PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hin Areni (ranked 223 p4p, 1066 weight class) and Charlie River (ranked 19 p4p, 89 weight class). Areni kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Mosaique. River has chosen Waylon Jennings - I've Always Been Crazy as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Areni
vs
River

169 cm
40
145
25 - 12 - 0

170 cm
33
142
33 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Urban Fighter

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hin Areni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Charlie River!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Areni throws a hook but River avoids it easily.
Areni throws a body kick that misses.
River throws a hook but Areni blocks it.
Areni misses with a wild body shot.
River connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
River takes a shot to the body in his stride.
River misses with a straight right.
Areni has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Areni with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good exchange - River coming out on top.
Areni takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Areni throws a hook to the side of River's head but River sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Areni lands with an overhand left.
River throws a head kick but Areni moves out of range.
Areni scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Areni misses with a looping right.
River looks to land a body kick but Areni moved away.
Areni takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Areni has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by River.
River has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
River scoring well with a low kick there.
Areni throws an off balance right hand

and River counters by clinching up.
River swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Areni breaks the clinch.
River lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Areni takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
River fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Areni looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Areni.
Areni swings for the body but River moves out of range.
River misses with a low kick.
River slips a straight right by Areni.

River clinches.
River tries to work over Areni's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River gets underhooks to prevent Areni's takedown attempt.
A nice left hand lands by River.

Areni breaks from the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Areni. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Areni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from River misses.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
River displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Areni throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
Areni lands a really nice looking cross but River seems unphased.
A jab from River does it's job there.
Areni throws a jab when River was well out of range.
Areni lands with a shot to the body.
Areni looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
Charlie River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River scores with a hook to the body. Areni takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
River misses with a hook.
Areni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
River scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Areni lands with a nice body punch.
Areni throws an overhand right that lands on River's shoulder, as River tries to avoid the shot.
Areni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
Jab from Areni.
Areni moves out of range of the strikes.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Areni shoots in looking for a takedown but River manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Areni's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
River connects with a body shot.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River blocks a jab.
Areni takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Areni avoids the head kick by River.
River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Areni sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River throws the left hand but Areni avoids the punch easily.
River misses the shot to the body.
River connects with a body shot that sends Areni's belly button to the back.
Areni scores with a nice head shot.
Areni looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
River throws a nice looking combination but Areni bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Areni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but River was well out of range. Poor timing from Areni.
Areni throws a hook but River avoids it easily.
Areni misses the shot to the body.
Areni takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.
River doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Areni's elbow.

Areni manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areni avoids the body shot from River.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A swing and a miss from Areni.
River throws a nice looking combination but Areni bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
River lands a front kick.
River throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Areni explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
River avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Areni throws a lazy right hand but River sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Areni takes a jab right on the kisser.
Areni misses with a wild body shot.
River misses with an uppercut. Areni saw that one coming.
River tries a low kick but Areni avoids it.
River is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Areni had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Areni throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
Areni keeps the fight on the outside.
River lands a jab to Areni's midsection.
River throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Areni shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Areni bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
River is not content to let Areni control the position.
The strikes coming from Areni are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
River pushes Areni away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Areni gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The ground and pound from Areni seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Areni trying to control the position but River is working away.
Areni working the ground and pound but River is defending the strikes.
Areni throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areni wants to control but River is keeping him busy.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Areni wants to control but River is keeping him busy.
Areni is working River over with some ground and pound from side control.
River is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
River tries to escape but Areni is in control.
Areni has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Areni wants to lay and pray for a moment but River keeps working.
Sloppy strikes there by Areni.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
River avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Areni.

Areni thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
River really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Areni. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Areni is putting a hurting on River here, landing some big shots from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Areni trying to control the position but River is working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Areni.
Areni creates some space and throws a big elbow, but River sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areni wants to lay and pray for a moment but River keeps working.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if River can do anything to dispel that myth.
Areni landing a few strikes.
Areni scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at River to see if he's OK.
Areni fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Areni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, River has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Areni trying to control the action but River is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Areni wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by River, who protects the arm well.
River takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Areni working the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on River's face as Areni controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hin Areni dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

River misses with a head kick.
Areni stuns River with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice defenses there by River.
River pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Areni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
Areni scores with a nice strike.
River is looking to clinch.
Areni takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Areni scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd cheers as River lands an impressive looking overhand right. Areni doesn't seem phased though.
River staying out of range there.
Areni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Areni throws a hook but River blocks it.
Areni looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
River lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Areni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
Areni uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River.
Areni with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A thudding body kick lands there by River!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areni takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Areni is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
River throws a leg kick but Areni sees it coming and moves out of range.
River blocks a jab.
River lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A swing and a miss from Areni.
Areni takes a shot right to the bread basket.
River connects with a good right hand that stumbles Areni. Areni circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
River slips a straight right by Areni.
Areni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
River scores with a sloppy right hand. Areni should have avoided that one.
River tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Areni was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Areni misses with an attempted mid kick.
River avoids the body shot from Areni.
Areni takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Areni.
River fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Areni is out of range.
Areni walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni misses with a wild body shot.
Areni misses the shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River misses with a head kick.
Areni is looking to land body kicks.
Areni throws a sloppy head kick and River moves out of range easily.
Jab by River.
Areni scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Areni. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice body kick there by River.
Areni avoids the body shot from River.
Areni cracks River with an open hand slap.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Areni avoids a kick to the body.
Areni is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
River slips under a jab.
River takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Areni, as that shot connected.
River connects with a right hand. Areni shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areni connects with a body shot that sends River's belly button to the back.

River darts in and clinches Areni up against the cage.
Areni misses with a shot to the kidneys.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
Areni prevents a body shot from River.
A quick uppercut on the inside from River.
Areni is stalling here.
Areni tries for a takedown. No joy.
Areni lands a hook that snaps the head of River backwards.
Areni looking for a takedown.
A shot in the inside from River.
River is looking to control Areni's arms but Areni gets an underhook and turns him. Now River has his back to the cage.
River softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Areni controls the action.
River scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice body punch from River - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Areni pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Areni loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Areni lands a front kick.
Areni takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.
Areni is looking to land body kicks.
Areni looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
River let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
River is looking to clinch but Areni is avoiding it.
River checks a leg kick.
Areni misses with a leg kick
and River counters with a nice body kick.
River cracks Areni with a good jab.
River with a jab.
Areni uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
River connects with a looping right hand.
Charlie River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Areni throws a body shot but no joy.
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
River scores with a hook.
River throws a series of punches but Areni avoids them all with ease.
Areni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think River 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie River!
Charlie River seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.