PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rachid Hadji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Arona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arona is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Knock you out!. 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.

Hadji
vs
Arona

165 cm
27
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

179 cm
24
155 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rachid Hadji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jon Arona!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hadji moves in looking to clinch but Arona pushes him off.
Hadji fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Arona staying out of range there.

Hadji fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Arona, pushing him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arona as Hadji tries to tie him up.
Hadji pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Arona blocks the elbow strike.
Arona tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hadji is stalling here.
Arona blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Arona has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hadji is trying to keep an underhook but Arona manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hadji is trying to control but can't.
Hadji pushes Arona off looking to stand but Arona dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hadji is looking to control Arona's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hadji avoid being mounted?
Arona is looking to take a break and control but Hadji is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hadji has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Arona is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rachid Hadji wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A jab lands there for Arona.

Arona clinches up against the cage.
Hadji is looking to control Arona's arms but Arona gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hadji has his back to the cage.
Hadji misses with a hook to the ribs.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hadji with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Arona avoiding damage as Hadji throws knees to the body.
Arona has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hadji is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hadji prevents the takedown attempt.
Rachid Hadji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jon Arona.
Hadji just leaning against Arona, taking a breather.
Hadji taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hadji putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Arona in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Arona pulls guard successfully.

Arona looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arona keeping moving, preventing Hadji from controlling successfully.
Hadji stopping the sweep attempt from Arona.
Arona keeping moving, preventing Hadji from controlling successfully.

Arona pushes a forearm under Hadji's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Hadji is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jon Arona!