei . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Arlovski
vs
Fistius

194 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
214 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Arlovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Largius Fistius!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fistius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arlovski defending well as Fistius loads up on a big left hand.
Left hook, right uppercut from Arlovski.

Fistius shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Arlovski's guard.
Fistius postures up in Arlovski's guard and throws a big left but Arlovski blocks it.
Fistius stands and throws Arlovski's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Fistius working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Arlovski is looking to reverse the position.
Fistius throws a strike aimed at the side of Arlovski's head but Arlovski avoids it well.
Fistius is looking to take a break and control but Arlovski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arlovski tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Fistius looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fistius wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Arlovski, who protects the arm well.

Fistius is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Arlovski has escaped the position, nice work there.
Arlovski dodges the ground and pound from Fistius.
Arlovski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Arlovski looking for submissions off his back.
Fistius stops Arlovski from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fistius is controlling the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fistius not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fistius working the head and body with strikes.

Fistius is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Arlovski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fistius.
Fistius lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fistius moves nicely into side control.
Fistius trying to control the action but Arlovski is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski struggling a bit here.
Arlovski on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Arlovski tries to get out of the position.
Fistius trying to control the action but Arlovski is working from the bottom.
Fistius scoring with punches and elbows.
Fistius in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Fistius is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Arlovski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fistius tries to move to mount but Arlovski blocks the move with his legs.
Fistius looks gassed!
Fistius is looking to take a break and control but Arlovski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arlovski tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Fistius presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fistius raining down shots from the mount!
Fistius trying to control but Arlovski is having none of it.
Fistius looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Fistius has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Arlovski defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Fistius.
Fistius landing strikes, looking to finish!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fistius scoring with strikes but Arlovski is staying in there.
Fistius with shots to the head and body - Arlovski looks very uncomfortable down there.
Fistius connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fistius looking for a guillotine from mount but Arlovski is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Largius Fistius dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fistius shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Arlovski as he jumps to the side.

Arlovski moves into the clinch.
Fistius misses with the head strike.

Fistius decides to pull guard.

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

Arlovski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Fistius looking for a guillotine here but Arlovski defends easily.
Arlovski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Arlovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Fistius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arlovski stands up from Fistius's guard - Arlovski perhaps looking for a knockout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Arlovski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fistius shoots in looking for a takedown. Arlovski tries to sprawl out of it but Fistius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Arlovski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fistius jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fistius looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Arlovski is fending him off so far but Fistius persists. Nope, Arlovski circles away and we're back to standing.
Andrei Arlovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Largius Fistius.
Arlovski tries for a takedown but Fistius sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Arlovski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fistius avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Arlovski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Arlovski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fistius keeps the fight on the outside.
Fistius walks into a jab.
Arlovski tries to clinch up but Fistius circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fistius throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fistius throws a head kick but Arlovski moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Arlovski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Andrei Arlovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Arlovski bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fistius's head.

Fistius feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Arlovski lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Fistius passes Arlovski's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fistius prevents Arlovski from standing back up.
Fistius is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Arlovski tries to kick Fistius off but Fistius keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fistius is looking to take a break and control but Arlovski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fistius perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Arlovski wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fistius seems to be working for a kimura but Arlovski defends the submission attempt.
Fistius is pressing down on Arlovski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Arlovski is holding on for now.
Fistius is trying to control the action in half guard but Arlovski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fistius is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Largius Fistius has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fistius frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fistius takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Arlovski squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Arlovski takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fistius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Arlovski is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fistius working for a submission but Arlovski is keeping him at bay.

Fistius is going olschool here, as he tries to force Arlovski to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Arlovski shrugs it off.
Fistius controlling his opponent.
Fistius scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Arlovski throwing hammer fists to the chest of Fistius. What's that going to do exactly?
Fistius landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fistius working Arlovski over with strikes here.
Fistius is in the full mount, landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Largius Fistius showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Fistius lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Nice sprawl there from Fistius as Arlovski shoots in.
A left and a right from Fistius both land. Nice combination.
Fistius looks to score with a jab to the body but Arlovski is just out of range.
Fistius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Fistius looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fistius works over Arlovski with some ground and pound from guard.

Fistius drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fistius jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Arlovski keeping moving, preventing Fistius from controlling successfully.
Arlovski manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fistius tries to reverse the position but Arlovski maintains control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arlovski sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fistius wants to hold on but Arlovski pushes him away.
Arlovski throws some wild stikes that Fistius manages to avoid easily.
Fistius manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Fistius looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arlovski thows a huge punch but Fistius dodges it nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fistius manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fistius is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Arlovski postures up in Fistius's guard and throws a big left but Fistius blocks it.
Arlovski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Arlovski trying to control but Fistius is working from the bottom.

Fistius had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Arlovski is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Fistius Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Arlovski's back instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski looking very determined here, making life difficult for Fistius.

Fistius patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Arlovski is trying to stand back up.
Fistius lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Fistius trying to control momentarily.

Arlovski defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Fistius landing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fistius tries to keep control of the position but Arlovski is staying busy.

Fistius working for a choke but Arlovski is defending well.
Fistius gets his hands free as Arlovski looks to control.
Andrei Arlovski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arlovski is trying to stand back up.

Arlovski is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Largius Fistius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A lull in the action here.
Arlovski rolls, trying to escape but Fistius keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fistius slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Arlovski is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Fistius biding his time, looking for the opening.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fistius has his arm under Arlovski's chin here. Game over son! Fistius squeezes tightly and Arlovski is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Largius Fistius!