PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Canton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Arkham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bill Arkham is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Canton
vs
Arkham

176 cm
21
141 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
140 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Canton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bill Arkham!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arkham is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Canton's half guard.
Arkham wants to lay and pray for a moment but Canton keeps working.
Arkham lands with a punch from half guard.
Arkham sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Canton defending well though.
Arkham content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Canton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Arkham pulls his head out easily.
Canton is trying to maintain the position but Arkham is very close to passing his half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Arkham in particular looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkham working Canton over with strikes.
Arkham thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Canton's head.
Arkham is looking to advance position but Canton won't allow it.
Arkham is looking to take a break and control but Canton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Canton wants to control but Arkham is keeping busy and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Arkham decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Arkham controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arkham seems to be working for a kimura but Canton defends the submission attempt.
Canton wants to control but Arkham is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Arkham perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arkham trying to control from half guard but Canton is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkham wants to pass to mount but Canton is defending the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Arkham in particular looking to stall.
Arkham is trying to control the action in half guard but Canton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Canton is trying to get back to full guard.

Canton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Arkham is looking to stall here but Canton recovers full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Arkham trying to control but Canton is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Canton defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arkham.
Arkham shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Canton sprawls well. Canton wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arkham gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Canton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Arkham dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Arkham looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Well, if Arkham is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Arkham is looking to take a break and control but Canton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arkham not doing much here.
Canton is looking to control Arkham's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Canton avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkham wants to pass to mount but Canton is defending the position.
Arkham is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Arkham thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Canton is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Canton wants to control but Arkham is keeping busy.
Arkham seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

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.
Arkham is stalling here. Canton is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Arkham seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Canton has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Arkham tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Arkham is trying to control Canton's posture but Canton avoids it.

Canton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Canton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Arkham tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Canton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Canton landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arkham can't do much from the bottom here.
Arkham manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkham wants to improve his position but Canton is controlling well.
Arkham is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Canton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Canton's back!
Arkham missing with strikes.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Arkham lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Arkham biding his time, controlling Canton.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Arkham tries to get the hooks in deep but Canton pushed the leg off.

Despite being in the dominant position, Bill Arkham just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Arkham tries to land a front kick but Canton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Arkham gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Canton counters with a shoot takedown. Arkham fights it but they end up in guard.
Arkham manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Canton manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Arkham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Arkham shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Canton counters with a body kick that stops Arkham in his tracks momentarily.
Arkham with a lazy takedown attempt

and Canton counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Canton seems to be working for a kimura but Arkham defends the submission attempt.
Canton is pressing down on Arkham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Arkham is holding on for now.
Arkham has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Canton is working away from the top position though.
Canton working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Arkham slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Arkham looking for a sweep. Not yet Arkham, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Canton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Arkham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Canton stands up and waves to Arkham to follow him.
Arkham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Canton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Canton lands in his opponent's guard.
Canton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Arkham's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canton won't allow Arkham to sweep him here.
Canton is in close to Arkham's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Arkham lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Canton!
Arkham is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Canton can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Arkham landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bill Arkham has got the better of the ground game so far.
Canton wants to hold on but Arkham pushes him away.
Canton is squirming around, avoiding Arkham's attempts to control the action.
The referee warns Canton that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkham trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Canton tries to lock up and control but Arkham gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Arkham with a couple of short strikes.
Arkham throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Canton because Arkham loaded up on that one.
Canton wants to hold on but Arkham pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Arkham has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Canton's face.
Arkham content just to control the position here.
Arkham trying to control but he's not successful this time.
BOOM! Arkham connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Canton wants to control but Arkham is having none of it.
Arkham sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

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 Johnny Canton.
I think Arkham 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Arkham!