PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aldin Arifi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Swick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arifi comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem - Not Afraid. 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.

Arifi
vs
Swick

170 cm
26
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

172 cm
23
130 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Aldin Arifi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Swick!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arifi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Swick can do anything to dispel that myth.
Swick is wriggling around trying to escape.
Swick wants to control but Arifi is having none of it.
Swick is working to get back to half guard.
Arifi throwing strikes here but Swick is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Arifi thowing shots but they're missing.
Arifi looking to ground and pound but Swick is blocking nicely.
Swick wants to control but Arifi is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swick holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Arifi tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Swick is looking to improve his position but Arifi isn't that keen on the idea.
Arifi thowing shots but they're missing.
Swick is in all sorts of trouble here.
Arifi lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Arifi looking to finish with strikes here!
Arifi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Swick blocking the ground and pound.
Arifi working the ground and pound effectively.
Arifi content just to control the position here.
Arifi thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swick wants to control but Arifi is having none of it.
Arifi throwing strikes but Swick bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Swick is trying to control the position but Arifi postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arifi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Arifi postures up in Swick's guard and throws a big left but Swick blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Arifi postures up in Swick's guard and throws a big left but Swick blocks it.
Arifi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Swick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Arifi 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.

Arifi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Swick is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Arifi, into his guard.
Swick won't allow Arifi to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Swick postures up.
Swick trying to control but Arifi is working from the bottom.
Arifi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldin Arifi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arifi tries for a takedown but Swick circles away easily
enabling Swick to counter with a crisp jab.

Arifi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Swick is trying to control Arifi's posture but Arifi avoids it.
Arifi throws a strike aimed at the side of Swick's head but Swick avoids it well.
Swick trying to control but Arifi flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Arifi landing with strikes.
Arifi is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Swick. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Arifi gets his hands free as Swick looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arifi misses with an elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arifi missing with strikes.
Arifi softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Swick is keeping busy.
Swick covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Arifi missing with strikes.
Arifi avoiding Swick 's attempts to control his hands.
Good control from Arifi.
Swick covering up well under a series of strikes from Arifi.
Arifi punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arifi is hanging on to Swick's back as he tries to escape.
Swick really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Arifi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Swick is trying to stand back up.
Arifi missing with punches from the back.
Arifi is punishing Swick with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Swick avoids the strikes from Arifi.
Arifi missing with strikes from the back.
Swick looking very determined here, making life difficult for Arifi.
Swick grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Even with his hooks in, Arifi manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Swick looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldin Arifi dominated that second round.
That's time! Arifi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Arifi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Swick to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Arifi pushes Swick off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Arifi feints and as Swick raises his hands in defense, Arifi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Swick wants to get back to his feet but Arifi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Swick working for a triangle but Arifi defends it easily.
Arifi postures up.
Arifi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Arifi throwing strikes from guard but Swick blocks nicely.

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.
Swick utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Swick trying to control the position.
Aldin Arifi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Swick keeping moving, preventing Arifi from controlling successfully.
Aldin Arifi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Arifi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Arifi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Swick quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arifi thows a huge punch but Swick dodges it nicely.
Arifi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Swick is looking for a sweep. Arifi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Arifi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Arifi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Swick trying to control but Arifi postures up.
Arifi wants to control but Swick is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Still in half guard, Arifi seems content to control.
Chris Swick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

We're going to have a standup here because Aldin Arifi wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Arifi gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aldin Arifi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Arifi, 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aldin Arifi!