PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cesar Areza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stilgar ben Fifrawi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). ben Fifrawi has chosen Lamb of God - Omerta as his entrance music. Cesar Areza had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Areza
vs
ben Fifrawi

190 cm
23
210 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
223 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cesar Areza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stilgar ben Fifrawi!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ben Fifrawi connects with a body shot.

ben Fifrawi drives through and clinches with Areza against the cage.
Areza's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
ben Fifrawi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A body shot lands from ben Fifrawi.
A short body shot lands from ben Fifrawi as the two fighters clinch.

ben Fifrawi manages to break the clinch.
Areza throws a head kick that misses.

ben Fifrawi moves into range and clinches up with Areza.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand underneath Areza's ribcage. Areza let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Good body shot from ben Fifrawi.
Areza is breathing heavily.
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!
A right hand to the body from ben Fifrawi.
A short body shot lands from ben Fifrawi as the two fighters clinch.
ben Fifrawi scores with an uppercut up the middle.

ben Fifrawi breaks from the clinch.
ben Fifrawi lands with a shot to the body.

ben Fifrawi rushes Areza and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
ben Fifrawi works on Areza's body with a couple of short punches.
ben Fifrawi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
ben Fifrawi is working Areza over against the cage.
Areza managing to block the knees to the body from ben Fifrawi.
Nice body punch from ben Fifrawi.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ben Fifrawi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Areza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

ben Fifrawi darts in and clinches Areza up against the cage.

ben Fifrawi manages to break the clinch.
ben Fifrawi misses with a body shot.
Stilgar ben Fifrawi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Areza shoots in for a takedown but ben Fifrawi shows good takedown defense.
ben Fifrawi throws a right and a left that both miss.
ben Fifrawi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Donk. ben Fifrawi catches Areza right on the button with a cross.
ben Fifrawi lands a slapping body shot.
ben Fifrawi throws a nice looking combination but Areza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
ben Fifrawi misses with a series of wild punches.

Areza tries to keep at a distance but ben Fifrawi has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Areza.
ben Fifrawi works on Areza's body with a couple of short punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
ben Fifrawi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Areza up against the cage.

ben Fifrawi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
ben Fifrawi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
ben Fifrawi scores with a one two! Areza had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
ben Fifrawi lands the left hand.
ben Fifrawi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
ben Fifrawi throws a hook but Areza blocks it.

ben Fifrawi darts in and clinches Areza up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from ben Fifrawi.

ben Fifrawi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Areza waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract ben Fifrawi.

ben Fifrawi clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi stalling against the cage.

ben Fifrawi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
ben Fifrawi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Good shot there by ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi misses with the combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by ben Fifrawi.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts ben Fifrawi, as that shot connected.
ben Fifrawi digs a good body shot into Areza's ribs.

ben Fifrawi clinches up with Areza and pushes him back against the cage.
ben Fifrawi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Areza tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. ben Fifrawi smiles and moves away.

Areza tries to keep at a distance but ben Fifrawi has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi lands a shot to the body.

ben Fifrawi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A left and a right from ben Fifrawi both land. Nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
ben Fifrawi throws a right and a left that Areza avoids nicely.

ben Fifrawi takes the fight into the clinch.
ben Fifrawi lands a left hand.
ben Fifrawi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Areza up against the cage.

ben Fifrawi manages to break the clinch.
Areza avoids the body shot from ben Fifrawi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Areza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
ben Fifrawi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Areza moves away.
Stilgar ben Fifrawi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

ben Fifrawi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stilgar ben Fifrawi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

ben Fifrawi tries to bum rush Areza with a series of wild strikes but Areza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
ben Fifrawi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
ben Fifrawi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice cross by Areza.
ben Fifrawi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stilgar ben Fifrawi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
ben Fifrawi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

ben Fifrawi has managed to clinch.
A hook to the body from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

ben Fifrawi breaks from the clinch.
ben Fifrawi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
ben Fifrawi misses the jab.
Areza takes a shot to the body in his stride.

ben Fifrawi clinches with his opponent.
Areza is trying to force a seperation but ben Fifrawi has the dominant position.
Areza has had enough of the clinch but ben Fifrawi keeps him there for the moment.
ben Fifrawi keeps control of Areza as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areza avoiding damage as ben Fifrawi throws knees to the body.
ben Fifrawi works on Areza's body with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand into Areza's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Areza's gas tank.
ben Fifrawi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand into Areza's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Areza's gas tank.
The referee calls for ben Fifrawi to work.
ben Fifrawi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Areza or not.
A short left from ben Fifrawi.
Stilgar ben Fifrawi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
ben Fifrawi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
ben Fifrawi pushes Areza back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
ben Fifrawi pushes Areza back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
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!
ben Fifrawi scores with a shot to the side of Areza's head.
ben Fifrawi is working Areza over against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand underneath Areza's ribcage. Areza let out a lung full of air as it connected.
ben Fifrawi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from ben Fifrawi.
Good body shot from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi cracks Areza with a nice body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi taking a breather.
ben Fifrawi prevents Areza from breaking the clinch.
ben Fifrawi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
ben Fifrawi is pushing Areza up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Areza dodges an elbow strike from ben Fifrawi.
Areza tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. ben Fifrawi smiles and moves away.

ben Fifrawi moves into the clinch successfully.

ben Fifrawi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areza takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
ben Fifrawi misses with a double jab
enabling Areza to counter with a crisp jab.
ben Fifrawi lands a body shot.

ben Fifrawi takes the fight into the clinch.
Areza tries to break the clinch but ben Fifrawi is controlling the position.
Areza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Areza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi stalls.
Areza's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi presses Areza against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as ben Fifrawi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

ben Fifrawi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

ben Fifrawi clinches with his opponent.
ben Fifrawi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
ben Fifrawi lands a shot to the body.
ben Fifrawi throws an elbow that misses.
Nice body punch from ben Fifrawi.

ben Fifrawi manages to break the clinch.
ben Fifrawi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

ben Fifrawi has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice left hand lands by ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Areza's efforts to push away.
ben Fifrawi stalls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stilgar ben Fifrawi 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! This is the final round!

ben Fifrawi clinches.
ben Fifrawi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for ben Fifrawi.

ben Fifrawi breaks from the clinch.
Areza is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
ben Fifrawi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Areza.
ben Fifrawi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

ben Fifrawi forces Areza back against the cage and clinches.
Areza is trying to break the clinch but ben Fifrawi has him pressed against the cage.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand underneath Areza's ribcage. Areza let out a lung full of air as it connected.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand into Areza's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Areza's gas tank.
ben Fifrawi slows down the pace here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi scores with a shoulder strike.
ben Fifrawi scores with a hook to the body.

ben Fifrawi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
ben Fifrawi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Areza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
ben Fifrawi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Areza counters with a nice double leg into guard.
ben Fifrawi wants to stand up but Areza is controlling him.
Areza wants to stand and escape but instead ben Fifrawi has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

ben Fifrawi stands up from Areza's guard - ben Fifrawi perhaps looking for a knockout.
ben Fifrawi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Areza tries to keep at a distance but ben Fifrawi has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Areza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A right handed body shot lands from ben Fifrawi.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

ben Fifrawi manages to break the clinch.
Areza takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
ben Fifrawi tries to clinch up but Areza circles away and keeps his distance.
ben Fifrawi lands the left hand.
ben Fifrawi throws a hook but Areza blocks it.
ben Fifrawi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Areza rather than just go for the knockout.
ben Fifrawi misses with a double jab
and Areza counters with a head kick. That will keep ben Fifrawi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ben Fifrawi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Areza fails in his attempt to clinch.

ben Fifrawi clinches up with Areza and pushes him back against the cage.
ben Fifrawi lands a body punch.
Areza wants to break free but ben Fifrawi has control.

ben Fifrawi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

ben Fifrawi moves into the clinch.
ben Fifrawi digs a right hand underneath Areza's ribcage. Areza let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short body shot lands from ben Fifrawi as the two fighters clinch.

ben Fifrawi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

ben Fifrawi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Areza, pushing him back against the cage.
Good body shot from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

ben Fifrawi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
ben Fifrawi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Areza.

ben Fifrawi instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areza tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Areza is trying to break the clinch but ben Fifrawi is controlling him.
A hook to the body from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi presses Areza against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A right hand to the body from ben Fifrawi.
ben Fifrawi pushes Areza back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
ben Fifrawi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
ben Fifrawi pushes Areza back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

ben Fifrawi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

ben Fifrawi moves into the clinch successfully.
ben Fifrawi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

ben Fifrawi breaks from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ben Fifrawi lands a nice looking body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cesar Areza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
ben Fifrawi is leaning against Areza and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stilgar ben Fifrawi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got ben Fifrawi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 25:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 25:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stilgar ben Fifrawi!